Top Train Board Games For Everyone

Trains. Either the steady backbone, or persistent scourge, of modern board gaming.  

But where do you start when you’re worried about dealing with complex mechanics and, potentially, demanding, and meticulous gameplay? 

Defined by route building, pick-up and drop-off mechanics, and economic simulation – almost every collection has a train game in it.  

And, if not, here are some fantastic options for the uninitiated. Starting with-

Beginning our list with a controversial pick, Great Western puts you in control of a herd of cattle before shipping them off via train to your dining room table. While seemingly light on train mechanics, GWT offers players much of what makes train games great. Players are encouraged to improve and adjust the path their steers take, hire cowboys (always a joy) to help care for their cattle. With an accessible theme and deep gameplay, GWT offers a complex and rewarding playspace that adds life, color, and cows to your favorite gaming table. And what else could you ask?  

Combining minimalism, streamlined rules, and lots of Trains – Hisashi Hayashi’s Trains is a fantastic entry-level game that has the depth and playability to keep you coming back for more. A game of hand and deck management, players are tasked with building routes and optimizing your options as with series like Dominion. This makes play fast, simple, and immensely satisfying. for those that want more, players can pick up one of the game’s wonderful expansions with Rising Sun acting as a standalone and Coastal Tides adding additional options to your playspace.    

It has trains and Ireland. What else do you need? Designed by Tom Russell and beautifully illustrated by the talented Ian O’Toole, IG is a super-streamlined game of income, investment, and optimization that sees players grapple with the finances of the region’s historically atrocious rail infrastructure. And after playing a game of this, you may begin to realise why. A game of fierce competition and stock management that actually respects your time – IG is a perfect treat after a long commute.     

Arguably the mother of them all, Alan R. Moon’s iconic series is a fantastic entry point for players looking to enjoy the fun of train games without worrying about the minutiae of more demanding games. Expanding the range of options from the base game to include sea and air travel, the game adds enough complexity to create an interesting decision space as well as tactical options for your play. This gives additional flexibility with your route claiming, allowing you to join tracks through ports and prevent the ‘boxing in’ that is commonplace in the base game in the series. Coming complete with a double-sided board and a wealth of expansion maps, this is a game that’s perfect for veterans and newbies alike.

A playful pick for creative travelers, string railway is a perfect call for players that love tactile gaming and enjoy a little bit of creativity in their sessions. Designed by the apparently train-obsessed creation of ‘Trains’ this tiny-box game asks you to manage your territory and build a tiny route across your tabletop. The game involves linking your station tiles together with string and preventing crossing any of your rival’s paths. Initially simple, this soon transforms into a hilarious nightmare as you make use of the available space and squeeze out insanely circuitous routes in an attempt to squeeze every last point from your line. Clean, simple, and fun – it’s the perfect choice for younger gamers or players who appreciate a flawless little gem on their shelf.    

What’s more exciting than trains? That’s right, an auction! Released in the ancient world of 2007, this classic from Queen Games puts you under the top hats of captains of industry as the great American railroad expands and players push for the two things that lie closest to the country’s heart -efficiency and profit. Playing quickly and up to six, players auction their railroad company shares, the railroads are improved, and the board is further developed. Perfect for players that love economic complexity, this is a solid pick for rail fans…and those who love a bit of a bidding war too. And speaking of the American rail system-       

Being a train fan; what else is it except a chance to play with wee, tiny models. And Colt Express is a game that has this in spades. Released in 2014 and a Spiel De Jahres winner, the game lets you assemble a gorgeous cardboard train and play as the bandits and rogues trying to rob it blind. A game of programming and deck management, each turn sees players select cards from their hand that allow their characters to perform actions. These range from shooting, moving, clambering up or down on the carriage, thievery, and more. Once each player has submitted their actions, they are played out in front of the table – resulting in roguish larceny, complete embarrassment, and everything in between. And with a range of amazing expansions that include a playable sheriff and additional stagecoach and horses, the game has legs as well as wheels.    

For many, the box that should push Ticket to Ride off player’s shelves, RotW is an exceptional example of what adding just enough complexity can do for a game. Players are tasked with building networks, managing their resources, and using auction and bidding mechanics to keep their company ticking over. A medium-weight masterpiece, players focus on delivering (you guessed it) wooden cubes across the map and makes every decision count without becoming overtaxing. The game even makes choosing a first player for each turn fun thanks to a nail biting auction mechanic that can change the balance of every round. Accessible, gorgeous looking, and perfect for novices – Railways is the perfect pick for train lovers of all ages. We won’t say to choo-choose this masterpiece…but give it some serious thought ????  

What board games do you think combine trains and accessible fun? Tell us in the comments!