1840: Vienna Tramways (2020)

About this game

1840 is an 18xx game that tells the story of Vienna’s tramway system. Each player controls a holding company that can operate up to three tramway lines. Each of these lines lay track and stations on the map and run its trains, earning income from the stations they run through. All money is collected in the holding company and every couple of turns a company round commences where the players have to decide how much money they will pay out to the shareholders and how much will be kept in the holding company for better trains, more stations, and track building. In stock rounds players can invest in other players' companies or in the Stadtbahn, which can also be used by the various tramway lines to exercise special powers. 1840 uses the basic concept of all 18xx games, but offers quite a few innovations, like all-Diesel trains from the beginning on, that do not become obsolete, but have reduced income as they grow older. —description from the designer

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 3.6/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.