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1822: The Railways of Great Britain — Medium Regional Scenario

Designer: Simon Cutforth

Medium regional version of 1822: England and parts of Wales and Scotland, in a shorter format.

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1822: The Railways of Great Britain — Medium Regional Scenario Contents

How it works

Setup
  • Map of southern Great Britain (no Scotland, no North)
  • £12,000 bank; £375 per player with 4 (from £750 with 2 down to £215 with 7)
  • Three shuffled stacks: 7 concessions ([LNWR] on top), 16 minors ([M24] on top) and privates ([P1] on top)
  • Bid boxes: 4 minors, 3 concessions and 3 privates
  • Bid tokens (5 with 4 players) and a random turn order number
Stock round ×1
  • Turn: sell major shares, repay loans, then one of these:
  • · buy a share of a major
  • · convert a concession (from phase 2)
  • · place up to 3 bids in the bid boxes
  • At the end, each winning bidder pays and takes the certificate
  • Next order: most to least cash in hand
Operating round ×1-2
  • Private and concession income (£10)
  • Minors first, then majors, highest share price first:
  • 1. Acquire privates from a player
  • 2. Track: 1 yellow (minor) or 2 yellows / 1 upgrade (major)
  • 3. Destination and one station (£100), majors only
  • 4. Run trains: minors split 50/50
  • 5. Buy trains (mandatory if it has none)
  • 6. Absorb a minor and issue or redeem shares (majors)
↻ Repeats until the end
End
  • The bank runs out: the game ends after that set of operating rounds
  • A share reaches an "e" space (£500 to £600): the game ends after that operating round
  • If nothing sells in the first stock round, it ends immediately
  • Most cash plus shares at market value wins (privates and companies don't count)

Components

Players
  • Cash and bid tokens
  • Concessions, minor certificates (50%) and major shares
  • Privates (worth 0, but with income or a power)
  • Emergency loans at 50%
Minors
  • 16 minors, one station each
  • Start at £50 with £100 in phase 1
  • 1 yellow or green tile per turn
  • Revenue always split with the director
Majors
  • 7 majors, each with its own destination (no [CR], [NBR] or [NER])
  • Born by converting the concession (phases 2-4) or by selling 50% (from phase 5)
  • Incremental capitalisation; full from phase 6
  • Absorb minors and inherit their cash, trains and station
Bank
  • £12,000
  • New trains and the used-train market
  • Pays private and concession income

Where the money goes

  • Players Bank Winning bids (until phase 2, the bank puts up the minor's capital)
  • Players Majors Converting a concession and buying shares from the treasury
  • Minors Players Half the minor's revenue
  • Majors Players Dividends and cash paid to absorb a minor
  • Majors Bank Trains, terrain and stations
  • Bank Players Private and concession income, and share sales

Phases

1
Start
L · £50 · 2 · £120
1 operating round; minors at £50 with £100
2
1st 2-train
L · 2
2 operating rounds; concessions can be converted; L → 2 for £70
3
1st 3-train
3 · £200
L trains rust; trains between companies
4
1st 4-train
4 · £300
2s rust; limit of 3 trains per major and 1 per minor
5
1st 5-train
5 · £500
Concessions are removed; majors float at 50%
6
1st 6-train
6 · £600
3s rust; full capitalisation
7
1st 7 / E train
7 · £750 or E · £1,000
4s rust
  • The same 1822 rules on a smaller map: fewer companies, less money and a shorter game.
  • Minors are the seeds of the majors: absorbing them brings ready-made track, stations and cash.

A round, step by step

Illustrative example using 1822's rules (rulebook v2.0) and this scenario's numbers: 4 players with £375. We follow [PL1], who in the first auction wins minor [M19] in Cardiff for £140 plus the [SWR] concession, home in Gloucester, and uses it to absorb their minor.

  1. Before starting The bid boxes Phase 1

    The bid boxes hold 4 minors ([M24] in the first), 3 concessions ([LNWR] in the first) and 3 privates. Each player has 5 bid tokens and can look at the order of the stacks: you know what's coming up in the next auctions.

    If the minor in box 1 gets no bid, it leaves the game and takes a train from the bank with it.

    [PL1] cash
    £375
    [M19] treasury
    —
    [M19] share price
    —
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  2. Stock round 1 Bids in one turn Phase 1

    [PL1] puts a token on [M19] (£100, face value) and another on the [SWR] concession (£100). They don't pay anything yet: bids only commit money, and never more than you have.

    A bid can't be withdrawn or moved to another lot, even if someone outbids it.

    [PL1] cash
    £375
    [M19] treasury
    —
    [M19] share price
    —
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  3. Stock round 1 The fight for Cardiff Phase 1

    [PL2] raises [M19] to £120. On their next turn, [PL1] raises their token to £140. Nobody else joins in.

    You can only move a token you've already placed if another player has bid higher.

    [PL1] cash
    £375
    [M19] treasury
    —
    [M19] share price
    —
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  4. Stock round 1 End of round: time to pay Phase 1

    When everyone passes in a row, the auctions are resolved. [PL1] pays £140 for [M19] and £100 for the concession. In phase 1, whatever the bid, the minor starts at £50 with £100 put up by the bank.

    Order for the next stock round is most to least cash: spending big now means playing late later.

    [PL1] cash
    £135
    [M19] treasury
    £100
    [M19] share price
    £50
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  5. Operating round 1 Income and [M19]'s first turn Phase 1

    The concession pays [PL1] £10. [M19] is the first minor to operate because it had the highest bid. It places its station in Cardiff and, as the first step of its first turn, buys an L train for £50.

    Only a minor on its first turn may buy an L before running.

    [PL1] cash
    £145
    [M19] treasury
    £50
    [M19] share price
    £50
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  6. Operating round 1 Track towards Swansea, revenue split Phase 1

    It lays a yellow between Cardiff and Swansea. The L train runs within Cardiff: £30. A minor always splits: £15 for [PL1] and £15 to the treasury. Since it pays out, the share price moves up one space, to £60.

    An L train only counts one city with its own station and, if it wants, one town.

    [PL1] cash
    £160
    [M19] treasury
    £65
    [M19] share price
    £60
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  7. Rounds 2 and 3 Two more laps in phase 1 Phase 1

    In stock rounds 2 and 3 [PL1] can't convert the concession (it's still phase 1) and passes. In each of the two operating rounds the concession pays them £10 and [M19] makes £30 again, split in half. The minor reaches a £80 share price and £95 in the treasury.

    In phase 1 there's just one operating round between stock rounds.

    [PL1] cash
    £210
    [M19] treasury
    £95
    [M19] share price
    £80
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  8. Operating round 3 [M19] opens phase 2 Phase 2

    After paying out, [M19] pays the bank £80 and flips its L train: it's now a 2-train. It's the first 2-train of the game and phase 2 begins: concessions can be converted and, after the next stock round, there'll be two operating rounds.

    Upgrading an L to a 2 counts as buying a train. In phase 2, in this scenario, it only costs £70.

    [PL1] cash
    £210
    [M19] treasury
    £15
    [M19] share price
    £80
    [SWR] treasury
    —
    [SWR] share price
    —
  9. Stock round 4 Converting the concession Phase 2

    [PL1] flips the concession and gets the [SWR] director's certificate (20%). They choose a £80 par. The bank puts in £100 and [PL1] the rest up to double the price: 2 × 80 − 100 = £60. The [SWR] floats with £160.

    Converting is the whole action for the turn: you can't buy a share on the same turn.

    [PL1] cash
    £150
    [M19] treasury
    £15
    [M19] share price
    £80
    [SWR] treasury
    £160
    [SWR] share price
    £80
  10. Stock round 4 One more share Phase 2

    On another turn, [PL1] buys a 10% share from the [SWR] treasury for £80, which goes to the company. They now hold 30%.

    Incremental capitalisation: every share sold from the treasury pays its price to the company.

    [PL1] cash
    £70
    [M19] treasury
    £15
    [M19] share price
    £80
    [SWR] treasury
    £240
    [SWR] share price
    £80
  11. Operating round 4.1 [M19] with a 2-train Phase 2

    The concession no longer pays: it's a company now. [M19]'s 2-train runs Cardiff to Swansea: 30 + 20 = £50. £25 for [PL1], £25 to the treasury, and the share price moves up to £90.

    [PL1] cash
    £95
    [M19] treasury
    £40
    [M19] share price
    £90
    [SWR] treasury
    £240
    [SWR] share price
    £80
  12. Operating round 4.1 The [SWR] starts in Gloucester Phase 2

    The [SWR]'s first turn: it places its home station and leaves its destination token (Fishguard) on the charter. Gloucester is an empty circle worth 0, and it lays a yellow city there, paying £40 for terrain.

    In phase 2 a major can only lay one yellow per turn; two from phase 3.

    [PL1] cash
    £95
    [M19] treasury
    £40
    [M19] share price
    £90
    [SWR] treasury
    £200
    [SWR] share price
    £80
  13. Operating round 4.1 No train, move left Phase 2

    No train, no revenue: the share price moves one space left, to £70. Then it buys a 2-train for £120, because a company must end its turn owning a train.

    [PL1] cash
    £95
    [M19] treasury
    £40
    [M19] share price
    £90
    [SWR] treasury
    £80
    [SWR] share price
    £70
  14. Operating round 4.2 [M19] reaches £100 Phase 2

    [M19] makes another £50 and gives [PL1] £25. The share price reaches £100: the minor is now worth double that, £200.

    [PL1] cash
    £120
    [M19] treasury
    £65
    [M19] share price
    £100
    [SWR] treasury
    £80
    [SWR] share price
    £70
  15. Operating round 4.2 Newport links the two Phase 2

    The [SWR] lays a yellow in Newport (£20 terrain), connecting Gloucester to Cardiff. The 2-train runs Gloucester + Newport: £30. It pays out: [PL1] gets £9 for their 30%, and the £21 for the 70% still in the treasury goes to the company.

    A dividend below the share price doesn't move it; matching it moves it up one space.

    [PL1] cash
    £129
    [M19] treasury
    £65
    [M19] share price
    £100
    [SWR] treasury
    £81
    [SWR] share price
    £70
  16. Operating round 4.2 The [SWR] absorbs [M19] Phase 2

    There's now track from Gloucester to Cardiff, and neither company is on its first turn: the [SWR] can absorb [M19]. It pays the £200 with 2 shares (2 × £70 = £140) plus £60 in cash to [PL1]. It inherits [M19]'s £65 and its 2-train, and swaps the Cardiff station for one of its own.

    The major can put in 0, 1 or 2 shares; if they're worth more than the minor, the director pays back the difference.

    [PL1] cash
    £189
    [M19] treasury
    —
    [M19] share price
    —
    [SWR] treasury
    £86
    [SWR] share price
    £70
  17. Towards stock round 5 What now? Phase 2

    [PL1] owns 50% of the [SWR], now in Gloucester and Cardiff with two 2-trains. With £189 they can bid on a new minor. The plan: stretch the track to Fishguard, the destination, which counts double if a train reaches it from home, before the first 4-train rusts the 2s.

    [PL1] cash
    £189
    [M19] treasury
    —
    [M19] share price
    —
    [SWR] treasury
    £86
    [SWR] share price
    £70

1822MRS — Summary

Capitalization type

  • Incremental capitalization by default, same as base 1822: the company collects the par price each time one of its shares is actually sold.
  • Once the first 6-train is bought (phase 6), majors that float from then on switch to full capitalization.

Floating percentage and per-player share limits

  • Minors float once their single share (100%) is sold; majors float at 20%, except the London and North Western Railway (LNWR), which starts with shares already placed and floats at just 10%, same as base 1822
  • No player can hold more than 100% of a minor, since it only has one share; majors use the classic default 60% cap
  • Certificate limit per player: 2 players — 27; 3 players — 18; 4 players — 14; 5 players — 11; 6 players — 9; 7 players — 8

Starting cash by player count

  • 2 players: £750 starting cash
  • 3 players: £500 starting cash
  • 4 players: £375 starting cash
  • 5 players: £300 starting cash
  • 6 players: £250 starting cash
  • 7 players: £215 starting cash
  • The bank always starts with £12,000, same as 1822GB, regardless of player count

End game triggers

  • The bank runs out of money: the current full operating round set is finished (or the next operating round, if it happens during a stock round)
  • A share price reaches a market cell marked "e" (500e/550e/600e depending on the row): unlike 1822GB (which only has one "e" cell, at 700), MRS has a lower end-game threshold, and the game ends at the next end of an operating round
  • Bankruptcy is disabled in this game: it's not an end-game mechanism

Number of phases

  • 7 phases (1 through 7), with the same structure as 1822GB (concessions convertible from phase 2, pending concessions close on the first 5-train, full capitalization on the first 6-train, phase-revenue privates close on the first 7-train)

Train list and prices

  • L train — £50 (14 units; rusts once the first 3-train is bought; cheaper than 1822GB's £60); convertible into a "2" train for £80 (or £70 from phase 2 onward) before it rusts (own variant, distance 2, £120, available from phase 1, rusts once the first 4-train is bought)
  • 3 train — £200 (7 units; rusts once the first 6-train is bought)
  • 4 train — £300 (4 units; rusts once the first 7-train is bought)
  • 5 train — £500 (2 units; buying it closes all pending concessions)
  • 6 train — £600 (3 units; buying it triggers full capitalization for new majors)
  • 7 train — £750 (unlimited; express variant "E", unlimited distance, ×2 multiplier, £1,000)
  • Special trains granted by privates: 2P (permanent 2-train, free, 2 units), LP (permanent L-train, free, 1 unit), 5P (extra 5-train, £500, 1 unit), P+ (Pullman car, free, 2 units)

List of private companies

  • Uses a subset of 15 of 1822GB's 21 privates, with no fixed price (won at auction with limited bidding tokens): P1 (5-train), P2 (removes a small station), P5 (free token in the English Channel), P6 and P7 (mail contracts), P8 (discount on hills/mountains), P9 (declares double cash on hand), P10 (discount on rivers/estuaries), P11 (advances access to the next tile color), P12 (extra tile or additional upgrade), P13 and P14 (Pullman cars), P15 (revenue ×10 per phase), P16 (Tax Haven, never acquired), P18 (swaps an exchange token)
  • The optional "Starter" (trims to P1, P2, P5-P14) and "Advanced" (uses P1-P12 instead of the default subset) rules change this list slightly.

List of corporations

  • 7 major companies (out of 1822GB's 10), each founded by converting a concession won at auction: London and North Western Railway (LNWR) — London/M38; Great Western Railway (GWR) — London/M38; London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) — London/M38; South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) — London/M38; Midland Railway (MR) — J29; Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LYR) — G22; South Wales Railway (SWR) — H33 (the Caledonian, North British, and North Eastern from 1822GB are left out, being in Scotland/the north, outside this trimmed map)
  • 16 "minor" companies (M7-M21 and M24 from 1822GB's roster): Warrington & Newton (7), Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire (8), East Lincolnshire (9), Grand Junction (10), Great Northern (11), Eastern Union (12), Headcorn & Maidstone Junction (13), Metropolitan (14), London Tilbury & Southend (15), Wycombe (16), London & Southampton (17), Somerset & Dorset Joint (18), Penarth Harbour & Dock (19), Monmouthshire Railway & Canal (20), Taff Vale (21), and The Swansea and Mumbles (24)

Game-specific mechanics

  • Same engine as 1822GB (simultaneous auction of privates/minors/concessions with limited bidding tokens, minors merging into majors, priority order by cash on hand, initial "L" trains), but on a map trimmed to England and parts of Wales and Scotland
  • "Southwest Peninsula" optional rule (2 players only): replaces two random minors with M22 and M23, with a token at D39 (southwest England)
  • "Starter" and "Advanced" optional rules that adjust the range of available privates to fit the learning curve

Emergency sell

Shares the same rule sheet as 1822GB and only changes starting cash, certificate limits and train availability — the full four-tier Emergency Money Raising sequence (treasury → director's cash → forced share sale → 50%-interest bank loan) carries over unchanged.

Comparison with 1830

1. Map trimmed from 1822GB, still denser than 1830
1830 covers the northeastern USA on a fixed map. 1822MRS is played on a region of England and parts of Wales and Scotland, trimming the most extreme areas of 1822GB's full map. Compared to 1830, it remains a much denser map in terms of cities.

2. Shorter than 1822GB, in line with 1830
Thanks to the smaller map, an MRS game typically runs 3.5 to 4.5 hours, noticeably shorter than a full 1822GB game and in line with a typical 1830 game among experienced players.

3. Everything is bought at auction: privates, minors, and major "concessions"
In 1830 only the privates go up for initial auction. In 1822MRS, as in 1822GB, every stock round simultaneously auctions privates, "minor" companies (2 shares), and "concessions" to found major companies.

4. Minors merge into majors to create or grow them
This concept doesn't exist in 1830. In 1822MRS, a minor must have operated at least once before it can be absorbed by a major, bringing its already-built track along.

5. Initial "L" trains and conversion to 2-trains
In 1830 the first generation of trains is already the normal 2-city train. In 1822MRS the game starts with special "L" trains (£50, even cheaper than 1822GB) convertible into 2-trains before they rust.

6. Fewer companies than 1822GB, but still more than 1830
With 7 majors and 16 minors possible (versus 1822GB's 10 majors and 24+ minors), MRS scales down from the full map, but still supports far more active entities at once than 1830.

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