1846: The Race for the Midwest

1. Setting and variable map
1830 has a fixed map. 1846 is set in the US Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, the Great Lakes region) and, in addition, the board is set up differently every game: certain river hexes (Mississippi, Ohio) are placed randomly from a predefined set of possibilities, so the exact geography changes slightly each time.

2. Incremental capitalization, not all at once
In 1830, when a company floats (reaches 60% sold), it receives its entire capital (par price × 10) at once. In 1846 capitalization is incremental: the company only receives money as each share is actually sold, both during the IPO and in later share issues. This makes the rate at which a company builds up treasury much more gradual, depending on who buys shares and when.

3. "Minor" companies with fixed income by phase
Unlike 1830, where every company is a 10-share major, 1846 has several "minor" companies (few shares, no need to float at 60%) with a fixed income that depends only on the current game phase, not on the route run. These minors eventually get bought or absorbed by a major in an exchange round, or close down.

4. Private auction by draft, not bidding
In 1830 privates go up for a classic auction with open bidding. In 1846 they're distributed through a draft system: each player, in turn, takes a private (or a "blank" card) from an available selection. The last private nobody wants gets passed around the table, dropping $10 in price each time, until someone buys it or ends up receiving it for free.

5. Privates with active bonuses on routes
In 1830 privates provide fixed revenue or small one-off perks. In 1846 some privates directly alter the income of a route: for example, a meat-packing private adds extra cash to any route running through Chicago, and a "mail contract" private adds cash every time a train route is run. These are active bonuses, not just passive revenue.

6. Privates can only be sold at face value
In 1830 a private can be sold to a company for up to double its face value, depending on negotiation. In 1846 a private can only be sold for its exact face value, with no room to negotiate upward.

7. Permanent trains that never become obsolete
In 1830 the largest trains (Diesels) can also be superseded over time in some variants, but the basic obsolescence mechanic remains active until the end. In 1846, trains of the last available type are permanent: once they appear, they never become obsolete again, giving more stability to the final stretch of the game.

8. Designed to be a shorter game
1846 is explicitly designed as a faster entry point into 18xx: a game typically wraps up in 2-3 hours, noticeably less than a typical game of 1830.

9. A less "obvious" par price choice
In 1830 there's a clear tendency to found the first company at a low par price. In 1846 the design explicitly aims to make the par price choice less of an obvious answer, forcing players to better weigh the context of each specific game.

10. Minor exchange round
1846 includes a specific phase where major companies can buy or absorb the remaining minors, incorporating their track and treasury. This structured exchange mechanic doesn't exist in 1830, where every company is founded and grows independently.

1846 The Race for the Midwest — Schematic summary (vs 1830)

SETTING

• US Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Great Lakes)
• Map with river hexes placed differently each game
• Shorter game (2-3 hours) than 1830

CAPITAL AND COMPANIES

• Incremental capitalization: the company receives money as each share is sold, not all at once on floating
• "Minor" companies with fixed income by phase, with no need to float at 60%
• Exchange round where majors absorb the remaining minors

PRIVATES

• Distributed by draft (not a classic auction); the last private drops $10 in price as it passes from player to player
• Some privates directly boost the income of a route (e.g., meat via Chicago, mail contract)
• Always sold at face value, with no room to negotiate upward as in 1830

TRAINS

• The train of the last type is permanent: never becomes obsolete once it appears