1888-N

1. Setting and map
1830 covers the northeastern US. 1888 moves the action to the Beijing area of northern China, with distinctive local geography that has no equivalent in 1830: Great Wall hexes, an off-board area at Xi'an, a mandatory harbour at hex H16, and a sea connection between Dalian and Yantai.

2. Privates with active map-tied powers, not just flat income
In 1830 most privates simply pay a fixed income, with the odd exception. In 1888, five of the six privates grant an active power tied to a specific hex: the Terracotta Army allows a bonus tile placement at Xi'an without needing a connection, Heng Shan lets its owner place a mine on hex C5 that adds ¥40 to any route reaching it, the Great Wall of China grants free yellow tile placements along the wall hexes, and the Yanda Railway Ferry places a special blue ferry tile connecting Dalian and Yantai.

3. The priciest private converts into a founder's share of any company with a Beijing token
In 1830, the B&O is a private tied specifically to one single company (itself). In 1888 the most expensive private (Forbidden City, ¥150) can be exchanged for a founder's (IPO) share of any company that has a station token in Beijing, chosen by the owner at the moment of exchange.

4. Private purchases restricted in both timing and price
In 1830 a public company can buy a private at any point in the game, for any agreed price at or above face value, with no upper limit. In 1888 these purchases can only happen from Phase 3 onward, and the price must fall between 50% and 150% of face value.

5. A lower floating threshold
In 1830 a company floats once 60% of its shares are sold. In 1888, 50% is enough.

6. A bonus for connecting a company's home city and destination city
In 1830 every city simply contributes its printed value, with no special relationship to who owns the route. In 1888 a company earns extra revenue when a single route connects both its home city and its designated destination city.

7. Two obsolescence clocks running at once
In 1830 a train only rusts once the next type is bought. In 1888, on top of that usual mechanism, the early trains (2, 3, and 4) are also "non-permanent": they're removed once a set number of operating rounds has passed, even if nobody has bought the next train type yet.

8. A discount for trading in an old train for a Diesel
In 1830 the Diesel is simply bought at its price. In 1888, once the first 6-train is bought, a company can trade in an older train for a Diesel (¥900) at a ¥200 discount.

9. A harbour as a mandatory terminus that doesn't count toward train range
1830 has no equivalent hex. In 1888 the harbour at hex H16 must always serve as one end of any route that uses it, but, unusually, it does not count toward the train's range limit.

10. Six numbered phases before reaching the Diesel
In 1830 the tile progression is organized into three colors (yellow, green, brown). In 1888 there are six explicit numbered phases before the Diesel arrives, with brown tiles specifically unlocking at Phase 5.

1888 — Schematic summary (vs 1830)

SETTING

• Beijing area, northern China: Great Wall hexes, off-board area at Xi'an, mandatory harbour at H16, sea connection between Dalian and Yantai

PRIVATE COMPANIES

• 5 of the 6 privates have an active map-tied power (bonus tile, mine, free tiles, ferry), not just income
• The Forbidden City private converts into a founder's share of any company with a Beijing token
• Public companies can only buy privates from Phase 3 onward, at 50%-150% of face value

COMPANIES AND STOCK MARKET

• Floats at 50% (vs 1830's 60%)
• Revenue bonus for connecting a company's home city and destination city

TRAINS AND PHASES

• 2/3/4-trains are "non-permanent": removed after a set amount of time, on top of the usual purchase-triggered rusting
• ¥200 discount for trading an old train in for a Diesel (¥900) after the first 6-train
• Six numbered phases (vs 1830's three colors); brown tiles from Phase 5
• Harbour at H16: mandatory terminus that doesn't count toward train range