18NewEngland

1. Setting and map
1830 covers the northeastern USA with a large map and many cities. 18NewEngland is set in southern New England, from Massachusetts down to New York City, covering the routes of the New York, New Haven & Hartford and Boston & Maine railroads. The map is more compact and the city network reflects the dense railway geography of the region.

2. No auction: companies selected by draft
In 1830 privates and companies go up for classic open-bidding auctions. In 18NewEngland there is no auction: companies are distributed by draft. In turn order, each player picks the company they want to found and sets its par price, with no bidding mechanism or direct conflict. There are no privates in the base game.

3. Partial capitalization at par
In 1830, when a company floats (reaches 60% sold), it receives its entire capital (par price × 10) at once. In 18NewEngland capitalization is partial: the company receives money from each share as it is sold, both during the IPO and in later share issues. The rate at which a company builds up treasury is gradual and depends on how many players buy its shares.

4. Shares always capitalize at par, never at market price
In some partial-capitalization systems, shares bought above par capitalize at the current market price, creating a "snowball" effect for dominant companies. In 18NewEngland all shares always capitalize at the original par price, regardless of the current market price. This limits the advantage of companies trading high and keeps the game balanced in later rounds.

5. No privates in the base game
In 1830 privates are central to the opening phase: they generate revenue, trigger synergies, and set the pace of the first stock round. In 18NewEngland the base game does away with privates entirely. Each player's first action is simply to pick a company by draft and set its par price. This greatly reduces initial complexity without sacrificing depth.

6. Company selection and par price are the key opening decisions
With no auction and no privates, all the early strategic tension falls on draft order and the chosen par price. Order matters — whoever picks first has an advantage in company selection — but the absence of bidding makes the opening phase less confrontational and more accessible than a classic 1830 auction. Setting a high par price gives faster access to partial capital, but makes shares harder to sell.

7. Stock price movement equivalent to 1830
The stock market follows the basic 1830 mechanics: paying dividends advances the price token, withholding keeps it in place, and selling shares moves it back. There are no special market mechanics that set 18NewEngland apart from 1830 in this respect, making it comfortable for players familiar with the family.

8. Trains rust progressively
Train progression follows the standard 1830 family system: trains from earlier phases become obsolete when trains of a higher phase appear, forcing companies to renew their fleet. There are no permanent trains or special track gauges. A company that cannot afford to replace rusted trains may be left stranded, dragging its director into insolvency.

9. Moderate length and complexity
A game of 18NewEngland typically lasts 3 to 4 hours for 3-5 players. It is not as short as 1846 but is noticeably less dense than a full 1830 or 1822, thanks to the absence of privates and a more compact map. It is a game that can comfortably be finished in an afternoon.

10. The ideal bridge to partial capitalization
18NewEngland is widely recommended as a first step for players who know 1830 and want to explore partial capitalization without the added complexity of 1822 or 1817. The mechanic of capitalizing always at par is a pedagogically clear variation: it makes the implications of partial capitalization obvious without layering on additional rules.

18NewEngland — Schematic summary (vs 1830)

SETTING

• Southern New England, from Massachusetts to New York City
• Companies inspired by NY New Haven & Hartford and Boston & Maine
• 2-5 players (best at 4), 3-4 hours

OPENING

• No auction: companies are selected by draft, in turn order
• No privates in the base game
• Each player picks a company and sets its par price directly

CAPITAL AND STOCK

• Partial capitalization: the company receives money from each share as it is sold
• All shares capitalize at the par price, never at the current market price
• No snowball effect: companies trading above par do not accelerate their capitalization
• Standard price movement: dividends up, withholds hold, sales down

TRAINS

• Standard progression and rusting, as in 1830
• No permanent trains or special track gauges