1807: The Big Four

Von Lonny Games:

1807 The Big Four is a game in the 18xx series set in Great Britain. A game of route building and running trains to make money. The player with the most assets (cash and share value) at the end wins. Corporations start out small and grow into larger ones through growth, merger and/or acquisition. Then, later in the game, these larger corporations can merge to form systems: the "Big Four".

Ian D. Wilson’s latest creation takes us back to the origins of the railway: to Great Britain. 24 minor companies may merge into 11 public companies. These in turn can merge into five systems. The gameplay works similar to 1861 (or 1867). But Ian has improved some minor issues. For example, it is possible to take over a minor after a public company has been formed. Instead of 7- and 8-trains this game comes with the more convenient 3+3 and 4+4 trains. And - as an alternative - most permanent trains show goods trains on the back side: these count city values of tokened cities plus a mine bonus. Also, there are permanent privates representing ferries and underground railways.

The game board is quite large and contains some interesting aspects.There are a lot of bonuses to gaind, e.g. when you cross the England-Wales or England-Scotland border. Or when you travel from a red off-board connection to London. Private companies also bring bonuses. Another interesting thing about the map is that although London is the most valuable city, there are few other large cities around it. Things look better around Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. London is shown as an enlarged hex because a total of 8 small companies start there.