Empire Builder

Empire Builder, first published in 1982 by Mayfair Games, is a classic railroad strategy game that introduced the “crayon rails” system. Designed by Darwin Bromley and Bill Fawcett, the game tasks players with building rail networks across the United States and Canada while delivering goods to meet demand cards. What set it apart was its innovative mechanic: players literally draw their tracks on the board with crayons or erasable markers, creating a personalized rail empire as the game unfolds. This tactile element gave Empire Builder a unique charm and replayability, as every session produced a different map of connections and strategies.

Gameplay revolves around balancing construction costs with the profits earned from delivering goods. Players begin with $40 million and must carefully allocate funds to lay track across varied terrain—ordinary dots cost $1 million, mountains $2 million, small cities $3 million, and major cities $5 million. Crossing rivers or ocean inlets adds further expense, forcing players to weigh efficiency against opportunity. Delivering goods to cities listed on demand cards earns revenue, while event cards introduce unexpected challenges such as disasters or economic shifts. The winner is the first player to amass $250 million and connect six of the seven major cities, making resource management and long-term planning essential.

Empire Builder’s success led to a long-running series of spin-offs and expansions, collectively known as the “Empire Builder series.” These included international versions like British Rails, Eurorails, and Australian Rails, as well as imaginative settings such as Iron Dragon (fantasy), Lunar Rails, and Martian Rails. The franchise became beloved among fans of economic and transportation-themed board games, praised for its strategic depth and high replay value despite its lengthy playtime of 60 to 240 minutes. Even decades later, Empire Builder remains a touchstone in board gaming history, remembered for blending economic simulation with creative map-building in a way that continues to inspire modern titles.