"I can make $42 million by taking tourists from Munich to Seville. Plus, by stopping by Brussels for chocolate on the way, I can pick up another $12 million when I get there! Now, I'll just extend my tracks to Seville... Wait. Oh no! I'm short a million..."

Railbuilding in the EC. This is the first in Mayfair's World Rails series, and a very absorbing game. There is little interaction among players, but lots of logistics and planning with the eternal hope of making that really big deal.

Players take turns drawing sections of track with eraseable crayons on a glossy map (one of six sections shown in the thumbnail at left), Players connect major European cities with their rail lines. The cost of trackbuilding depends on the the type of terrain you cross--mountains, plains, rivers, etc. Once you have enough track built you may move your train from city to city, moving cargo and selling it to make more money for trackbuilding. Rules (along with a fair amount of geography) are quickly learned. A full evening's entertainment. (quck playing variants are provided) Nice international components.