18 India

18 India is an engaging operational railroad game for 2 to 5 players that takes about 3 hours to play. Drawing inspiration from Francis Tresham's 1829 Mainline, the game reflects India's rich railway history, which began in 1837 with the Red Hill Railway using the first steam-powered locomotive. Fast forward to 1853, the official start of passenger railway service in India was marked by a 14-carriage train hauled by three steam locomotives — the Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan — traveling 21 miles with 400 passengers aboard.

While honoring the innovative mechanics introduced by Tresham, 18 India modifies these to minimize in-game randomness, replacing it with extensive pre-game variability. This adjustment ensures that each game session is unique, providing a fresh challenge to the strategic skills of players. This game not only entertains but also educates players about the evolution of India's railway system, which now ranks as the fourth largest in the world.