In Railroad Tycoon, laying track is the only way to transport goods across to different destinations, and this is mostly done in the detailed view. From this display only, the player may survey the local geography and plan in detail the laying of track. This display shows in greatest detail the geography, population centers, and industrial sites on the map. The Detailed Display is the closest zoom possible, and is the display at which all railroad construction is done. From this display you can plan the expansion of your railroad into nearby areas with good population centers or industrial sites, while keeping the location of mountain and river obstacles in view. The Local Display is the second zoom down from the Regional Display and shows not only your railroadвЂ™s features, but also the local geography and industry. It shows no geography, but only the track, signals, trains, stations, and Station Boxes (if not toggled off) of the player's Railroad. The Area Display is the next zoom down from the Regional Display and is a schematic display of any built railroad. If railroads have started operating, they are visible as well. It shows the basic geography, including the location of mountains and rivers, and also indicates centers of population. This display gives you the complete picture of the world. The most comprehensive view is the Regional View, where you can view your network from afar. The original game has four main views in which the player can choose to view the game through. Eventually as the game goes on, a larger variety of locomotives are offered, including diesel and electric trains that move efficiently across the network. The game usually starts in the early 1800's where only steam locos are available that are slow and unreliable. There are many different types of cargoes that are supplied and demanded, and the player earns money by taking these cargo to different places through the management of trains. The player then builds stations and track between two cities, where a train can be sent between the two. The company may raise additional capital through the sale of bonds.

The company starts with one million dollars in capital half equity, half a loan. The player acts a railway entrepreneur may start companies in any of four geographic locales: the Western United States, Northeast United States, Great Britain, or Continental Europe. The objective of Railroad Tycoon is to build and manage a railroad company by laying track, building stations, and buying and scheduling trains.

Sid meier railroads