Ticket to Ride Map Collection 5: United Kingdom & Pennsylvania*

Ticket to Ride Map Collection: Volume 5 – United Kingdom & Pennsylvania is an expansion for the popular Ticket to Ride series, adding new dimensions and strategic elements to the game. This expansion includes a double-sided game board featuring two distinct areas – the United Kingdom and Pennsylvania – each with its own unique gameplay mechanics.

United Kingdom Map

• Technology Mechanic: Introduces the concept of technological advancement. Players start with the ability to build only one- and two-train routes in England.
• Wild Cards for Progress: Players can spend wild cards to unlock the ability to build longer routes, ferries, and expand into Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
• Bonus Cards: Allows players to score extra points for specific actions.
• Historical Context: Reflects the early railway era in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Pennsylvania Map

• Share Mechanism: Adds a stock share element to the basic Ticket to Ride gameplay.
• Route Completion and Shares: Completing routes allows players to claim shares in companies associated with those routes.
• End Game Scoring: Points are awarded based on majority shareholdings in the various companies.

Compatibility and Gameplay

• Expansion Requirement: Officially an expansion, it requires either Ticket to Ride or Ticket to Ride: Europe to play.
• Limited Compatibility with Nordic Countries: Can be used with Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries for up to three players, with some limitations due to the number of trains.
• Train Requirements: The UK map requires 35 trains, while the Pennsylvania map needs 45 trains.

Important Notes

• Advanced Technology Cards: As mentioned by the designer, Alan R. Moon, the Advanced Technology Cards included in the UK map were not extensively playtested and were not intended as part of the basic game. Players are advised to consider this when integrating these cards into gameplay.

Conclusion

This expansion offers Ticket to Ride enthusiasts new challenges and strategies. The United Kingdom map emphasizes technological progression and expansion, while the Pennsylvania map introduces a corporate stock element, enriching the classic Ticket to Ride experience with unique thematic depth and strategic complexity. Whether you're building railways across the historic landscapes of the UK or engaging in corporate competition in Pennsylvania, this expansion adds fresh and engaging content to the beloved Ticket to Ride series.