Version 1.1, 9^th March 2009

The regional kits for Norfolk and Wales originally included single-track tiles, which could only be laid and used by ‘3T’ or ‘4T’ trains. The original rules for single-track tiles had some problems, so those kits were replaced with new versions that just used ordinary track tiles.  This variant, by Mike Hutton, adds these tiles back into the game.  My Kit DB5 provides the necessary tiles, as these are no longer available from Tresham Games.

I am not aware of an authoritative source for these rules on the web.  I have written the following based on e-mail conversations with Mike and on the version on Lou Jerkich's web site.

Rules

To lay a single-track tile, a company must have a ‘T’ train (i.e. a ‘3T’ or ‘4T’ train). A company may lay two yellow single-track tiles in adjacent hexags on a single operating turn.  (This enables a company with a ‘T’ train to establish a new route quickly). Costs are halved for building single-track tiles, i.e. £20 for rivers and £50 for mountains.  If a single-track tile is upgraded to normal track then the remainder of the cost must be paid (i.e. an additional £20 or £50).

Only 'T' trains can run on single-track tiles. (Optionally you can allow ‘U’ trains to do so too).  Small stations on single-track tiles do not count against the number of stations that trains may call at, but do contribute income.  Trains running on single-track tiles may call at both stations on single-track tile no. 71.

In order to promote any single-track tile (not just those with stations), a company must be able to reach some of the new track on the new tile with one of its trains.  A company without a ‘T’ train may promote single-track tiles, but may not trace a line through a single-track tile to reach a tile it is promoting (either a station tile or a different single-track tile).  A company without a ‘T’ train may trace a line through a single-track tile when laying tiles or when promoting a tile that does not require the company to reach it with a train.

Halts

Mike’s variant does not mention ‘Halt’ tiles (green tile no. 11). I already rule that only companies with a 'T' train may promote yellow tiles to a 'Halt' tile.  When playing with single-track tiles, it seems in the spirit of the rules to allow 'T' trains to receive income from halts without counting them towards the number of stations they may call at.  (Optionally you may allow 'U' trains to call at them too).  If playing with this rule, it should be legal to promote a single-track tile no. 73 to a 'Halt' tile, with the halt in the same position as the station on the single-track tile.

Components

Obviously these rules may be used with the original versions of the regional kits, if you have them.  Alternatively my Kit DB5 provides the necessary tiles.  My kit also provides extra tiles suitable for using this variant with Units 2 or 3.

Minor Companies

Mike suggests that you can also add new minor companies, starting in Hull, Milford Haven and Plymouth:

Unit 2: Hull & Barnsley – starts in Hull with a '3T' train

R1: Manchester & Milford – starts in Milford Haven with a '4T' train

R2: South Devon and Tavistock – starts in Plymouth with a '3T' train.

To these, I add:

Unit 3: Callander & Oban – starts in Oban with a ‘3T’ train

I also replace the Cambrian Railway’s ‘U3’ train with a ‘3T’ train.

An earlier version of these companies listed the Bere Peninsula railway in Plymouth.  After consulting Mike, I have replaced this with the South Devon and Tavistock, because the historical Bere Peninsula hardly ran any trains at all.  

Historically, the grandly named Manchester and Milford Railway never reached either Manchester or Milford Haven; it ended up connecting Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.  The addition of this minor company gives players a chance to improve on its historical performance.