When I first put Rust & Revenue out into the world I wasn’t sure what would happen. Seeing it find players has been absolutely wonderful, and I am equal parts shocked, humbled, and grateful for the support the game has received. That encouragement has pushed me to expand the design further. After giving it a fair amount of thought over the past few weeks, I’ve decided on a general plan for the game through the end of next year.

Historic Map Pack – December 2025
The first release I’m planning is a 6-map pack with fresh layouts and new mechanics based on the history of each region. These will come in three pairs, each tied to a concept of railroad history. I know of three pairings so far.

• Maine/Southeast US (Short Lines): I’ve attached a schematic map of Maine and its short-line network. Here, Company #1 isn’t a company at all but a collection of small lines around the state. Represented by dashed track, these lines are not built but purchased with a share. Only the player who bought them (as president) may run routes over them. They don’t need to connect to existing track and can be used to block others. The map is intentionally tight compared to the procedural maps I usually design. Its partner map will be the Southeast US, which should be more wide open. This map also introduces offboard destinations marked by the $3 blue squares.

• Northeast US ? TBD (Finance): It’s not a train game without a map of the northeastern United States. This set will lean into finance with stock dumps and company powers tied to shares. It will also feature towns in company colors that provide perks for following their historical paths. I initially planned a Pennsylvania map on the reverse side, though I’ve also considered the Plains. The challenge here is that Rust & Revenue doesn’t really use money or ongoing player points, so tying finance cleanly into the system is taking some time.

• International Pairing (Germany/Italy): The third set will be international in scope, probably focusing on Germany and Italy. I need to do more research into railroading in those regions to make something worthy. My starting idea is around consolidation, but I’ll need to firm that up. Expect more details in a future update.

I expect the suggested price for this pack to be $3 or $4, available as print-and-play only.

Modular Sheet – Spring 2026
In spring I plan to release a modular sheet for companies and variant cards. There’s a prototype of it on my game table in the photo above. I’ll still support the current map format, but I’m excited about a system I could self-publish or even license. Each map would be printed on 5×7 cardstock and placed in a toploader. Supporting elements like scoring and variants would be on cards, either sleeved or in smaller toploaders. The idea is to have a few core cards for scoring and income, then mix-and-match sets for maps, engines, shares, and companies. The prototype shows some of the early experiments. This approach will make the game even more replayable.

If all the maps and variants are done as 2.5×3.5 cards, the whole design could fit in a box about the size of Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs. In 18xx you’d be lucky to get your track tiles in a box that small, let alone a complete game.

This will start as a print-and-play, though I am exploring the possibility of producing a limited number of physical copies in the format you see in the picture. I’ll know more as we get closer to spring.

Pricing is still a question. With all the variants and extra content, I expect the modular approach to land around $6 or $7 for the PNP version. Physical production depends on materials, boxes, dice, clamshells, shipping, and more, so it’s too early to say what a fair price would be.

Multiplayer Kit – Summer 2026
Timed for Winsome Choose Some in Pittsburgh, this kit will add dice drafting, more unique map features, and expanded scoring. It will cap at 3 players for now, but it shows how the system can stretch beyond solo. That event will tell me quickly if the design holds up in a multiplayer environment. Pricing will depend on what ends up in the final kit.

Variant Pack – Fall 2026
A smaller expansion, likely 18 cards and/or 5×7 sheets, with alternate share tracks, rust patterns, and events. It’s a way to add chrome and replay without overcomplicating the base game.

Next Release – Winter 2026
At this point things are hazy. I’d like to put together another Historic Map Pack, but maybe R&R II will start to take shape. That decision will depend on what resonates most with players.

Meanwhile…
Between these larger releases I’ll be running a Game of the Week feature to spotlight maps, mechanics, and experiments. It’s a way to keep the rails moving while giving a peek at what’s ahead. It also lets me gather feedback on these ideas before they solidify.

If you’ve made it to the bottom of this article, thank you! I’ve had tremendous support for this project and I’m delighted to share these designs. Please reach out with comments, questions, or ideas.

Happy railroading!