Okay Brunom,
Now, remember that I am only playing in the Medium level, so have not idea of a game plan for Hard or Export.
I do see a tremendous change in the program. With all the moneys allotted to a player from the start, it is possible to not only get control of the initial AIs stock at $1 or $2 a share, which then can be sold for an adequate amount to start a railroad. And with the balance of the initial allocation of moneys, a player can buy up a goodly amount of his railroad stock, which could basically be in approximation of $2M of the BZ goal of $5M. A real boon, considering that you had lowered the goals of BZ from $7 to $5, Silver from $10 to $8, and Gold from $15 to $12 millions.
So this was my game plan. Only lay track from Chagyr, expanding each year, until connection is made to Chimkent. And expand from there, so as to accummulate the require hauls. I believe that it is MSU, who uses a haul consist of 0/8, and that is what I allocated to all my trains, and not too often with an MT haul. I also basically only used the Class 500, until the Mallard, and being that I had reached the Gold by 1944, I did not have to incorporate the U1, another good incline hauler.
Initially I donated only $25, alternating it with $100 of personal funds. And considering that there was only 2 Recession periods, I managed to donate $400 from the Company for 4 years. Living dangerous, as that gave me a risk factor of 7. However, for the next 2 years, I would go immediately go back to the $25 personal funding, which would drop the risk to either a 3 or 5, and then back to 1. During 1 of the periods, I was notified that "my son" had been killed, so during that time frame, I did not push more than $25, to lessen the chance of assassination.
By 1944 I had hauls of Chagyr of 1019, and Chimkent of 1334.
PNW of $22.4M and ended up with a 7 of a risk factor of 7. At that point I was awarded the Gold.
I contribute the win factor with this version as a better economy, compared to the previous version. Well a portion of it at least.
Being that I was able to conclude the game during 1944, or at least the end, maybe in Nov or Dec, I believe that the changes are making the scenario a little too easy. If I could do it 5 years short, it could possibly be done in less with the wizardly of MSU and Blackhawk.
I do like the concept, and with adequate incline engines, I don't find the easy inclines a problem. OH, I did not use any tunnels, which I did find to be a possibility if so desired.
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