Engines - [EBP Help Contents]
Each player has an engine (locomotive) to propel his train for movement. During play, your engine/train is represented by a symbol matching your chosen color; symbol shape varies with engine type, but most are rectangular. Typically you can upgrade your engine to types that can move farther (faster) each turn and/or carry more loads.
STARTING YOUR TRAIN
After the initial track build rounds, EBP will prompt you to place your train on the map. Click the city at which to begin. Cities are typically represented by a red circle, square or hexagon. Usually you place your train at a city that supplies a load you wish to pick up for a delivery demanded by one of the cities on your contracts.
MOVING YOUR TRAIN
Your engine symbol blinks gently when it is the movement phase of your turn. To learn how to move it, see the Moving help topic.
UPGRADING YOUR ENGINE
Multiple types of engines can be employed in the game. Upgraded engines let you move farther (on average) each turn, and/or carry more loads. The default engines available are:
....Slow Freight - move 6, carry 2
....Freight - move 9, carry 2
....Heavy Freight - move 9, carry 3
....Fast Freight - move 12, carry 2
....Super Freight - move 12, carry 3
....Ultra Freight - move 16, carry 3
Certain maps employ custom engines of other speed and capacity; you can ignore them, if you wish, and use the standard set by enabling Engines: standard in the Game Options window. You can create custom locomotives via the EBPEdit map editor.
You can upgrade your engine when the game allows you to build track: use the Turn, Upgrade Engine pull-down menu. You'll be told how much the upgrade costs when asked to verify your choice.
Each player normally begins a match with a Freight, but you can start with any engine by changing the "Start with Engine" setting in the Game Options window. Ultra Freight is an upgrade from Super Freight and available only if you enable the Ultra Freight checkbox found in the Game Options window.
If your new engine cannot carry as many loads as the old, EBP will automatically discard the onboard load that appears in the rightmost slot. To rearrange your onboard loads before upgrading, use the Loads window.