The Railroad Barons compete for dominance as they build rail lines from Chicago across the vast plains of the Midwestern United States. Stock sales fund the capital needed for these fledgling railroads to expand westward. Difficult decisions must be made, balancing future growth with immediate income. Timing is crucial to assess the best moment to seize opportunities. Money management is critical, as there are no loans in this game to support you. Choose your actions carefully, study your opponents' interests, and be ready to act decisively when necessary.

In this economic game, there is no luck; you win or lose based on your own skills. Chicago & NorthWestern is designed for 3-5 players and lasts about an hour. Players start railroads, invest in railroads, and build lines across the beautiful plains of America in the late 1800s. Players decide when dividends are paid to shareholders. They choose where to build, how much to build, and when to exploit the opportunities that arise. The player with the most cash at the end of the game is the winner. Ties are possible, but extremely rare.