releases are considered; the jury ruled that Schmidt's rules revisions so completely altered the game that the new edition was, in effect, a new game. Dampfross proved enormously popular, selling over 300,000 copies. Following this success, Games Workshop published a UK edition of Railway Rivals, with a game board made of laminated card, and a map of Central England on one side and the Western USA on the other. Pens, dice and small plastic trains were also included. Schmidt Spiele marketed several foreigh-language versions in other countries including a Dutch version, Tussen de Rails for Selecta Spel en Hobby, and a Swedish version, Rail, for Alga. In 1992, a revised version of Dampfross was published by Laurin-Verlag; after Laurin was taken over in 1993, Queen Games continued to publish it. In 1998 Watts sold the rights to all Rostherne Games to Theo Clarke. Reception In Issue 35 of the UK magazine Games & Puzzles, John Deans commented, "It is a natural consequence of a completed game for players to compare their network with that actually in existence. Where the two coincide there is a certain satisfaction in 'being right' and where they do not discussion can arise of value in the developing of the players' grasp of this aspect of Geography. For this is the object of the Railway Rivals game and, while providing entertainment and excitement, they seem to succeed in this." Deans concluded by giving the game a rating of 4 out of 6. In 1984, Brian Cresse reviewed the postal version of Railway Rivals for Imagine magazine, and stated that "Railway Rivals is, deservedly, one of the most popular postal games around, but has failed to gain an equivalent hold on the 'mass' of the games-playing public." Writing in Issue 78 of Games (August 1986), Sid Sackson called it a "captivating railway game." Although Sackson noted the game can be played by two, "more is definitely merrier." Rick Heli, writing for Spotlight on Games, called it "a rather satisfying game" and rated it 7 out of 10. Awards Spiel des Jahres 1980: Finalist for Game of the Year 1979 Spiel des Jahres 1984: Winner of Game of the Year 1983 Other reviews and commentary Casus Belli No. 33 (June 1986) See also Train game Ticket to Ride References External links History of Railway Rivals at the Game Cabinet Board games introduced in 1973 Railroad board games Spiel