[Rails-devel] A question or two about the Rails XML interface.

[John D. G. <jd...@di...>]

I have not yet got Rails to build on my Windows machine, but I have had a
look through the code and have started work on a port of 1837, which is one
of my favorite 18xx games.

It appears to me that most of the elements of 1837 already exist in Rails,
but there are one or two items that may not, so I want to ask about them.

Specifically, I would want these new abilities which may or may not exist in
any of the games previously ported to Rails.

1. To have two different sequences of train types (in this case regular and
Goods trains), with each type of trains in the second group made available by
specific phase changes that may or may not have anything to do with the trains
of the preceding type being exhausted.

The only mechanism of this sort that I know Rails supports is the Pullmans in
18EU, but several other games have these double train sequences (whether for
narrow-gauge track or alternative train types) -- including the expansion sets
for 1825 which has been ported.

2. To have certain areas of the map that are "off limits" in certain phases of
the game.  1841 also needs this (and arguably 1835, which has been known to
allow a run from one city to the Alsace offboard after a 5-train purchase).

3. To remove all tiles on certain hexes, and/or place specific tiles, as
automatic actions caused by a phase change.  I'm not sure if any other game
uses this ability but it would be nice to have.

Also: how should I handle map hexes with preprinted "tiles" that are yellow or
green, look like regular tiles, and are upgradeable?  Just use the regular tile
number in the map XML file, or create a negative number?  And are there any
preferred number ranges I should use for preprinted tiles?