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‘Canal Mania’ A new game from Ragnar Brothers
(designers of `History of the World`)

About Canal Mania and a competition to win a copy!

During a visit to Llangollen we happened upon a walk along the Chirk aqueduct and through it’s adjoining tunnel. Right beside the aqueduct is a railway viaduct, which was purposely built taller than its rival transport and sported rather vulgar statues of the railway owners. Having played numerous railway games, it occurred to us that canals have been very much overlooked yet might afford opportunity for a simple, elegant game. Visiting various bookshops revealed that railway books grossly outnumbered anything on canals, furthering the Ragnar instinct to champion a new cause!

‘Canal Mania’ celebrates the construction of the English canal system during the late 18 th and early 19 th centuries. Players employ one of five great engineers (Brindley, Telford, Jessop, Rennie and Smeaton) and build canals to complete contracts granted by parliament. The canals and navigations are some of those built in the great age of building, for example the Bridgewater canal, Oxford Canal, Kennet & Avon, Grand Union (Junction). Goods are generated in the towns and players are then able to profit further by transporting these along their networks.

The game is played on a map board depicting the cities and towns that will be linked by the various canals. Centres include Birmingham, London and Manchester with less familiar names (unless you know your canals) including Burton, Guildford and Huddersfield. The canals are laid out in hex tiles with each player having a coloured set that includes locks, aqueducts and tunnels. To build tiles a player first collects and then plays build cards, aided by Surveyor cards and by the engineer currently working for that player. Goods symbols are on some of the cards, so when drawing such a card a player is able to place goods in the towns of his or her choosing.

‘Canal Mania’ is a family game for three to five players, taking about two hours to play. The box (315 mm x 225 mm x 65 mm) has a stunning illustration and the same quality is sustained throughout the components. Playing pieces include some delightful boats (though not particularly barge-like) and wooden goods tokens.

Copies of the game can be purchased direct from Ragnar Brothers by visiting their web-site www.ragnarbrothers.co.uk. Other games from their back catalogue can be purchased at reduced cost when purchasing a copy of ‘Canal Mania’.

Now for the quiz competition….. The copy of ‘Canal mania’ can be yours if you can successfully answer these five questions;

1. What was the name of the engineer responsible for the building of the Bridgewater canal?

2. Which single canal is the longest in England?

3. What is the name of England’s longest canal tunnel?

4. What was the name of the engineer responsible for the building of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct?

5. What is the name of the canal that passes through Guildford?

**** Please e-mail your answers to Ragnars Brothers at:

gary.dicken@ntlworld.com - Please write subject as ‘canalcuttings competition’

A draw will be made on 1 st September from those who got all the answers correct. Ragnar Brothers will contact the winner by e-mail reply.

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• About Canal Mania