Railroad Tycoon

I played this game years ago, and it is one of the Sid Meier classics (along with Pirates and Civilization)

As a thirteen year old this was a great introduction to the economics of running a business. In addition to making efficient and profitable railroad lines, you had to keep track of your company's finances to make a successful railroad business. From issuing bonds/stock to raise capital for building track to buying out companies through aggressive takeovers, this game taught me about the basics of the financial world.

Engineered in this great game is a good account of the history of the railroad and playing the different scenarios gives one a good idea of geography of both Europe and North America (much like Pirates did for the Carribean).

One of the best simulation games that I have played for sure, and I would recommend it to all