From back of the game box:
RAILS ACROSS AMERICA is a game of railroad empires in North America from 1830 to the near future. A real-time strategy game with a "sim" flavor, Rails allows hundreds of tracks with thousands of trains crossing the continent. You focus on strategic decisions: where to expand, where to compete, and when to call in favors from government officials, union leaders, and other powerful figures.
FEATURES
Cause financial panics, start investigations into rival companies, instigate strikes, and more!
Over 60 different engines and cars!
Sophisticated cargo routing system enables large-scale play with hundreds of tracks and thousands of trains!
Up to 8 players compete over LAN or Internet!
18 different historical and "What If?" scenarios!
Intelligent AI modeled after 12 real world rail barons!