The game consists of square card pieces featuring different coloured tracks.

Since 1982 it has been produced by Ravensburger, first in an abstract form, and since 1984 under the current theme with artwork by Josef Loeflath.

The starting player randomly chooses a face-down tile, and turns it face up in the center of the play area.

A possible solution would include a square of 10 x 14 cards, which then would resemble the shape of the original cardboard box.

A variation of the rules allows removing cards (if this leads to a more compact layout of routes, aiming at a final layout without gaps in the field) and adding the removed card to the next player's private stack.

In 1984 Garland agreed to a new version using the drawings of Josef Loeflath and it was renamed Rivers, Roads & Rails.