Origin of the Mexican Train Game

Invention

• The "official" Mexican Train Game's rules were copyrighted by Roy and Katie Parsons of Newport Coast, California, in 1994. This version was sold to Puremco Games &Toys of Waco, Texas. Puremco holds a 2005 copyright.

  There are other variations of the rules, such as those included with dominoes manufactured by Cardinal Industries of Long Island City, New York. According to a footnote in the rules, Cardinal also carries a 1994 copyright on its version.

  Similar games go by the names Mexican Express, Mexican Dominoes and Longana. Longana is played by four players using a "Double-Nine" set and can be seen in the 1999 motion picture, "The Buena Vista Social Club," being played by Cuban musicians in Havana.

Design

• Dominoes come in several different counts, ranging from "Double-Six," to "Double-Eighteen." The more counts the dominoes have, the more variations of play and strategy there are. The design of the domino tile is what enables players to build a "train" from the dominoes in their hand.

Play

• One player is chosen to keep score. The "cars" (dominoes) are placed face-down and mixed around in the "boneyard." Each player draws an agreed-upon number of starters and the player with the largest double in his draw goes first and places the "engine" in the middle of the playing area. Players build trains from the engine by matching their dominoes to it. Up to eight trains can be coupled to the engine. Playing clockwise, players attempt to first start a train, then build on it by placing dominoes from their hands. If unable to do so, they select a domino from the boneyard. If it matches, they play it. If it does not, they must place a marker on their trains and pass. Trains with markers can be played on by any player. Play continues until someone is able to discard all of his dominos. .

Supplemental Items

• A plastic hub can be used to hold the "engine." Markers such as pennies, uncooked beans and little plastic trains are used to indicate that the train is "boarding."

Unique Characteristics

• The "train" theme of the Mexican Train Game lends itself to some interesting accessories and designs. One manufacture offers an electronic hub with whistling locomotive sounds, small multicolored plastic trains and a storage box shaped like an engine. There are world competitions and video versions that can be played against the computer or with other players online.