Choo Choo Crew
Click here to view all Choo Choo Crew Episodes
In November of 2020, the Choo Choo Crew was born out of a need in the 18xx & Cube Rails hobby - hosts Joe, James, Zach, and Mike were all disappointed in the offerings of the few voices talking about these games in regards to strategy, tactics, and how to actually improve. The CCC strives to provide entertaining content that can also help you improve your gameplay and performance, while discovering underrepresented titles in the train game world.
At the same time “Choo Choo Crew Thursdays” were born - a weekly meetup online where DoaMers could gather on Tabletop Simulator to play 18xx and Cube Rails games. We’ve decided to stream some of our favorite games, and hope you’ll enjoy getting a taste of what it’s like to join us on Thursday Nights, and to see games that can be hard to find information about online. Join us most Thursdays at 9 EST/8 CST live on Twitch. Or you can view our videos archived later on our official Youtube channel.
Joe Coyne - Host | Audubon, NJ
Sometime in the year 2000 I was in my local comic book store and picked up an MTG Exodus Theme deck (full of Stone Rains and Anarchists, largely defining my time in Magic) and spent lots of the next 18 years grinding in person and online Magic the Gathering. After getting married and having kids I've largely traded in my sleeves for certs and construction paper. I enjoy "system games" that let players develop and test "known" ideas against each other while pushing them toward novel situations (18xx, Cubes, Pax series). I love the quick and powerful feedback loop these games provide as they let you define, challenge and redefine your understanding and expectations. I have almost as much fun talking strategy and tactics in these games as I do playing them and the Choo Choo Crew provides a great outlet for that.
Instagram: @dad_bod_2018
Zach Chillman - Host | Bartlett, IL
Competition—sports, video, card or board—have always been a part of my life. As a kid, if there was potential for someone to do something better than someone else, my brothers and I took it as an obligation to figure out who could do it best. Home run derbies routinely became contentious. Monopoly, Don’t Crack the Ice, Sorry, and whatever 90s era mass market board game were certain to be a victim of a toss across the room.
My foray into modern gaming started sometime in 2011 with introductions to Settlers of Catan, Blokus, and Pandemic. My wife and I started off looking for things to do other than watch TV, and the success of the games mentioned previously led me down the rabbit hole that is BGG. Now that we are parents to two—a 5 year old daughter and 4 year old son—I’m pretty much the lone gamer in the household (kids are getting there). Currently interested in games with shared incentives that inspire players to put themselves in lucrative but potentially compromising positions—which includes, but isn’t limited to—18xx, cubes, and other things trains.
Mike Lake - Host | East Brunswick, NJ
Family game nights were always a cherished memory of mine from playing old school classics to trick taking games with my siblings. Settlers of Catan was my cliche entry into modern gaming around 2008. I’ve always leaned towards games with sharp edges and lots of interaction. Joining the Dads on a Map discord sent me on one way track towards all games train related. It’s always fun to play with family and friends and it’s been especially great to meet and play with other dads who are equally as passionate about board gaming.