I played this game when I was really younger, 10 years ago or something like this.. ^^ I know what you explain, I assure I made all correctly, I'll explain how I proceed : - construct a line between N-O and Beaumont - build 2 big stations on each one (taking care about placing them, they have to include industries around) - Buy 2 trains : 1 N.O/Beaumont 2nd Beaumont/N.O Both with travellers/postage and accessory a restaurant cargo. Signals settled on orange. -> Earn money and extend to a ressource needed at N-O (cotton most often) to create availabilities at N-O to export). I think this is a good basis for this mission. Then you extend and connect other offers to demand and construct the railroad required to connect Los Angeles with money you've won. I still take care about making the plattest way possible, it's better way than passing accross the mountain directly. I put in place the same system for this last. And finally I buy a train especially to link N.O to L.A (lights on red) bringing merchandises manufactured on place. So my trains aren't empty and this first train should be sufficient to win the mission.. It takes few years to arrive but it arrives, and before the end of the year 1882... The train has a very slow speed so impossible to have an empty cargo.. In my mind all elements are present here to reach the goal, but still lost.. Begin to make me nervious lol !