Keeping your board games neatly organised is some would say essential for smooth gameplay, especially with titles like Great Western Trail 2nd Edition, where it’s actual organiser is a bit meh! The Great Western Trail 2nd Edition Organiser from Towerex, aims to provide a storage solution that not only keeps all components in place but also aims to enhances the overall gaming experience by reducing setup time and keeping everything accessible.
With a sturdy design, tailored compartments, and a focus on both practicality and aesthetics, this organiser should be an excellent addition to any Great Western Trail collection. But does it truly meet expectations? Let’s take a closer look.
Design and Aesthetics
Crafted from plywood, this organiser boasts a sleek yet functional design. The natural wood finish gives it a classic and refined look that complements the overall theme of the game. Unlike the generic plastic insert, the wooden construction adds a premium feel.
The organiser features precisely cut compartments designed to house each component and importantly fixes one issue with the original organiser as cards and components do not shift around during storage – which I found the original organiser to be terrible for! This results in a much tidier appearance inside the game box, reducing clutter and making it easier to locate items when setting up for a play session, which does speed up setup to some extent.
Functionality and Storage Capacity
One of its biggest advantages is its ability to store both the base game and the Rails to the North expansion in one neatly arranged space. Reducing the need for two boxes is a big win!
The card compartments are designed to accommodate sleeved cards, which is a crucial feature for those sleevers like me! Additionally, the organiser includes specific slots for player tokens, cattle tiles, station master tiles, and other game elements, ensuring that everything has a designated place. The sections make it fairly easy to keep track of different pieces, reducing the likelihood of misplacing important game elements. However, a label for what goes where would have been a great addition!
But I’m not sure it offers a streamlined setup or packing up process. Yes all components are generally neatly stored, so setting up for a game session should become significantly quicker. But the market tiles normally go back into bags, here they need to be perfectly placed into holders, which is frustrating. And definitely doesn’t make packing up any faster, in fact it makes it slower!
Assembly and Fit
The organiser arrives as a flat-pack and requires assembly before use. Thankfully, the process is relatively straightforward, with instructions guiding you through each step – although they aren’t included in the box, you need to download them. The laser-cut wooden pieces fit together precisely, and assembly can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, even for those who are not particularly experienced with DIY projects. Unlike the Wyrmspan organiser I review last year, everything went together relatively easily here.
For added durability, it’s recommended to use a small amount of wood glue during assembly, ensuring that the trays remain sturdy even with frequent use. The new secure fit aims to prevents components from shifting around, even if the box is stored vertically and I have to confirm that this is the case, having stored the box both vertically and horizontally the components do remain in place.
However, the instructions do have several print errors, for example you build tray c, but the final assembly step doesn’t tell you were to put tray c in the box (it lists E twice)! Another error is that I think tray E and D are mislabelled on the instructions or trays, so mine are the wrong way around and the building tiles now need to be spread out over the two, I think they are meant to go into E (or is it D) but its not deep enough and there’s no push out bit for the tiles..
Durability and Longevity
Unlike the somewhat flimsy plastic inserts, this wooden organiser feels built to last despite its minor damage.
As with any wooden product, there is a risk of minor damage during shipping. Unfortunately, I received my organiser with slight cracks or maybe its better described as broken edges due to the delicate nature of laser-cut plywood. While this didn’t look like a widespread issue and was limited to the delicate design bits, it is worth considering. If damage does occur, say, a small amount of wood glue can often be used to reinforce any weak points. However, I found that it was the intricate detailed parts that arrived damaged, making it a challenge to glue them back together.
But – an advantage of the wooden construction is that it provides a sturdy base for stacking other game boxes on top without risk of damage. It’s like packing your game night bag and knowing to put the heaviest on the bottom.
Price and Value for Money
At its current price point, the organiser sits in the mid-to-high range for board game storage solutions. While it is more expensive than basic inserts or DIY alternatives, it offers a level of quality that some would say justifies the cost. But I’m not sure it matched that quality with functionality.
That said, the price does not include shipping, which can add a notable amount to the final cost depending on your location. For international buyers, customs fees may also be a factor to consider. Despite this, for those who play Great Western Trail frequently, the time saved on setup and the improved organisation make this a worthy purchase.
Conclusion
The Great Western Trail 2nd Edition Organiser is a good solution for players looking to keep their game components neatly arranged while also enhancing the overall gaming experience. Its combination of premium materials, smart design, and generally practical storage solutions makes it a standout choice for those who want to improve their organisation. I’m not sure it’ll improve your setup time or packing up time, moving from bags to trays for some components becomes fiddly and almost cumbersome.
Like other Towrrex organisers, this is hugely visually appealing, and the laser cuts make these look great on the table top. And we’ve found that it did ensure your components remain in place, unlike the original organiser. However, its let down by damage (which may just be caused by shipping) and unclear instructions. However, if you are considering buying just be mindful of potential shipping costs and ensure you’ve got yourself some wood glue!
