1856 is Mayfair Games' version of the critically acclaimed 18XX railroad game system for lower Canada, including the upper reaches of the St. Lawrence River, and the Toronto to Detriot area fo southern Ontario. Players use their initial money to capitalize railroad companies, which can in turn build track, buy locomotives, and generate income. Players may engage in corporate raiding, stock manipulation, and insider trading to take advantage of their opponents and win the day.

1856 is personally endorsed and approved by Francis Tresham, the designer of 1829, upon which 1856 is based.