Railroad Tycoon 3/Go West!

Introduction
Go West! is the starting scenario for Railroad Tycoon 3.

While it is meant to be an easy starting scenario, it is also meant to punish Railroad Tycoon 2's players if they try to repeat that game's strategies. The economic model in Railroad Tycoon 3 is different, with more emphasis in the price arbitrage of goods rather than passenger revenue.

Objectives

 * Bronze: Connect Boston and Buffalo before 1866.
 * Silver: Do the same before 1861.
 * Gold: Do the same before 1856.

Limitations

 * You can only build from existing track.
 * You can not be fired or resign from your company.

Starting point
You will find yourself without a company, so you should see where Boston and Buffalo are in the map first of all so you have an idea how to connect them. You have no other goals to distract you in this scenario.

You'll notice that your options are limited and that you are railroaded (hehe) into following a specific path. The most direct route is covered by massive mountains that will make it impossible to lay down tracks: you'll need to lean on New York, and then head up the Hudson River via Poughkeepsie and Albany so you can get a viable path towards Utica, Syracuse, Rochester and ultimately the Queen City.

Once you found the company, you will see that you get a pretty generous starting amount with 2,750K. If you come from Railroad Tycoon 2, you will feel the temptation to try to link to New York City as quickly as possible (which you can actually afford, if barely) and throw a couple of trains to and fro to rake in the sweet early era passenger cash between the two distant cities. You're welcome to try, but you will lose.