The Last Timetable
The observatory connection.
The last delivery must reach the observatory before its doors close. One of you has the station ledger; the other has the operating orders. Compare information aloud to arrange a connection, reconcile three clocks, and restore the final departure board.
Complete opening puzzle · Two hints · Worked answer · No purchase needed
Different papers.
One shared deduction.
Use one device each. Choose different roles, keep your clues private and talk freely. Each device checks its own answer. Playing alone? Choose the solo preview to read both sheets.
Choose a role above, or open the role sheets below.
For your partner: Open the other role on their device ↗
Dispatcher
These are all feeder trains from the depot to the junction. Journey minutes are exact, and every train runs on time. Platform is the arrival platform at the junction.
| Train | Depot departure | Journey | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 14:02 | 8 minutes | 1 |
| R2 | 14:05 | 6 minutes | 2 |
| R3 | 14:08 | 5 minutes | 1 |
| R4 | 14:10 | 7 minutes | 3 |
| R5 | 14:12 | 3 minutes | 2 |
| R6 | 14:06 | 10 minutes | 3 |
- The operating orders are on your partner's sheet. Calculate each arrival before discussing a connection.
Signalkeeper
These are all onward shuttles from the junction to the observatory. The platform is the shuttle departure platform.
| Shuttle | Departure | Arrival | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | 14:15 | 14:24 | 2 |
| S2 | 14:20 | 14:28 | 3 |
- The delivery cannot leave the depot before 14:04.
- The observatory must be reached by 14:25, inclusive.
- Changing between different platforms takes at least 5 minutes. Remaining on the same platform still requires at least 2 minutes.
- A connection is allowed when the minimum transfer finishes exactly at departure. You may wait longer.
Your shared answer.
Choose one feeder train and one onward shuttle. Give both train IDs and the time you reach the observatory. No other travel is permitted.
One hint at a time.
Hint 1
First eliminate a shuttle using the observatory deadline.
Hint 2
Subtract the required transfer from S1 departure: same-platform arrivals must be no later than 14:13; other platforms no later than 14:10.
Worked answer · reveals the solution
R2 -> S1; observatory arrival 14:24. S2 arrives too late. R1 reaches the junction at 14:10 on platform 1 and could change platforms in time, but leaves the depot before 14:04. R2 arrives 14:11 on platform 2 and completes its two-minute transfer at 14:13. R3 arrives 14:13 on platform 1 and needs until 14:18. R4 and R6 arrive on platform 3 at 14:17 and 14:16. R5 arrives on platform 2 at 14:15 and misses the two-minute minimum. Only R2 connects to S1.
Keep the curiosity going.
The complete printable game contains this opening puzzle and two more cases, with separate role sheets, hints and worked answers. A4 and US Letter files are included. The answers stay fixed on replay.
Full printable game · US$3.90 ↗Optional one-time purchase on itch.io. This opening case and its complete answer stay free. English edition.
Free PDFs & complete edition details → · Try a different free opening →
AI-assisted text and artwork. This is the same first puzzle as the free PDF and paid edition, with the same answer. Solutions were checked computationally; independent human playtesting is not claimed.