Switching Tracks is a pick-up-and-deliver style train game. The board shows railroad tracks and cities in the United States, with switch tiles at intersections, which can be changed to allow the trains to follow a different route. Goods are picked up in cities along the way and can be delivered to cities of the same color as the goods.

You can upgrade your train to go faster or to carry more goods, or you can get more switchmen in order to be able to change more switches before you run your train. Offices can grant you special abilities during the game.

Delivered goods are used to fulfill contracts. The first to fill five contracts wins the game.