Posh Monkey Studios is set to release 1st Class Express™ Big Train Bonus™ on September 3, 2026. Inspired by the golden age of luxury rail travel, the game combines a premium vintage aesthetic with very high volatility and a max win of 25,000x. At its heart is the Big Train Bonus, a multi-layered feature that can combine four distinct bonus types in a single round. We spoke with Connor Blinman, Co-Founder of Posh Monkey Studios, about the inspiration behind the theme, the mechanics of the reel 5 collect system, and what players can expect from the studio next.
Gamingslots: Luxury rail travel carries a distinct vintage charm. What drew Posh Monkey Studios to the golden age of train journeys for 1st Class Express, and what specific atmosphere were you looking to establish on the reels?
Connor Blinman: Train-themed and Express games are becoming a growing trend within online slots, and we felt there was still room to bring our own identity to the theme. We wanted to create a mechanic that felt genuinely different and had not been seen before in this type of slot product.
The golden age of rail travel also gave us a rich and exciting visual world to explore. Our art and animation teams really flourished creatively and brought the whole experience to life. We wanted to create that luxury feel, and we believe we established that atmosphere from the outset.
One of the most satisfying outcomes is activating power combo and seeing all four modifiers come together.
GS: The base game loop relies heavily on the reel 5 collect mechanic, which does not just gather the coins but applies a multiplier between 1x and 5x. What was the design philosophy behind attaching the multiplier directly to the Collect symbol rather than using a standard collection system?
CB: The main reason was to give the base game more potential. It also allowed us to create two distinct phases of engagement within the spin.
First, the coin values land and establish what could be won. Attention then moves to reel 5, where the collect symbol and its multiplier determine the final value.
GS: The Big Train Bonus™ features four distinct pots: adder, mystery, 3×3 and multi. These can combine for multi-feature rounds. How do the different modifiers interact during combined triggers, and what is the most satisfying sequence you have designed within this system?
CB: Each Bonus brings something different to the train. Mystery carriages reveal jackpot prizes, 3×3 carriages play their own miniature slot with their own coin prize outcomes, adders increase carriage values, and multipliers multiply them. When bonuses combine, those different modifiers become part of the same journey, so the feature can develop in several different ways.
One of the most satisfying outcomes is activating power combo and seeing all four modifiers come together. The train keeps arriving with something new, and every carriage feels like it could improve what has already happened. Personally, I am a big fan of combining both the mystery carriage and the 3×3 carriage for an excellent sequence that can reveal jackpot prizes within the 3×3 carriage.
If the 5,000x Grand Coin meets a 5x collect, that becomes the game’s 25,000x maximum win potential. It means the final reel can completely transform an already significant moment.
GS: The game includes the optional posh power bet boost to increase the frequency of feature activations. How do you balance the underlying math so the title remains engaging at the standard bet while still offering clear value to those who utilise the boost?
CB: The standard game had to feel complete first – that was important to us. The reel 5 collect mechanic and access to the Big Train Bonus™ are both fully available through regular gameplay.
Posh power then offers a more action-packed experience by shifting the focus away from traditional payline wins toward more frequent feature-driven moments – a different rhythm for those who prefer that style of play.
GS: The collect feature includes jackpot coins, with the grand prize sitting at 5,000x. Knowing that the reel 5 collect symbol can apply up to a 5x multiplier to these values, can you walk us through how this interaction develops across the spin?
CB: This is one of the clearest examples of the game building excitement across the reels. A jackpot coin can land early and set the stage, but nothing is settled because reel 5 is still spinning. The collect symbol lands next, and then the multiplier it carries determines the final outcome.
If the 5,000x grand coin meets a 5x collect, that becomes the game’s 25,000x maximum win potential. It means the final reel can completely transform an already significant moment.
As for what’s next – I can say we are revisiting another much-loved classic theme, but with a mechanic that takes it somewhere completely new. Think something instantly familiar, but with a Posh Monkey Studios twist that changes how it plays entirely.
GS: With a maximum win potential reaching 25,000x the bet, what makes 1st Class Express™ Big Train Bonus™ an engaging experience for such a wide range of tastes?
CB: For someone new to the game, the base game loop is quick to understand. Coins land, reel 5 collects them and the multiplier can increase the result – there is immediate engagement without requiring several layers of rules first.
The game also includes enhancements to the multiplier and adder features that add a greater sense of progression as the experience develops. The different Big Train Bonus™ combinations then add further variety throughout.
GS: Posh Monkey Studios explicitly focuses on creating games built to stand out. How does 1st Class Express™ Big Train Bonus™ reflect that core identity, and what can we look forward to next from the studio in the coming months?
CB: For us, standing out does not mean making a game complicated for the sake of it. It means starting with something recognisable – in this case luxury trains and coin collect gameplay – and finding a strong idea that leaves a lasting impression. The Big Train Bonus™ gives the game its spectacle, with four distinct bonus types that can combine in several different ways.
We are also not afraid to keep refining until the experience feels right. We worked on the timing of the feature until every carriage had room to deliver its full impact – that attention to detail reflects how we work as a studio.
As for what’s next – I can say we are revisiting another much-loved classic theme, but with a mechanic that takes it somewhere completely new. Think something instantly familiar, but with a Posh Monkey Studios twist that changes how it plays entirely. There is a very satisfying moment at the heart of it that I think will get people talking. More details coming very soon!
1st Class Express™ Big Train Bonus™ will be available on select casinos on September 3, 2026.
