Train Trip

Around the World in Eighty Days – Train Trip (Le Tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours) is a novel by the French writer Jules Verne published in instalments in Le Temps from 7 November (number 4225) to 22 December (number 4271) 1872, the same year in which the action is set. It was then published in its entirety on 30 January 1873.

In the year 1872, Mr. Phileas Fogg, a mysterious and solitary English gentleman, will abandon his disciplined life to fulfil a bet with the members of the Reform Club, in which he will risk part of his fortune by committing himself to circumnavigate the world in eighty days using the means available at the time. He is accompanied by his newly hired servant, Passepartout, and they are forced to contend with delays in the means of transport, as well as the persistent pursuit of Detective Fix, who enters the adventure pending a warrant for his arrest by the English Crown, which believes that Fogg has robbed the Bank of England before he leaves. Fogg and Passepartout travel through the forests of India on elephant back, down the Ganges, across the South China Sea by ocean liner in a spectacular storm, and across the snowy plains of the wild American West. The inquisitive Passepartout keeps getting into trouble of all kinds, while Fogg, first and foremost a gentleman, does not hesitate to save the life of a young widow, which could have cost him his fortune. A trio who end up using all their ingenuity to get back to London. Will they make it in time?

Phileas Fogg and Passepartout set out on their American journey by train, departing from San Francisco and crossing a variety of landscapes, including the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. On the way, the train is attacked by a band of Sioux Indians, and Passepartout is captured. Fogg, along with other passengers, organises a successful rescue.

The train faces more dangers, such as crossing a bridge in disrepair and overcoming various mechanical problems. Despite these obstacles, they manage to reach New York, although they miss the ship they were to take to England. Fogg shows his ingenuity and determination in finding alternatives to continue their journey and win the bet to go around the world in eighty days.

The reverse of the coin depicts Phileas and Passepartout trying to get back on the railway after being attacked by several Indians from the American Wild West as they cross the North American continent from west to east, from San Francisco to New York.

The obverse depicts the many means of transport of the time that our two protagonists used to accomplish their feat.