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Around the World with Citizen Train
The Sensational Adventures of the Real Phileas Fogg
Allen Foster

“The world is a book and every step turns a new page.”
- Lamartine

George Francis Train was amongst other things the real Phileas Fogg. Capitalist, Communist, Royalist, Revolutionary, Genius, Lunatic, Visionary Prophet, Fool, Pacifist, War Monger, Presidential aspirant and later Candidate for Dictator of the USA, Railroad Pioneer, Globe Trotting Traveller, Writer and ultimately an Eccentric. Train led an incredibly jam packed life.

In July 1890, George Train set out on one of the most famous journeys ever made. He travelled around the world in eighty days. Two years after his return he found himself immortalised in Jules Verne’s famous story. Verne had changed him into Phileas Fogg. But the source was obvious. Train was not pleased. `He stole my thunder’ he protested ` I’m Phileas Fogg’.

Train, who managed to cram several lifetimes into one by doing everything at incredible speed, was never one to be modest about his own achievements.

The main difference between George Train and the fictionalised character, Phileas Fogg, was that Train was impulsive and explosive, and where Fogg made the journey for a bet in the best British sportsmanlike manner. Train did it because he was bored, and, being a whirlwind of a man, couldn’t stay in one place for more than five minutes.

Train’s journey around the world was an extraordinary feat in an era of sailing ships, horse drawn transport and trains. George Train, a dark, handsome man, propelled by what he called his `psychic forces’, was 41 when he first circled the globe. He was to complete the trip three times, finally, at the age of 63, completing the circuit in a mere 60 days!

This book chronicles the amazing life and times of one of the most fascinating adventurers in history. It describes how during the gold rush in Australia, he was falsely accused of stealing $2million and then offered the presidency of the Australian Republic. He moved in the best circles, was at the court of the Emperor in France and travelled to Russia to meet the Grand Duke Constantine. He then returned to America where he persuaded the Queen of Spain to finance the Atlantic and Great Western railway. He went on to promote the first European Tramways in Britain in the face of major opposition. After Train was arrested for manslaughter, he continued to build tramways in Geneva and Copenhagen.

Train returned triumphantly to America, promoted the building of the Union Pacific railroad and decided to enter politics and run for President of the United States. He got involved with the Suffragette movement. He then decided to become the first dictator of the USA. He eventually declared himself bankrupt, and retired to a park bench in New York to become philosopher. He spent his last days on a bench in Madison Square Gardens, feeding squirrels and playing with the children. He died aged 75. Beggars and industrialists were seen paying their tributes to this remarkable man side by side. Few people have lived the kind of rip roaring adventurous life he did, and the world is a much poorer place for it. A compelling and awe-inspiring read.