Warner Brothers

There were TWO distinct train scenes in this 182 minute, Oscar-winning monstrosity: the first in India and the second in Colorado. I plan to just review the footage taken along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, narrow gauge lines. <– This last link is a FANTASTIC resource.

Taking its shape from the Jules Verne book of the same name, 80 Days follows the adventures of the fictitious Phileas Fogg (played by David Niven) and his loyal and resourceful valet, Passepartout (played by Cantinflas) as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Of course, the REAL star of this entire production is D&RGW #315, a class C-18, 2-8-0, narrow gauge steam locomotive. She was originally built for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad as their #3 “Elkton” by Baldwin in 1895.

Let’s have some fun and check out the Wild West portion of 80 Days. All Aboard!

Ignacio, Colorado’s depot, on the D&RGW Durango to Chama, NM line, stands in as Fort Kearney (note the cavalry riding in). Filmmakers painted up the town’s depot into a pleasing red, white and blue scheme.

This was the best view of the entire passenger train in the movie. From left to right: D&RGW #315, diesel hiding in a baggage car, combine #212, coach #320 and parlor car “Silver Palace”.

More about the hidden diesel later.

Our story begins as Phileas Fogg and company are riding the train from San Francisco to Omaha. Indeed, if you look closely, you can see the initials C.P. on the tender (Central Pacific) which would be correct — at least as far east as Ogden, Utah. ;p

The fireman is busy throwing wood into the firebox as the locomotive steams along.

Hey, that’s Buster Keaton! (as the Conductor). This movie is absolutely LOADED with cameos of famous tinsel-town stars. In fact, this was the first Hollywood Picture to heavily use CAMEOS of well-known celebrities. Such as Frank Sinatra.

The conductor explains they are stopped so the engine crew can smoke a peace pipe with the friendly local Indian tribe. “Further down the line, they ain’t so friendly…”

Another delay (buffalo stampede) sets up a famous vista from the film of four travelers looking out the window.

From left to right:

Robert Newton (as Inspector Fix); Passepartout; Shirley MacLaine (as Princess Aouda); and Phileas Fogg.

Shirley MacLaine? Yep, Fogg saved Princess Aouda from a terrible fate in India and is lugging her all the way back to London. (Otherwise the movie would have been mostly a weinerfest.)

To pass the time, the above foursome sit down to a friendly game of Whist. Yet another delay ahead as the train is red flagged, causing Fogg to mutter, “I say. These American trains. Quite impossible.”

Nice front view of “CP #60, the Jupiter” with its flamboyant paint scheme whomped up just for this movie.

The flagmen don’t think the trestle is sturdy enough to support the train. Colonel Proctor (played by John Carridine) offers the Engineer a snort of courage and thus fortified, he backs up the train and gets a running start at crossing.

At this point, filmmakers put together a ramshackle model of trestle and train. It looks pretty good with the mountains and rushing river in the background. Of course they make it over in good shape, but the trestle is doomed.

Once across the abyss, we get the movie’s first clear look at the entire train. Now’s a good time to explain about the “hidden diesel”. It is the first baggage car behind the locomotive.

You see, at the time of filming, D&RGW #315 was NOT operational (it was on display in a Durango city park). The railroad had recently obtained a surplus Army narrow gauge switcher for use around the yards (#N4700, Davenport-built in 11/53, model is RS4TC).

Thanks to Vinton Wight and Jim Ozment, we have images of the baggage car being built around the diesel AND switching in Durango.

Back to the Whist game. Bored, Colonel Proctor mocks Fogg’s accent and taunts him, “Why not play a MAN’S game, POKER?” amongst other insults.

English gentleman that he is, Fogg stands up to him retorting, “Sir, you are an insolent bully and I demand satisfaction at once!” Duel coming up…

Not so fast…INDIANS!!! Yep, you simply CAN’T do a western picture without an Indian attack. Especially if you’re Warner Brothers.

Rifles are handed out to passengers for fending off the marauding redskins. They attack the engineer and fireman in the cab. Passepartout even climbs up on the roof, dodging arrows, to get a better angle.

From what I read, Cantinflas did all his own stunts, which is pretty gutsy whilst on a moving train.

Circumstances dictate the train leaves them behind at Fort Kearney (Ignacio, CO). The Station Master (played by Joe E. Brown — Zowie!) tells them the next train is not for another 24 hours putting them behind schedule. Many crestfallen expressions.

Then Fogg gets an inspiration…

Happy WINDSday, Eeyore! Yep, why walk when you can fly? Prevailing westerlies propel our quartet towards Omaha. Obstacles and near misses include a horse & wagon (not shown), a herd of sheep and a family of skunks. LE PEW!!

Not only are they making good time, they wind up PASSING the train they were on (via a short siding). Gleefully, they salute the marooned passengers of Silver Palace, coach #320, combine #212 and Jupiter #60. Thus endith the Wild West train scene.

Here’s what IMDb has to say about Around the World in 80 Days:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048960/

If you have ANY information about this movie you’d like to share, please contact me at: Lindsay.Korst@gmail.com, or leave a comment.  Thanks and enjoy the blog!

THE END