George Francis Train bronze plaque

This bronze commemorative plaque records: Transport Entrepreneur George Francis Train b. 24th March 1829, Boston d. 17th January 1904, New York. Came to Liverpool in 1859 to work in office of Uncle Enoch Train's White Diamond Line, which had 20 sailing ships on Boston - Liverpool service, merged with Johnson Warren Line and White Star Line. Opened office in 23 Lord Street, 17th Feb. 1860 offered to build first European tramway at no cost to Liverpool Corporation. Offer ignored. Instead built first tramway in Birkenhead. Exported tramway equipment to other countries and led to setting up of Starbuck's Tramcar Factory in Birkenhead. Built Union Pacific Railroad 1862-1869. 1870 went around the world in 80 days and gave Jules Verne inspiration for famous novel. Then went around twice more, even faster.

George Francis Train was a prominent transport entrepreneur who played a key role in the development of tramways in Britain and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. His circumnavigation of the globe in 80 days inspired Jules Verne's novel "Around the World in Eighty Days."