IMPRESSIONS ET COMPRESSIONS DE VOYAGE. - Ah! miséricorde! nous sommes tous perdus!. - Eh! non c'est tout bonnement le convoi qui se remet en marche..... du moment où la machine va en avant les voyageurs vont en arrière... c'est connu!...

Trustman, Benjamin A., Trustman, Julia M. · 1843

The train connection Paris-Orléans was built from 1837 to 1843. The speed of the trains was very moderate and the interior similar to horse carriages. Trains were not allowed to stop outside of train stations. Scientists of the period predicted serious brain damage of the passengers caused by the excessive speed of 25 km/h (15 miles per hour). This print is offering a commentary on the relative safety of train travel as passengers fall over each other on board the overcrowded train. The trains of this time offered three different classes: The "Coupé" (1st class) at 2 francs for the trip Paris - St. Germain, the "Diligence" or "Berline" (2nd class) at 1,50 francs, and the open-air "Wagon" (3rd class) at 1 franc. The 1st class was occupied only by 1% of the passengers. The lines between Paris and Orléans as well as Paris and Rouen were inaugurated on May 2 and 3, 1843.