Car vs train across the United States

The chase car is there to grab photography as quickly as possible, and also because a Conti doesn't have a spare wheel - a puncture will mean the end of the competition. The plan is that if the red V8 gets a puncture, we will strip the wheels from the W12 and keep going. I've told Mike about the photography. I didn't tell him about the wheels.

An hour later, and half an hour past its scheduled 2pm departure time, the train loads the last of its 486 passengers, lights flip to a line of green in front of the first of its three 4,250hp diesel-electric tractor units, and the Zephyr rumbles gently out of the station towing 13 coaches (three private rolling stock, four sleepers, three standard, and various dining, lounge and baggage cars) on their way across America.