Car vs train across the United States

Or not, as it happens. As the train spears out of Chicago at 50mph on arrow-straight rails, the Bentleys spear straight into 5mph Chicago traffic and a confusing grid system of diversion. At which point, we have to put the roof back up because it's p***ing down. This is not good. It is very, very quiet in the V8, and in frustration I am force-feeding myself tropical trail mix. This will prove to be a mistake.

To gauge our position relevant to the train, in an effort to get some pictures en route, I have a rather nice man from Amtrak called Marc Magliari on speed dial, who is tracking the Zephyr from a communications bunker in Chicago. He has suggested we head to a place called Burlington in Iowa for the first stop, because it's where the Zephyr crosses the Mississippi river along a picturesque iron bridge, a place we are sure to get a lovely shot. Burlington is 250 miles and about 4hrs 30mins away.