The train continues to move forward without stopping.

As a nuclear-powered train, although not as exaggerated as the perpetual motion machine used by the Snow Country Train in novels, which can run indefinitely, it can still operate for a long time without needing to stop for fuel replenishment, as long as supplies are sufficient.

Nevertheless, when the train entered the capital city of Jiang Province, it stopped at the station for the last resupply before leaving Flame Country.

"After we cross the border, we’ll have to wait until we reach Lucia for supplies. Although Kazakhstan allows us passage, they can’t provide us with supplies," the officer explained the itinerary to Chen Xin in the lounge car.

"Can the railways in Kazakhstan and Lucia still be used?" Chen Xin wasn’t particularly concerned about the travel plan; he was more focused on whether the railways could still be used.

Unlike Flame Country, where efforts have been made to maintain the railway lines for domestic material transport, ensuring smooth operations, Kazakhstan and Lucia’s railway maintenance is uncertain, especially considering the current self-preservation difficulties and lack of international communication.

However, the officer was not worried about this, saying to Chen Xin, "You can rest assured, Director Chen. We brought engineering vehicles that can perform simple repairs on the railway, and if necessary, lay tracks ourselves, so the itinerary won’t be affected."

"Is that so? Then I’m relieved." Chen Xin nodded upon hearing the officer’s assurance, seeming genuinely reassured.

Even though such matters weren’t something Chen Xin needed to worry about, as he could convert the train to tracks or repair the original sections, or lay new railway tracks if necessary.

Still, there was one issue that made Chen Xin uneasy, and he turned to the officer, asking, "I recall Lucia’s railway gauge differs from ours, so we’ll have to switch tracks, right?"

A change is inevitable since, strategically, Lucia uses broad gauge, unlike Flame Country and other countries that use the international standard gauge.

"Yes, after entering Lucia," the officer nodded affirmatively but showed a somewhat helpless expression, saying, "Lucia has indicated that we can use their stations and train wheels, but these require us to operate them ourselves, as they have no personnel there anymore."

Hearing this, Chen Xin sighed and said helplessly, "Their stations are probably completely buried in snow, right? How are we supposed to use them? Do we have to spend months digging them out first?"

With the surging power of the nuclear engine, the snow on the tracks isn’t a concern, and can be cleared using snow removers.

However, a completely snow-buried station, like the one Chen Xin dealt with in Lin City, is not something that can be excavated by manpower.

If the track change after entering Lucia requires clearing their stations first, it becomes exceedingly difficult.

"Yes, we are also troubled by this issue. Although Lucia indicated they stored wheels in warehouses and provided a station map prior to the disaster, suggesting we only need to clear the warehouse and crane at the platform, it’s still very troublesome," the officer’s serious face also showed concern.

Changing tracks is necessary; the different gauge could easily cause derailment, especially in snowy weather, posing a risk of the whole train turning over.

But Chen Xin wasn’t as worried as the officer about this issue. If faced with such a situation, he could completely upgrade the train and change the gauge directly, which wouldn’t take him many survival points.

So Chen Xin replied, "Don’t worry about it. If changing tracks requires clearing the train station, I can use the engineering vehicles to directly modify the wheel gauge—it won’t be a big problem."

"Directly change the wheel gauge using engineering vehicles? Is this troublesome?" The officer didn’t doubt Chen Xin’s capability but was concerned about the complexity of the task.

Chen Xin simply shrugged nonchalantly and laughed, "It certainly wouldn’t be more troublesome than digging out the whole station."

"Indeed, then we’ll leave it to you, Director Chen," the officer didn’t dwell further on the matter, as the engineering vehicles were brought along for such contingencies.

After setting aside this issue, the officer glanced at the documents in front of Chen Xin and curiously asked, "Director Chen, do you have any thoughts on this matter?"

"Thoughts? My only thought is why the country wants this thing," Chen Xin glanced at the monstrous dual-mounted 280 depicted in the document and shook his head helplessly, "If this thing existed during World War II, it would certainly be a powerful weapon.

But it’s the 21st century now; aren’t missiles and rockets more appealing than 280 caliber gun barrels, which even the navy no longer uses? What’s the use of bringing this thing back? The chassis might be dismantled and repurposed, but the other parts are hardly useful."

"Well..." The officer’s expression was awkward as he subtly picked up the document and flipped to the last few pages before asking Chen Xin, "Didn’t you see this part, Director Chen?"

Seeing the pages the officer flipped to, Chen Xin raised an eyebrow indifferently and said, "Removing the gun barrels and converting the thing into an all-terrain vehicle? I guess that’s not a bad idea, but did the person proposing this idea consider the cost?"

"Cost issues?" The officer was momentarily taken aback, not having considered that aspect.

"It’s a Cold War-era relic, sitting idle for so many years; there’s still uncertainty about its usability, requiring thorough inspections and component replacements, especially since it uses nuclear power, necessitating comprehensive checks," Chen Xin pointed at the document, earnestly explaining to the officer, "Even setting aside these concerns and assuming Suyia’s technology is impressive enough for it to still be usable, it’s, after all, a half-century-old artifact.

Even if it can function, many components need upgrading and replacing. Rather than repairing and refurbishing the antique, I’d rather get data from Lucia, then build a new one from scratch.

Moreover, I don’t understand the purpose of converting it into an all-terrain vehicle. Even if the military needed something like that, they wouldn’t require such a large object. So what is the true intention behind this decision? Or is there something else I’m unaware of?"