In 1943 an Allied conference was held in Kingston, Jamaica, to discuss Nazi U-boat threats to the Caribbean. In attendance was the assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence, Ian Fleming.

The trip so inspired Fleming that the “Train Of Tomorrow” that carried him from New York to his Jamaica-bound aircraft in Florida featured in several James Bond novels: it was the Silver Meteor.

The route is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, but there is no doubt that Fleming would still recognise the gunmetal grey leviathan.

Like an endless airstream, today’s Silver Meteor is taller, broader, longer and stronger than any European train. Its double diesels hum in readiness… to thwack the 1,389 miles (2,235km) down to the Miami sun. The 28-hour route allows for holiday stops in 33 cities across 11 states.

My wife and I booked with Great Rail Journeys – but tickets for Bond and escaping siren Solitaire in Live and Let Die were sorted by Felix Leiter: “Pennsylvania Station. Track 14. Very luxurious. Car 245. Compartment H. Ticket’ll be on the train. In the name of Bryce.”