The Decenmber issue of Trains (just out today) has the back story on the trip. The idea for the project was credited to ABC producer John Green, “who now admits to being a railfan”. For his part, Green drove along the 1100 mile route 3 times, hi-railed it once, and flew over the route in helicopters to get good camera angles. (Us photo-video types should have such planning tools.)
Bennet Levin, who provided his ex-SP lounge Warrior Ridge and ex-PRR business car Pennsylvania went to hotels during layovers, but the on air anchors slept on the train. “I give them a lot of credit” Levin says. “It’s more than I would do”