Doc and Marty go to talk to the engineer, and pretend to have a wager going to see if a steam engine could get up to 90 mph.
The engineer explains that it most likely would depend on three factors: having a long-enough section of perfectly straight track, preferably on a downhill grade; having no cars coupled behind the tender to lighten the amount of horsepower lost; and getting the fire hot enough without blowing up the boiler.
Doc soon finds that the next train coming through the area will be on Monday morning at 8am.
Checking a railway map, Doc finds what they are looking for: a long straight stretch that goes over Clayton ravine (oddly called Shonash ravine).
In 1985, the tracks run near the Hilldale housing development, but Marty notes that in 1885, there is no bridge spanning the ravine.
Going out to see for themselves, Marty decides they have to change their plans: the trestle is partially complete, and will not be finished for another year according to a sign at the bumper block.
Doc however, tells Marty he is 'not thinking fourth-dimensionally.' In 1985, the bridge will exist.
With this reasoning, if they can reach 88mph before they reach the edge of the ravine, they'll time-travel to 1985 when the bridge is completed, and simply coast right across.
As they prepare to head back to town, the panicked cries of a woman on a runaway buckboard wagon catches their ears.
Doc manages to save the woman before the wagon hits a rock, uncouples from the runaway horses, and crashes over the side of the ravine.
To both Marty and Doc's shock, it's Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen).
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