Mann Versus Machine

In 2017 Will Shiers went to New Mexico in search of the Convoy film locations. This time he heads to southern California to discover where the Steven Spielberg classic Duel was shot

- Will Shiers

I’m sat at the level crossing in Acton, California waiting for two miles of freight train to slowly trundle past when I notice a Ram pickup truck in my rear-view mirror.

It’s massive, menacing and it’s creeping ever closer. But what’s really alarming me is that I’ve spotted the same truck several times today already. Is it following me? What do I do?

The hot desert sun is reflecting in the truck’s windshield, completely obscuring the driver’s identity. I contemplate getting out of the car and tackling the driver, but decide it’s probably best to stay put.

I’m sweating profusely now, and my knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel for dear life. There’s no sign of an end to this train, and the truck is edging closer.

Its aggressive black grille is now filling my entire mirror, and even with my windows closed I can hear the 6.7-litre Cummins turbo diesel engine growling. The driver blips the accelerator, presumably trying to intimidate me – and it’s working.

He does it again, for longer this time, and the engine’s growl becomes a fierce roar. Am I about to be pushed under the passing train? The fear of the unknown is unbearable…

Truth be told, there isn’t actually anything to worry about. I’m in southern California searching for the film locations used in Steven Spielberg’s classic trucking movie Duel, and the Ram is just a prop for the video I’m making. Having failed to get hold of a Peterbilt, I called a friend in the Fiat Chrysler press office and asked if I could borrow the most fierce-looking pickup truck on the press fleet – and he certainly delivered. The Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 Long Box is one aggressive-looking vehicle. They’d might as well have designed the grille to look like a clenched fist!