On the surface Nostromo too is talking about the train, and even on this level there is significance to his doubting the chief engineer: the latter has been working exclusively for Separation, and as politics go this would be a Unionist enterprise.

On the deeper level, the People are doubting whether the famously idealistic material interests (represented by the chief) will "consent" to the Devil's plan of reinstating society on such a cynical, deceptive basis. It is significant that Nostromo then asks to remind the chief of his own cynical, deceptive service. It is as if he wants to be assured he has a place in this new, openly amoral society.