Because Sheldon insists, the gang is going to a big time physics symposium, not on a plane, but a train. So they will be together for hours. As they travel, Sheldon realizes he left his flash drive behind with his major paper on it. He had planned on giving it to a Nobel Prize winner. Ultimately, he talks Penny into sending him the paper on line (hilariously, on her part). The other guys realize that Heather Glau is on the train and they take turns hitting on her. Howard's efforts are awful.