Anyone know when the Las Vegas Limited (Los Angeles to Las Vegas) is suppose to start? They said late 2000, but it appears they are behind schedule. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
I'm not sure when the service will begin, but I'd like to know if "Las Vegas Limited" is the chosen name. On another forum, we are still coming up with names for it!
Posted by fubu05 (Member # 465) on :
I would call it the "Desert Wind", the name of the original Las Vegas train. Other names would include the "Mandalay Bay", the "Nevada Chief", the "City of Las Vegas", the "Excalibur Zephyr", the "Card Shark", the "High Roller", and the list goes on.
Even though the Vegas line would only be running from LAX to LVS via Fullerton, San Bernardino, Victorville, Barstow etc. to Vegas, suggested Nevada Stops would include Primm, Jean, Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas. This would provide service to all the key areas of Las Vegas, Nevada, the biggest city in Nevada and the one place in that state which has no train service at all.
On the subject of Las Vegas:
Maybe UP would let Amtrak run from BFD to MOJ if they ran a Talgo over the loop from Bakersfield to Vegas connecting with San Joaquin trains in Bakersfield.
Food for thought.
------------------ Mark Landau
Posted by rms492 (Member # 78) on :
thanks for the info, although I am not sure of the name of the train. However, one source told me that it will use Metrolink's San Bernardino Line from LA to San Bernardino, I hope so, as this is much faster than the BNSF line through Fullerton. Remember, Amtrak has to compete with freeway drivers and the only way is by having non-stop from LA to Downtown Vegas as fast as possible, but it probably won't be any faster than six hours (verus 4 to 4 1/2 hours to drive). All those stops mentioned above sounds like too many.
Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :
That is interesting; I did not know they were even considering using the Metrolink San Bernardino line. Still, the roundabout (and slow) line over Cajon Pass will add to delays, as will the winding UP route near Las Vegas. Even if they do get the 2nd track built in the desert, there are enough other obstacles that the 6-hour time is probably the most realistic.
Posted by barrydraper (Member # 737) on :
I can confirm that the Metrolink San Bernadino line is the planned route for the Las Vegas train, if it ever runs. Primm, NV is a logical stop, but the Casinos there don't want to pay for building a station or support the train finanically. They might change their mind if the train is popular.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Does anyone know if the Vegas train will connect to and from either the Coast Starlight or the proposed Coast Daylight?
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy