Coast Starlight

[warbonnet]

Did anybody get a chance to read the indepth article in yesterday's (Sunday 11-03-02) Los Angeles Times regarding the Coast Starlight and other long distance trains? It was not a real positive. It did summarize how critical it is to get the funding Mr. Gunn is requesting, and what the consequence will be if it is not granted. What was very disapointing is one of the conditions of funding is "no new service" This kills the LA\Vegas plans, which anyone who lives in Southern California knows, could be a real revenue generator for Amtrak if it was scheduled properly.

Warbonnet

 

[Amfleet]

I think I knew that would not happen once Gunn took office. However, this does not mean it will never happen it's just the plan is on the back burner for the time being. B)

 

[Allen Dee]

What was very disapointing is one of the conditions of funding is "no new service" This kills the LA\Vegas plans, which anyone who lives in Southern California knows, could be a real revenue generator for Amtrak if it was scheduled properly.

The proposed LA/Vegas route is to be operated by Amtrak California and funded entirely by the state of Nevada. Federal funding, or lack thereof, should have no bearing on the start up of this service. I believe the real problem is a shortage of rolling stock -- remember this route was originally to be Talgo then delayed and changed to Surfliner equipment. Amtrak California barely has enough Surfliners to operate the San Luis Obispo/San Diego corridor.

If this route were to start up, it would very quickly dwarf the Capitol and San Joaquin corridors.

 

[warbonnet]

Allen,

You make a very good point. Nevada funding this route would insure a steady stream of gamblers. I know Nevada is currently sharing in the costs of I-15 highway improvements between Victorville and Barstow as travelers from the L.A. area are reluctant to go to Vegas on Friday night and return on Sunday night due to the heavy traffic. I know I won't do it anymore. Just too big of a a headache. However, I would gladly jump on the rail if available. Hope it comes to pass because the poitential to make money with a "Vegas party train" I think is huge. Especially if marketed properly like the airlines do with room specials at selected hotels, etc.

 

[jccollins]

Allen - do you know where I can find any additional information on the proposed Amtrak California route from LA to Vegas? I can't wait for it to begin!

 

[Allen Dee]

Allen - do you know where I can find any additional information on the proposed Amtrak California route from LA to Vegas? I can't wait for it to begin!

Go to Amtrak California's website.

The very first article is about capital improvements.

If you scroll down, you will see that $28million was spent on the Kelso-Cima double-track project.

Does any one know if this work has been done yet?

If this work has been completed, then we may see LA/Vegas trains in the near future.

If this project has not yet been completed, then we may never see LA/Vegas trains.

 

[jccollins]

I read the information/report on the Amtrak California website. It does mention the $28,000,000 track work between Kelso and Cima, but it doesn't specifically mention Amtrak California operating service over the route. The state is planning on spending money on track/station work that state trains do not operate over (i.e: Truckee station, Colfax station, Chico station, Coast Starlight route track work). Did you see anything that suggests Amtrak California (specifically) will operate service over this route? If the state won't initiate the service, I fear we won't see the service for quite some time considering Amtrak's restrictions on how they spend their funding (no route expansions or new routes). Where did you find out that the State of Nevada would be paying the costs associated with operating the service? Sorry for all the questions, but this is a route/topic I am really interested in. Thanks.

 

[Allen Dee]

Go to the Amtrak California website.

Look for the "California State Rail Plan".

Chapter 8 specifically states that the operating subsidy will come from the state of Nevada.

The hotels and casinos want this service for one reason: to provide a steady stream of gamblers. Many Southern Californians are avoiding trips to Las Vegas because of the gridlock on I-15.

Believe me, I want this rail service as bad as any one.

 

[jccollins]

I just received the following response from Dick Friedman of Amtrak California to my inquiry about the LA-Vegas service. It doesn't look too good...

" I looked at the IRCP, which shows the $9 m in Amtrak funds for the [LA-Vegas] project.

I checked here at the office, and the consensus is that Amtrak has paid the

UP for the work, the environmental concerns have been satisfied. But since

its between the UP and Amtrak, they are the ones who should (note the

operative word) know the status of the project.

Considering that the Federal Government wants billions to attack Iraq, it's

not too unlikely that Amtrak will not be funded sufficiently to operate a

train to Las Vegas, no matter how many people want to travel there. Thus

far, the State of California is not a participant in discussions of

covering operating costs, and as I've noted above, we are not buying any

capital improvements either. "

 

[Poindexter118]

I too, read the L.A. Times article. It was very near depressing. I have been

waiting for the L.A. to L.V. train to return. My wife and I took it several years ago, and

really enjoyed it. We were hoping to would come back soon. But, it appears

that is not to be so. I hope Nevada has the sense to put some money into the

train. Like the other person, we feel that highway 15 is terrible. My wife will not

fly, so consequently, we haven't been to Las Vegas in a few years.

I've joined NARP and have written and Emailed our Senators and the President about

the future of Amtrak.

We need another mode of transportation besides planes and cars. Let's keep on

training!