Dessert Wind

[VentureForth]

I was tracing out the Desert Wind on Google Maps and it looks like a beautiful ride between Vegas and SLC, UT. Anyone ever been on it?

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

I was tracing out the Desert Wind on Google Maps and it looks like a beautiful ride between Vegas and SLC, UT. Anyone ever been on it?

Yes, I was on it once. Can' t remember many trip details. Just this one: It was a boiling hot day in LA, I think we left LA about 12.30 noon. I was traveling as one person in the top deck deluxe bedroom(as they were called then). I was stretched out with a cold beverage, my shoes kicked off, my feet up on the small chair.

Riding in the height of comfort while those so-and-sos were out in the boiling heat and high level traffic.

All was well with the world. As if often is on the train--any train.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha Bill

I did 3 times, twice east, once west, will get back to you later. This AM is hectic.

Eric aka GG-1

 

[frj1983]

I was tracing out the Desert Wind on Google Maps and it looks like a beautiful ride between Vegas and SLC, UT. Anyone ever been on it?

Numerous times,

The last time, I remember the DW coming to a halt in the middle of nowhere...we had to wait for a local fire department to put out a fast moving grass fire which was zig-zagging back and forth across the tracks! Durn, there's something else I miss, the DW!

 

[the_traveler]

Yes, I've taken it a few times, having lived in NW Arizona during the 90's! So I've taken it to/from Vegas, and once I took the SWC from NDL to LAX to connect to the DW (but that required finding a "friend" willing to give me a 20 mile ride to NDL to catch a 2 AM train ). The arrival into Vegas from the south was well noticed well in advance (especially after dark), what with all the neon! And the tracks went west of (but near enough to) the Strip from Flamingo north. And the station was in the back of - but inside of - the Union Plaza Casino downtown.

But most of trip between Vegas and SLC was at night. But it did connect to the CZ thru Colorado!

I was sad when it was discontinued!

 

[Everydaymatters]

I was on it round trip from Chicago to LasVegas. I believe it was dark out when we were in SLC. I believe it was in the early to mid 1990's. The train station was inside the Union (or was it Union Plaza) Hotel in LasVegas.

I wish it was still running. I'd visit my neice in Las Vegas more frequently. Also, I'd visit my money more often :blink: .

Betty

 

[AKA]

Rode the DW many years ago. I do remember the Vegas stop. My wife won about $ 200 while we were stoped at the Union Plaza At that time it paid for the sleeper and then some. Amrrak had a All Aboard America fair at the time. $ 250 for two zones I think. Sleeper was $ 99.00 and no meals. This was our frist Amtrak ride. Cleveland- LA- San Diego R/T. Went to visit our sons who were in the U S NAVY . Both on the same ship, so they got leave at the same time. Before you ask. Yes, we still had one at home. Boy did he get lonely. We went out on the SWC come back on the DW. Some how we went to Ogden to lash up with the CZ then thru Wyoming to Cheyenne then down to Denver and on to Chicago. That was it, we were hooked. Been riding trains as often as we can after that. I think that some kind of modified meal plan at a lower price for sleepers would bring in more sleeper traffic. Three meals a day in the diner is to much for us. I get the frist class treatment idea. I know its like the TV. If you dont like whats on turn it off. I just think a fair adjustment on the sleepers would bring in more traffic. So much for what I think.

 

[buckhouse2006]

Been on that train about 5 times. The first two, I was doing a circle trip starting from Los Angeles going through Grand Junction Colorado, back to Truckee, Ca.

The last two times was going to Las Vegas.

It was kind of sad leaving for Los Angeles knowing that the train was going away.

Still miss it.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

All was well with the world. As if often is on the train--any train.

Amen to that.

I think Amtrak does a fine job filling up their sleepers. I think its mostly other things that cause problems.

 

[the_traveler]

Some how we went to Ogden to lash up with the CZ then thru Wyoming to Cheyenne then down to Denver and on to Chicago.

Back in "the old days", D&RGW had not joined Amtrak. As such, D&RGW ran their train from DEN-SLC via GJT, while Amtrak ran the CZ via Wyoming and Ogden. When D&RGW joined Amtrak, the CZ was re-routed to operate via GJT, and the Wyoming route was discontinued. (Except for the occasional detour. )

 

[Highballer]

The thing I remember about the Desert Wind was the large hobo jungle it went through on the west side of Las Vegas. It was quite a contrast to all of the big hotels and glitter.

 

[Anthony]

Yes, I've taken it a few times, having lived in NW Arizona during the 90's! So I've taken it to/from Vegas, and once I took the SWC from NDL to LAX to connect to the DW (but that required finding a "friend" willing to give me a 20 mile ride to NDL to catch a 2 AM train ). The arrival into Vegas from the south was well noticed well in advance (especially after dark), what with all the neon! And the tracks went west of (but near enough to) the Strip from Flamingo north. And the station was in the back of - but inside of - the Union Plaza Casino downtown.
But most of trip between Vegas and SLC was at night. But it did connect to the CZ thru Colorado!

I was sad when it was discontinued!

20 min from NDL? Where did you live? I grew up in Havasu.

 

[the_traveler]

Yes, I've taken it a few times, having lived in NW Arizona during the 90's! So I've taken it to/from Vegas, and once I took the SWC from NDL to LAX to connect to the DW (but that required finding a "friend" willing to give me a 20 mile ride to NDL to catch a 2 AM train ). The arrival into Vegas from the south was well noticed well in advance (especially after dark), what with all the neon! And the tracks went west of (but near enough to) the Strip from Flamingo north. And the station was in the back of - but inside of - the Union Plaza Casino downtown.
But most of trip between Vegas and SLC was at night. But it did connect to the CZ thru Colorado!

I was sad when it was discontinued!

20 min from NDL? Where did you live? I grew up in Havasu.

I lived in Laughlin for 3 years and Bullhead City for 3 more in the 90's. (I didn't want to leave all my money in Nevada! :lol: )

 

[Anthony]

Yes, I've taken it a few times, having lived in NW Arizona during the 90's! So I've taken it to/from Vegas, and once I took the SWC from NDL to LAX to connect to the DW (but that required finding a "friend" willing to give me a 20 mile ride to NDL to catch a 2 AM train ). The arrival into Vegas from the south was well noticed well in advance (especially after dark), what with all the neon! And the tracks went west of (but near enough to) the Strip from Flamingo north. And the station was in the back of - but inside of - the Union Plaza Casino downtown.
But most of trip between Vegas and SLC was at night. But it did connect to the CZ thru Colorado!

I was sad when it was discontinued!

20 min from NDL? Where did you live? I grew up in Havasu.

I lived in Laughlin for 3 years and Bullhead City for 3 more in the 90's. (I didn't want to leave all my money in Nevada! :lol: )

Cool. I don't go back much these days, but I sure spent a lot of time waiting at the freight yard on Front Street for the inevitably late westbound SW Chief.

 

[domefoamer]

Unlike several other long lost trains I rode once and still hold in my memory, the Desert Wind didn't leave so much of an impression. There was dry Western scenery galore along the whole route, but most of it was very distant compared to, say the narrow canyons traversed by the CZ. I just remember lost of fast running through open country.