Las Vegas

[houseshoes]

Well I've done it and iiiit's not really the best thing ever. I mean, you can survive it, but it is not very enjoyable.

 

[thewhistler]

There have been a couple of attempts to get train service back to Las Vegas but they were all from private enterprises9 Ref X train and Z train). The plan was for a short high speed line from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back. IIRC the investment in equipment and the rail line did not justify the anticipated R.O.I. I have no idea why Amtrak killed the Desert Wind. I can only guess that there was not enough traffic beyond Las Vegas. However the train did hook up to serve big cities like ,Boise ID and Ogden, UT that are now without service and truncated with the Zephyr to CHI. The original Desert Wind also ran sleeper service. .

 

[the_traveler]

The Desert Wind never went to Ogden or Boise - it split off/connected to the CZ in SLC to CHI. Ogden and Boise were served by the Pioneer - also off the CZ and also cut in 1997.

 

[iggy]

As much as it pains me to have to agree with one person - My vote will always be for the Kingman shuttle - much better than an overnight stay in Salt Lake ( I had a really nice hotel there though ) then taking a long nasty Greyhound to downtown Las Vegas. Granted I'd prefer a direct route into Vegas by train - that may happen sooner than some think - then again it may stay a dream.

The one downside to the Kingman shuttle is no bathroom until you get to Laughlin - normally have multiple vans on busy nights - so I have never been to cramped. Big negative is on the way home - the long wait inside the historic decaying small waiting room until the train pulls in.

Unfortunately my driver the first time I took the Kingman option got fired. He took us the scenic route - even though it was against the rules.

My first time getting to see this - thanks to that driver!!

Hoover Dam Bypass at night

First time I did this route I went California Zephyr to Salt Lake overnight stay then the Greyhound. Every time after went the Kingman way - much better experience.

Most people - even those who ride Amtrak often are bewildered when you state you can get to Las Vegas on Amtrak.

For those who may have missed it - this forum topic is definitely worth a look.

Las Vegas Amtrak Station Today

A direct train to Las Vegas has been drama - but might actually be running soon - with Amtrak crews if I remember correctly.

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (OTCQB: XTRN) -- Club X Train's First Luxury Rail Cars Head to Las Vegas

X Train derails plan for scheduled service, to offer charter trips instead

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc The X Train

 

[The Journalist]

For those looking for a potentially better deal when arriving early in the morning on the Kingman shuttle: The slightly-off-strip Palms hotel has started allowing "24-hour" checkout cycles if one books on their website; instead of the regular 3PM-11AM room cycle, you can check in at any time and have the room for 24 hours after that. No more burning an entire hotel night for getting in at 4 AM. Given the copycat nature of the resort business, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the other Las Vegas hotels, particularly the independents, started doing this too.

 

[JoeRids]

The Desert Wind never went to Ogden or Boise - it split off/connected to the CZ in SLC to CHI. Ogden and Boise were served by the Pioneer - also off the CZ and also cut in 1997.

You are correct about Boise, but the DW did indeed originate in Ogden until 1983, connecting from the then San Francisco Zephyr, which used UP's Overland route.

 

[jis]

Yup. I have transferred from the SFZ to the DW at Ogden before there were any through cars.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

The best way to Vegas is never mentioned here, take the CZ to Green River, stay overnight, then take a Greyhound the next day. Great scenery on both the Greyhound and the CZ. The Greyhound 555 takes the San Rafael Cutoff which saves time and uses Denver-based buses which are generally better than Los Angeles-based buses.

Greyhound has a bad reputation but they upgraded massively in the last three years and it's not the same experience anymore. No overbooking and the smelly modern G4500's are dying fast.

Greyhound turned from this.....http://www.flickr.com/photos/8982627@N05/7619821246/in/set-72157603876128222

TO THIS.....http://www.flickr.com/photos/8982627@N05/9219059634/in/set-72157603876128222

.....since 2011.

Greyhound's the fastest-changing operator in the transportation industry.

Should be noted that the modern fiberglass buses smell a lot worse and are much less reliable than the old-fashioned steel buses. So Greyhound's newest orders have gone back to steel buses.

 

[MiniMax]

Seems like the casinos would pool some money to establish a LAX to Las Vegas commuter train.