Las Vegas Train

The present means of transport between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is the Interstate 15 which has been too congested and hence inconvenient for the commuters. Government has been looking for new means of transport for the ease of the commuters. So in came the MagLev proposal from some private players. With Maglev trains, we are looking into the future of rail transport.


With the intent of the Maglev train’s, people got a touch nearer to the others. Maglev is an expensive technology for its installation and maintenance costs. But the money is being pumped in by private actor’s which lessens the burden on the government. The Senate leader from Nevada had made a proposal earlier last year for the MagLev’s. This was only the start of what was yet to come. The proposal had created a lot of buzz around. There have been quite some rumors floating around. One rumor floating around was that the Transit officials in California and Nevada like the idea proposed by some of the private actors in the transport segment. It was said that the train would be traveling at a speed of 125mph. That means it would take less than a couple of hours to reach the destination.
The private actors like the Las Vegas-based DesertXpress Enterprises want an electric-diesel hybrid trains to make the 190-mile trip every 20 minutes. The cost for the project is being estimated at around three billion dollars. They still are not the exact figures of the whole project. But there still are many drawbacks with this plan. The early estimates have suggested that the round-trip tickets may cost anywhere about $110, a price which almost equals the pre-booked flights from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Most people for sure will prefer the air freight over the costly train tickets. Another problem arising is that the train is supposed to chug off from Victorville terminus which is 80 miles from Los Angeles or Anaheim. Moreover Victorville to the Los Angeles Basin is one of the major congested areas. So, will the commuters travel 80 miles to get on a train to Las Vegas? Another problem arising is that of the estimated Ticket cost per round trip.

Some people are of the view that the existing trains could be speeded up to match the city-center-to-city-center times at a reasonable price. Also the frequency of the existing trains can be increased instead of pumping in so much money for the project. Many people are arguing that the newest European trains could fly off the 288 miles to the coast in almost an hour and that too on the usual rails.

But as of now the project is still at planning and development stages. But sources predict that the project may start by the year 2012 and the train will start operating by the year 2015. So it is up to the government to increase the frequency and the number of the existing trains or to put the MagLevs into commission. With the rising traffic congestions between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the Interstate 15, this is probably the best solution ahead.

I have been hearing rumors of a high speed train from Los Angeles California out to Las Vegas, Nevada for going on 5 years now. This hi speed train is set to be built in 2010. If the rumors are true it will take approximately 2 hours to reach they Las Vegas strip from L. A. This train will be a huge plus for tourism and should be completed some time in 2013.

I for one can not wait. I would love to hop on a train friday night and be in Vegas ready to party all weekend. I do wonder if they will serve alchol on this party train?

Hi Speed Train

6 Comments

  1. What needs to be done is simple. Every person whom has been stuck in the nightmare of the 15 MUST write to their congressman and senator.

    We do need Amtrak to re-instate the Las Vegas service. Even if the service only runs between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the service is paprmount to easing traffic and providing much needed tourist revenue to both cities.

    The most convenient suggestion would be to run commuter service between the two cities non-stop. And then run the service every 6 hours, for a total of 4 round trips a day. Once Amtrak sees the revenue that is being generated by the ticket purchases, they can add more trains as neccesary.

    But the biggest problem that many do not realize is the equipment. We just do not have enough equipment to run not just one round trip to Las Vegas, let alone adding more service to San Luis Obispo.

    Even with the economy doing as poorly as it is…the Vegas casing owners must lend a hand. I have no idea on the MASSIVE amount of money they make off of gambling, let alone the shows and other attractions.

    It would seem a wise and prudent gesture on everyones part, to lobby for the return of Los Angeles to Las Vegas service.

    In this way, both resident that live off the 15, and commuters can breath a sigh of relief. Residents no longer have to fight their way through traffic to get home, and weekend (and some weekday) travellers to Las Vegas can get easy and affordable transportation options.

    American are true addicts to their cars, and we need to realize that to get from one point to another does not mean that we HAVE to use our own cars. The Greyhound bus service does not even begin to make a dent in traffic conditions that continually doom the 15.

    Something MUST be done!!

  2. I live in Apple Valley, and this project is no only god to relief traffic, but is good for the economy, it will bring jobs for the people are getting laid off right now, and also will benefit the manufacturing that are near by with equitment ready to receive new orders.

    Allied Mechanical in Ontario CA is one of the company that will benefit from this project.
    alliedmech.com

  3. Yes. I totally agree with you. I really want them to start digging with the golden shovel for this one. In fact, today I just wrote my own article about the Las Vegas to Anaheim Maglev route on my LiveJournal. You can find it at http://www.livejournal.com under “moontan007”. I already use the Metrolink train in my area and have used it numerous times to get to Union Station Los Angeles and onto Anaheim to go to Disneyland, so the possibility of taking my own destinated route to a Maglev Super Speed Train to Las Vegas totally fascinates me. The round-trip ticket of an estimated $110 is an excellent price too. This Maglev route from Anaheim and Los Angeles will pay for itself in fast time.
    President Obama already has this in the stimulus plan, President Bush gave the $45 million for the enviromental study for it previously. California Governor Arnold S. has already given approval for the project to begin.
    If you do not or can not drive to Las Vegas, this train is going to make many people happy that they can quickly plan a trip to Vegas and as you say just “hop” aboard on the Maglev train and go. No stress at all. I wish they could have meetings more often to start building soon. I want to ride this train before my legs give out and my gray hair comes in. How exciting! Just the thought of going to Las Vegas early in the morning and returning the same day, but of course I would probably make it anovernight stay.
    I can’t wait.

  4. For those who want Amtrak back, remember one thing. Amtrak has to request the right of way from Union Pacific. Since they’re the ones that own the track from Daggett, CA to Las Vegas, NV. The proposal of the Desert Express from Victorville to Vegas is a good idea, but if they are going to lay a dedicated line. It would be better for the whole for it to began in San Bernardino than the high desert. That way it would not congest the Cajon Pass as well other points on Interstate 15.

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  6. I WAS BORN/LIVED IN E.LA FOR 30 YRS AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BRING BACK THE TRAINS/TROLLEYS IT WORKS IN EUROPE AND ITS CHEAPER THAN CARS,SAVES THE ECONOMY,AND THE SMOG WILL DECREASE,ALONG WITH BRINGING BACK THE KIASER STEEL FACTORIES THAT MADE CALIFORNIA GREAT! BACK IN THE 40-50’S, CALIFORNIA WAS SELF EFFIECENT WITH FARMS,FACTORIES,MANUFACTURING OUR OWN STEEL,AUTOS,GLASSWARE ETC..THAT’S WHY CHINA,JAPAN,USSA ARE GAINING AND WERE SINKING! I MOVED TO FLORIDA BECAUSE OF THE SMOG,TRAFFIC,CONGESTED HOME DEVELOPMENTS,LACK OF JOBS,ALONG WITH POLLUTED BEACHES,FIRE SCORCHED MOUTAINS.

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