1 reply to this topic

[CNJRoss]

AP via WTOP radio, 5/22:

4 plans compete to provide LA-Vegas train service

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Competition to provide passenger train service between Southern California and Las Vegas is heating up, even though the last such effort to carry fun-seekers across the Mojave Desert was derailed by a lack of customers.

SNIP

Recently, two new companies have been touting party trains that promise to shuttle people from downtown Los Angeles to Las Vegas on existing track. They're fighting with each other over who came up with the idea first as they bid for railroad contracts.

Complete article.

On the web:
http://www.canv-maglev.com/
http://www.z-trainltd.com/
http://www.xtrainvegas.com/
http://www.desertxpress.com/

This article dosn't talk about the 5th competitor, Desert Lightning High Speed Rail Line, announced earlier in the week, posted here:
Another L.A.-Vegas HSR plan: onward to Phoenix!

[KevinKorell]

Wow five different entities in the mix! We would be happy with just one, yet if more than one comes to fruition, competition in this case is good. Though we probably don't need say, a HSR and a Maglev running side by side. Other than the fact it was cancelled in 1997, the article also doesn't mention a potential 6th competitor. Its name is Amtrak and it once ran the Desert Wind. However this does not appear to be a high priority; we'll likely see the Pioneer and North Coast Hiawatha revitalized before the Desert Wind.

Edited by KevinKorell, 23 May 2010 - 09:30 AM.