L.A.-TO-VEGAS RAIL LINE IN WORKS; SPANISH-BUILT TRAIN COULD START TRIAL RUNS IN A YEAR.Byline: Angie Bluethman Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. Helped by flashy showgirls, about 200 gaming leaders, state and local officials boarded a train to Primm on Wednesday evening to sample the rail technology that may soon link Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The smooth ride to Primm was an effort by Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run West to woo gaming leaders to invest in the project, which is estimated to cost $15 million to establish. ``We have a vision for Talgo and the city of Las Vegas
The City of Las Vegas . We believe in Vegas, and this market is right,'' said Gil Mallery, Amtrak West president, before yelling a resounding re·sound v. re·sound·ed, re·sound·ing, re·sounds v.intr. 1. To be filled with sound; reverberate: The schoolyard resounded with the laughter of children. 2. ``All aboard!'' to the group. Using the Spanish-built Talgo train, the new service would get passengers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in about five hours. The train features a ``passive tilt'' system for better comfort and higher speeds. In keeping with Las Vegas style, one car would resemble a nightclub, where passengers could learn how to play blackjack blackjack, one of the world's most widely played gambling card games; also known as twenty-one or vingt-et-un. Despite contesting claims between the French and Italians, its origins are unknown. , poker or baccarat baccarat (bä`kərä', băk`–, Fr. bäkärä`), French card game formerly widely played in European casinos but now supplanted in popularity by chemin de fer. by video. Mallery said Amtrak hopes to begin a one-year trial shuttle service between the two cities in mid-1998. The service could become permanent if it fares well. ``We're convinced it will become popular,'' he said aboard the train. Mallery said Amtrak would start out with one train that will seat 320 people, but could add more runs later. Studies have shown that there could be a demand for 1,000 seats a day, he said. A round-trip ticket between the two cities would cost $90 to $100. Amtrak, which has agreed to spend $2 million on the project, is hoping the money to fund it will come from the private sector, not state or local governments. ``I think it's the future,'' said Thomas Roberts, vice president of the Rio Hotel and Casino. Roberts said the ride from Los Angeles to Las Vegas would help introduce the Rio's customers to this gambling city. ``We can start the experience before they arrive,'' he added. ``It will be a real asset to the community. If they can get the rails fixed, it'll be a real comfortable ride,'' said Bob Broadbent, who retired this week as Clark County's aviation director and has now been hired to spearhead a monorail monorail, railway system that uses cars that run on a single rail. Typically the rail is run overhead and the cars are either suspended from it or run above it. extension from the Las Vegas Strip The Las Vegas Strip (also known as The Strip) is a 4 mi (6.7 km) section of Las Vegas Boulevard South, most of which has been designated an All-American Road. to the Las Vegas Hilton The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent. . If the tracks between the two cities are improved, the shuttle would be much faster, but Mallery said improvements really aren't needed now. ``The California tourists can't get in and out of town on the weekends, so I think we ought to provide an alternative service,'' said Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, Nevada's lieutenant governor, who is also a neurosurgeon neurosurgeon a physician who specializes in neurosurgery. neurosurgeon A surgeon specialized in managing diseases of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves Meat & potatoes diseases Brain tumors, spinal cord disease Salary $245K + 15% bonus. . Wednesday's passengers, while enjoying wine and snacks, seemed to agree that the shuttle service would be an asset to both cities. ``Another means of travel will allow our community to develop and truly become an international city,'' said Mark Brown, senior vice president of corporate and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Ready for a trial run from Las Vegas to Primm, Nev., with two showgirls are, from left, Talgo Inc. Executive Vice President Gustavo Gonzalez, Amtrak West President Gil Mallery and Talgo President Lucas Oriol. (2) An Amtrak locomotive prepares to leave Las Vegas pulling a Talgo tilt train filled with VIPs. Associated Press |
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