Las Vegas Railway Express - The X Train

This is not the forever promised bullet train. This is a company that plans to start up service in late 2013 with service between Southern California and Las Vegas. The trains will depart Fullerton Station (Orange County). For the Las Vegas station they were debating on whether to build South of the Strip (which I would have preferred) or to build where the old train station was behind the Union Plaza Hotel. It looks like it will be behind the Union Plaza Hotel.

The introductory price for their "Vegas Service" will be $99 each way and will include food and beverage. There will be two scheduled trips going each way each day. The expected time is 5 hours for the trip. There will be game cars where there are casino games with no money bet, party cars, etc.

Generally if you are driving to Vegas from Southern California it takes around 4 hours to get to Vegas with a little bit of speeding and no traffic. You can catch other trains throughout Southern California, including from Union Station that will take you to the Fullerton station. This of course would add time to your trip.

Vegas Class Service


(from the website) We will offer Vegas class accommodations all the way on the X Train with assigned seating for your group, big or small. Relax in comfortable seats with reclining features only found on the most luxurious passenger aircraft. Table service will be offered to you and your guests at your seat with Vegas class food and beverage both ways. Cocktails? Yes sir! Service is offered by one of our exquisite "Conductresses" at your seat. Flat screen TV's at your table with interactive channels.

Oh yes, there will be an X Train channel too. You can order all kinds of X Train gear right from your seat as well as watch your favorite sports or TV channel compliments of our high tech up link. Internet? You bet, just plug in and browse away... train travel as never seen before!

Bay Area Lounge


Stroll down to one of our bar area lounges on board the X Train. Relax with the beverage of your choice and watch your favorite sporting event on one of our several HD flat screens mounted along the walls. Want something to eat? Order right at the bar as special X Train fare is brought to you with all inclusive Vegas class food & beverage. High speed internet, wireless up-links and lots of electronic communications assure you are never out of touch with the world as you glide across the desert on your way to Las Vegas.
Our attentive staff will see to your every need..."Vegas" style.


Entertainment Car


No gambling as we are prohibited under state law and by the railroads. But we can have tournaments for points and prizes sponsored by the casinos. No cash, but still fun!

Private Cars



Private Cars:

OK, this is the cat's meow! Your own private car is available for private parties, business meetings, bachelor & bachelorette parties and so much more. Our own attentive staff will be right there with you to make your event one to remember in every way. What better way to stream across the desert than your own private coach with all the trimmings. It's the best party on wheels! (RM: Do they allow strippers for bachelor and bachelorette parties)

I will want to try this. While driving with multiple people is cheaper, it is somewhat tiring to the person who is doing the driving. Five hours is about the maximum time I would allow. They had advertised train service for AMTRAK about twenty years ago and the time of the trip was 9 hours, which is just too long. The train routes between Southern California and Las Vegas seem to have a lot of cargo trains. I would assume that the logistics are worked out whereby the X Train does not have to pull on a side track and wait for a two to three mile train to pass it coming the other way.





Link to X Train site

I would definitely give it a try.

I hope that there are more frequent trips other than Thursday & Friday.

Wasn't there a guy promoting this here on LVA 2 or 3 years ago?

If I lived in the area, it does look like it would be a comfortable alternative to driving and I would give it a shot. High gas prices alone make it look like a decent deal....unless they charge stupid high rates for parking at the California train station.

Great for a person that is afraid to fly!

How much are flights typically between Orange County/LA to Vegas for comparison? Understanding the hassle of flying, security, etc. I would think the train would have to be priced competitively or cheaper than flying to make a go of it.

LVA Roadtrip!!!!

Five hours...enough time for the LVA page to load twice!

If I still lived in So. Cal I would try it. I never took the train when I did live there but my brother did about 30 years ago. He really liked it because he met some fun people on the way up, and since the station was at the Union Plaza almost everyone stayed downtown. He said he kept bumping into people downtown that he had met on the train and they would exchange gambling updates.

If I lived around So. Cal. I'd definitely take it, could sleep or party on the way and on the way home(guess which would be which). As mentioned, you'd probably meet some cool folks on the way.

J

I think the real plus for this would be the trip back to LA. Going to Vegas is great, everybody is stoked, but that trip home can be bleak, especially for the driver. This would give the trip home some potential for fun, extend the party for a few hours.