X Train will operate out of the Plaza downtown

And while we're talking about Art Deco... South Beach in Miami is famous for its Art Deco. But I haven't been there in years and wonder if the famous small art deco hotels survived?? I know that back in the late 1990s some of these small art deco hotels had been modernized and upgraded to house the hip South Beach clubs.

roulette man: thanks for finding that about the XTrain. I am curious about their quote from the AAA about driving time:

Burbank Las Vegas 271 3 Hrs 53 Min

I think that driving time is a bit optimistic and certainly does not include time for a pit stop, nor any kind of slowdown. Even when we make a "fast trip" four to four and a half hours by car is more reasonable.

3 hours and 53 minutes would have to mean perfect conditions, meaning absolutely no traffic and speeding just a tad.

If the cost is $99 roundtrip and the time from Las Vegas to L.A. is 5.5 hours, I'd give it a shot. First of all you don't have to travel to Victorville to catch the train. Secondly it looks like you can drink, sleep, read, etc.

This is a little longer than a car takes, but you would be more refreshed than after driving.

I doubt any of these trains will ever come to fruition. But, if it does, and the Plaza gets rid of the greyhound terminal and becomes the terminus for a bunch of rich poseurs they'll make a killing. The pictures of their remodel look good. I love the Plaza, probably my favorite place in Vegas, but all the bums really drive the players away.

what makes a train traveler a "rich poseur" ? especially at $99 per trip. heck, I'd be spending that much on gas driving to Vegas. and that doesnt include wear and tear on the car.

It is actually $99 roundtrip (assuming no fuel surcharges). They do mention that there may be first class cars, so I don't know how much the fare goes up? I've taken the train down to San Diego before, althought it has been about 15 years. Those seats had ample leg room and comfort. To relax with a drink and a book or being on your computer would ease the strain of flying or driving.

My brother took the Amtrak from Pasadena to Vegas about 35 years ago, and said he really liked it, though I believe he said it took about 8 hours. He spent most of the time in the club car drinking and chatting up people and made a few friends, and as he stayed downtown he bumped into many people that weekend who he had befriended on the train.

I never did take the train, and if I still lived in So. Cal. I would try it once for sure

DonDiego wishes the X-Train folks well.
If DonDiego lived in Los Angeles, . . . [uggh, DonDiego's body just shuddered uncontrollably], . . . ugh, . . . ugh, . . .ugh, . . .
OK, . . . DonDiego is fine now.

Anyway, DonDiego used to take the bus from Prescott, AZ to Laughlin, NV on days trips comprising 6-hours traveling and 8-hours in the casinos several times a year. So, he'd likely travel the rails to visit Las Vegas for a few days if he resided 6-hours away.

And, DonDiego really does wish the X-Train entrepreneurs well. He hopes they succeed. But it won't be easy. Given the present economy and DonDiego's expectations for the near-future, it'll be tough to get this enterprise rolling. And even the owners recognize they are unlikely to generate much profit off the train:

From the X-Train website :
"A majority of our project’s profits will come from revenue generated by sources not directly tied to the operation of The “X” Train. This income will come from our efforts to “package” our train ticket customers with other amenities associated with traveling to Las Vegas; room reservations, show and entertainment, tours, nightclub/lounge reservations and local transportation. Our strategy is to capture a majority, if not all, of our revenue through our own website."

So, the business model is to attract Las Vegas visitors by providing efficient, pleasant transportation to the "City of Schools and Churches" at near cost, . . . and then generate profits by selling tours, travel packages, rooms, and entertainment in Las Vegas tied into the train-trip.
That is a very competitive business.

The interested reader can participate in the project; the stock is traded over-the-counter:

I was referencing the area these people are to be coming from, not the fact that they ride trains. Although, I can easily imagine all the SoCal rich kids spending their parents money trying to look rich just loving the train. Seems like a faux bohemian act before they go order bottle service. And $99? Can't you get flights for that amount when they're on sale? I see flights from LAX and Burbank on sale all the time. Saves you three hours.