Las Vegas casino magnates and their relationships: Part II

While Howard Hughes is credited for helping to create the modern-day Las Vegas, he's also known for being a recluse. But what of some of the other notable casino owners of the '70s and '80s, also credited with putting their stamp on Sin City: Bob Stupak; Steve Wynn; Benny and Jack Binion; Jackie Gaughan -- did these successful men interact with one another during the 1980s, or were they simply rivals?

When was there passenger-train service to Las Vegas, and where was the terminal?

The Plaza seems to be making great efforts to attract more patrons. One of the long-desired upgrades hoped for by many is an overhaul of the pool area. Now that it seems to be in the works, what can you tell us about the plans, and more importantly, when it will be completed?

I have 3 "gold" tokens from the December 1996 ground breaking of "AN ITT/PLANET HOLLYWOOD JOINT VENTURE". I seem to remember it being somewhere across the street from the Stardust, maybe? Obviously it was never built but do you know why? P.S. Are the tokens worth anything?

Great QoDs about space-themed properties, but I’m wondering whether you might have missed one? I half-recall a proposal for the old El Rancho site called Starship Orion. Unfortunately, that's all I remember about it. Did the proposal ever get beyond a name? I think it followed something called Countryland USA, but have no clue how far that went, either.

Yesterday, you ran a question about the UFO Hotel and the Little A'Le'Inn. But haven't any space-themed projects ever been proposed for Las Vegas?

Are there any original sections left at any of the oldest remaining strip resorts -- Flamingo, SLS/Sahara or the Tropicana?

What information do you have on something called "Old Vegas" that was on the way from Vegas towards Boulder City? It was on the east side of the highway somewhere around Nevada State Dr. The area now is built up with houses.

I’m familiar with the history of slot machines, which I’ve seen covered in various places over the years (including QoD!). But I’ve never seen anything about the origins of video poker machines. Can you give us a thumbnail history of VP?