In a flurry of recent developments, Las Vegas has gone from no viable prospects for train service to two. And since they would use different tracks, they are not mutually exclusive. One project that appears to be dead and 
buried is American Magline, deserted by both Rep. Dina Titus (D) and then-Sen. Harry Reid (D), who took $45 million in federal funding with him. As the most expensive of the three rival trains—$12 billion—the maglev proposal always had the steepest grade to climb. Another project, Xpress West, previously known as Desert Xpress, was bought by Florida-based Brightline, which in turn was invested in by Sir Richard Branson, who will market the company as Virgin Trains.
Brightline applied earlier this month for tax-exempt bonds in Nevada. The $200 million in bonds, if approved, would enable Virgin to leverage $1.2 billion. Simultaneously, it applied in California for $600 million in bonds, which it could use to raise another $2.4 billion in debt. (California Treasurer Fiona Ma is a fan of Brightline: “I was very impressed with Virgin’s transformation of the existing ho-hum passenger rail experience to one that is now cool and hip.” ) That doesn’t get the project to the finish line, as the Victorville-to-Vegas leg is expected to cost $6.9 billion. That’s where Palmdale comes in.
Palmdale?!? Virgin/Brightline is starting with the easy part, the $1.5 billion Palmdale-to-Victorville link, which would connect Xpress West with CalTrans and, circuitously, Los Angeles. “Both the executive director of 
the bank and the bond manager hearing officer commented that they couldn’t remember a hearing with such a large show of support,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “Everyone realizes the magnitude and importance of this project to the long term economic and quality of life future of our region.” Doing the Palmdale leg first would seem counterintuitive but it makes plausible getting aboard a train in Victorville for a 75-minute trip to Las Vegas. Having to drive most of the way, then park and ride Xpress West never made sense.
While the former Desert Xpress is looking up, so is the former X Train, now Las Vegas Xpress. It has gone back to its initial plan of paying Union Pacific for priority on the rail lines for L.A. to Sin City. (Xpress West would travel on newly lain track on the right of way parallel to I-15.) According to 
the Las Vegas Review-Journal, discussions are underway between the train’s backers and Amtrak, with hopes of 10-car Amtrak service to Vegas. Although train impresario Michael Barron says he’s ready to get rolling next year, Amtrak wouldn’t comment on the talks. One thing Barron will need is a station in Las Vegas. Land originally set aside behind the Plaza Hotel is now Core Arena. Barron toyed with dropping passengers off on Craig Road way out in North Las Vegas but that didn’t fly. There’s been muttering about a station near Mandalay Bay, which would seem ideal, especially if the Las Vegas Monorail ever connects to MBay. (Barron’s train would service Las Vegas on Fridays through Sundays.)
This is all progress. The question remaining to be settled is, Are two trains one too many? We’d like to find out.
