[sheriff]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Now if they can just find another $1 billion or so to lay the tracks, a few billion to purchase right-of-ways, and let's say $150-200 million for the stations at each end, they'll be set. It only took 20 years to get the $45 million for "studies", so at that rate, the trains should be boarding some time around 2250.........

Today KLAS reported LV to Primm would cost in excess of $1,000,000,000.

[talktobrent]

First of all, Disneyland to Las Vegas makes it sound cheesy as hell. Give it some kind of real terminal point. It would make alot more sense to work on a modern rail option using existing track (which I heard Amtrak used to run until 1997). Maybe the casinos could even form some sort of alliance to pay for a portion of the start up costs, as they would profit nicely if the rail proved to be a popular option with californians and visitors in LA. The problem is, even with high gas prices, it's still probably cheaper to drive point to point from LA to your Hotel in Vegas, than: drive to train station, pay to park, buy train ticket; arrive in vegas, pay for taxi to hotel; pay for taxi back to station upon departure. In a car that gets 20 mpg, a drive to vegas and back is going to cost about 125 with $5 gallon gasoline. I would say you would have to get the Total cost equation for a train trip down to around $100 for it to compete against a good old fashioned road trip (-40 for 2 taxi rides and -10 for parking, you're looking at a bout a 50 dollar 2 way ticket. Not gonna be easy to profit).

[sheriff]

Originally Posted by talktobrent

First of all, Disneyland to Las Vegas makes it sound cheesy as hell. Give it some kind of real terminal point. It would make alot more sense to work on a modern rail option using existing track (which I heard Amtrak used to run until 1997). Maybe the casinos could even form some sort of alliance to pay for a portion of the start up costs, as they would profit nicely if the rail proved to be a popular option with californians and visitors in LA. The problem is, even with high gas prices, it's still probably cheaper to drive point to point from LA to your Hotel in Vegas, than: drive to train station, pay to park, buy train ticket; arrive in vegas, pay for taxi to hotel; pay for taxi back to station upon departure. In a car that gets 20 mpg, a drive to vegas and back is going to cost about 125 with $5 gallon gasoline. I would say you would have to get the Total cost equation for a train trip down to around $100 for it to compete against a good old fashioned road trip (-40 for 2 taxi rides and -10 for parking, you're looking at a bout a 50 dollar 2 way ticket. Not gonna be easy to profit).

Don't bring REALITY to this thread. Not to mention the average vehicle from LA, or Phoenix no doubt carries an average of 3-4 people.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by sheriff

Today KLAS reported LV to Primm would cost in excess of $1,000,000,000.

Doesn't surprise me. There was a study done recently to evaluate some train options between San Antonio and Austin, and the estimated cost per mile of track (not including right of way purchases) was $2-20 million, depending on the terrain. So, even on the lowest end using their numbers(not likely when carving thru the mountains), you'd be looking at $500 million for track, and on the high side, $5 billion. Seeing how Texas is much flatter than the terrain between Vegas and LA, I'd say those estimates are still low- even on the high side of the range.

[sheriff]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Doesn't surprise me. There was a study done recently to evaluate some train options between San Antonio and Austin, and the estimated cost per mile of track (not including right of way purchases) was $2-20 million, depending on the terrain. So, even on the lowest end using their numbers(not likely when carving thru the mountains), you'd be looking at $500 million for track, and on the high side, $5 billion. Seeing how Texas is much flatter than the terrain between Vegas and LA, I'd say those estimates are still low- even on the high side of the range.

I would also assert, the California cost per mile would be much higher than the Nevada costs. Another political "pipe" dream.

[maxpower75]

In late-stage talks, Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pressed for $8 billion to construct high-speed rail lines, quadrupling the amount in the bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday.
Reid's office issued a statement noting that a proposed Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas rail might get a big chunk of the money.

Posted today, what do you guys think, do you think it would actually happen?

[Kalbo]

Everyone one else is getting earmarks for pet projects so why not Nevada. I guess this makes up for not getting the money for the Mob Museum. Of course the number #1 cheerleader of this wasteful stimulus bill should get one of the biggest earmarks of the bill.

Nothing is a done deal yet, so we will have to wait and see.

[jfkIII]

Levitating train for Las Vegas???? That freaky Criss Angel must be at it again!

[flyingtigers]

This is great news and long overdue.

[dano]

I think we should suck it up, let the beutifull people continue to deal with traffic coming here, and keep the debt load off our kids and grandkids.

Oh, and vote Reid out!