Passenger Trains > LA to Vegas question

Out of curiosity how much would it cost to operate say a 4-6 car private train from LA to Vegas? Leave Friday afternoon, return on Sunday evening. I know it was tried before, but I am wondering the actual cost of say a passenger loco, crew, UP rail lease, assuming you have the cars. I know this sounds like Xpress

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LA Rail ran the Kelso Flyer back in 2010. Just went as far as Kelso, not Vegas. Don't think it's been done since though.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,2300592

i think if it was marketed as a "1st" class round trip there would be a demand. it would be interesting to see what the prices would be to cover the operating costs.

from my experiences on #35/36, the train was full......

66

A quick seat of the pants estimate - LA to Las Vegas special train - assumes 8 cars or so - daytime operation - I would plan for Amtrak to charge around ninety thousand dollars round trip. Variables - where to load and unload in Vegas? All private cars or mixed Amtrak and privates?
Where to turn train and park it during layover in Vegas? Will UP even allow such an operation one time?

Norm

Norman Orfall
Helendale, CA
TIOGA PASS, a private railcar

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in an 8 car consist, how many revenue customers could be accommodated? (maybe assuming there was at least 1 dome/lounge car)?

66

Let's see - - The LA Rail fleet could handle 150 - add two Amtrak horizon coaches for 130 seats, and Acoma will carry 25 equals 305 passengers. Allowing for the costs of the private cars and other expenses, the trip could run for $500 per person. Any takers?

Norm

Norman Orfall
Helendale, CA
TIOGA PASS, a private railcar

thanks for the estimate. if we still lived in so. cal, the wife and i would be on-board a few times a year.........

66



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/17 13:09 by goneon66.

I had wondered about this. I had not seen anything on future trips.
I was interested on riding out there.

Hopefully the folks involve will try to do it again.


trainjunkie Wrote:
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> LA Rail ran the Kelso Flyer back in 2010. Just
> went as far as Kelso, not Vegas. Don't think it's
> been done since though.
>
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,
> 2300592

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

Besides the cost of the train, for regular service at least, UPRR would require improvements to their infrastructure prior to any consideration of passenger rail service.

BuddPullman Wrote:
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> Besides the cost of the train, for regular service
> at least, UPRR would require improvements to their
> infrastructure prior to any consideration of
> passenger rail service.

maybe NOT for just a friday and sunday train......

66

Yeah, I'm in. When is Tioga Pass heading to Vegas? [Hint.]


aronco Wrote:
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> Let's see - - The LA Rail fleet could handle 150 -
> add two Amtrak horizon coaches for 130 seats, and
> Acoma will carry 25 equals 305 passengers.
> Allowing for the costs of the private cars and
> other expenses, the trip could run for $500 per
> person. Any takers?
>
> Norm

Unfortunately, I think Norm's estimate is pretty close to reality. I don't think it would make practical (and affordable) sense to use private cars weekly unless there was a scheduled Amtrak train to which they could be attached.

-John