Disneyland to Las Vegas rail-line?

[Loomis]

This Train Is Really Defying Gravity

If Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid has his way, someday a superfast hovering train will whisk tourists from family-friendly Disneyland to the what-happens-here-stays-here city, Las Vegas. But so far, the Nevada senator's fascination with magnetic levitation -- the futuristic technology that would power the train across the desert at 300 mph -- has managed only to levitate a steady stream of money out of the federal budget: $54 million and counting.

Few others are climbing aboard. The Transportation Dept. rejects MagLev for its steep price tag, which a 2005 study says eclipses the cost of current high-speed rail by "fourfold to ninefold." Even Nevada's other senator, Republican John Ensign, questions the value of spending an estimated $12 billion or more on a 269-mile Anaheim-to-Vegas train line.

But Reid has pressed ahead, earmarking $9 million between 2000 and 2004 and winning a $45 million authorization in last year's federal transportation bill. It's just one small example of how congressional leaders can keep projects alive and how difficult it will be for reformers to stamp out earmarks -- the hidden pots of cash that lawmakers tuck into spending bills for favorite projects or constituents.

[...]

[Karushifa]

Hmmm...this would be quite a large project to develop a MagLev line for...almost 300 miles.

On one hand, I would be a big fan of more MagLev projects here and elsewhere in the world as a safer, cleaner alternative to diesel rail and even automobiles. On the other hand, I'd rather see support for such a project in the States come from several people rather than (apparently, as this article suggests) have it passed as a resented, money-wasting pork-barrel-type project.

Perhaps the solution would be to start with a smaller MagLev project to gain support among both the public and the rest of Congress before TOO much money is sunk into a concept that probably some derisively refer to as "those floating trains". I heard about a proposal for a MagLev that would connect Orlando and Cape Canaveral Florida, roughly paralleling the Beeline...I'm not sure if this is still on the drawing boards or not, but perhaps this would be a good place to start.

[Kram Nebuer]

Wow, this sounds like an awesome idea! Though I am really confused....has any construction on anything (engines, passenger cars, tracks...) begun yet? Where did the $54 million go? Surely research doesn't cost that much, or am I that naive? Also...300 MPH??? WOWZA!!!!!!!

I also agree with Karushifa...I hope more of this MagLev type projects sweeps the nation as a more environment friendly safety transportation would be entirely welcome in this world of decreasing natural resources and increasing and worsening global warming...sorry, my college made me into an environmentalist.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Well, at least this rumor is more plausable than attaching the monorail from the Walt Disney World resort to the Disneyland resort.

[Karushifa]

Wow, this sounds like an awesome idea! Though I am really confused....has any construction on anything (engines, passenger cars, tracks...) begun yet? Where did the $54 million go? Surely research doesn't cost that much, or am I that naive? Also...300 MPH??? WOWZA!!!!!!!

I also agree with Karushifa...I hope more of this MagLev type projects sweeps the nation as a more environment friendly safety transportation would be entirely welcome in this world of decreasing natural resources and increasing and worsening global warming...sorry, my college made me into an environmentalist.

I've seen several television programs on the MagLev concept and, you're quite right, it sounds like a very exciting idea. There is a MagLev research facility in Germany where the public can take rides on a train that has routinely approached or exceeded 300 mph. An operational MagLev system was also constructed in Shanghai, to shuttle passengers between the airport and the central business district of the city.

I've long wondered if the US would have as great a problem it does with highway and air congestion if trains were as popular here as they are in Europe. There aren't too many inter-city rail lines in this country, and the ones we have (all government subsidized now) are not as efficient as they should or could be. As long as we're pouring millions and millions of dollars each year into encouraging even more people to take to the roads by increasing their capacity for motor vehicles, we may as well put some of that money aside for an environmentally-friendly alternative.

[memnv]

That would be cool, I can drive to Vegas from here in 6 hours or fly in 50 minutes for around 80 bucks round trip

[Edge]

I don't see it happening any time soon.

The last monorail system in Vegas was a laughing stock and I think Vegas is a little hesitant to go that path again.

The only way Vegas goes for the line is to get California visitors to come to the city. California would get far less out of the deal in terms of Vegasites going to Disneyland or the beach.

Economically it just wouldnt make sense for California. Just getting the freeway expanded took a decade to work out.

[sames1]

I like the idea of Maglev, I wish it didn't cost so much.

Riding the train would be great, but so much greater I think if they had way to put your family car on the train, transport it at over 300 miles an hour while you relax in comfort on the train, then enjoy the mobility once you get there.

I think it would save gas, reduce accidents, and save wear on the car.

[Loomis]

Riding the train would be great, but so much greater I think if they had way to put your family car on the train, transport it at over 300 miles an hour while you relax in comfort on the train, then enjoy the mobility once you get there.

I think it would save gas, reduce accidents, and save wear on the car.

Or you could hire a car at the other end. Still, you have a good point. Our Spirit of Tasmania ship sails from mainland Australia down to the island state of Tasmania, allowing you to take your car with you in the hold of the ship. This has allowed and encouraged more travelling by families and such. It would be a great way to encourage family tourism to Vegas.

I also like the idea of a train as opposed to a plane - which takes less than an hour to get there anyway - as it gives one a sense of geography. You have a massive country over there, and one barely notices the passing of land while in a plane. Sure, you can watch the desert go by from the air to some degree, but being on the ground (kinda) allows you to witness the landscape rushing past. I'm considering a cross-country train trip the next time I'm in your fine country.

BTW, if I haven't said so before, welcome to the forum, sames1!

[Karushifa]

I also like the idea of a train as opposed to a plane - which takes less than an hour to get there anyway - as it gives one a sense of geography. You have a massive country over there, and one barely notices the passing of land while in a plane. Sure, you can watch the desert go by from the air to some degree, but being on the ground (kinda) allows you to witness the landscape rushing past. I'm considering a cross-country train trip the next time I'm in your fine country.

One thing about air travel in the US, at least, is that by the time you get through all the rigamarole (sp?) of security, check-in, flight delays, etc., a one-hour plane trip from Vegas to LA might well take you 3 hours anyway. I'd take my chances with the MagLev in that case

[Loomis]

One thing about air travel in the US, at least, is that by the time you get through all the rigamarole (sp?) of security, check-in, flight delays, etc., a one-hour plane trip from Vegas to LA might well take you 3 hours anyway. I'd take my chances with the MagLev in that case

You don't think that tight security will eventually come cracking down on expensive trains between two major tourist centres of the United States?

You are right about one thing though: I spent more time in LAX and Vegas airport than I did travelling between them.

Isn't anybody working on Star Trek transporter technology?

[singerguy04]

Isn't anybody working on Star Trek transporter technology?

I'm willing to bet that Paramount would hold the rights to that.

[Karushifa]

You don't think that tight security will eventually come cracking down on expensive trains between two major tourist centres of the United States?

There will no doubt be security issues with trains, but I seriously doubt they will ever be as anal as those for airplanes. What the "9/11 NEVER FORGET!" vibe keeps seeming to reinforce in this country is the idea that the wrong people can do much more sinister things with flying objects than with a train, especially one that is on a dedicated track that cannot physically be connected with regular rail lines. To quote Ali G, "What do you think tha chances are of terrorists hijackin' a train an' crashin it into da White House?"

But the direct-rail idea would be even better if the train had an actual station at Disneyland. Between LAX and Anaheim is one of the biggest traffic nightmares the world has ever known, and I for one would opt for a 3-hour train ride if I could skip that.