The Plaza, Las Vegas

[Casinocim]

At the end of March I was in Las Vegas. Visited the Plaza Hotel and Casino.

It made me sad when I saw the ramp I used to go up to get on the train. I used to gamble while waiting for the train to leave, I think it left at 7pm.

Seems like they would hold my luggage and I would have to pick it up before the train left.

Can anyone confirm no baggage check for Las Vegas to Denver? Or maybe I didn't want to check it. Cannot remember, so long ago.

Such fond memories!

I could not for the life of me get my mom on a train back from L.A. or from Vegas.

Coming back from our cruise, instead of getting on the train, we took a detour through Las Vegas. Which meant we had to ride the darn bus, you know the yucky one. The Vegas detour would have been fine but we had been there a week before our cruise. Not much money left for the detour. My mom said it would be cheaper doing Vegas detour and the bus. She probably gave me $300, plus her $$ for gambling, the hotel, not cheaper than the train.

From L.A. to Denver on the SWC, roomette for the two of us $446, I thought that was a good price.

In Vegas, bad snow storm in our mountains. Let's get to Kingman and get on the train. No, delayed a day and rode the bus home. :angry:

I don't know if I can ride the bus anymore, it's gross, it's cramped and major waiting in line to make sure you get a seat!

I don't know how my mom made it, she's 69.

I just cannot get her on the train, very frustrating!!! And, on the bus, she sat and told me all of her train trips with her husband, my niece and nephew and how much fun they had. Is she just being ornery with me?

I'm sitting here thinking about our next travel. I would like to go from Denver to New York City on the train. I guess my son would like it, long trip, he's 11.

I think now I am more determined to push rail travel with her. Then I would be being ornery to her. ohhhhh

Have a good night everyone.

 

[the_traveler]

The Las Vegas (the real one :lol: ) did indeed have checked baggage service! I used it many times when I lived near there.

 

[coachseats]

I took Amtrak to Las Vegas and visited the Plaza Hotel, too!

Except it was this one:http://www.plazahotel-nm.com/

I LOVED the town of Las Vegas, NM. It was a great train ride, beautiful depot, awesome architecture throughout the city, and very friendly people. I would highly recommend a trip on the SWC to Las Vegas, NM if you are looking for a fun, scenic trip, and a nice small town to visit for a day or two.

 

[hippyman]

I took Amtrak to Las Vegas and visited the Plaza Hotel, too!
Except it was this one:http://www.plazahotel-nm.com/

I LOVED the town of Las Vegas, NM. It was a great train ride, beautiful depot, awesome architecture throughout the city, and very friendly people. I would highly recommend a trip on the SWC to Las Vegas, NM if you are looking for a fun, scenic trip, and a nice small town to visit for a day or two.

Good news, I just found this: http://getsatisfaction.com/amtrak/topics/b...t_of_california, and a couple of days ago, I seem to remember seeing something about a new Desert Wind. My only question is, would it still come to the Plaza?

 

[the_traveler]

I really don't know, but unless they build a new station in Las Vegas, the only place convenient would be at the Union Plaza Hotel (since it is next to the tracks).

And in case you are wondering why the Union Plaza had their own train station is that it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. And the line that runs from SLC to Daggett, CA (thru Las Vegas) is the UP!

 

[railiner]

I really don't know, but unless they build a new station in Las Vegas, the only place convenient would be at the Union Plaza Hotel (since it is next to the tracks).
And in case you are wondering why the Union Plaza had their own train station is that it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. And the line that runs from SLC to Daggett, CA (thru Las Vegas) is the UP!

Yes, the U nion P laza was in fact built on the site of the original UP station. The last time I was there, around five or six years ago, the former rooms used for a station at the back of the hotel was still intact, and could probably be used again fairly easily. Greyhound still has its terminal under the adjacent parking garage at the other end of the casino. The entire complex was originally built and owned by the U.P.R.R., around 1971.

 

[zephyr17]

I really don't know, but unless they build a new station in Las Vegas, the only place convenient would be at the Union Plaza Hotel (since it is next to the tracks).
And in case you are wondering why the Union Plaza had their own train station is that it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. And the line that runs from SLC to Daggett, CA (thru Las Vegas) is the UP!

Yes, the U nion P laza was in fact built on the site of the original UP station. The last time I was there, around five or six years ago, the former rooms used for a station at the back of the hotel was still intact, and could probably be used again fairly easily. Greyhound still has its terminal under the adjacent parking garage at the other end of the casino. The entire complex was originally built and owned by the U.P.R.R., around 1971.

I was in Vegas last year and the station embedded in the Plaza hotel appears to still be intact.

 

[hippyman]

I really don't know, but unless they build a new station in Las Vegas, the only place convenient would be at the Union Plaza Hotel (since it is next to the tracks).
And in case you are wondering why the Union Plaza had their own train station is that it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. And the line that runs from SLC to Daggett, CA (thru Las Vegas) is the UP!

Yes, the U nion P laza was in fact built on the site of the original UP station. The last time I was there, around five or six years ago, the former rooms used for a station at the back of the hotel was still intact, and could probably be used again fairly easily. Greyhound still has its terminal under the adjacent parking garage at the other end of the casino. The entire complex was originally built and owned by the U.P.R.R., around 1971.

I was in Vegas last year and the station embedded in the Plaza hotel appears to still be intact.

I think the station is part of the "historic" downtown, now, so I dont think it'll be going anywhere.

 

[had8ley]

Just a short jaunt from the subject line...in 1994 our son asked for a cross country ticket for Amtrak travel for his high school graduation present. When the Desert Wind pulled into Vegas he snuck into the casino, inserted his coins and hit a jackpot. Now about the subject at hand. This new line could be a gold mine or a bust; I don't see any alternative. If Californians want to continue thinking that we are still in the best of times and want to entertain themselves then Vegas and the train will profit. If the money well ever runs dry I'm afraid this train will disappear quicker than the "Skyline Connection."

 

[MikefromCrete]

I really don't know, but unless they build a new station in Las Vegas, the only place convenient would be at the Union Plaza Hotel (since it is next to the tracks).
And in case you are wondering why the Union Plaza had their own train station is that it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. And the line that runs from SLC to Daggett, CA (thru Las Vegas) is the UP!

Yes, the U nion P laza was in fact built on the site of the original UP station. The last time I was there, around five or six years ago, the former rooms used for a station at the back of the hotel was still intact, and could probably be used again fairly easily. Greyhound still has its terminal under the adjacent parking garage at the other end of the casino. The entire complex was originally built and owned by the U.P.R.R., around 1971.

I was in Vegas last year and the station embedded in the Plaza hotel appears to still be intact.

I think the station is part of the "historic" downtown, now, so I dont think it'll be going anywhere.

Of course in Las Vegas, "historic" means something built five years ago!!!!

 

[alanh]

Here a picture of the 1940-1970 art deco station

In Old Las Vegas has a bunch of old pictures, including the 1904-1939 Mission-style station.

 

[MisterRick]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?

Rick

 

[the_traveler]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?
Rick

I'm not sure who owns the hotel ot the station, but I do believe it was leased to Amtrak.

UP still owns the trackage. One of the things that has halted the resumption of the Desert Wing is the demand by UP to add a 2nd track to relieve congestion of the route!

 

[mucomix]

I would love to take the UP tracks through Afton Canyon, Crucero, Kelso. I assume the LA to Salt Lake run took this route. It would be like revisiting my youth. I spent a lot of time in the 60-70's along that line.

 

[the_traveler]

I would love to take the UP tracks through Afton Canyon, Crucero, Kelso. I assume the LA to Salt Lake run took this route. It would be like revisiting my youth. I spent a lot of time in the 60-70's along that line.

Yes, the Desert Wind did in fact use this routing!

 

[railiner]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?
Rick

UP originally owned the station and adjacent land along its LA&SL mainline. In 1971, they tore down the 1940 built station, and built the Union Plaza Hotel, the casino, the parking garage, and the Greyhound Terminal beneath it. They contracted with a professional hospitality service company to operate the hotel and casino, and they leased the bus facilities to Greyhound.

The hotel was built with the station facility to service the City of Los Angeles train, but that ended I believe before the hotel opened with the start of Amtrak in May. There was no regular train service until the Desert Wind started around 8 years later. The rooms that Amtrak used were leased from the hotel.

Sometime along the way, the UP sold the property. I am not sure who or exactly when, but of course the UP still owns its tracks adjacent to the property.

 

[Anthony]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the final schedule for the Desert Wind before it was discontinued:

http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=1...n&item=0038

The schedule does indicate checked baggage service was available.

 

[zephyr17]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?
Rick

UP originally owned the station and adjacent land along its LA&SL mainline. In 1971, they tore down the 1940 built station, and built the Union Plaza Hotel, the casino, the parking garage, and the Greyhound Terminal beneath it. They contracted with a professional hospitality service company to operate the hotel and casino, and they leased the bus facilities to Greyhound.

The hotel was built with the station facility to service the City of Los Angeles train, but that ended I believe before the hotel opened with the start of Amtrak in May. There was no regular train service until the Desert Wind started around 8 years later. The rooms that Amtrak used were leased from the hotel.

Sometime along the way, the UP sold the property. I am not sure who or exactly when, but of course the UP still owns its tracks adjacent to the property.

Yes, last City of Los Angeles passed through Las Vegas very early in the morning of May 2, 1971, having left Chicago April 30. Was the Art Deco station already demolished by then for construction of the hotel? I always thought, without specific knowledge other than the hotel was built in 1971, that they didn't tear down the train station to build the hotel until after Amtrak started and their CoLA was discontinued. They knew NRPC/Railpax(ultimately Amtrak) was coming for a few months (the Passenger Rail Act of 1970 establishing NRPC passed in November, I think). But that was purely an assumption on my part.

 

[railiner]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?
Rick

UP originally owned the station and adjacent land along its LA&SL mainline. In 1971, they tore down the 1940 built station, and built the Union Plaza Hotel, the casino, the parking garage, and the Greyhound Terminal beneath it. They contracted with a professional hospitality service company to operate the hotel and casino, and they leased the bus facilities to Greyhound.

The hotel was built with the station facility to service the City of Los Angeles train, but that ended I believe before the hotel opened with the start of Amtrak in May. There was no regular train service until the Desert Wind started around 8 years later. The rooms that Amtrak used were leased from the hotel.

Sometime along the way, the UP sold the property. I am not sure who or exactly when, but of course the UP still owns its tracks adjacent to the property.

Yes, last City of Los Angeles passed through Las Vegas very early in the morning of May 2, 1971, having left Chicago April 30. Was the Art Deco station already demolished by then for construction of the hotel? I always thought, without specific knowledge other than the hotel was built in 1971, that they didn't tear down the train station to build the hotel until after Amtrak started and their CoLA was discontinued. They knew NRPC/Railpax(ultimately Amtrak) was coming for a few months (the Passenger Rail Act of 1970 establishing NRPC passed in November, I think). But that was purely an assumption on my part.

You may be correct on that demolition after the last COLA, but that would mean a pretty fast job of it and the building of a considerable property in a short time...perhaps there is a photo online showing Train 103 making its last call at Las Vegas?

 

[zephyr17]

Who owns or owned the property and building where the old Amtrak station was located? Owned by the hotel? Owned by Union Pacific and leased to Amtrak or owned outright by Amtrak? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does UP still own the trackage?
Rick

UP originally owned the station and adjacent land along its LA&SL mainline. In 1971, they tore down the 1940 built station, and built the Union Plaza Hotel, the casino, the parking garage, and the Greyhound Terminal beneath it. They contracted with a professional hospitality service company to operate the hotel and casino, and they leased the bus facilities to Greyhound.

The hotel was built with the station facility to service the City of Los Angeles train, but that ended I believe before the hotel opened with the start of Amtrak in May. There was no regular train service until the Desert Wind started around 8 years later. The rooms that Amtrak used were leased from the hotel.

Sometime along the way, the UP sold the property. I am not sure who or exactly when, but of course the UP still owns its tracks adjacent to the property.

Yes, last City of Los Angeles passed through Las Vegas very early in the morning of May 2, 1971, having left Chicago April 30. Was the Art Deco station already demolished by then for construction of the hotel? I always thought, without specific knowledge other than the hotel was built in 1971, that they didn't tear down the train station to build the hotel until after Amtrak started and their CoLA was discontinued. They knew NRPC/Railpax(ultimately Amtrak) was coming for a few months (the Passenger Rail Act of 1970 establishing NRPC passed in November, I think). But that was purely an assumption on my part.

You may be correct on that demolition after the last COLA, but that would mean a pretty fast job of it and the building of a considerable property in a short time...perhaps there is a photo online showing Train 103 making its last call at Las Vegas?

Boy, I would love to see it if there was.

 

[alanh]

The Union Plaza opened July 2, 1971, so the old station must have been demolished by the time the CoLA made its last run. No way the hotel was built in two months.

 

[hippyman]

The Union Plaza opened July 2, 1971, so the old station must have been demolished by the time the CoLA made its last run. No way the hotel was built in two months.

But, there were still trains going to the hotel after that, weren't there? It didnt drop the "Union" from its name, until train service to vegas was killed.

 

[alanh]

Considering the time it takes to plan and build a hotel this big, I'm sure it was started several years before Amtrak was formed. The railroads were in bad financial shape, and selling off stations in prime locations (see Penn Station, NY) was one way of raising money.

The plan probably was to operate a station in the casino, but after Amtrak was formed and the CoLA cancelled, I don't think there was actually rail service until the Desert Wind was started in 1979.

 

[zephyr17]

The Union Plaza opened July 2, 1971, so the old station must have been demolished by the time the CoLA made its last run. No way the hotel was built in two months.

But, there were still trains going to the hotel after that, weren't there? It didnt drop the "Union" from its name, until train service to vegas was killed.

The "Union" in the name had nothing to do with having passenger train service there. Opening in July 1971, it didn't have any passenger train service until the Desert Wind started. The "Union" was because it was initially developed and owned by the Union Pacific -- and had UP naming inside, too, like the "Omaha Lounge".

 

[zephyr17]

Considering the time it takes to plan and build a hotel this big, I'm sure it was started several years before Amtrak was formed. The railroads were in bad financial shape, and selling off stations in prime locations (see Penn Station, NY) was one way of raising money.
The plan probably was to operate a station in the casino, but after Amtrak was formed and the CoLA cancelled, I don't think there was actually rail service until the Desert Wind was started in 1979.

Agree with that, that the station had to have been demolished before the CoLA stopped service, and there was no passenger rail service from May 2, 1971 until 1979. On the same subject, I wonder if the hotel was built with the station that Amtrak used from the start, with the intention that UP use it, and then it was empty until the Desert Wind started, or whether the station facility was developed for Amtrak.