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Post by PennCentral on Jan 17, 2024 19:32:16 GMT -8
Heading to Vegas. Any train shops worth visiting? Not interested in toy trains or used Blue Box. Prefer Tangent, Moloco, ScaleTrains, Intermountain, Atlas, newer Athearn. Also, any quick and easy railfanning? I think we're going to be doing the Uber/Lift thing so can't really go explore the desert.
Jason C
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Post by wagnersteve on Jan 18, 2024 3:28:45 GMT -8
1/18/2024, starting 6:07 a.m., EST
Can't help re model train shops in Las Vegas but will offer a few suggestions re other matters. I've been there only twice. First time in 1964 after my Dad's car developed serious problems as soon as we'd crossed into Nevada east of Yosemite National Park. It burned up at the side of the highway before we got to Tonopah. We all (Dad, Mom, my three younger brothers and I) got out okay with the clothes on our backs and almost nothing else. We were stuck in Tonopah for a few days; nearly impossible to buy necessities there; lots of gambling machines. I and two brothers took turns standing in a Greyhound to Las Vegas. I think the driver took us in his car to the airport. We then flew to Chicago, then Philly -- first time for any of us in a plane. The driver, a real outdoorsman, liked living in Vegas. Would you believe Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. It must have been given that name a LONG time ago.
Second time was in the 1990s, accompanying my wife to a business convention, literally carrying her bags and helping her get around. We had no car but used cabs. We're not gamblers; our hotel had no other entertainment. Saw the strip, rode to and across Hoover (originally Boulder, I think) Dam; so were in Arizona briefly, my only time on the ground in that state. Very impressive -- I recommend that short trip.
In those days, eating too much while in Las Vegas was a real temptation -- lots of relatively cheap all-you-can-eat buffets. Eat moderately, stay sober, keep your wits, stay alert, get plenty of rest. Do see "The Strip" at night; the lights are spectacular. We made sure to see the famous fountains at one hotel from a cab, then had creme brûlée at its restaurant.
As I recall, the main railroad line through downtown Las Vegas is in a trench. I might have seen a train or two on it. But I'd recommend a short ride toward southern California on the Interstate, because there is a very serious plan for a high-speed passenger rail line in its median, and getting a look at that might be interesting. It probably makes much more sense than the incredibly expensive high-speed rail project going on in California's Central Valley.
I'd also recommend before you good watching a fairly old movie, probably made in the 1980s, about a milkman who meets Howard Hughes in the Nevada desert. This ties in with an actual lawsuit about Hughes's will that involved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the one headquartered in Salt Lake City, not in Missouri). Sorry I can't recall its name right now, and I need to do serious family tasks between now and 7 a.m.
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Post by Baikal on Jan 18, 2024 7:13:00 GMT -8
1/18/2024, starting 6:07 a.m., EST Can't help re model train shops in Las Vegas but will offer a few suggestions re other matters. I've been there only twice. First time in 1964 after my Dad's car developed serious problems as soon as we'd crossed into Nevada east of Yosemite National Park. It burned up at the side of the highway before we got to Tonopah. We all (Dad, Mom, my three younger brothers and I) got out okay with the clothes on our backs and almost nothing else. We were stuck in Tonopah for a few days; nearly impossible to buy necessities there; lots of gambling machines. I and two brothers took turns standing in a Greyhound to Las Vegas. I think the driver took us in his car to the airport. We then flew to Chicago, then Philly -- first time for any of us in a plane. The driver, a real outdoorsman, liked living in Vegas. Would you believe Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. It must have been given that name a LONG time ago. Second time was in the 1990s, accompanying my wife to a business convention, literally carrying her bags and helping her get around. We had no car but used cabs. We're not gamblers; our hotel had no other entertainment. Saw the strip, rode to and across Hoover (originally Boulder, I think) Dam; so were in Arizona briefly, my only time on the ground in that state. Very impressive -- I recommend that short trip. In those days, eating too much while in Las Vegas was a real temptation -- lots of relatively cheap all-you-can-eat buffets. Eat moderately, stay sober, keep your wits, stay alert, get plenty of rest. Do see "The Strip" at night; the lights are spectacular. We made sure to see the famous fountains at one hotel from a cab, then had creme brûlée at its restaurant. As I recall, the main railroad line through downtown Las Vegas is in a trench. I might have seen a train or two on it. But I'd recommend a short ride toward southern California on the Interstate, because there is a very serious plan for a high-speed passenger rail line in its median, and getting a look at that might be interesting. It probably makes much more sense than the incredibly expensive high-speed rail project going on in California's Central Valley. I'd also recommend before you good watching a fairly old movie, probably made in the 1980s, about a milkman who meets Howard Hughes in the Nevada desert. This ties in with an actual lawsuit about Hughes's will that involved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the one headquartered in Salt Lake City, not in Missouri). Sorry I can't recall its name right now, and I need to do serious family tasks between now and 7 a.m.
UP in Las Vegas runs on the surface. Most x-streets go under it. UP (former SP) in Reno Nevada is in a trench.
There will be never be an LA (or Victorvile, lol ^2) to Vegas high-speed train. Like Calif "high speed" rail, it's a financial scam. Consultants make money & Trainorders commenters get very excited. |
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Post by danr8z on Jan 18, 2024 7:44:40 GMT -8
Just Google "model train shops in Las Vegas" and you'll find at least 5 listed. But you'll have to research them to find the ones that interest you.
Dan
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 18, 2024 8:07:24 GMT -8
The movie is "Melvin and Howard".
I stayed in a hotel on the Strip. It was one of the few that didn't have gambling inside (just walk down the street to a casino, people!). I could see the UP tracks from our window. I had thoughts of walking over to trainwatch. But Las Vegas is in the desert, where the sun can be unpleasant. So I didn't.
Definitely an interesting place. The best food was NOT on the Strip.
And it's not that difficult not to gamble: just keep your hands in your pocket and your feet moving.
Ed
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Post by wagnersteve on Jan 22, 2024 10:59:48 GMT -8
Jan. 22, 2024, starting 1:51 p.m., EST
One recent bit of news from Las Vegas, reported by the AP, updated January 17, 6:14 p.m., EST:
"Standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Las Vegas strip where visitors oft en pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers.
"Violators of the ordinance that took effect Tuesday could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
"Clark County commissioners voted unanimously this motnth to approve tis month to approve the measure prohibiting people from 'stopping, standding or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop' on Strip pedestrian bridges. That also includes up to 20 feet (6 meters) surrounding connected stairs, elevators and escalators."
There's more, including a statement by the county about the purpose of the ordinance and another saying it planned to install signs on the Strip identifyuing locations where stopping or standing is prohibited, plus a charge by the executive director of the state's American Civil Liberties Union that the ordinance violates rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Post by wagnersteve on Jan 22, 2024 11:16:21 GMT -8
Jan. 22, 2024, starting 1:51 p.m., EST, with, as usual, interruptions for more pressing tasks
Baikal, thanks for the correction re the main line railroad routes in Las Vegas and Reno.
Ed, thanks for the title of the movie, which I thoroughly enjoyed years ago. I agree with you re gambling.
I have very mixed feelings about Las Vegas. In German there's only one "phoneme" (sound) of difference between "to be" on the one hand and "to seem" or "to appear" on the other. If I had the time, funds, opportunity and health to do so, I'd much rather see Rome, Egypt or other places that inspired some of the casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip than see the latter again. And given the great shortage of water in the southwestern USA and the nearby parts of Mexico, I question whether powering the amazing lighting of the Las Vegas Strip is among the best uses of the water resources of the Colorado River.
One recent bit of news from Las Vegas, reported by the AP, updated January 17, 6:14 p.m., EST:
"Standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Las Vegas strip where visitors oft en pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers.
"Violators of the ordinance that took effect Tuesday could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
"Clark County commissioners voted unanimously this motnth to approve tis month to approve the measure prohibiting people from 'stopping, standding or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop' on Strip pedestrian bridges. That also includes up to 20 feet (6 meters) surrounding connected stairs, elevators and escalators."
There's more, including a statement by the county about the purpose of the ordinance and another saying it planned to install signs on the Strip identifyuing locations where stopping or standing is prohibited, plus a charge by the executive director of the state's American Civil Liberties Union that the ordinance violates rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Post by Baikal on Jan 22, 2024 11:20:41 GMT -8
Jan. 22, 2024, starting 1:51 p.m., EST One recent bit of news from Las Vegas, reported by the AP, updated January 17, 6:14 p.m., EST: "Standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Las Vegas strip where visitors oft en pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers. "Violators of the ordinance that took effect Tuesday could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. "Clark County commissioners voted unanimously this motnth to approve tis month to approve the measure prohibiting people from 'stopping, standding or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop' on Strip pedestrian bridges. That also includes up to 20 feet (6 meters) surrounding connected stairs, elevators and escalators." There's more, including a statement by the county about the purpose of the ordinance and another saying it planned to install signs on the Strip identifyuing locations where stopping or standing is prohibited, plus a charge by the executive director of the state's American Civil Liberties Union that the ordinance violates rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
YouTube search on "Las Vegas Streets". Save a trip.
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