By Mick Bailey
In late 2013 travel between Southern Cal and Las Vegas is going to change forever. Currently travelers have one of two choices; car or plane. The X Train will bring Vegas Class Railway Service to become the best alternative for travel between the two areas. Once the X Train is running there will be countless reason not to drive or fly and the following are the top 10 reasons to take the X Train.
#1 Safety: The I-15 freeway between Southern California and Southern Nevada is the most dangerous stretch of freeway in the country. Congestion, constant construction, drunk drivers, speeders and people falling asleep are all contributing factors to the danger of the freeway. Traveling by rail eliminates these danger factors guaranteeing that you, your friends and family arrive at your destination safe and sound.
In late 2013 travel between Southern Cal and Las Vegas is going to change forever. Currently travelers have one of two choices; car or plane. The X Train will bring Vegas Class Railway Service to become the best alternative for travel between the two areas. Once the X Train is running there will be countless reason not to drive or fly and the following are the top 10 reasons to take the X Train.
#1 Safety: The I-15 freeway between Southern California and Southern Nevada is the most dangerous stretch of freeway in the country. Congestion, constant construction, drunk drivers, speeders and people falling asleep are all contributing factors to the danger of the freeway. Traveling by rail eliminates these danger factors guaranteeing that you, your friends and family arrive at your destination safe and sound.
#2 Vegas Class Service: Once you step on the X Train, Vegas Class Service begins. Forget about the traditional coach style travel where you find your seat for the duration of the trip. On the X Train you will be able to explore the railcars. Enjoy a cocktail or a great meal, smoke a cigarette or a fine cigar in a smoking lounge or just sit back and watch the world and your cares roll by.
#3 An Extra Day of Vacation: It does not matter if you drive or fly between Las Vegas and Los Angeles it will be a minimum of 5 hours door to door. Either way it is dull at best. The X Train will start your vacation immediately so the 5 hours on the way to Vegas plus the 5 hours back almost add up to a whole extra day of vacation. If you are one of those workaholic types the free wi-fi can gives you an extra day of work, but what fun is there in that? Go for the extra day of vacation.
#4 On Schedule: Driving can be delayed by accidents, congestion, weather, construction and auto breakdowns. Flying is often plagued by delays and outright cancelations. Traveling by railway rarely is subject to these problems so your plans at the end of your trip need not be delayed.
#5 Luggage: On the X Train bring as much luggage as you need. Golf clubs take up a lot of room in a car limiting other baggage space. Luggage on airlines is a disaster. Airlines charge extra for additional bags or being over the weight limit. The X Train has neither of these limits.
#6 No TSA: People who choose to fly instead of driving will be excited to know that there will be no TSA associated with the X Train. Full body scans, pat downs and showing up to the airport an hour early will cause flyers to forget about the “friendly skys” and enjoy the ease of the X Train.
#7 New Views: People who have made the trip numerous times will get a fresh view between Southern Cal and Las Vegas. New mountain passes and valleys are waiting to be seen by travelers on the X Train. A different route up and down the beautiful Cajon pass will be viewed by rail. The X Train will pass through historic railroad towns like Dagget and Nipton that are not on the I-15 Freeway. After all, even the world’s tallest thermometer in Baker gets old after a while!
#8 Stable Ticket Prices: Railway fares tend to be stable day to day. If you make your reservations a month in advance or a day in advance it makes no difference. Holidays or weekends are the same as any other time.
#9 Eco-friendly: Railway traffic is more energy efficient per passenger than both planes and cars. Carbon emissions from trains do less damage to the environment than airplane emissions because train emissions are not released directly into the upper atmosphere. You would have to ride a bike to Vegas to be more eco-friendly than the X Train.
#10 Door to Door Convenience: The California station for the X Train will be Fullerton which is fed by the Metrolink. The Metrolink has 59 pickup locations in Southern California making it is easy to board or depart the train at the California end. In Las Vegas you can be dropped off or picked up by limo, taxi or rental car right at the train station.
These are just 10 of the many reasons to ride the X Train instead of driving or flying to Vegas. If I were to list more #11 and #12 would simply be “fun” and “excitement”. Shall I go on?
#3 An Extra Day of Vacation: It does not matter if you drive or fly between Las Vegas and Los Angeles it will be a minimum of 5 hours door to door. Either way it is dull at best. The X Train will start your vacation immediately so the 5 hours on the way to Vegas plus the 5 hours back almost add up to a whole extra day of vacation. If you are one of those workaholic types the free wi-fi can gives you an extra day of work, but what fun is there in that? Go for the extra day of vacation.
#4 On Schedule: Driving can be delayed by accidents, congestion, weather, construction and auto breakdowns. Flying is often plagued by delays and outright cancelations. Traveling by railway rarely is subject to these problems so your plans at the end of your trip need not be delayed.
#5 Luggage: On the X Train bring as much luggage as you need. Golf clubs take up a lot of room in a car limiting other baggage space. Luggage on airlines is a disaster. Airlines charge extra for additional bags or being over the weight limit. The X Train has neither of these limits.
#6 No TSA: People who choose to fly instead of driving will be excited to know that there will be no TSA associated with the X Train. Full body scans, pat downs and showing up to the airport an hour early will cause flyers to forget about the “friendly skys” and enjoy the ease of the X Train.
#7 New Views: People who have made the trip numerous times will get a fresh view between Southern Cal and Las Vegas. New mountain passes and valleys are waiting to be seen by travelers on the X Train. A different route up and down the beautiful Cajon pass will be viewed by rail. The X Train will pass through historic railroad towns like Dagget and Nipton that are not on the I-15 Freeway. After all, even the world’s tallest thermometer in Baker gets old after a while!
#8 Stable Ticket Prices: Railway fares tend to be stable day to day. If you make your reservations a month in advance or a day in advance it makes no difference. Holidays or weekends are the same as any other time.
#9 Eco-friendly: Railway traffic is more energy efficient per passenger than both planes and cars. Carbon emissions from trains do less damage to the environment than airplane emissions because train emissions are not released directly into the upper atmosphere. You would have to ride a bike to Vegas to be more eco-friendly than the X Train.
#10 Door to Door Convenience: The California station for the X Train will be Fullerton which is fed by the Metrolink. The Metrolink has 59 pickup locations in Southern California making it is easy to board or depart the train at the California end. In Las Vegas you can be dropped off or picked up by limo, taxi or rental car right at the train station.
These are just 10 of the many reasons to ride the X Train instead of driving or flying to Vegas. If I were to list more #11 and #12 would simply be “fun” and “excitement”. Shall I go on?
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