By Mick Bailey

Southern California will no longer be limited to two choices when traveling to Las Vegas and back again. Next year the Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. will introduce the Vegas X Train as the third choice. Do not confuse the X Train with standard forms of transportation. Travelers to Las Vegas will find the trip as exciting as the destination they are headed to. The railcars will create that excitement. Essentially it will be a nightclub on wheels and all passengers will need to be 21 or over. But who creates the railcars? The task of developing the railcar fleet will be completed by the X Train team and talented vendors that are unique to the railway industry.

The railcar process started over a year ago and is overseen by X Train’s Joseph A. Cosio-Barron - Managing Director - Asset Development. 16 Pullman Standard bi-level railcars have been purchased to date. Twelve passenger cars and two ultra-lounge cars will make up each train. As soon as passengers step foot on the X Train they will enjoy a complimentary cocktail and meal. They will also be able to walk from railcar to railcar including the ultra-lounge cars where they can enjoy more cocktails while watching their favorite sporting event on one of numerous flat screen televisions. There will even be the opportunity to have a rolling bachelor or bachelorette party on the X Train. A unique vendor working on the X Train is Rail Enterprises, Inc. led by President Donald Primi. Rail Enterprises, Inc. will be involved in the refurbishing of the railcar fleet. The complete overhaul of the cars will include rebuilding and upgrade of all mechanical systems on the cars, trucks, wheels, couplers, brake systems, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, new windows and doors and painting of the cars. Rail Enterprises, Inc. will supply many of the interior furnishings such as seats, floor coverings, wall coverings and custom bathrooms, kitchens and bar equipment. Seating will be ultra luxurious leather with black and red colors to match the X Train brand. Working hand in hand with Rail Enterprises, Inc. is local Las Vegas architectural firm Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects. In addition to designing the interiors of the railcars Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto is the lead architect on the Las Vegas station for the Vegas X Train. All upgrades and modifications to the railcars are required to meet rigid standards of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA makes sure the finished product is safe. They have control over materials, design and every element of the railcar. In addition, everything needs to be acceptable to Amtrak since they will be the operator of the X Train. Every piece of the train involves some level of expertise. Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. insures everything is done right and their railcars are the best ever in the business therefore, they have gone to the best in the industry. Get ready to ride the X Train and experience the excitement in 2013.