could there really be 4 round trips daily between Sparks and Oakland....

[Anonymous]

I think that it would be great if they could do it, as it would provide a great opportunity to keep that route going if Amtrak itself goes under. I think that one thing that would be smart would be to have a bus from either Truckee or Reno to South Lake Tahoe, as it kind of is pointless to go to Sac and then up to there.
Brad

[kenneo]

It has been tried. Private party operated a venture called "Reno Fun Trains". He is going to be flipping burgers for several lifetimes paying off the losses. Did everything from providing excellent service to a car rebuilt for dancing.

Having said that, if Nevada ants to fund the operation, I believe Amtrak will run the trains even if no one rides them. Understand, even if Mineta's plan comes to fruit, Amtrak is the only company currently authorized to operate intercity passenger trains, and would continue to do so and run any train as long as somebody else pays the tab.

[Anonymous]

Paying the tab is the problem.

If you could guarantee the gamblers they could get between the Bay Area (and maybe other start points in the Valley) and Sparks/Reno quicker and cheaper than driving and on-time it might work. The operative words being quicker, cheaper and on-time. Anytime you can do something quicker, cheaper and on-time you usually get customers. Now all you have to do is produce enough regular customers.

[kenneo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by n6nvr

Paying the tab is the problem.

If you could guarantee the gamblers they could get between the Bay Area (and maybe other start points in the Valley) and Sparks/Reno quicker and cheaper than driving and on-time it might work. The operative words being quicker, cheaper and on-time. Anytime you can do something quicker, cheaper and on-time you usually get customers. Now all you have to do is produce enough regular customers.

The Fun Train ran one round trip each week, eastward from Oakland on Friday night with at least a stop in Sacramento, sleepers, lounges, entertainment, dancing, Sat and Sun in Reno, Sunday night back to Oakland. Cheaper? Not even close. On time? As long as the RFT paid its bills, the SP was very good about on time. What we called "on-time early". Quicker wasn't even in the vocabulary. A whole lot more fun than flying.

[Anonymous]

they are still running the fun trains, and Snow trains. They use the Horizon equipment. I could see it working if the Casinos signed on like they do for the busses. Hell, Amtrak could add a casino car for when it comes into Nevada,they would make a ton of money that way as well.
Brad