High-Speed Train to Las Vegas to Be Unveiled

Amtrak will bring a new high-speed European train to Las Vegas today in hopes of enticing partners onto the Las Vegas-Los Angeles passenger route.

The Danish-built Flexliner, a self-propelled train that does not require a locomotive and can be driven from either end, will debut at the Amtrak station at the Plaza Hotel.

“This will be a demonstration to attract potential partners,” said Dominick Albano, spokesman for Amtrak West in Oakland.

“Although we have not had gambling in the past, we are interested in working with the [Nevada] gaming industry for this train,” Albano said.

The train could offer poker on a Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas route, and slots and other table games when it crosses into Nevada.

The Flexliner travels at about 112 mph, which would cut the travel time from Las Vegas to Los Angeles from six hours to about four--a major factor in selling it as a viable mode of transportation, Albano said.