Amtrak from the Northeast to Las Vegas with a 9 year old?

Question

I'm thinking of taking my 9 year old son to Las Vegas this summer to see the Hoover Dam. He is a rail fan so I'm thinking about doing the Amtrak thing. I know Amtrak doesn't serve LV and that we have to take a bus from Kingman, AZ. I've done my homework as far as that goes. Has anyone taken a cross-country trip lately on Amtrak and what are your thoughts? Our family did it back in 1966 when things on the rails were a little different as far as trains are. Thanks

Answer 1

Unfortunately Amtrak don´t serve Las Vegas since 1997 when the Desert Wind was withdrawn.  You must take a train to Chicago and after the Southwest Chief to Kingman.  The Southwest Chief runs on BNSF tracks so it will be more or less on time (well, something unexpected could happen), the problem is on the other leg of the trip, trains to Chicago from New York can be delayed because of freight train interference.  However, I think that will be a good trip and your son will enjoy it

Answer 2

A rail fan? Think of taking the train accross the Canadian Rockies.  I real rail trip and set up for enjoyment, rather than moving passangers.  In any event, a shorter more memorable trip would be better than an Amtrack long haul with its starts, stops and delays.

Answer 3

My son loves riding Amtrak. Not sure if it goes to Vegas, but I will take my son on the famous California Zephyr to Reno and then buy him the scale model and build a replica of our trip from San Francisco to Reno.