The Grand Canyon Railway offers a train trip that begins and ends in Las Vegas. Although its train does not connect to Las Vegas itself, it does provide transportation to and from its railroad junction in the Arizona town of Williams. Customers are transported in an air-conditioned bus to Williams, where they receive a buffet lunch and check into the Railway Hotel. On the second day, customers receive breakfast, enjoy a cowboy shootout reenactment and then travel to the Grand Canyon in vintage railway cars. Following sightseeing time at the Grand Canyon, customers are transported back to Williams and then take a bus back to Las Vegas.
The Nevada Southern Railway operates a rail line out of Boulder City, which is approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Las Vegas. Boulder City housed the workers who built the Hoover Dam. The rail line follows the route that took the workers to the Hoover Dam work site. Patrons of the railroad have the option or riding in an open car, or in climate-controlled coaches. The train is wheelchair accessible and lasts 45 minutes. Private charters are available, as well as school field trips. For an extra fee, customers can ride in the locomotive.
Although it is not a train of the classic variety, the Las Vegas Monorail System does provide rail transportation along its 4-mile route. The rail is situated above the streets of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Stops include the MGM Grand, Bally's, Paris, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Las Vegas Hilton and Sahara. The train reaches speeds of up 50 miles per hour and provides a quick way to get around town.
