Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 34

6D Reno Gazette-Journal Saturday, May 10, 1997 Amtrak's Desert Wind makes last Vegas run New Arrivals! To brighten Mother's Day! Roses, Geraniums, Gerbera Daisies, Jasmine, Fuschia, Begonial Many, Many More! 31 -MX 1V "I'm very optimistic about our chances if we can get the half-cent," said Amtrak President Gil Mallery. "Without the half-cent, it's not a pretty picture." Amtrak plans to shift the Desert Wind's rolling stock north to restore daily service on the California Zephyr, which runs from San Francisco to Chicago. "We have to put the resources where we can get the best return," said Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari. "The fault lies with government policy that continues to do a lot for highways and airports, but is very stingy with passenger trains," complained Scott Leonard, assistant director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers. The loss of the Desert Wind is unlikelv to affect tourism in Las Vegas.

Only about 50,000 of the city's 7.5 million visitors from Southern California last year came by train, compared with 84,000 in 1992. Amtrak would like to restore Los Angeles to Las Vegas service as early as next year with a faster train targeted to gamblers. It would cut the 7-hour trip to 5'2 hours and might even include showgirls. ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES Amtrak's Desert Wind made its last run to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City Thursday, ending nearly a century of service. Throughout the week, train buffs came by the hundreds to Union Station to bid their farewells to the 11-car train.

They also filled the train for its final trip. The Desert Wind has fallen victim to the decline in federal rail subsidies. Amtrak budget problems, the repeal of the 55-mph highway speed limit and fare wars that have made it possible to fly round-trip to Las Vegas for little more than the $76 round-trip train ticket. Its loss will leave Los Angeles without a train to Salt Lake City; Las Vegas won't have any Amtrak sen ice at all. "There's just not enough of us to keep Amtrak going," said Jon Inskeep, a retired engineer and rail fan from La Canada Flintridge, who took his last trip aboard the Desert Wind on Tuesday.

"You can't run a railroad on aficionados. You have to have steady, paying customers. Trains aren't fast enoueh." i MM Associated Press SAVORING: Jon Inskeep, retired engineer and train buff, enjoys the Mojave desert this week during a ride on Amtrak's Desert Wind. Reno's Best Ribeye Steak Dinner 1 2 oz. Charbroiled or Cajun Styleg 795 tax Includes vour choice of Wine.

Beer, Coffee dp. Tea, Served with a Fresh Crisp Salad atl choice but to cancel the Desert Wind as ridership has dropped. So, too, have the railroad's federal subsidies, from $720 million in 1981 to $225 million this year. Also being phased out is the Seattle-to-Denver Pioneer. Amtrak currently is seeking a half-cent from the 4.3-cent federal gasoline tax currently earmarked for reduction of the federal budget deficit.

The first passenger train traveled between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles 91 years ago. From 1936 until 1971, the legendary City of Los Angeles train made the trip, ending in Chicago. It was resumed in 1979, when the Desert Wind was launched between Los Angeles and Chicago, with stops at Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver and Omaha. Amtrak officials said thev had no No substitutions. Served 11 a.m.

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