I’m going to get a chance to go to Las Vegas.
The Hoover dam is on the list… any other things to do other than the Chicken Ranch…
When you go to Hoover, Also go to the visitor area on the North end of the new bridge that spans the gorge just downstream from the dam. There is a walk way built into the bridge that faces the dam. Spectacular views of the dam. Worth every minute of time spent.
When you are out to Boulder city to see the dam, there is the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
The UP main line from SLC to LA runs right thru town. There really isn’t any really grand area for pics or viewing right in the city. But long trains run right thru town.
On the North end of town, the “Old Town” area known as Fremont Street, has the Iconic Neon Alley, you see in all the movies. And the “Fremont Street Experience”. GO THERE! at night. there is the overhead “jumbotron”, the worlds largest, On the hour shows. Great experience. At the North end of Fremont street is the Plaza Casino, On the right side is a couple of heavyweight pullman cars on display along the street. Also at that end is The Golden Gate Casino, Vages’s 1st, and the ones that started the Vegas Shrimp Cocktail thing. But even better is the little place inside called Du-Pars. EAT THERE!! worth the time. The Chocolate Brownie Sunday is to die for, but plan on sharing it.
Sadly Ridge Road Station is gone… and there isn’t any goto store for trains in town.
Not train related and maybe a bit of a stretch but the Grand Canyon is close-ish (us westerners think anything within 500 miles is close).
At the Museum in Boulder City there is a train to ride usually pulled by a gp-30. On select weekends there are also ride on trains that are fun for a small donation. North of Las Vegas along I-15 near Apex are a few scenic places to watch trains although it can be hit and miss. Bill
Devon Sinsley said:
Not train related and maybe a bit of a stretch but the Grand Canyon is close-ish (us westerners think anything within 500 miles is close).
Been there and even ventured below the rim!
There’s this, in nearby Boulder City
http://www.nevadasouthern.com/
Never been to this so I dont know how worth it it is.
There’s also a lunch cruise on Lake Mead, whether it’s still running or not I’m not sure. Takes you up the Dam and back.
I’ve been to the Nevada Southern Railway. There are lots of good pieces that they have restored under cover along with the train that runs. They also have a storage yard with lots of nice old pieces if you can get into it. Well worth the 30 min trip east of Vegas.
Chuck
When in Vegas I always recommend this visit: National Atomic Testing Museum
http://nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/
Dedicated to the history of A-bomb testing nearby during the 50-60’s, its a neat visit for history buffs.
PS its train related because they have a small display model of the Jackass & Western, the industrial RR used to switch in and out train cars loaded with materials. The locomotive of which is at the State RR museum I referenced above.
Sean McGillicuddy said:
Devon Sinsley said:
Not train related and maybe a bit of a stretch but the Grand Canyon is close-ish (us westerners think anything within 500 miles is close).
Been there and even ventured below the rim!
In 83 I walked from the north rim down to Phantom Ranch, spent a day and then hiked up to the south rim. We flew Dad out!
John
Vic Smith said:
When in Vegas I always recommend this visit: National Atomic Testing Museum
http://nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/
Dedicated to the history of A-bomb testing nearby during the 50-60’s, its a neat visit for history buffs.
PS its train related because they have a small display model of the Jackass & Western, the industrial RR used to switch in and out train cars loaded with materials. The locomotive of which is at the State RR museum I referenced above.
Really? OMG!
David Maynard said:
Vic Smith said:
When in Vegas I always recommend this visit: National Atomic Testing Museum
http://nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/
Dedicated to the history of A-bomb testing nearby during the 50-60’s, its a neat visit for history buffs.
PS its train related because they have a small display model of the Jackass & Western, the industrial RR used to switch in and out train cars loaded with materials. The locomotive of which is at the State RR museum I referenced above.
Really? OMG!
Yes I want that set. You could make your own cloud chamber, how cool is that!
I was just shocked that they would sell radioactive material to kids, so they can play with it.
David Maynard said:
I was just shocked that they would sell radioactive material to kids, so they can play with it.
David,
I guess you are too “young” to remember radium coated dials on kid’s wrist watches in the late forties and early fifties. Glow-in-the-dark watch faces! When I took chemistry in HS, the teacher used to demonstrate a geiger counter by putting the probe over the face of a radium dial watch face! (late fifties)
You can pull a train at spearmint r***o… I mean:
OK, I could not help myself… and anyone else remember Charles Atlas?
Greg
Gary Armitstead said:
David Maynard said:
I was just shocked that they would sell radioactive material to kids, so they can play with it.
David,
I guess you are too “young” to remember radium coated dials on kid’s wrist watches in the late forties and early fifties. Glow-in-the-dark watch faces! When I took chemistry in HS, the teacher used to demonstrate a geiger counter by putting the probe over the face of a radium dial watch face! (late fifties)
Nope, I had several watches with glow in the dark faces. But wrist watches only last a few months on my wrists. I tend to destroy them somehow.
At one of my first real jobs, the supervisor put the shop’s Geiger counter to the smoke detector, and it started clicking like mad.
Not train related, but there is a great Pin Ball Museum that you can play all of the Pin Ball Machines. It is the Pin Ball Hall of Fame, I believe it is on Tropicana Blvd about a mile from the strip. Many vintage machines as well as newer models. You do have to put quarters in the machines to play, but all of the money goes to charities. A fun place to spend a couple of hours.
Colin Criswell said:
Not train related, but there is a great Pin Ball Museum that you can play all of the Pin Ball Machines. It is the Pin Ball Hall of Fame, I believe it is on Tropicana Blvd about a mile from the strip. Many vintage machines as well as newer models. You do have to put quarters in the machines to play, but all of the money goes to charities. A fun place to spend a couple of hours.
I would rather do this than gamble!
Not real close to Vegas but if you get the chance, the Nevada Northern RR and museum in Ely is awesome!