Where to Catch Out in Nevada

Las Vegas

No bull's and if the train is headed north it's going to Salt lake and if it's headed south it's going to San Bernadino, Ca. The yard is right behind the Union Casino (near bus station). But take food as there are no stores close by. And take at least 1 gallon of water per person. The run north to Salt Lake took 14 hrs. and sided for Amtrak twice!

Winnemuca

Portola CA to Winnemucca NV is another scenic leg of the voyage to Ogden UT. Portola is an easy place to hop. From Portola, the ride is excellent with a lot of high speed running, some mountain passes, and a decent timeframe. We did it on a hot container train in 4.5 hours! Only one stop for a pass. Winnemucca makes for a decent stopover, just hike on over to the Casino for a cheap meal, and the motels are cheap too. Rumor has it, though, that the local Police Dept will put riders back on the train, but if you don't look like a total bum, you could probably convince them you were there to spend money in their fair city. Leaving town is as simple as Portola, just don't let the yard office see you. We took up residence in the 3rd unit as we headed west again, and our speedy eastbound trip was offset by a long wait at Hawley, just outside of Portola. A note - spring or fall is recommended for this segment - the trip across the Black Rock Desert can get toasty during the summer, and below zero during the winter!