High-speed train deal in US derailed

Chinese consortium set to build 370-kilometer line says 'announcement violates agreement'

A private US railway company abruptly backed out of a deal with a Chinese consortium on Wednesday to build a high-speed rail line from Los Angeles, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada.

XpressWest Enterprises, a passenger rail venture supported by a Las Vegas hotel and casino developer, announced nine months ago that China Railway International USA Co would build the line. CRI is made up of State-owned railway equipment subsidiaries and service providers.