The Truth Behind Las Vegas' Viral Showgirl Tram Photo Revealed

A glamorous snapshot once thought to capture a real moment was pure Vegas spectacle. The untold story behind the Copa Girl's tram 'drive' will surprise you.

, and Administrator

2026 January 31 . 1:25 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old black and white photo of a tram on the street, with a few people inside. In... — The image shows an old black and white photo of a tram on the street, with a few people inside. In the background, there are buildings, trees, poles, wires, and a clear sky.

The Truth Behind Las Vegas' Viral Showgirl Tram Photo Revealed

A vintage photo of a showgirl appearing to drive a tram at the Sands Hotel has been debunked as a staged publicity shot. The image, shared by a Facebook page called D&G Vegas Adventures, was mistakenly labelled as a real scene from the 1950s.

The confusion began when the UNLV Library archived the photo with an unclear caption. It was actually taken by the Las Vegas News Bureau in 1955 as part of a promotional stunt.

The photo shows a showgirl from the Copa Girls chorus line posing at the controls of the Sands Hotel's parking lot tram. While the image suggests she was driving, it was purely for publicity. The Las Vegas News Bureau staged the shot with permission from the hotel's general manager, Jack Entratter.

The passengers in the background appear frustrated, hinting they were real guests eager to reach their rooms. The tram was normally operated by staff, but the showgirls occasionally posed in costume for promotional photos.

The UNLV Library received the photo from the Sands Hotel's archives when the resort closed in 1996. The misleading title did not clarify that it was a staged moment, leading to years of confusion. The Vegas Myths Busted series, published weekly, now clarifies such misconceptions.

Readers can suggest other Las Vegas myths to investigate by emailing [email protected]. A bonus Flashback Friday edition also explores historical inaccuracies.

The photo was never meant to depict daily operations but was part of a 1955 marketing campaign. The showgirls' involvement was limited to staged images, not actual Las Vegas tram driving. The clarification comes as part of an ongoing effort to correct long-standing myths about Las Vegas history.