Mark VII Monorail

[Mr.EPCOT]

Does anyone know the price for each Monorail train? The driver told me once, but I can't remember... He did tell me that WDW bought the molds from the original company. He said that cost a small fortune.

Actually it was the other way around, we designed them. They were an advanced design of the Mark IV Monorails, and Bombardier helped finance the design and construction of the Mark VIs, in exchange for the rights to a similar design, which there is now an advanced version in operation in Las Vegas.

I believe each Mark VI cost around $12 million.

 

[s8film40]

Actually it was the other way around, we designed them. They were an advanced design of the Mark IV Monorails, and Bombardier helped finance the design and construction of the Mark VIs, in exchange for the rights to a similar design, which there is now an advanced version in operation in Las Vegas.

I believe each Mark VI cost around $12 million.

I think it was more like 6 million, but it would be hard to find out exactly since it wasn't a per train cost. Disney payed Bombardier/TGI for the "project" that encompassed not only designing and manufacturing 12 trains but also improvements to the system for the new trains. Which was where Disney's lawsuit against Bombardier/TGI came in.

 

[redfive13]

I think it was more like 6 million, but it would be hard to find out exactly since it wasn't a per train cost. Disney payed Bombardier/TGI for the "project" that encompassed not only designing and manufacturing 12 trains but also improvements to the system for the new trains. Which was where Disney's lawsuit against Bombardier/TGI came in.

What was behind the lawsuit?

 

[s8film40]

What was behind the lawsuit?

The power system had to be modified to support the new monorails and also Disney claimed the stations were not modified correctly. Bombardier/TGI claimed that Disney should have known the power demand of the new trains and intern known the system wouldn't handle it they also claimed that information regarding the power system was not disclosed to them and countersued for non payment on Disney's part. The suit was settled and the details were not revealed so no one really knows what the trains actually cost after you take into account the settlement.

 

[TP2000]

The WDW Mark VI trains are 8' 8.5" wide and floor to ceiling is 6' 9".
I can't find any dimensions for the disneyland trains but I'll post them if they come up.

Hmm. The WDW trains are 6'9" tall inside the cabins? I would bet that the Disneyland trains are about 6'2" or 6'3" tall inside. I can stand up without hitting my head, but there's only a couple inches to spare.

Not sure how wide the Disneyland trains are, but I'm thinking somewhere around 7 feet wide. I'll have to eyeball it next time I ride the Disneyland monorail, but seven feet seems about right.

So, very unscientifically, the Disneyland trains are bout six inches shorter and about 18 inches narrower compared to the WDW trains. Now I'll be able to sleep at night!

 

[montyz81]

Are the Mark V officially gone from DL?

 

[TP2000]

Are the Mark V officially gone from DL?

No, there is still one left operating on the beam. It is wrapped in a Dreams campaign thing though. Here's a recent picture of the last days of the Mark V at Disneyland.
http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/gallery/4137357_WR5jS/8/241474606_7GgQq#241474606_7GgQq-A-LB

 

[montyz81]

I would love to see a picture that shows both Mark V and Mark VII together. I gotta believe if they are running two per day then it could be done!

 

[TP2000]

I would love to see a picture that shows both Mark V and Mark VII together. I gotta believe if they are running two per day then it could be done!

It's happened recently, I just don't think there's a picture of it yet.

But in theory, we should be able to see a picture of the Mark V and Mark VII crossing over each other above the Submarine Lagoon; the iconic monorail picture!

 

[unkadug]

It might have looked like this at one time.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

^Great edit work!