joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
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Monorail Spur
- Thread starter vonpluto
- Start date
Thrill
Well-Known Member
I looked around, and I found that in 1995, one mile of track for a Mark IV monorail was about $25 million dollars. Inflate that, and we're looking somewhere in the range of $35 million dollars. Add in the costs of new trains, stations, staff, maintenance, etc. and this becomes a very, very expensive project. While the monorail is nice, buses are a much more cost effective method of transportation. I'd rather see money put into expanding the parks than a monorail expansion.
WDW and Orlando International Airport will both have stations on Florida's high speed rail project.
jrlang1
Active Member
I agree that that much money would be better spent on a ride or improvements but i still wounder if there are new materials or techniques that can lower the cost per mile
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
For the track even if they could "lower" the costs it'd still be really substantial. I don't think it'd be possible to lower costs for cast, trains, etc. so it would all wash into a gargantuan unrealistic amount of money. It's nice to imagine, tho....
fabroman
Member
I think we all remember where this is going......
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=603331
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=603331
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Does Disney run diesel or CNG fueled buses? I think a serious spike in fuel costs would be the only way to convince Disney to build, but then the hurt from lack of tourists may make that an even harder decision to make.
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
It would probably be cheaper to run new buses with alternate fuel than what is being discussed. If Ferrari can make a 200+ mph hybrid vehicle, you can run buses on electric or hydrogen or a combination of fuel types.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
The issue with alternate fuels would be whether or not Disney would be able to convert existing buses or would they have to buy new buses, which are order a few years in advance. A large panic would possibly cause demand for conversions and new buses to skyrocket as bus systems across the country tried to adapt. With Reedy Creek and no neighbors, Disney has a means to potentially get a project, such as a monorail expansion, started and completed much faster than other agencies stuck trying to deal with their now very expensive bus systems.
jt04
Well-Known Member
They are experimenting with new bus tech at the China expo that could work at WDW. Basically busses that use super capacitors that charge in seconds. Plus much much more. Be amazed here......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pObxCXhf9-E&feature=player_embedded
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
The beauty is... as we sit here and discuss such things, an organization and business like TDO had these similar discussions years ago and already have a business plan in place.
They are a billion dollar organization for a reason.
luv2ski752
New Member
Monorail Costs
http://www.lightrailnow.org/myths/m_monorail001.htm
Average monorail build costs in 2002 were 138 Million dollars per mile. Assume that's a bunch of excess stations and maybe you'd get down to $100 Million a mile?
Probably not a lot of return on that.
http://www.lightrailnow.org/myths/m_monorail001.htm
Average monorail build costs in 2002 were 138 Million dollars per mile. Assume that's a bunch of excess stations and maybe you'd get down to $100 Million a mile?
Probably not a lot of return on that.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
In regards to the map showing a possible new route from EPCOT Center, how would this impact the Disney's Vacation Club units that have been sold in the Epcot Resort Area? Saratoga Springs has the monorail in the contracts, but I doubt these properties have similar clauses.
Gang aft agley
Just ask the guys at BP.
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley
Just ask the guys at BP.
:lol: Well that DHS line plan was mine originally, and used with permission. Here is the full one with a line heading south, past the CBR and a lot of detail in the east of the Epcot parking lot. All this is from official documentation. Note the original 1981 LBV spur south of Energy was ommited from this. Discuss ad nauseum. Again:
Attachments
The one thing everyone forgets when quoting there price per mile is Disney already own all of the land. This probably the most expensive part of any transit system. They also don't have to deal with all the right of way issues. Also all quotes involve environmental assessments that I'm no sure if Disney has to deal with. Just a few thoughts.
Tom
Beta Return
If you've read any of the construction-related posts above, you'll see that the cost of producing just one beam (75-100' of track) is high just because of the amount of materials and labor involved. Assuming 100' spans, there would be 53 beams in one mile of track.
Add a pylon for every beam, plus 1 at every expansion joint.
Because of the high water tables and constantly wet soil, the foundations for each pylon have to be HUGE in order to distribute the load while not sinking over time. They encountered this often when building the Epcot loop.
Then you have the electrical costs for the bus bar system and substations every mile or half mile.
Then, of course, you have the trains themselves...plus all the ongoing operating costs of personnel, maintenance, etc.
Not cheap.
toolsnspools
Well-Known Member
As for building the rail on the ground, the bus bar system would make it very dangerous to place near the ground for both people and animals. The only way to keep it safe is to keep it out of reach. Even where it is, there are warnings all over it, just in case somone thinks they can climb up there.
Tom
Beta Return
...and the fiberglass guards over the "hot" rail over roads and pedestrian areas to keep miscellaneous sparks from showering down onto guests.
Gringrinngghost
Well-Known Member
if they really wanted to make monorail line to Hollywood studios, Corporate must really want to spend money. Using Normal roads,it would be 5.7mi. now double that for both sides and that will be 11.4mi.
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1970 though 2009 in USD (United States Dollar)
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1970: $1,000,000.00 +$0.00
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1980: $2,126,058.21 +$1,126,058.21
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1990: $3,371,207.66 +$1,245,149.45
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 2000: $4,429,368.03 +$1,058,160.37
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 2009: $5,463,917.68 +$1,034,549.65
Since 1970 the Monorail Beam Price went up by: $4,463,917.68
The monorail project price from TTC to DHS would be $62,288,661.55 (just for Track). Don't forget, Disney is already pumping millions of dollars to the new FL expansion.
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1970 though 2009 in USD (United States Dollar)
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1970: $1,000,000.00 +$0.00
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1980: $2,126,058.21 +$1,126,058.21
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 1990: $3,371,207.66 +$1,245,149.45
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 2000: $4,429,368.03 +$1,058,160.37
Cost of a Mile of the Monorail Beam in 2009: $5,463,917.68 +$1,034,549.65
Since 1970 the Monorail Beam Price went up by: $4,463,917.68
The monorail project price from TTC to DHS would be $62,288,661.55 (just for Track). Don't forget, Disney is already pumping millions of dollars to the new FL expansion.
The price of admission was $4.95 + ride tickets in 1971 today it is $84.14 I would say that has gone up at a higher rate but doesnt stop us from going.