Orlando International Airport spending $65 million on new trains

[wdwmagic]

OK its not Disney monorails, but somebody in Central Florida is buying new trains.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-orlando-international-shuttle-20140803,0,2036424.story

 

[Monty]

I saw that, but do those technically qualify as "Monorail" trains? The article calls them "people-movers".

 

[Nextinline]

They will be rubber tire people mover vehicles which are slightly different than monorail vehicles. Mitsubishi's people mover cars are called Crystal Movers & will likely be what is added to the Orlando fleet.

 

[wdwmagic]

I saw that, but do those technically qualify as "Monorail" trains? The article calls them "people-movers".

Elevated single rail = monorail. MCO's may or may not fit into that description, but either way, it's one of the closest thing to WDW's monorail.

 

[Jeffxz]

Elevated single rail = monorail. MCO's may or may not fit into that description, but either way, it's one of the closest thing to WDW's monorail.

I think you forgot the "m" in the subject. $65 seems a little low.

 

[PirateFrank]

Was reading the O-Sent article this morning, and I was truly amazed at the amount of miles, people and uptime that these trains will have logged by the time they are brought offline....and I developed a question, that I think we all know the answer to:

How is it that MCO has been able to keep these things reliably running 20 hours a day for over 35 years, transporting cars packed with people, without serious downtime --- and WDW's monorail system has been plagued with trains in disrepair, reduced operation and downright failures during a much smaller tenure (The Mark VI trains are approx 10 years younger)?

 

[DznyGrlSD]

The MCO "monorail" is always my 1st, and last ride on my Disney trip. The latter ride, I'm usually crying.

 

[monothingie]

I saw that, but do those technically qualify as "Monorail" trains? The article calls them "people-movers".

 

[lazyboy97o]

Elevated single rail = monorail. MCO's may or may not fit into that description, but either way, it's one of the closest thing to WDW's monorail.

Monorails do not have to be elevated. Many early monorails were built on the ground. The Disney Resort Line dips down to practically ground level in order to maintain sight lines inside Tokyo DisneySEA. But even then, the trains at Orlando International run on an elevated guideway, not a single rail.

 

[wdwmagic]

OK guys, I have removed the word "monorail" from my post. You can call it whatever you want.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

They should sell their old ones to disney.

 

[Monty]

OK guys, I have removed the word "monorail" from my post. You can call it whatever you want.

Trirail?

The MCO trains have three rails, two outside rails for the tires to run along and a central electrical power rail.

 

[flynnibus]

Elevated Guideway - they are automated shuttles. They don't use rails, they run on concrete beams.

Dulles has a more recent system that is similar, but runs underground instead of elevated.


MCO uses a conduit along the center of the beam, Aerotrain uses more of a trough design with elements on the sides.

 

[MaryJaneP]

This raises the question of whether fans and/or Disney would be happy with replacing the monorail with the MCO 3 rail system for the sake of purportedly increased reliability and reduced costs. Let me be the first one to say I vote no.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This raises the question of whether fans and/or Disney would be happy with replacing the monorail with the MCO 3 rail system for the sake of purportedly increased reliability and reduced costs. Let me be the first one to say I vote no.

I think reliability has more to do with the owners than the technology.

 

[Monty]

Elevated Guideway - they are automated shuttles. They don't use rails, they run on concrete beams.

Since Disney uses concrete beams as well, does that mean it isn't a monorail either?

 

[flynnibus]

MCO's system is very similar in use/visuals to the AirTrain at SFO


And for cost discussions.. Airtrain was built in 2003 for 430 million for 6 miles. This kind of system is not unique and is in use at several airports around the country.

And that comment highlights the problem with the monorail.. It's no longer innovative and is just mundane.. you've likely ridden similar systems on your way to WDW as part of your utilitarian airport experience.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Monorails do not have to be elevated. Many early monorails were built on the ground. The Disney Resort Line dips down to practically ground level in order to maintain sight lines inside Tokyo DisneySEA. But even then, the trains at Orlando International run on an elevated guideway, not a single rail.

Where does it drop to ground level? I just went through the whole route in my head and I don't think it does. By memory, I think the lowest it gets is probably 10-15 feet and that's in the back corner of the park behind aquatopia... And that's really for a short stretch.

 

[willtravel]

They should sell their old ones to disney.

I agree. Transportation to AK.

 

[flynnibus]

Since Disney uses concrete beams as well, does that mean it isn't a monorail either?

Disney's beam is used as a guide rail - the train wraps around the beam and uses it as its steerage. The APMs 'drive' on the beam and are steered - not wrapping around the beam.