Trains.com

Boring Co. Proposes Tesla Tunnel Transit for Miami

6154 views
36 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,139 posts
Boring Co. Proposes Tesla Tunnel Transit for Miami
Posted by Gramp on Friday, February 18, 2022 7:32 AM
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,560 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Friday, February 18, 2022 9:58 AM

Sounds like weapons-grade balonium. 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, February 18, 2022 10:04 AM

Elon Musk rarely has his brain properly engaged when he starts operating his tongue.  Subways in Miami are not the smartest move.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,139 posts
Posted by Gramp on Friday, February 18, 2022 2:29 PM

Maybe there are some naturally occurring tunnels there just waiting to "open".  

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, February 18, 2022 2:37 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH
Elon Musk rarely has his brain properly engaged when he starts operating his tongue.  Subways in Miami are not the smartest move.

Yup, below both the water table and sea level, mostly former swamp land where the tunnel would be prone to settling at different rates for different sections and highly prone to flooding during a hurricane without some kind of massive pumping system.    Would be rather large operating and maintence financial deficits me thinks.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:54 AM

Somewhere they will find a sucker.  Who said one is born every day?  Better still will they find a local person will make the location a sucker?

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, February 19, 2022 8:05 AM

Gramp
Maybe there are some naturally occurring tunnels there just waiting to "open".  

I drive through what is advertised as the Southernmost Tunnel in the USA every time I compete at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  The tunnel is underneath turn NASCAR 3 and allows entrance to the infield section of speedway.  The tunnel floods during periods of 'Florida Frog Drowning' thunderstorms.

I feature the level of the water table in the entirety of the Florida peninsula would prohibit serious underground tunneling. 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,636 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Saturday, February 19, 2022 8:05 AM

1. Musk is no fool.

2. It appears that Miami people don't see all the obstacles the out-of-the-area experts on here do. I wonder why?

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Saturday, February 19, 2022 8:52 AM

Look, in a world that is full of the burgeoning NFT revolution, where investment bankers pony up a $50M tranche for people making containers into structural elements of autonomous railcars... this idea is genius!  Just like a century ago, when the first Florida boom to increase real-estate value by separating the marks from the moolah was on.  What's a little submerged-at-high-tide or potential companion-reptile training in our can-do go-go '20s?

I was going to be sarcastic and say 'he could always do what we do in the Panhandle and raise his tunnels up on stilts' until I remembered the rest of the Hyperloop hype...

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 9:41 AM

charlie hebdo
Musk is no fool.

I see him as more of what used to be called a "wayward genius," but for the time being he should be paying more attention to the serious quality-control issues with his car line than any other projects. 

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Saturday, February 19, 2022 12:08 PM

charlie hebdo
1. Musk is no fool.

Perhaps close minded and overly confident is a better description.

His philosophy on intelligent life in the galaxy:   It does not exist, otherwise he or someone else would have seen it before now.   I find that statement to sound overly common sense but also at the same time overly dismissive of the various theories some of them viable as to why that has not yet happened.

Refuses to discuss unproven but hypothetical theories.

Most of his "futuristic" designs and innovations are for the most part recycle from the past including his tube transport system.

Lets also not forget the exaggerations he made publicly that nearly got him in trouble with the SEC.

charlie hebdo
. 2. It appears that Miami people don't see all the obstacles the out-of-the-area experts on here do. I wonder why?

Meet the Bridge to Nowhere (one example of many in the United States).

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=APq-WBt85cV6h1ePpHC19f4XATeHvosfSw:1645294588284&q=How+hard+is+the+hike+to+the+Bridge+to+Nowhere?&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=shStukWXcfIqyM%252CfODd-Djh8YhpcM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQG7roPBf5rsmQnG1u_9vAfpUpKJA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRjuP7r4z2AhXpct8KHVPQBb8Q9QF6BAgKEAE&biw=1536&bih=714&dpr=1.25#imgrc=shStukWXcfIqyM

 

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Saturday, February 19, 2022 12:12 PM

Flintlock76
"wayward genius,"

Way to much credit being given there.  He is no more a genius than Bill Gates.   I would refer to him as an innovator that can spot uses for existing technology that other people do not see.    As far as inventing anything?    Have not seen any breakthroughs from Elon Musk or Bill Gates yet.

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 1,686 posts
Posted by Erik_Mag on Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:01 PM

I think Musk's ability is more on finding/choosing/inspiring the right people than the nitty gritty of innovation. His employees have figured out how to dramatically reduce the cost of getting stuff into space, by emphasizing cost over performance. He also is in favor of a build something rapidly, see where it breaks, re-design, build and repeat. The "Starship" reminds me of Truax's Sea Dragon proposal from the early 60's, though the Sea Dragon had one HUGE engine.

Tesla's (the car company) big technical innovations were in reducing the size, cost and weight of the electric propulsion system and battery packs. (Using EV components, the BOM for re-motoring a PCC car might be $50k...) Tesla's major failing was being overly on autonomous driving, with several fatalities on record.

Musk comes across more like Steve Jobs than Bill Gates.

  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,636 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:26 PM

CMStPnP

 

 
Flintlock76
"wayward genius,"

 

Way to much credit being given there.  He is no more a genius than Bill Gates.   I would refer to him as an innovator that can spot uses for existing technology that other people do not see.    As far as inventing anything?    Have not seen any breakthroughs from Elon Musk or Bill Gates yet.

 

Wait and see.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:49 PM

Where he impressed me was when he started returning booster rockets to their launch sites and landing them upright. And I think he was ahead of the curve in pushing power grid load battery plants. If wind and solar are going to be our salvation, they are essential. Otherwise he is one great huckster.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
Posted by rdamon on Saturday, February 19, 2022 4:30 PM

An interesting and worthwhile read/listen...

https://www.amazon.com/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-Fantastic-Future/dp/006230125X

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Saturday, February 19, 2022 10:53 PM

Meet the Bridge to Nowhere

I think he means the bridge between Miami Lakes and Hialeah... the one that was supposed to get the SOS gates that would open when they 'heard' sirens.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Sunday, February 20, 2022 7:55 PM

Erik_Mag
I think Musk's ability is more on finding/choosing/inspiring the right people than the nitty gritty of innovation. His employees have figured out how to dramatically reduce the cost of getting stuff into space, by emphasizing cost over performance. He also is in favor of a build something rapidly, see where it breaks, re-design, build and repeat. The "Starship" reminds me of Truax's Sea Dragon proposal from the early 60's, though the Sea Dragon had one HUGE engine.

Space program is in serious need of genious which seems to be missing entirely.  Very disappointed with their proposed interstellar ship which just looks like a larger sized Apollo 11, still rocket powered.    No new power plant?   No research into gravity manipulation?   Anti-matter power?    Where is all the money being spent on research going?    Was Einstien correct with all his gravitational theories or do some need revisement?

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, February 20, 2022 10:25 PM

CMStPnP
Was Einstien correct with all his gravitational theories or do some need revisement?

Most of the Astrophysical videos I come across on YouTube tend to say that Einstien's theories are being proven correct.  Of course, we only know what we know and we have yet to find out all the things we don't know.  We will never know all that we don't know as everything you learn creates 10 more questions about what you don't know.

 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Matthews NC
  • 363 posts
Posted by matthewsaggie on Monday, February 21, 2022 2:35 PM

Channeling Donald Rumsfeld?

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 1,686 posts
Posted by Erik_Mag on Monday, February 21, 2022 9:43 PM

BaltACD

Most of the Astrophysical videos I come across on YouTube tend to say that Einstien's theories are being proven correct.  Of course, we only know what we know and we have yet to find out all the things we don't know.  We will never know all that we don't know as everything you learn creates 10 more questions about what you don't know.

One of the more recently proven predictions, gravity waves travel at the speed of light, was the near simultaneous detection of gamma rays and gravity waves from neutron star or black hole merger. IIRC, the detections were about 2 seconds apart and the merger took place more than 100 million years ago. Another prediction, "frame dragging", was proved in he last 15 years.

In order to get things moving really fast, you need to come up with same way of making the exhaust move really fast, maybe using lasers to heat hydrogen to say 30,000K might do the trick. At that temp, the atoms would be moving at 22,000m/s.

What SpaceX has done is to take a hit in performance to really drive down costs.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 6:31 PM

Does this mean MUSK is giving up?  4-1/2 days got to be some kind of record?

Virgin Hyperloop lays off 111 staffers as it abandons plans for passenger transport (msn.com)

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 7:27 PM

blue streak 1
Does this mean MUSK is giving up?  4-1/2 days got to be some kind of record?

Virgin Hyperloop lays off 111 staffers as it abandons plans for passenger transport (msn.com)

 

Does Musk have any part of this company?  I thought at one time he talked about this system, but that he got out of it to work on his rocket and Tesla.

I admit I don't know that much about Musk, so my memory may be completely wrong.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 5:50 PM

Always thought there was something fishy about this proposal.....Big Smilehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPuQ39iGkAY

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 8:29 PM

York1
blue streak 1
Does this mean MUSK is giving up?  4-1/2 days got to be some kind of record?

Virgin Hyperloop lays off 111 staffers as it abandons plans for passenger transport (msn.com) 

Does Musk have any part of this company?  I thought at one time he talked about this system, but that he got out of it to work on his rocket and Tesla.

I admit I don't know that much about Musk, so my memory may be completely wrong.

I believe anything with 'Virgin' attached to its name is a outgrowth of the Sir Richard Branson business empire.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,560 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 10:58 PM

My friends in the UK call him the bearded twat. Over there it means a fool and does not refer to anything sexual. 

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Friday, March 18, 2022 12:45 AM

CMStPnP
His philosophy on intelligent life in the galaxy:   It does not exist, otherwise he or someone else would have seen it before now.   I find that statement to sound overly common sense but also at the same time overly dismissive of the various theories some of them viable as to why that has not yet happened.

He's only repeating the insight of a much more brilliant mind, Nobel Prize winner Enrico Fermi, dating to 1950. It's called "The Fermi Paradox" and goes like this. The universe is much older than the sun (now estimated at 13 billion versus 4.5 billion years) which we know, because of its spectrographic composition (ratio of heavy to light elements), is a second generation star. Therefore there must have been much older first generation stars and, by implication, solar systems, some of which should have evolved intelligent, spacefaring life. Given the time spans involved, allowing for, say, one mission to another star every thousand years from about 5 billion years after the Big Bang onwards, then leap frogging outwards every thousand years from that system, repeated every thousand years endlessly and considering we 're talking about evolution being universal, creating multiple species and points of origin, the galaxy should be teeming with life and even if a particular race has died out, evidence of its existance should be obvious and all around us. So Fermi famously asked, "Where is everybody?"

To which his friend and colleague Leo Szilard replied, "They are here. We call them Hungarians"

Szilard was, himself, Hungarian, so he ought to have known.

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • 177 posts
Posted by Jim200 on Sunday, March 20, 2022 5:46 AM

Musk has nothing to do with Virgin Hyperloop nor HyperloopTT in America, nor with the couple of companies in Europe, nor with the companies  further afield in Korea and China, but he did inspire all of them by bringing all the world’s engineers together. Branson put some money into Hyperloop One with the stipulation that it become Virgin Hyperloop.

Fermi was ahead of his time, for it is only recently that we have determined with certainty that there are many billions and billions of planets with at least some, (possibly a lot), suitable for life. For at least the past 4000 or more years, (except for the last 200), man has been moving at the speed of a horse or camel over the earth. To get to the nearest star, ( other than the sun), man has to travel in a straight line about 25,000,000,000,000 miles.

Of course, we really are moving quite fast without knowing it. The earth is spinning on its’ axis at about 1000 mph at the equator. Every year the earth travels about 600,000,000 miles around the sun at a speed of about 66,000 mph. The sun needs about 225 million years to get around the Milky Way galaxy at a speed of about 483,000 mph. From cosmic background radiation and the Doppler shift, it has been calculated that the Milky Way galaxy is also moving at about 1,300,000 mph. So traveling in the Hyperloop at 670 mph should be tolerable. 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 20, 2022 8:50 AM

Jim200
...

Of course, we really are moving quite fast without knowing it. The earth is spinning on its’ axis at about 1000 mph at the equator. Every year the earth travels about 600,000,000 miles around the sun at a speed of about 66,000 mph. The sun needs about 225 million years to get around the Milky Way galaxy at a speed of about 483,000 mph. From cosmic background radiation and the Doppler shift, it has been calculated that the Milky Way galaxy is also moving at about 1,300,000 mph. So traveling in the Hyperloop at 670 mph should be tolerable. 

It's not the speed - its the sudden stops that kill.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Sunday, March 20, 2022 7:18 PM

Jim200

Musk has nothing to do with Virgin Hyperloop nor HyperloopTT in America, nor with the couple of companies in Europe, nor with the companies  further afield in Korea and China, but he did inspire all of them by bringing all the world’s engineers together. Branson put some money into Hyperloop One with the stipulation that it become Virgin Hyperloop.

Fermi was ahead of his time, for it is only recently that we have determined with certainty that there are many billions and billions of planets with at least some, (possibly a lot), suitable for life. For at least the past 4000 or more years, (except for the last 200), man has been moving at the speed of a horse or camel over the earth. To get to the nearest star, ( other than the sun), man has to travel in a straight line about 25,000,000,000,000 miles.

Of course, we really are moving quite fast without knowing it. The earth is spinning on its’ axis at about 1000 mph at the equator. Every year the earth travels about 600,000,000 miles around the sun at a speed of about 66,000 mph. The sun needs about 225 million years to get around the Milky Way galaxy at a speed of about 483,000 mph. From cosmic background radiation and the Doppler shift, it has been calculated that the Milky Way galaxy is also moving at about 1,300,000 mph. So traveling in the Hyperloop at 670 mph should be tolerable. 

 

Stop the world, I want to get off. 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy