Question of The Day!! (answered)

[Anonymous]

Sorry about the last Q of the day. Any way do not yell out the answer or it will spiol the question for every body. The answer will be posted at 7:30 ET time to 8:00 ET [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:0](deep breath)[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]

[selector]

Too many factors unaccounted for in the question. Initial capital costs, energy, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, recapitalization, etc.

[Anonymous]

The price also depends upon the speed of the maglev train, and if it's in a low pressure tunnel or not.

[selector]

...all contingent upon the numbers of passengers, of course... What plane, and what maglev capacities are we talking about, so that we can estimate the cost/passenger?

[TrainFreak409]

I must agree with the above. It depends on too many factors.

Location would also influence the price. If it was easier to fly out of the area, then more people would fly, thus increasing the rider cost of the Maglev.

[SpaceMouse]

I guess 23.

Am I close?

[tstage]

It all depends. Do they allow you to bring on pet carriers?...

Tom

[trainboyH16-44]

I voted too fast, without thinking. I was thinking of that crazy tunnel that is supposed to eventually span the atlantic ocean, and comparing that with a plane fare from Toronto to London. Which I don't know.
Close enough, eh?
trainboy

[Anonymous]

Heres a hint Its lower than 2/5

[tstage]

I still think the answer is "I Dunno"...

[Darth Santa Fe]

1/5?

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

I still think the answer is "I Dunno"...

Oh no. I've caught the terrible "I Dunno" decease from tstage... Ahhhhh!. ([xx(])

Tracklayer

[railroadyoshi]

ill agree with the general concensus here that there are way too many factors

[Anonymous]

Are you running out of good questions already, Monto3?
Don't forget more Daily train trivia in Train Trivia. http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45244

[Rotorranch]

Again??? That trick never works!

Actually, it would cost me a lot more to ride the mag lev train than for me to fly, since my wife works for an airline and I fly for FREE!!!!!! [;)][:)][:D][^][:p]

Rotor

[selector]

Well, just to show that the question needs expansion, let us assume that we are talking about a distance from Chicago to New York. What is that, about 350 miles, 400, I'm not going to look it up. So, for just one flight, ignoring the costs of airports and a station for the maglev at each end, and with a load of 50 pax, the maximum for each conveyance (let us say), they each have to cover 350 miles. Now we must determine what the unit cost/mile is, so we need even more license here. What would it cost to develop and build one single unit of maglev and its running platform for those 350 miles, compared to the cost of the aircraft. The airspace is free. As we get further into this puzzle, I would begin to surmise that the cost per passenger is going to me far more for the maglev. Just in rail infrastructure alone, over that 350 miles, it will get mighty costly.

[grayfox1119]

I would say 1/5, but we are dealing with non U.S. $$$ And remember Delta just filed for bankruptcy today as well as Northwest. So you don't think rising fuel costs are having an effect across the board, including LHS's? You had better guess again. Many shipments come by air. And the trucking fuel costs are no prize either. Demand is outstripping supply.

[Anonymous]

The answer ie 1/3 If you dont belive me look here http://www.maglev2000.com/works/how-08.html
Look in the 1rst answer. 2nd paragraph near the end 2 lines up.

[selector]

Sounds like a choir singing. They're mostly in tune.

One sour note is the assertion that it will be easier to get into maglev stations. Apparently this was written before 9/11.

They also wave away any dealings with infrastructure....convenient.

[railroadyoshi]

very good point crandell

[cjcrescent]

I find it interesting that the site does not mention when it was last updated other than its copyrighted 2001. I also find it intersesting that there is only ONE paper in the publication library, and its from 1999 and their own summary at that. But I really think the kicker is its says to go to the press release/news stories page to read all the press releases on maglev2000, and the page is empty. I bet they are no longer in business, esp when they were saying after a two year FEIS report, 4 yrs of construction and a 2 year test period, they'll be carrying passengers in 2009... makes ya wonder if they could backup their claims.

Monto, you need better sources for your questions. BTW the only CORRECT answer to the question, since the only places in the world where maglev is used are still experimental, and there are none in this country, is it doesn't matter!

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Well, just to show that the question needs expansion, let us assume that we are talking about a distance from Chicago to New York. What is that, about 350 miles, 400, I'm not going to look it up.

Crandell,

Fraid not, my friend. It's 350 miles just from Chicago to Cleveland...and another 500 to NYC.

Tom

[selector]

Thanks, Tom. My ignorance showing. Luckily, you are reinforcing my point. Those miles and miles of pylons and track are becoming awfully expensive.

[Anonymous]

Actually there is one that is for service

[Anonymous]

Dohhhh...

[%-)]

uspscsx

[whitman500]

I would think that the maglev train would probably cost more. The airline industry has a lot of excess capacity and is giving seats away these days. The Acela, for example, generally costs more than a shuttle flight between DC and NY.

[Anonymous]

but what about gas prices?

[Anonymous]

How does the maglev get its electricity?

[Anonymous]

Rember to check out the Train Trivia (answers promtly at 10 Eastern Time)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45324

[icmr]

[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]