Originally Posted By blueharvest82 I know the new MARK VII monorails are going to start debuting at DLR in february. Does anyone know if there are any upcoming plans to replace the MARK VI monorails in WDW?
Originally Posted By Roger55 Last year when I rode up front with the pilot, he was saying something about the monorails recently being updated with new control electronics. If this did just happen in the past few years I would think that there are no near term plans to completely replace the current fleet. I'd be curious to hear what others more "in the know" than me about the WDW monorails think.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl ^They also just redid the interior of the monorails with different poles and no carpet. I think you're right.
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 ^Ive never really noticed the smell, but then again, my nose isnt the best. But i sure to goodness hope they do get new ones, but i dont see a need for them just yet.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN The WDW monorail system needs a major revamp. Automated trains should be brought on line, and the entire system needs to go automated to avoid those dreaded "Waiting for traffic clearance". Take the human factor out of the operation to a degree.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I didn't think they really had carpet anymore. The monorails have been revamped with new control consoles, which cost a lot of money and time. I wouldn't expect new ones yet either.
Originally Posted By Tip Top Club Yes, taking away the human factor is the way to helping create jobs, and avoiding a matrixy fate.
Originally Posted By figment1986 << Yes, taking away the human factor is the way to helping create jobs, and avoiding a matrixy fate. >> you would still have people watching the system... They could also serve you a shot of Beverly for your journey
Originally Posted By mousermerf What is the problem with monorails? First, they switch to the automated gate on the MK express line. Those never get installed anywhere else. Buh-bye money! Next, some monorails are stripped of carpet and slightly modified. It doesn't do anything, and that's scrapped after a few trains. They modify the middle more, that gets scrapped after a few trains. They modify it to be the stripper-pole setup. That seems to be in the process of rolling out to all monorails - but in the meantime we have 3 or 4 different versions of the same model of monorail on the track, and who knows if this one is gonna get scrapped too! Let's not forget the ugly window decals and YOMD overlays. Someone in the print shop found a vinyl printer and got their jollies from operating it and needs to be fired. Wrap one more bloody thing WDW and I swear I'll decoupage it permanent to teach you a lesson!
Originally Posted By mousermerf And i was just thinking - how pissed would they be if someone plastered a poster or tagged a monorail though they put that graffiti crap on them?
Originally Posted By nbodyhome The gates were really necessary (though these are ugly) for safety. The monorail workers shouldn't have to need to catch every kid running towards the track.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl It has always been my understanding that the waiting for traffic clearance was done on purpose to allow for nearly nonstop loading at the Magic Kingdom station near the end of the day. To make sure that not a second was wasted between a train departing the station and another train arriving, regardless of whether the trains are able to go nonstop between the TTC and Magic Kingdom.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Yes, taking away the human factor is the way to helping create jobs, and avoiding a matrixy fate.<< Screw creating jobs. Half of the Monorail CM's sit at the station doing nothing but sticking their fingers up their noses and *leaning* on the ghetto rails they just installed. I see a lot of that happening. >>It has always been my understanding that the waiting for traffic clearance was done on purpose to allow for nearly nonstop loading at the Magic Kingdom station near the end of the day.<< That makes NO sense at all. In years past, the monorails moved expeditiously and arrived at stations quickly. Why not now? Oh I think I know why FATmerica needs more time to get on and off the monos, they need to use ramps for fatmericans on wheels (unlike TDR's monos where mono and station floors are on the same level and you can just roll in and out easily), plus let's face it.. the high density design of the monos, with out having the ease of walking from one cart to the next (like TDR's) make it more restrictive and time consuming to load. Point is.. I don't buy that explanation.
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 I mean, yeah Americans are fat, but not to the point where they cant get the heck off of the monorail. ANd i agree with whoever said they gat happy with the printer when putting that junk on the car. It just doesnt look right.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn I know Vegas's monorail gets a general bad rap, but I think it's terrific, and they should change out the Disney monorails with the ones used at Vegas. Has anyway ever seen the cable-driven peoplemover trains at the Northwest Airlines concourses of Detriot International Airport? Those are the best public transportation vehicles I have ever seen. <a href="http://www.nwa.com/features/detroit/images/centerstation.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.nwa.com/features/de troit/images/centerstation.jpg</a> <a href="http://www.nwa.com/features/detroit/images/end.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.nwa.com/features/de troit/images/end.jpg</a> <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ktransit.com/transit/uslakes/Detroit/dtw-pm-air-040902-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ktransit.com/transit/uslakes/detroit.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=46&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=op8bcWcQePinBM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images" target="_blank">http://images.google.com/imgre s?imgurl=http://ktransit.com/transit/uslakes/Detroit/dtw-pm-air-040902-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ktransit.com/transit/uslakes/detroit.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=46&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=op8bcWcQePinBM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images</a>%3Fq%3Dnwa%2Bexpress%2Btram%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Question for you... why the Detroit trams? Aren't they basically what the Orlando airport trams are? Except for the Detroit ones being cable driven, versus the Orlando Airport ones being electrically propelled without cables? Same efficiency we have had right here 20 mins away from WDW for the past 26 years!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Another thing about the ones in Detroit is that they make a lot of noise. Everywhere you go in that terminal, you can hear the cable running. It's not loud, but just enough that you notice it. It gets kind of annoying after a while. Also, the way they have it set up, it only allows two trains at a time, which limits the capacity. If they are going to do something like this in WDW, it needs to be a lot bigger because people won't think it's easier to take the moving walkways than going up the escallator and waiting for a train (but that fountain by the middle station is really cool!)
Originally Posted By TDLFAN The WDW monos are noisier than the Detroit Airport trams... Difference is.. the ones in Detroit are *inside* the terminal and noise from them can be enhanced by the enclosed surroundings.