Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> I'd gladly take that design if that's what's needed to make the monorail a true primary means of transport and not just an adjunct mode or novelty. << You know, so would I. Although I don't really think it's the boxy design alone that makes it work over the more sleek Mark VI's. My main point is this -- Japanese cars are attractive. The Japanese bullet trains too. They're cool, and not boxy. So it's not just a cultural style thing. So why are the Japanese monorails and buses, and the Disney monorails and buses in particular, so lacking in style? Unless of course you consider "boxy" a style. You'd think that even if Japanese production monorails were boxy, that at least the design for Disney would be more flashy, wouldn't you?
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy And before you point out that the bullet trains are sleek and aerodynamic in shape because they need to be, and the slower moving monorails don't need to be -- I would suggest that the sleeker more aerodynamic design should be done anyway for the monorails, to give the visual impression of great speed.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Before they consider adding more track, not that they ever will, they might want to consider making the current trains safer, more reliable and ... oh yeah, clean.
Originally Posted By avromark Cleanliness is not next to Godliness it's next to the recycle bin once those excel spreadsheets have been crushed. Why not make monorails a perk of staying at Resorts? Make those who don't take the bus or **walk**
Originally Posted By trekkeruss If you look at most Japanese trains, they are boxy. The Shinkansen are one of the few that is not. I think a large part of why the TDR monorail is particularly boxy is for a variety of reasons. First, the upper passenger section is rectangular to maximixe the space inside. It's designed for standing riders, just like all subways and commuter trains in Japan.I believe it is physically taller inside than the WDW versions (but I could be wrong about that.) Second, the lower part that envelops the beam is huge; much deeper than the WDW design. Notice where the bottom edge of the door is on the TDR trains compared to the WDW trains: <a href="http://www.tdrfan.com/resort/monorail/monorail007.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.tdrfan.com/resort/m onorail/monorail007.jpg</a> <a href="http://cdn-69.cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users11/jeffwith1f/default/Monorail--large-msg-11494618365-2.jpg" target="_blank">http://cdn-69.cdn.buzznet.com/ assets/users11/jeffwith1f/default/Monorail--large-msg-11494618365-2.jpg</a> Third, the nose is less streamlined. I suppose the designers wanted it slightly areodynamic, but didn't go all the way like a Shinkansen since it's purpose is not speed. Lasty, along those same thoughts, I think they were shooting for "cute," not sleek.
Originally Posted By avromark <<Lasty, along those same thoughts, I think they were shooting for "cute," not sleek.>> Depends on your definition of "cute" it's kind of like putting mickey ears on a garbage truck and calling it cute.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss It should be noted that there are a couple of other monorail services in Tokyo. Note the similarity in designs compared to the TDRL: <a href="http://www.railway-technology.com/contractor_images/hitachi-ltd/Image3.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.railway-technology. com/contractor_images/hitachi-ltd/Image3.jpg</a> <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:TamaToshiMonorail6061.jpg" target="_blank">http://commons.wikimedia.org/w iki/Image:TamaToshiMonorail6061.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy The WDW design clearly has opted for a design that allows the car to sit lower on the rail. The TDLR design sits up higher, giving greater capacity, and allowing people to move from car to car while the train is in motion.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Would seem to me that the current "Magic your Way" really means something more like "Profits our Way". Rather than have their prices continually skyrocketing with the older method, the newer method offers far less in terms of value but does manage to allow Disney to keep the "sticker price" lower. < of course, and anyone who expects othersie is being naive. Disney is stilla business behind out escapism theme parks, and the marketing departments business plan, is to maximize profits while still selling value.
