Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I don't know why, but I really like the brake lights on the back too. >>> I just *love* those red lights on the back "fins." Note that the front of the train has the exact same structure, but in that case, the lights are white (as in being headlights). I'm almost certain that both ends can be either color - that is, when the train is in "reverse," the rear lights turn into headlights and the ones on the front turn red. This is is as it should be with a train: at least one white light pointing in the direction of travel as a headlight, and at least a pair of red lights (one on either side) at the rear. This makes it easy to tell which direction the train is headed when viewed from a distance, and is an integral part of rail safety. It really bugs me when I see the WDW monorails that don't have these features, but instead of a strobe at the top of the end cars. What kind of a real train has a strobe light on it in place of the traditional lights?
Originally Posted By AZDLDad I was able to catch a breif glimpse of the front or back two cars at it's barn coming in from I-5W onto Harbour last week. Friday it was not visible, so I was hoping it was running, but it was not. It did look beautiful from what I could see though.
Originally Posted By monorailblue If it was sticking out of the Monorail Shop, it was the back. They go in nose first.
Originally Posted By Mark VII Pilot The late night testing is still going on. I spoke to some of the people who are doing the testing and they did not know when it will make its debut. These trains are very nice to see. Cosmetically they are very different from the Mark V trains. I like the new seating arrangement. Technically I think we loose 2 seats overall on the train but it will not affect the actual seating of guests. Also there is room for one more person in the nosecone and the tailcone.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Will the new trains be faster to load? It seems to me that on my last trip on the Monorail it took longer to load and unload it than it did to actually ride from TL to DTD. hopefully the new seating is streamlined enough that it will load a lot faster than the seating designed with mingling in mind.
Originally Posted By Mark VII Pilot "Will the new trains be faster to load?" I had not thought about that but I would venture a guess that the seating configuration may improve the loading and unloading of guests. Please remember, there are more and more people with large strollers these days which take extra time to deal with.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Another load/unload issue is clearing the platform. Used to be, in TL, you exited in both directions. Now, Guests exit in only one direction = takes longer.
Originally Posted By Mark VII Pilot "Used to be, in TL, you exited in both directions." This is still true. The front three cars exit to the front of the train and the back two cars exit to the back. Sometimes the lead will have all passengers exit one direction, the front, if the parade is going through Fantasyland. That way the people do not exit the train and head straight toward the wall of people who are standing there watching. Monorailblue, when did you leave DL. I am sure some of the people there now were there when you drove.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Ah. I was under the impression that with the new ramps to the platform, everyone exited to the front of the train. I haven't been there personally since the ramps were re-done. I left the park nearly 8 years ago.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt <a href="http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1547" target="_blank">http://travel.latimes.com/dail y-deal-blog/?p=1547</a>
Originally Posted By califtink So, is the Monorail Red running regularly now at the resort? I didn't know anything about this. My husband is curious as to whether we might see it when we are there next month? Can anyone tell me?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer No, Monorail Red only runs when the park is closed (middle of the night), and is still being tested. You might see it on the tracks the second week of April to allow DOSH to perform its tests during the day, but until they sign off on the ride, it will be employees only on the Mark VII.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I don't think anyone said it definitely would go back to Canada. There were rumors that it MIGHT have to go back to Canada, back in late January / early February before they figured out a way to fix it here in Anaheim. Both MiceAge and MousePlanet reported the possibility of the Mark VII might have to go back to Canada.
Originally Posted By believe Correct. When you troubleshoot, you have to think about the problem and think about the solutions. Then you pick out the simpliest solution. Didn't they have to cut up some of the concrete loading zone to make Red fit?
Originally Posted By Mark VII Pilot Yes it is true that some of the platform was cut but it is only an inch or so deep and 3 feet long at both ends. It was really more of a precaution I think than anything else.
