Originally Posted By FerretAfros I remember reading that they might just use the same cars, with new ends to the trains. I don't think I would really have a problem with that, as long as they completely re-did the interior and put a new shell on the outside, and it looked like it could last another 20+ years. I don't really see a need to build all new ones, if they can just use the ones they already have, but it might be cheaper to just start over.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig From Hans: >>>ArchtMig, I think the point is that there isn't enough of a difference in the design of the new trains to really distinguish them from the previous ones. Yes, the colors are a big difference and there a few other details, but I think the overall visual impact of the new trains on the Resort will be minimal. I'm happy knowing that new trains are in the pipeline, but I'm rather unimpressed with their design, which looks to be very much business as usual. There's really nothing special about them.<<< Well, I think they look different enough to those that care to actually analyze the differences to justify the comparison, and call them "new". I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I think the shape of the new trains look too wormlike, and I'm not thrilled with them either, but regardless, I'm glad they're being fixed up, and that the Monorail will still be a viable part of the Disneyland experience for years to come. It's really hard make the new monorails look dramatically different from the old ones without suffering serious compromises. As in, we could get a bubble back on top, but that means we'd have to make the headroom in the rest of the train shorter so that we can have the bubble, because we can't elevate the beam in the places where clearance is critical. As much as I want the bubble, I'd rather have the rest of the train be as tall as it can be. The other alternative is to go in a completely different direction, such as the trains that are used at Tokyo Disneyland Resort. I'm not a fan of the look of those trains either, and due to the physical constraints of the Disneyland system, we might not have the flexibility to go too hog wild with stylistic changes anyway. From FerretAfros: >>>I remember reading that they might just use the same cars, with new ends to the trains. I don't think I would really have a problem with that, as long as they completely re-did the interior and put a new shell on the outside, and it looked like it could last another 20+ years.<<< I agree. Upgrade the propulsion system and drive motors, restyle the front and rear nose cone profiles, spruce up the exterior color scheme, and put in all spiffy brand new interiors. Do that, and I'm happy.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ArchtMig, I think your analysis is dead on, and I too am glad that the Monorails are being upgraded for continued use at the resort.
Originally Posted By believe >>>I remember reading that they might just use the same cars, with new ends to the trains. <<< Fine with me. Just gut them and improve them like they did with the autopia.
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation I promise to stay on topic this time. Really. Anyway, it was my understanding that one of the monorails was removed from service, carted off to Burbank and reverse-engineered since the original plans no longer existed. I seem to remember reading that Bombardier was approached to design and build the new trains but Disney's budget at the time was laughably low and Bombardier pulled out of the deal. Anything has to be better than the current state of those trains. They have all the charm of your average city bus and look almost as dirty. Last time I rode in the nose cone, I couldn't help but be amazed at the ratty condition of the driver's seat. Driving the things must be a no-brainer because the driver (pilot? engineer?) couldn't answer a simple technical question I had about the propulsion system.
Originally Posted By monorailblue ^^^ Driving isn't a no-brainer (though 'tisn't ricket science either), but requires no knowledge of the propulsion system. How many 'average' teenagers can answer technical questions about a typical car's propulsion system? Depends mightily on the question. And, you might have been unlucky enough to ride with a manager. In my experience, they know nothing about anything. (Of course, they NEVER step in to actually work unless there is some dire reason to do so . . . .)
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation LOL! Actually, my question was relatively simple. It seems that the monorail accelerated about the same no matter how "sloppy" the operator was with the joystick. So, I asked whether or not the acceleration curve was controlled by the computer. Seemed to me that it was...and if someone was going to drive it, that would be the sort of thing they'd learn in "Monorail 101."
Originally Posted By avromark Kind of like a trip in a Montreal Taxi, no matter how much the driver flails his arms around the ride is always as jerky as the last time...
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation And here I thought that everyone from Montreal retired here in Palm Springs! I guess a few wind up in Anaheim driving the mono.
