Hearing news of a monorail crash today.

[s8film40]

Well we're hearing two different things:

1 - Contact during towing, per Disney.

2 - Crash during automation testing.

Time will play out what actually happened but I dont think it was being towed.

Yeah, I don't have any solid information. I do know though that everything with the work tractors is completely manual. An automated system should never be tested alongside a manual vehicle that to my knowledge cannot be detected by the system.

 

[s8film40]

Its my understanding that the operators were at the other end of the train.

That wouldn't be they're normal position for that beam, but obviously if this was testing who knows.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yeah, I don't have any solid information. I do know though that everything with the work tractors is completely manual. An automated system should never be tested alongside a manual vehicle that to my knowledge cannot be detected by the system.

Well, if the system cannot detect the Tugs, then thats your first problem right there....

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I think were just getting closer to the day when Disney does away with the monorails all together, they are leaning towards more boats and buses etc. some of the boat captains discuss such a plan very openly when they probably shouldn't. But it wouldnt surprise me in the least sadly.

So, I'm curious, where do the boat captains rank on the "my bus driver told me" rumor-scale?

 

[raven]

Coral has, well, HAD, both of its original cabs. I'm hearing during automation testing the brakes on Coral failed to stop it before it hit the tractor.

Common sense would be to put a break-away barrier in the path for the monorail to crash into IF the test failed. NOT a repair vehicle. Dumb.

 

[PhotoDave219]

That wouldn't be they're normal position for that beam, but obviously if this was testing who knows.

We'll have to wait for some more stuff to come out. I'm sure Martin or Steve will get more solid info in the coming days.

Either way, someone better lose their job over this one. How do you crash a train during testing?

 

[GeneralKnowledge]

They've got it towed back to the ttc. Monorail cast are doing crowd control and I overheard one of them asking people not to spread the rumor that there was a monorail accident.

 

[jrhwdw]

Forgive me but why would EPCOT 's line be down? Wonder what MK will do for travel tonight? They close at 9 tonight right? Wonder if anyone saw something from the resort line? Good thing the resort line wasn't passing by at moment of impact!

 

[French Quarter]

picture above shows police but no rescue vehicles of any sort.

I am sure that it is standard for ambulances to respond to emergency calls. It probably left when it assessed the situation and realized that it wasn't needed.

 

[s8film40]

Well, if the system cannot detect the Tugs, then thats your first problem right there....

Typically if they are out during normal operations it's to tow a train that can't be moved. It is also common practice to de-energize the beamway they are on for the safety of the employees on the tractor.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

Towing back to the TTC seems like the last place they'd want this to be, unless they didn't have a choice. I'd think they want it back at the shop out of public view.

 

[s8film40]

Forgive me but why would EPCOT 's line be down? Wonder what MK will do for travel tonight? They close at 9 tonight right? Wonder if anyone saw something from the resort line? Good thing the resort line wasn't passing by at moment of impact!

My guess is the tractor you see at the other end came from that spur so they would need to stop that line to move it over. They also would typically shut everything down to focus on the issue at hand and minimize all other radio traffic and avoid confusion with dealing with the situation.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Typically if they are out during normal operations it's to tow a train that can't be moved. It is also common practice to de-energize the beamway they are on for the safety of the employees on the tractor.

Yeah but this was testing. It will be interesting to get an answer of "so why was the tug there"....

Also, its testing. There better be a really good explanation as to why the beam was not de-energized by someone watching as a safety person. You would think they'd have someone on a kill switch to prevent the train from hitting anything, if something like a sensor failed.

 

[GeneralKnowledge]

Forgive me but why would EPCOT 's line be down? Wonder what MK will do for travel tonight? They close at 9 tonight right? Wonder if anyone saw something from the resort line? Good thing the resort line wasn't passing by at moment of impact!

Since they have it towed to the ttc I don't think they want anyone up on the Epcot platform looking over and seeing the damage.

 

[asianway]

Depends upon what all needs to be manufactured. They dont have spare noses for monorails just sitting around. Also depends on how far that damage goes. Depends on if they have frame damage and if they have to manufacture a new cab.

At this point they should just order a dozen nose cones and keep them in parts inventory

 

[Nubs70]

Neither. Its been suggested a sensor failed.

Or sensor was in metric and control logic was in standard

 

[raven]

Towing back to the TTC seems like the last place they'd want this to be, unless they didn't have a choice. I'd think they want it back at the shop out of public view.

"Ignore the dismembered body on the pavement, folks. Nothing to see here, just a bee sting. Move along and have a magical day!"

 

[danv3]

They've got it towed back to the ttc. Monorail cast are doing crowd control and I overheard one of them asking people not to spread the rumor that there was a monorail accident.

Interesting request from the CMs. It's not exactly a rumor that there was a monorail accident--there pretty clearly was. Fortunately not a serious one (no one hurt, etc.) but I don't think there's really any denying that an accident of some sort occurred!

 

[raven]

Interesting request from the CMs. It's not exactly a rumor that there was a monorail accident--there pretty clearly was. Fortunately not a serious one (no one hurt, etc.) but I don't think there's really any denying that an accident of some sort occurred!

The denial is from Disney management. Just another brainwashing technique for those cast members.

 

[ford91exploder]

Common sense would be to put a break-away barrier in the path for the monorail to crash into IF the test failed. NOT a repair vehicle. Dumb.

Probably management being cheap 'this test is just a formality, we've got it covered etc' because WDW is so hung up on 'saving' money the few thousand for a breakaway obstacle was deemed excessive 'cost'.