News Disney World Testing Reverse Direction on Express Monorail

[osian]

I think what they've said is that it's to make it more efficient to take trains off and on the track for the maintenance bay, as described in post 3. So perhaps the switch track is configured so that you can only approach it from one direction or something like that. Why would the direction of travel affect the efficiency of taking trains off at the end of the night?

 

[Biff215]

I think what they've said is that it's to make it more efficient to take trains off and on the track for the maintenance bay, as described in post 3. So perhaps the switch track is configured so that you can only approach it from one direction or something like that. Why would the direction of travel affect the efficiency of taking trains off at the end of the night?

Correct. Trains come on and off the express loop from the maintenance bay near the MK bus stops. Epcot trains connect to the express loop between the TTC and the Contemporary. I forget where the switch between resort and express beams is.

By having both travel the same direction, there should be a bit less disruption to the entire system, especially when needing to take a train off midday.

It’s been stated that the primary reason why it was ever changed to opposite directions was to prevent pilot racing. With things mostly automated, that’s no longer an issue.

 

[monorail81]

I forget where the switch between resort and express beams is.

It’s at the same place where the Express trains switch over by the MK bus stops.

 

[Disone]

What I don't understand is that in the morning they start off in the counterclockwise direction. It's not till noon or later that they switch to go clockwise with the resort line.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

What I don't understand is that in the morning they start off in the counterclockwise direction. It's not till noon or later that they switch to go clockwise with the resort line.

It’s easier to add trains with the express going counter clockwise - it is easier to send trains back to the roundhouse with express going clockwise.

Changing the direction mid-day seems like a terrible idea - it can add to confusion for staff and guests. Its more trouble than it’s worth in my opinion - which is why current operations decided it was a great idea.