Do they ever clean the monorail tracks?

[JoeDsny]

The beams infront of TTC were cleaned a few years ago for one of the Disney faimly members if i rember corectly. The "small vehicle" is called a tug and it does just that it tugs vehicles needing repair and repairs to the track itself. As far as cleaning all 13 miles of track i dont think that was in the budget this year. But it could use some love.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

They built the Hoover Dam from reinforced concrete. It's pretty durable material. Not to say there isn't some erosion, but delaminating like you are talking about (I did not see this when I was last there, but I didn't look for it either) is usually caused by freeze/thaw, which I'm sure they don't have much of down there, trapped air, or corrosion of the steel reinforcing, which could certainly be the case.

Nevertheless, I was only responding to the idea that a power washer could cause irrevocable damage to an otherwise normal reinforced concrete structure. Obviously, there may be strong evidence that suggests that sections of the monorail track are not in good condition, based on sweetpee's observation.

I wonder if there is any chance this could be a serious safety issue, if in fact there is serious structural damage to any part of the monorail track? :shrug: As previously said, it seems it would be quite an undertaking just to replace small sections of track, and would certainly alter transportation services.

I hear ya. Yeah, I hadn't thought of the weather fluctuations. Central Florida doesn't get them quite as much as other places but I know they do get them. I lived in the Orlando metro area for like 10 years or so when I was a kid. It's weird in the winter how you can be wearing tank tops and shorts one day then be freeeeeeezing the next. I recall lots of times there were big freezes and the concerns were insane over the orange groves. I know specifically the Challenger accident had freezing temperatures and ice involved. That was a cold morning. ALso, the morning Ted Bundy was executed we were all huddled up at the bus stop shivering our little hiney's off listening to a handheld radio do the countdown. :lol: Maybe it would take longer for the temps to have an impact but it's possible, I guess. I have no clue what kind of concrete they used. I'm certain reinforced rebar is involved. THat concrete has had a whole lot of wear just from the monorails passing over all these years, no doubt. It's just gets me that when you really start to think what the entire impact would be if for some reason there was a more involved repair or replacement of beams and/or supports it's really mind-blowing. ANd imagine the cost involved. Wowzers! :hammer:Makes ya wonder would they even bother to refurb it at all. Ya know?

 

[Phonedave]

I hear ya. Yeah, I hadn't thought of the weather fluctuations. Central Florida doesn't get them quite as much as other places but I know they do get them. I lived in the Orlando metro area for like 10 years or so when I was a kid. It's weird in the winter how you can be wearing tank tops and shorts one day then be freeeeeeezing the next. I recall lots of times there were big freezes and the concerns were insane over the orange groves. I know specifically the Challenger accident had freezing temperatures and ice involved. That was a cold morning. ALso, the morning Ted Bundy was executed we were all huddled up at the bus stop shivering our little hiney's off listening to a handheld radio do the countdown. :lol: Maybe it would take longer for the temps to have an impact but it's possible, I guess. I have no clue what kind of concrete they used. I'm certain reinforced rebar is involved. THat concrete has had a whole lot of wear just from the monorails passing over all these years, no doubt. It's just gets me that when you really start to think what the entire impact would be if for some reason there was a more involved repair or replacement of beams and/or supports it's really mind-blowing. ANd imagine the cost involved. Wowzers! :hammer:Makes ya wonder would they even bother to refurb it at all. Ya know?

I would assume that the beams are not only reinforced, but are prestressed members as well.

The steel takes the tensile loadings of the train passing over, while the concrete supports the compressive loadings.

Weather flucuations in Florida should not cause spalling of the concerete, you dont get enough freeze-thaw cycles.

Corrosion of the refinforcing steel can be a factor. I don't know the exact construction specs of the beams though.

The beams should be able to withstand a cleaning. We are not talking an acid etch here, or a pressure washer with a super fine tip, but just a general fan spray. Of course the trick is getting it done. Of course WDW does have manlifts with heated pressure washers attached, they were using them to clean the signs over the Bakery at the Boardwalk three weeks ago.

-dave

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Sorry, I can't really care. I've got better things to do on my vacation than stare at a dirty monorail track :lookaroun
and hey, Disney's not MADE of money. No one is these days and what would you rather have? A clean Monorail track or a Haunted Mansion referb?

 

[Master Yoda]

This is the first I've heard of power washing damaging the structural properties of concrete. And I'm an architecture student who has taken building materials classes as well as two architectural engineering classes. Think this would be something they might mention.

Not sure what type of power washers you have used, but concrete is an extremely durable building material, which is why it's used for highways, bridges and buildings, and it is not easily weathered.

Even conventional concrete can withstand over 6000 psi (though there are grades of concrete 2500 psi, 4000 psi, etc.), and reinforced concrete (which the monorail track certainly is) can withstand up to 10 times that. High-powered professional power washers sometimes can create up to 3000 psi.

In my opinion, there must be dirty for reasons other than they are afraid a power washer would damage the track irrevocably. There could possibly be some minor cosmetic damage. :shrug:

To the question does pressure washing structurally damage concrete the answer would technically be yes. However, the amount of damage borders on non existent unless the concrete is already in incredible bad shape. When you wash concrete with high pressure water you are going to remove a certain amount of concrete. Depending on the condition and type of concrete as well as the amount of pressure that amount can be as narrow as a grain or two of sand for good condition concrete to large chunks of concrete if it is in poor and fractured condition. Whenever you reduce the size of a structural member you reduce its load capacity.

In the case of the monorail beams I can not see a pressure washer doing any real damage to the beams. I think we are simply looking at a case where Disney does not feel that the cleaning of the beams justifies the expense it would take to do so. With the exception of the loading areas and the section of the tracks that guests routinely walk under (ie Future world in Epcot and MK entrance I would tend to agree.

 

[shoppingnut]

I agree with the other poster that I'd rather see them take the money from cleaning the tracks and spend it on a new ride, like the little mermaid.

 

[jt04]

Great thread

Seems like they could paint the tracks where they are especially visible such as the Epcot loop, Contemporary station, GF Station. Fairly inexpensive and an amazing canvas for those creative types. As for the concrete failing, hasn't the DL monorail been around a lot longer?

I think if the one at WDW needs an overhaul you would see it done at night and spread over many years with a span and supports being replaced at about one a week. They won't shut it down until they have busses that drive themselves :lookaroun

 

[joel_maxwell]

Do you think that the railroad tracks should be polished also?

I'm sure there is some rust and grime on those tracks....

Can anyone say D-Troops? I thought you could!

I cant believe that slipped through the cracks and no one commented on this BLAST from the past. Holy merf cow!

 

[raven]

... it appears they could at least paint the areas of the monorail that go over the guest area plazas and in-park areas. Seems it can be done...

I don't think its that hard to paint the beam at stations and theme parks. :shrug:

$$$$$$$$ Disney is cheap and lazy. :lookaroun

In order to paint the track, the monorail would have to be shut down. Shut down = melt down for Disney transportation. Also, Disney would only paint at night so it's out of guests view. Outdoor paint also needs 24 hours or more to dry. Add to it Florida's climate. To paint 13 miles of track would nearly take a year if only painting at night. To paint just areas of track that are in the plaza areas would take about 6 months. Disney wouldn't shut down a major transportation for a paint job and loose $$$.

As for being cheap and lazy I can tell you it takes 4 hours for one custodial person to clean 1 set of large bathrooms every night (mens/womens). This includes floors, walls, polishing stainless steel and drying everything. Does Disney need to do that every night? Not really because they are cleaned through-out the day as well. But they still do it because guests expect it. Now look at the number of people it takes to clean one park at night (500). This is just to clean bathrooms, powerwash pavement, mop and vacuum, dust rides/props and touch up paint. Is that cheap?

I got it! Maybe they can give up cleaning the parks for a several months to save up money to paint the monorail tracks. I'm sure guests wouldn't even notice. :brick:

 

[SpongeScott]

In order to paint the track, the monorail would have to be shut down. Shut down = melt down for Disney transportation. Also, Disney would only paint at night so it's out of guests view. Outdoor paint also needs 24 hours or more to dry. Add to it Florida's climate. To paint 13 miles of track would nearly take a year if only painting at night. To paint just areas of track that are in the plaza areas would take about 6 months. Disney wouldn't shut down a major transportation for a paint job and loose $$$.

As for being cheap and lazy I can tell you it takes 4 hours for one custodial person to clean 1 set of large bathrooms every night (mens/womens). This includes floors, walls, polishing stainless steel and drying everything. Does Disney need to do that every night? Not really because they are cleaned through-out the day as well. But they still do it because guests expect it. Now look at the number of people it takes to clean one park at night (500). This is just to clean bathrooms, powerwash pavement, mop and vacuum, dust rides/props and touch up paint. Is that cheap?

I got it! Maybe they can give up cleaning the parks for a several months to save up money to paint the monorail tracks. I'm sure guests wouldn't even notice. :brick:

Thank you for an intelligent observation to some bizarre requests in this thread.

 

[raven]

Thank you for an intelligent observation to some bizarre requests in this thread.

:animwink:

 

[disneygirl76]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

:lookaroun

I have never noticed how icky they were!! EWWWWWWWW!!!!

 

[unkadug]

I cant believe that slipped through the cracks and no one commented on this BLAST from the past. Holy merf cow!

At least SOMEONE caught it. :wave:

merf cow....:lol:

 

[haveyoumetmark]

In order to paint the track, the monorail would have to be shut down. Shut down = melt down for Disney transportation. Also, Disney would only paint at night so it's out of guests view. Outdoor paint also needs 24 hours or more to dry. Add to it Florida's climate. To paint 13 miles of track would nearly take a year if only painting at night. To paint just areas of track that are in the plaza areas would take about 6 months. Disney wouldn't shut down a major transportation for a paint job and loose $$$.

As for being cheap and lazy I can tell you it takes 4 hours for one custodial person to clean 1 set of large bathrooms every night (mens/womens). This includes floors, walls, polishing stainless steel and drying everything. Does Disney need to do that every night? Not really because they are cleaned through-out the day as well. But they still do it because guests expect it. Now look at the number of people it takes to clean one park at night (500). This is just to clean bathrooms, powerwash pavement, mop and vacuum, dust rides/props and touch up paint. Is that cheap?

I got it! Maybe they can give up cleaning the parks for a several months to save up money to paint the monorail tracks. I'm sure guests wouldn't even notice. :brick:

It's not unfeasible... okay, so painting may not be the way to go, but there must be other ways. Suppose they pressure wash it. The beams wouldn't crumble. If Disney is all about show and their views on quality haven't changed, they'll recognize this and eventually take care of it. This isn't hidden in the corner or anything, it's in plain view... in many pictures. It's overt nastiness.

I'm not being picky, I'm not really like that. It's just disgusting. I personally didn't care so much about it, but then someone I brought to the parks for the first time noticed it... it looks careless. That's all. They don't have to give anything up, they have plenty of money saved up. Plus, I'm sure guests would notice, many of them already have. Many more will as the shape of the tracks worsens.

Sure... Disney cares about details when it comes to the bathrooms, yes. Restrooms are all about sanitation, though. Albeit, a lot of it isn't really necessary and is a nice touch. However, making the appearance of the track acceptable is a necessity. Especially when it's in plain view and is really bad show. They don't have to stop cleaning the parks... If they feel like they need to save some money, then they can dump some of the extra unnecessary touches (or just allot more money to maintenance in the first place, because of its importance).

I'm not saying they need to encrust the tracks in gold and polish them.... a semiannual maintenance project would suffice. They either aren't aware of this or they don't really care enough to fix it. Please, don't hyperbolize what I'm saying. We both very-well know what's up.