Express Monorail Green broken down two days in a row going up the hill....

[MDenham]

Yes... remember that they are TRAINS and they are built for lots of mileage.

Oh, I'm aware of that. I was making the point more that 20M combined miles would have been a good number to start planning for the next model update (especially considering that the transition from the Mark IVs to the Mark VIs would have entered the planning stages around 15M combined miles, if not slightly earlier). Instead, it looks like if they're basing when they start the planning on a combined mileage figure, it's going to be either 25M or 30M. (Hopefully not as far out as 40M combined miles, though.)

To be honest, though, as far as your "probably another 10 years" figure for what can be pulled off with the existing monorails... I'm not necessarily going to disagree, other than that I'd rather see them finishing the transition to Mark VIIIs for the 50th Anniversary than starting it that year.

 

[Monorail_Red]

Oh, I'm aware of that. I was making the point more that 20M combined miles would have been a good number to start planning for the next model update (especially considering that the transition from the Mark IVs to the Mark VIs would have entered the planning stages around 15M combined miles, if not slightly earlier). Instead, it looks like if they're basing when they start the planning on a combined mileage figure, it's going to be either 25M or 30M. (Hopefully not as far out as 40M combined miles, though.)

To be honest, though, as far as your "probably another 10 years" figure for what can be pulled off with the existing monorails... I'm not necessarily going to disagree, other than that I'd rather see them finishing the transition to Mark VIIIs for the 50th Anniversary than starting it that year.

The thing with the Mark IV's is that they did not have the capacity of the Mark VI's. The bodies were made out of sheet metal vs. fiberglass, and you couldn't stand on a Mark IV either, so that was a big part in the upgrade to the Mark VI's. Right now with the Mark VI's the system is at is engineered capacity. Can't add another car, and nothing more can be done as far as the floor plan goes. So other than wear and tear, there really isn't another huge incentive replace the fleet as there was with the Mark IV's which was to significantly increase capacity.

I agree with wanting to see new trains for the 50th anniversary. We'll see how it goes.

Monorail_Red

 

[Victor Kelly]

No cars could be added. The stations are not big enough, and Disney would have to shell out millions for station expansion. While more capacity might be nice on those busy days we have to remember that the parks can only hold so many people.

I remember several accidents with the ferry boats, not the least of them are the small guest rented speedboats. When you rent those little boats they tell you to stay well clear of the ferries and other watercraft. I do not recall a ship to ship transfer of guests between ferries, so if anyone has a link to a story, I would like to see it. And I am sure Disney has a contingency plan for that, if it needs to happen.

Back to topic, the monorails need replacing not refurbishing. They are not the locomotives of an actual railroad. I hope that when they are replaced, the lear jet look remains the same and does not change.

 

[Timon]

Pure speculation: The Mark VI's appear to be having "rolling" rehabs - new control consoles, vinyl for carpet, removal of the folding seating, paint jobs and rumors of video monitors (Don't like that one). I also suspect their rehab plans got delayed or generally messed up with the rebuilding of the two damaged trains. It would seem maybe Green is suffering from such a delay. Of course I could be 110% wrong.

It would seem if the stations were lengthened a 7th car could be added but that would be really expensive.

Bombardier's replacement for the Mark VI is the INNOVIA 200 which is roughly the same size but is fully automated, platform automated doors, hidden train to train couple behind the nose and super energy efficient - LED's and such. I know having a pilot has always been a tradition, I enjoyed especially when you could sit up front. BUT, fully automated would make the system operate smoother by spacing of trains evenly, precise train tracking which could raise capacity .

 

[officeboy]

Pure speculation: The Mark VI's appear to be having "rolling" rehabs - new control consoles, vinyl for carpet, removal of the folding seating, paint jobs and rumors of video monitors (Don't like that one). I also suspect their rehab plans got delayed or generally messed up with the rebuilding of the two damaged trains. It would seem maybe Green is suffering from such a delay. Of course I could be 110% wrong.

It would seem if the stations were lengthened a 7th car could be added but that would be really expensive.

Bombardier's replacement for the Mark VI is the INNOVIA 200 which is roughly the same size but is fully automated, platform automated doors, hidden train to train couple behind the nose and super energy efficient - LED's and such. I know having a pilot has always been a tradition, I enjoyed especially when you could sit up front. BUT, fully automated would make the system operate smoother by spacing of trains evenly, precise train tracking which could raise capacity .

Nice render, Timon!

While there is no doubt in my mind that you are correct about automation raising capacity, I fear that Monorail Red is correct in that the only real reason they would invest in new trains is to increase capacity. How much capacity gain versus capital cost would it take to shake loose the coin required to invest in new trains? Couple (sorry) that question with recent changes/investments forced by obsolete control components (PLC's, inverter parts) and the fact that they can likely keep physical plant operating for a long time to come. It seems to me, unfortunately, they do not really need to invest in a new Monorail train fleet if what they have can keep going.

With the fleet one train down I understand some of the PM and regular repair/maintenance is not being done in an effort to get by in the busy summer season. If green is the only train exhibiting regular catastrophic failure I would say things are going quite well. I hear the 12th train could have already stated shop spur testing, but they keep stealing parts off of it to keep the rest of the fleet going. I could be wrong, but this is how it looks...

 

[WondersOfLife]

I'm sad. Monorail green is my favorite (favorite color)


-WondersOfLife

The last original pavilion :king:

 

[Timon]

Nice render, Timon!

While there is no doubt in my mind that you are correct about automation raising capacity, I fear that Monorail Red is correct in that the only real reason they would invest in new trains is to increase capacity. How much capacity gain versus capital cost would it take to shake loose the coin required to invest in new trains? Couple (sorry) that question with recent changes/investments forced by obsolete control components (PLC's, inverter parts) and the fact that they can likely keep physical plant operating for a long time to come. It seems to me, unfortunately, they do not really need to invest in a new Monorail train fleet if what they have can keep going.

With the fleet one train down I understand some of the PM and regular repair/maintenance is not being done in an effort to get by in the busy summer season. If green is the only train exhibiting regular catastrophic failure I would say things are going quite well. I hear the 12th train could have already stated shop spur testing, but they keep stealing parts off of it to keep the rest of the fleet going. I could be wrong, but this is how it looks...

I think the MarkVI's are inherently tough commercial rail vehicles and if they do major rehabs - wiring, motors, electronics and interiors every decade or so, well they'll be good as long as the chassis holds out. I'm guessing it's cheaper to do major rehabs vs new vehicles at least if you can keep getting new parts.

Hope your correct about train 12, it would be great to have it back and allow the other trains to be overhauled.

I hope at some time in the future they ditch the center bench so you can walk the entire car. This would balance out car crowding, stroller, wheelchair issues and possibly get to the 60 per car load.

The Monorail automation that Bombardier uses on their INNOVIA 200 & 300 and other rail products has many years of real-world experience. Their monorail installations also use automated full height doors on the station platform for safety reasons and raises possibilities for air conditioned stations (Hey I can dream)

Way out there Improvement Dept: Another thought is if automation is used why couldn't the stations have long speed ramps to individual single cars for continuous load and unload. Hmmm.!? Capacity? Add a catwalk on all double beam sections between tracks for evacuations like other monorails have.