Hearing news of a monorail crash today.

[ABQ]

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'.

I'm confused as to why they didn't perform this test on a stretch of line more backstage, such as near the boneyard.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'm confused as to why they didn't perform this test on a stretch of line more backstage, such as near the boneyard.

My guess would be there is no automation infrastructure there.

 

[Figment2005]

So much false information.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Break-away barrier seems to make sense. Heck, even a tarp a la bullfighting would've meant no damage (beyond egos).

 

[ford91exploder]

So much false information.

What that Disney managed to crash ANOTHER monorail into a tug during testing or maintanance. One could almost call this a mickey mouse operation but perhaps Keystone Kops is more accurate.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

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.

Must be the same CM(s) who were caught on camera awhile back yelling at people for filming / photographing 7DMT when a small fire occured on the roof.

 

[ford91exploder]

Break-away barrier seems to make sense. Heck, even a tarp a la bullfighting would've meant no damage (beyond egos).

Generally when testing a robot e-Stop system we've always used a breakaway barrier, Lightweight materials like fabric generally dont trigger impact sensors as they dont present enough resistance - though there should have been a optical/microwave sensor which triggered a stop before physical impact.

 

[ford91exploder]

Must be the same CM(s) who were caught on camera awhile back yelling at people for filming / photographing 7DMT when a small fire occured on the roof.

 

[peachykeen]

Disney says the tow bar broke during towing, so that could be the cause.

 

[ford91exploder]

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

Pretty big bee, perhaps you should be looking out for it...

 

[danlb_2000]

Or perhaps hire a COMPETENT engineering firm to do the automation, perhaps even one which has done similar projects not merely the 'lowest bidder'.

You don't think Thales is competent enough for a job like this?

 

[Andrew C]

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/...been-a-monorail-accident-at-walt-disney-world

Mentions the tow bar/hitch breaking in this short article.

 

[peachykeen]

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/...been-a-monorail-accident-at-walt-disney-world

Mentions the tow bar/hitch breaking in this short article.

I think this is more likely. I was told otherwise by someone there, but the quoted story makes more sense to me.

 

[Andrew C]

I think this is more likely. I was told otherwise by someone there, but the quoted story makes more sense to me.

Other websites are reporting the same update now; that the incident happened during towing when the "hitch" broke.

 

[Flalex72]

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

They do keep some parts, like windshields, in inventory, as well as the form to make more in house.

 

[PhotoDave219]

So much false information.

Well.... What are we wrong on? What is the accurate narritaive?

 

[Flalex72]

Or perhaps hire a COMPETENT engineering firm to do the automation, perhaps even one which has done similar projects not merely the 'lowest bidder'.

Thales is the world leader in mass transit automation. SELTrac system has been installed the world over and just celebrated 30 years, parts of it have been used by the WDW Monorail for decades. To say they aren't competent or haven't done similar projects is utterly disingenuous.

 

[Glasgow]

This is like when people accidentally spill water on their work laptop to get a new one. Ok, maybe it isn't .. but maybe they can wet vac the cabs while it's down .. cmon

 

[peachykeen]

Well.... What are we wrong on? What is the accurate narritaive?

I think it's my fault. I had been told by a CM who was there that the incident occurred during the testing, and that the train hit the tractor while under its own power. I now think, according to the reports, that the train was in tow when the incident happened. Something similar happened to Yellow when I was there although the result was much less dramatic, with only a punched out windshield.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I think it's my fault. I had been told by a CM who was there that the incident occurred during the testing, and that the train hit the tractor while under its own power. I now think, according to the reports, that the train was in tow when the incident happened. Something similar happened to Yellow when I was there although the result was much less dramatic, with only a punched out windshield.

I've heard the same conflicting reports.

So there's credibility to the thought of a tow line breaking?