Monorail Update January 2015

[Figment2005]

Quite a few years ago I was staying at the Contemporary and at close of service they parked two monorails inside and they had a fairly large staff of what for all the world looked like house keeping folks go through and clean the two trains very thoroughly. I thought that was a great idea and a good use of resources but a few years later someone told me they had to stop doing that because the union that represented the transit folks didn't want people who weren't in their union "touching" any transit vehicles ever for any reason. > I obviously don't know if that was true of not <

They still do this, nothing has changed.

 

[articos]

Here are a few more pics of the renovations being done. So any guesses? More OSHA requirements or just plan old upgrades?

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New stairs have been covered by @wdwmagic actually. Emergency egress stairs due to the number of people being put through the TTC on a normal basis these days. Nothing major, and not an expansion of the TTC. I do love they've matched the new railings to the originals - those railings are a 'classic' design.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Quite a few years ago I was staying at the Contemporary and at close of service they parked two monorails inside and they had a fairly large staff of what for all the world looked like house keeping folks go through and clean the two trains very thoroughly. I thought that was a great idea and a good use of resources but a few years later someone told me they had to stop doing that because the union that represented the transit folks didn't want people who weren't in their union "touching" any transit vehicles ever for any reason. > I obviously don't know if that was true of not <

They still do this, nothing has changed.

When we were there in March, we stayed at the GF, and noticed more than once during our stay, and during the day that a particular car was closed, and they had a CM inside cleaning. The CM was using window cleaner and had some trash in his hand. I asked if it was because of someone getting sick, and the other CM told us that no one had gotten sick, just cleaning it up during the day. I think things are starting to really turn around, and someone is finally getting it that the quality needs to return to the older levels.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

When we were there in March, we stayed at the GF, and noticed more than once during our stay, and during the day that a particular car was closed, and they had a CM inside cleaning. The CM was using window cleaner and had some trash in his hand. I asked if it was because of someone getting sick, and the other CM told us that no one had gotten sick, just cleaning it up during the day. I think things are starting to really turn around, and someone is finally getting it that the quality needs to return to the older levels.

Well, get that person over to the Grand Floridian...

...and Kali. And Dinosaur. And Living with the Land. And Pirates. And Space Mountain. What I'm really saying is, make that person the head of TDO and fill every other decision making position with people just like him/her.

 

[zulemara]

I think a huge issue with doing any sort of major upgrade on the existing MK lines is just the operational component. Although buses and boats can handle it when absolutely needed, I can't imagine several months of monorail downtime for upgrades.

Everyone pays attention to how dirty the monorails get but no one notices the big black spot on the back of the cruisers because they aren't getting washed - and the reason is because they can't pull the boat out of service in the day time to wash it(the light show crew washes the boat on a rotation prior to their show time) and they apparently couldn't keep night staff consistently(although I think it was a budget thing)

Anyway, the point is operationally I don't think it could be done. Even if the boats could handle it(can't speak to buses) there is a huge imbalance in the department with the number of pilots who can drive the ferries specifically at night. If they haven't figured out how to fix that problem after this many years, I doubt they ever will and that hinders progress.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Speaking of the video monitor built into the monorail pilots cabin in the monorails. I just stumbled across this pic I took during last weekends 24 hour event. This was at the Contemporary. You can see to the left of the pilot the video monitor located in the wall cabinet by the door. I believe this is for the rear facing camera that is mounted at the opposite end of the monorail for added safety during backing operations when pilots are running monorails in reverse. These monitors are located at both ends of the monorails.

Here is a look at the opposite end of the same monorail (orange) as it goes past. You can see the other monitor to the left of where the pilot would sit.

 

[G00fyDad]

Speaking of the video monitor built into the monorail pilots cabin in the monorails. I just stumbled across this pic I took during last weekends 24 hour event. This was at the Contemporary. You can see to the left of the pilot the video monitor located in the wall cabinet by the door. I believe this is for the rear facing camera that is mounted at the opposite end of the monorail for added safety during backing operations when pilots are running monorails in reverse. These monitors are located at both ends of the monorails.

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Here is a look at the opposite end of the same monorail (orange) as it goes past. You can see the other monitor to the left of where the pilot would sit.

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That looks like switches and a control board to me.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

That looks like switches and a control board to me.

You are partially correct.
Here is a detailed pic showing the different parts in the picture.
The red box is the black and white video monitor.
The yellow box is the server rack style box of switches. I assume this is for automation equip also.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

That looks like switches and a control board to me.

Here's clarification on the pic of the opposite end of the monorail pic as well.
Red box is the black and white video monitor.

 

[Big C 73]

Disney actually bought the plant that made the EPCOT Center line beams after the park opened. They intended to use it for the Lake Buena Vista line.

That didn't exactly go to plan.

I know this is somewhat of a late response in referral to your original posting, but I was hoping to inquire if you know the exact route or placement of the Lake Buena Vista monorail line (or any other concept expansions for that matter) have seen the concept models before that include the Peoplemover and subsidiary transportation hub, yet past that things are quite receded in clarification. It would be greatly appreciated if you happen to know such, thanks.

 

[marni1971]

I know this is somewhat of a late response in referral to your original posting, but I was hoping to inquire if you know the exact route or placement of the Lake Buena Vista monorail line (or any other concept expansions for that matter) have seen the concept models before that include the Peoplemover and subsidiary transportation hub, yet past that things are quite receded in clarification. It would be greatly appreciated if you happen to know such, thanks.

There's been two lines proposed to leave EPCOT for the village. One was from the parking lot heading east, the other more detailed route was East between Horizons and Life. It ran in a straight line to EPCOT Center drive where it curved south then east to run in the median of BVD towards the hub.

 

[P_Radden]

There's been two lines proposed to leave EPCOT for the village. One was from the parking lot heading east, the other more detailed route was East between Horizons and Life. It ran in a straight line to EPCOT Center drive where it curved south then east to run in the median of BVD towards the hub.

Pretty cool info. I don't suppose you have any concept maps?

 

[marni1971]

Pretty cool info. I don't suppose you have any concept maps?

Leaving Futureworld:

Looping around LBV:

And a hybrid. Here the Horizons line (in blue) now runs East then south and skirts the Caribbean Beach. Note Test Track and a proposed Mission Space, dating this as mid to late 90s.

Also note the second spur in the parking lot (again in blue) of a double line travelling North and then curving East towards the Vacation Club (as it was then) and LBV.

This one also shows one of the proposed DMGM spur routes too (yellow)

 

[peachykeen]

I'm sure @Figment2005 can provide more info, but those screens are for the new fire suppression system which replaces the previous fire detection system.

The rear view monitors are located on the ceiling above the drivers' head.

 

[s8film40]

If you look closely at this model you can see the pylon in place to support the switch between UoE and Horizons. The pylon wasn't built like this but this is where the expansion joint was built making this switch possible in the future.

 

[Figment2005]

I'm sure @Figment2005 can provide more info, but those screens are for the new fire suppression system which replaces the previous fire detection system.

The rear view monitors are located on the ceiling above the drivers' head.

That is correct, the top one is the fire suppression, bottom is overrides and breakers.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I'm sure @Figment2005 can provide more info, but those screens are for the new fire suppression system which replaces the previous fire detection system.

The rear view monitors are located on the ceiling above the drivers' head.

Ok, that makes sense too. I was not able to get too close either time I have seen them so all I could tell is that they were black and white monitors and I know that pilot POV cameras are now mounted on all or most monorails.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

That is correct, the top one is the fire suppression, bottom is overrides and breakers.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[G00fyDad]

Here's clarification on the pic of the opposite end of the monorail pic as well.
Red box is the black and white video monitor.

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Still looks like a control box to me. Not saying it ISN'T a monitor. I just think it looks more like a lit up control board.

 

[articos]

Still looks like a control box to me. Not saying it ISN'T a monitor. I just think it looks more like a lit up control board.

Look up a bit at @peachykeen and @Figment2005's posts. They've got it.