Monorails looking aged.

[luv]

I think the WDW monorails look vastly more futuristic. Authentic too.

The problem with the DL monorail is that the old model looked quaint, lovely classic futuristic. It was great. But the new one looks fake, a modern take on 1959 futurism. I think it looks a bit silly.

As I read, I was thinking, "Oh, geez, how different could they be?"

Then I saw the pic and thought, "Wow! Those do look snazzy!" I don't love the blue. It's a little...well, it's a lot of blue. But they do shine in comparison.

I'm still okay with the look of our older ones. But they could use some work on their insides.

 

[marni1971]

The point I was trying to make wasn't at all about which Monorail was more futuristic. The point I was trying to make is you can easily tell the last time the WDW Monorails were updated, looks wise, was somewhere in the 80's or the 90's, when compared to Disneyland. That's what I meant by my comment.

In that case they were before their time truely! The VIs are almost identical to the IVs which were designed in 1968!

 

[Timon]

Just speculating . . But I think when Disney spent 3 years rebuilding the two damaged trains, that it took most of the refreshment budgets and therefore everything is backlogged.

That said, I think they should re-body the trains and upgrade the technology by sending them off to Bombardier. It's not unusal for other trains made by Bombardier to be remodeled and upgraded.

 

[BalooChicago]

In that case they were before their time truely! The VIs are almost identical to the IVs which were designed in 1968!

I like the VIs, but think the proportions of the IVs were a little more sleek.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Just speculating . . But I think when Disney spent 3 years rebuilding the two damaged trains, that it took most of the refreshment budgets and therefore everything is backlogged.

That said, I think they should re-body the trains and upgrade the technology by sending them off to Bombardier. It's not unusal for other trains made by Bombardier to be remodeled and upgraded.

What's this picture? Did you make it yourself? A new Bombardier model photoshopped into the Poly?

It somewhat like the design, and somewhat not. Maybe too dark for my liking.

 

[Timon]

Photoshop of a Bombardier INNOVIA 200. Any future train should have sparkle fleck paint in the color stripe and possibly use fades and interior LED lighting if not some under carriage glow at night.

I agree the current INNOVIA 200 nose is too blunt. They are also driver-less which I think would be be an improvement (sorry pilots). Living in hot Florida I recommend that most of the body be white but I do like the smoked glass band running the length of the train.

 

[bethymouse]

Why did you post the fireworks? Is it because of the "Auld Lang Syne" song? Love the view though. Was that BLT of Contemporary viewing area?

 

[Rasvar]

I think the original service life on the Mark VI's was supposed to be 35 years. Probably shortened to 25 or 30 by actual use, beam condition and deferred maintenance. But that won't stop them from trying to drag another 10 years out of these. The Mark V's in DL had to practically disintegrate before they replaced them. I'm not even sure Disney Transport has a dedicated funding source anymore. There use to be a specific amount of each ticket dedicated to transport. Anyone know if they even do the accounting in that manner anymore?

 

[luv]

Just speculating . . But I think when Disney spent 3 years rebuilding the two damaged trains, that it took most of the refreshment budgets and therefore everything is backlogged.

That said, I think they should re-body the trains and upgrade the technology by sending them off to Bombardier. It's not unusal for other trains made by Bombardier to be remodeled and upgraded.

That looks very cool. I'd rather have a teal, pink or yellow stripe than red, but I think the red is okay and would certainly be preferable to boys and men, who deserve some consideration, too.

If anything should be black and red, I guess it would be the monorail...and especially one that cool.

The more pics I see, the less impressive ours looks, lol.

What are they using in China? Or did they skip the monorail thing and let people park near the gates?

 

[Timon]

I like the VIs, but think the proportions of the IVs were a little more sleek.

The Mark IV's looked sleeker because they were shorter, everyone sat down in four rows of 10 with doors on each side for each row.

The Mark VI's couldn't be wider or significantly longer (2') to fit through the stations so they grew about a foot taller, removed 20 seats and added hang bars.

Here's a rare picture of Monorail Black in Mark IV (left) and VI (right)

 

[Padraig]

Only just found this website today and I've wasted my entire Sunday reading through it. It's fascinating stuff. Anyway, I was going to start posting in the WDW vs DL thread, but given that this is a quick observation......

Two of the cars I rode in this summer were in terrible condition. The trim/panels by the seats next to the doors had 2 inch holes and were coming away while one of Blue's cabs had the same problem plus the ac barely worked - this of course being the one that broke down on us for 15 minutes just outside the TTC. They were more abused taxi cab than transportation into the magical Kingdom.

 

[olinecoach61]

I love the monorail and rode it quite a bit last month, they really do need some love. I still love it though.

 

[Timon]

That looks very cool. I'd rather have a teal, pink or yellow stripe than red, but I think the red is okay and would certainly be preferable to boys and men, who deserve some consideration, too.

If anything should be black and red, I guess it would be the monorail...and especially one that cool.

The more pics I see, the less impressive ours looks, lol.

What are they using in China? Or did they skip the monorail thing and let people park near the gates?

Funny you should ask ...

No monorails in the Shanghai Park but the Chinese know all about Monorails.

Chongqing, China has the longest Monorail system in the world 39.1 km/24.33 miles. Besides elevated sections it has ground level sections, tunnels/subway sections and huge bridges. Two lines with different train styles. Based on/licensed from Hitachi Large Monorail trains. (For comparison: Bombardier INNOVIA 200 (MKVI) = Small Monorail, Bombardier INNOVIA 300 = Standard)

 

[WannaBWendy]

i'd still rather ride on an aged monorail at disney world than be at home and at work!

Me, too!! No matter how they look or smell.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Two of the cars I rode in this summer were in terrible condition. The trim/panels by the seats next to the doors had 2 inch holes and were coming away while one of Blue's cabs had the same problem plus the ac barely worked - this of course being the one that broke down on us for 15 minutes just outside the TTC. They were more abused taxi cab than transportation into the magical Kingdom.

No wonder. Ever watch people ramming into the doors & seats with their scooters, wheelchairs, baby carriages? Then lets talk about the unruly kids & teens walking,jumping onto and over the seats, kicking the panels, climbing onto the rear ledge. The AC runs pretty much non stop most every day. Yeah, each Monorail takes quite a beating. I'm amazed they arent out of action, taken down for repairs more often. Kudos to the maintenance crew who keep them running for us.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I haven't really noticed anything different about the Monorails 20 years ago and now, and I go down to WDW a couple times every year...the one thing that has been consistent is the smell inside them -- rotten air flowing through a rotten ventilation system -- and that has been apparent in the Monorails since the very first ride was given...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I am no fan of the current condition of the WDW monorails. Been stuck in them too many times while they have to cycle them back on. Ugh! And they're so gross I don't want to touch anything in there. Definitely overdue for all-new but then again it's par for the course nowadays. Definitely feels like a decision needs to be made one way or the other. If you're going to run monorails do it right. If you can't handle the upkeep find an alternative and do that.

I really like the insides of DL's retro-future trains. So nice, sleek, and love the the lighting.

TDL's monorails are perfect for that location, too! The first thing that came to mind when I saw pics for the first time was "cute!" Is that not perfect given the popularity of all things Kawaii there?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Here's a rare picture of Monorail Black in Mark IV (left) and VI (right)

Wow, amazing picture! Thanks for that!

At last I have a clear picture of the difference. I prefer the Mark IV, the one on the left, it looks sleeker.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Only just found this website today and I've wasted my entire Sunday reading through it. It's fascinating stuff. Anyway, I was going to start posting in the WDW vs DL thread, but given that this is a quick observation......

Two of the cars I rode in this summer were in terrible condition. The trim/panels by the seats next to the doors had 2 inch holes and were coming away while one of Blue's cabs had the same problem plus the ac barely worked - this of course being the one that broke down on us for 15 minutes just outside the TTC. They were more abused taxi cab than transportation into the magical Kingdom.

Welcome to the boards!

 

[c-one]

No wonder. Ever watch people ramming into the doors & seats with their scooters, wheelchairs, baby carriages? Then lets talk about the unruly kids & teens walking,jumping onto and over the seats, kicking the panels, climbing onto the rear ledge. The AC runs pretty much non stop most every day. Yeah, each Monorail takes quite a beating. I'm amazed they arent out of action, taken down for repairs more often. Kudos to the maintenance crew who keep them running for us.

Yes, they take a beating, but they're built to take a beating. Or at least should be. This is what public transit systems deal with all the world over. All are built to be resilient but need replacing eventually; that time is nigh for the WDW monorail.