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More Monorail Problems Tonight
- Thread starter juan
- Start date
s8film40
Well-Known Member
The problem is the media doesn't know the difference from the routine issues and the ones that are actually significant problems. A train being towed is a somewhat normal occurrence. The system losing power for three hours is not, I'm pretty sure the other night was the first time an evacuation had been initiated since the fire in the 80's. I think the power failure would have made the news even if the crash had never happened, the towing would not though.
SirGoofy
Member
I could go into the many thematic reasons why I find the Ferry is better.
But I won't.
At least not now.
Rinx
Well-Known Member
True, I searched the topic and someone said they were making a new one but it must just be the cabs that Bombadier is making, which makes sense because Teal is Pink cars 1-5 and Purple cab 6, so the next train will be Purple cars 2-5 with new cabs.
CaptainMichael
Well-Known Member
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
^ Good explanation! 
:lol:
I actually would like to hear them.:wave:
IMHO, I've done both and there's nothing more Disney then "Por Favor Manganese" and Jack Wagner.:lol:
:lol:
I actually would like to hear them.:wave:
IMHO, I've done both and there's nothing more Disney then "Por Favor Manganese" and Jack Wagner.:lol:
s8film40
Well-Known Member
Actually I highly doubt that Bombardier or Advanced Technologies (who built the cabs) would build cabs for Disney. First of all it is a very small job, they usually take on large projects. Second I would imagine there would be some legal issues, being that an accident has occurred and a fatality due to the cab having essentially no crash resistance. If they simply built new cabs under the same specifications now knowing the potential dangers they would likely be held liable in any future accident. Redesigning the cabs would cost a lot of money and wouldn't be worth it for a small job. I think Disney is going to be on their own or maybe they'll find a small company that really needs the money.
I was going to make a similar observation. How exactly is this news? What's next: "Turnstyle #7 at Epcot malfunctions. Had to switch to #8"?
Just thought I'd point out that properly maintained equipment can last well beyond its lifetime. If the new stuff isn't looked at, taken care of, or designed well you get the following:
Image from Thereifixedit.com Go there for a good improvised laugh.
Image from Thereifixedit.com Go there for a good improvised laugh.
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
Just thought I'd point out that properly maintained equipment can last well beyond its lifetime. If the new stuff isn't looked at, taken care of, or designed well you get the following:
Image from Thereifixedit.com Go there for a good improvised laugh.
OMG! That's from the (new) DL monorail!
s8film40
Well-Known Member
Just thought I'd point out that properly maintained equipment can last well beyond its lifetime. If the new stuff isn't looked at, taken care of, or designed well you get the following:
Image from Thereifixedit.com Go there for a good improvised laugh.
This maintenance technique was originated at WDW, DL improved upon it by using the painters masking tape so as not to damage the expensive paint job on the new monorails.
cdunbar
Active Member
It was a joke...:shrug:
_Scar
Active Member
This maintenance technique was originated at WDW, DL improved upon it by using the painters masking tape so as not to damage the expensive paint job on the new monorails.
AHAHAHA but that's there brand-spankin' new monorail! :ROFLOL: That's such bad show. DL also has no air conditioning. *tsk* What is it with DL and transit? First they ruin TTA by putting the make-shift roller coaster on it and now they mess up their new fleet?
As someone who is actually a member of the local media, I assure you my organization tries very hard to get these things right. We correctly reported last night's incident as a very minor inconvenience and played it down. However, there IS interest in the community. This is the second computer-related system issue on the monorails in less than a week. That's what makes the towing newsworthy. Not the crash. While Sunday's incident was a far greater problem, it raises questions of what is going wrong with a system I've been using very regularly for 38 years now. And one I love to ride at any opportunity.
To the poster who asked the difference between Space Mtn going 101 and this, Disney Monorails are a major public transportation system -- One that is routinely cited by Disney as a model of safety and efficiency. And until the past few years, it has been.
As one poster pointed out, the Mark VIs are nearing the 20 year mark where Disney has previously retired (or in Disneyland's case rebuilt and rebuilt) trains. Around this time in my beloved Mark IVs lives -- a big announcement was made about the future.
There are no signs now of any similar announcement about the Mark VIs. Given Disneyland's woes, I am not sure that is a bad thing.
Nevertheless -- if a hard drive crash cuts power to the beams, it doesn't matter if the train is from the 50s, 70s or warped from the future. So why wasn't there a backup to that computer. Or if there is, what happened? And why did it take nearly 3 hours to get everyone out?
Like many of you on this blog, members of the local media live here. Many of us are big fans of Disney, especially. While there may be a handful "out to get" Disney - the vast majority of us are not. We are just doing our jobs. Do we screw up? Sure. But most of us try very hard to get things right and put them in context. In the 24 hour news cycle / Internet Age that is not easy.
P.s. Are we sure Bombardier is going to do the work rebuilding the cabs and damaged cars for Monorail 12? I thought Disney sued years ago and was returned all materials related to its version of the Mark VI - including the molds for the cars.
s8film40
Well-Known Member
The problem was very likely not a computer related problem but mechanical. When any one of the systems on the monorail fails the computer notifies the operator, from the statement from Disney it sounds like this is what happened and in fact the computers worked perfectly. Trains have been towed in similar situations since the crash and have not been covered by the media. While I agree there have been enough issues to warrant concern over the system, I don't think this is one of them.
Yes you are correct, however Disney seems to have a better relationship with Bombardier now. Bombardier never actually built the bodies though, they contracted that out to a company here in Florida called Advanced Technologies. Advanced Technologies claimed at the time that the bodies would last up to ten years so seeing as there about ten years past there life expectancy maybe Disney would consider contracting them to build replacement bodies for all 12 trains.
I drove Mark IV monorails back in the late 80's, when they were on their last leg, and when their differences in age were becoming apparent. Some of the original 5 were pretty rattly. Coral and Lime were newer, and better. And Silver and Red had been extensively rehabbed, and were pretty good trains.
It makes me wonder if it's time to start rehabbing one Mark VI at a time. The least they could do is replace the computers, and maybe use a new solid state SSD drive instead of an old-school hard drive with moving parts. Replacing the sensor network could also be done. Driving at 18-year-old car is OK, if it is carefully maintained. Using an 18-year-old computer is just asking for trouble. [I'm guessing the computers have been replaced at some point; does anyone know?]
Mick
It makes me wonder if it's time to start rehabbing one Mark VI at a time. The least they could do is replace the computers, and maybe use a new solid state SSD drive instead of an old-school hard drive with moving parts. Replacing the sensor network could also be done. Driving at 18-year-old car is OK, if it is carefully maintained. Using an 18-year-old computer is just asking for trouble. [I'm guessing the computers have been replaced at some point; does anyone know?]
Mick
s8film40
Well-Known Member
Yes, my understanding is that the computers were old and becoming obsolete and had to be replaced with a new system and this is what led to the new touch screens.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Ugh, those pics of the Duct Tape...:brick: Worst "Show" ever?
BigThunderMatt
Well-Known Member
Don't know what buses you've been riding but I can honestly say I avoid the monorail because it smells like an orangutan pen at the zoo, no matter which train I'm on. The buses, to me, smell like A/C and that's pretty much it.