Monorail Breakdown-Curiosity

[bdklein]

So if there is a problem with one of the monorails, where it cannot move, and its not at a station, what happens? How are the passengers evacuated? Any insight? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[Greysword]

The fire department generally comes to evacuate the passengares.

Here is once such article discussing it:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_P...orces_evacuation_of_Disney_World_monorail.htm

The common theme in all the news reports is that passengers get onto the roof then are evacuated.

 

[DCTooTall]

It also depends on where the train is stranded and if they actually determine the need to evac the passengers.

Sometimes they may just send the tractor out to tow the train back to a station where they can unload the guests.

 

[Capt_BJ]

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQaqQEkUplg#at=79

this very cool youtube video from just a few days ago shows a tow out of the Contem' - to the switches where they change loops and then head off to the maintenance barn . . .


more at: http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/monorail.htm

 

[Princess Leia]

We watched one in action on our recent trip. We were on the boat to Wilderness Lodge. Our captain told us it can either push or pull it back. It was pretty cool watching it come in to rescue the monorail.

 

[seashoreCM]

I find it hard to believe that passengers could be on the roof of the monorail for any length of time unless the rescue vehicle extended a bucket all the way up with side rails that "wrapped" over the roof.

There are some points along the monorail route where the train is something like four stories above ground. I think the maximum height for a fire engine ladder truck is five stories. I am sure that some guests would refuse to get off the monorail if all that extended up was an ordinary ladder. They do make ladders (maybe not 5 stories long) that have a tube like grillwork around them for someone to crawl/climb through without danger of falling off the side.

 

[bdklein]

I find it hard to believe that passengers could be on the roof of the monorail for any length of time unless the rescue vehicle extended a bucket all the way up with side rails that "wrapped" over the roof.

There are some points along the monorail route where the train is something like four stories above ground. I think the maximum height for a fire engine ladder truck is five stories. I am sure that some guests would refuse to get off the monorail if all that extended up was an ordinary ladder. They do make ladders (maybe not 5 stories long) that have a tube like grillwork around them for someone to crawl/climb through without danger of falling off the side.

It's called Monorail Mayhem, and it's a new ride/attraction at Disney for those who say Disney doesn't have enough thrill rides.

 

[rwdavis2]

They put you in a harness and you repel down. They call it the "Historic Monorail Backstage Tour" and charge you $65.

 

[BeerMe]

They should let you fast rope down.......

That's a neat picture of the tractor BTW. I have never noticed that before

 

[DCTooTall]

I find it hard to believe that passengers could be on the roof of the monorail for any length of time unless the rescue vehicle extended a bucket all the way up with side rails that "wrapped" over the roof.

There are some points along the monorail route where the train is something like four stories above ground. I think the maximum height for a fire engine ladder truck is five stories. I am sure that some guests would refuse to get off the monorail if all that extended up was an ordinary ladder. They do make ladders (maybe not 5 stories long) that have a tube like grillwork around them for someone to crawl/climb through without danger of falling off the side.

It's happened....
In fact... at one time they didn't even have a monorail Evac plan. After this incident, one was officially created.

1. Guests evac to the roof.
2. Monorail pilot exits to roof. Ties rope to the top of the monorail cab and puts it down the cab window.
3. Guests and pilot use rope to side down the front of the monorail to the beam.
4. Everybody walks down the beam to the next station.

(Picture from the '85 fire http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/monorailaccidents.htm )

Obviously, over time the emergency evac plans have been updated, and the MKVI was built with actual hatches to the roof so the guests didn't need to climb around the outside of the vehicle to the roof.

the Reedy Creek Fire Department also now has a scissor truck which they can use to help evac guests from the monorail (or beam) in some locations.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcfr22/6653731035/

 

[seashoreCM]

deleted

 

[25eels]

So if there is a problem with one of the monorails, where it cannot move, and its not at a station, what happens? How are the passengers evacuated? Any insight? Just curious. Thanks.

My 2 kids, brother and friend were stranded for 2 1/2 hours just last night on the monorail between Epcot and MK. They had to wait a really long time for a tow, and the ladder truck was positioned beneath them just in case. A pretty harrowing experience!