Monorail Crash: Retire the colors?

[inkkognito]

Just curious...is there only ONE pink and ONE purple monorail? I always assumed that there were multiple of each color. For that reason, it wouldn't have crossed my mind when I saw the pink monorail that it was the very one that was involved in the crash.

Only one of each color, although there are some similar colors (e.g. I think there is a coral that looks close to pink to me).

 

[Technosavant]

Only one of each color, although there are some similar colors (e.g. I think there is a coral that looks close to pink to me).

They have to be running low on distinctive colors, which is one reason why I think they may not change them. If the colors are too similar, a safety observer might give directions to the wrong monorail ("The fuchsia monorail needs to STOP NOW! No, that was the red one, OH NO!!!").

 

[scousemouse09]

My guess is that, a year from now, people will ask, "What happened on which monorail? I don't know anything about it!"

I only found out about this because I'm on the DIS, the actual crash has not (to my knowledge) been reported in the UK, and therefore not all guests will be aware of what happened.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your thoughtfulness and obvious genuine care is beautiful. Honestly, though, I don't see any real reason to retire the colors, despite the tragedy.

Editing to add: be sure to run your spelling and grammar check before sending your letter. I think a letter with no spelling or grammar issues makes a better impact. Again, I do admire your care in this situation.

Volunteering: I will be happy to edit the letter for the OP, if desired (I've already done it in my head, so... ).

 

[Experiment_626]

The same people who would see Pink or Purple and think, "That's one of the monorails that was in the wreck that killed the young pilot" are very likely to be the same ones who would see them repainted and say the same thing. Lots of us know all the colors and would notice two new ones.

SSB

 

[KigerKat]

I must say that I never even noticed the different colors (and I have been to WDW many times). Guess I am not very observant.

Me, too. We rode the monorail several times on our last visit, even up front 3 times. But I never noticed that they were different colors.

 

[WDSearcher]

Me, too. We rode the monorail several times on our last visit, even up front 3 times. But I never noticed that they were different colors.

The monorails themselves aren't. That is, the trains aren't different colors. They're all basically white. But there is a different stripe on each monorail, so that CMs and others can tell them apart. "Monorail Red", "Monorail Blue", etc.

It's not necessarily obvious unless you're looking for it, so don't feel bad!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I think for a while they should all be painted purple as a tribute. That way no one will know if they are riding in the one he lost his life in.
Maybe about January go back to the different colors but don't paint them what they were but reassign the colors randomly so no one associates the purple with the tragedy.
I know when I go in a few months I do not want to identify the one he died in. Not at the happiest place on earth.

 

[soupy11]

I think for a while they should all be painted purple as a tribute. That way no one will know if they are riding in the one he lost his life in.
Maybe about January go back to the different colors but don't paint them what they were but reassign the colors randomly so no one associates the purple with the tragedy.
I know when I go in a few months I do not want to identify the one he died in. Not at the happiest place on earth.

That is actually a great idea.....likely never come to light but a good idea nonetheless.

 

[inkkognito]

I like the idea of repainting them all and randomly assigning the colors. I truly don't want to ever know if I am in monorail purple or pink in the future.

 

[WDSearcher]

Remember that the colors are not there just to be pretty. They are identifiers. If there was an emergency on a monorail or a mechanical problem, the CMs need to know which monorail and where it is. If they're all painted purple, there's no way to quickly and easily find the train that has the problem. It would also be impossible to dispatch the trains. They're dispatched by color.

Also ... I'm not exactly certain how monorail dispatch works, but if there are certain trains on certain routes (if Monorail Green always does the resort route, for example), then that's something the Transportation CMs are probably very used to. Repainting everything and re-assigning colors at random would mean different colors on different routes or different colors going in and out at different times than before. This could cause a LOT of confusion for those CMs, at least initially. And I'm thinking that more confusion and stress among the monorail ranks is probably not something they're looking for right now.

Does anyone really think that they'd be SO affected by getting on Monorail Purple or Monorail Pink that they'll never be able to ride it again?

 

[yaksack]

I got into a car accident and I never asked the automakers to retire blue cars.

 

[Experiment_626]

I'm not exactly certain how monorail dispatch works, but if there are certain trains on certain routes (if Monorail Green always does the resort route, for example), then that's something the Transportation CMs are probably very used to.

I'm pretty sure at least some of them -- probably all -- get switched around. I took a photo two or three years ago of Monorail Pink running the Express route, and one last year of it running the resort route -- and we all know this past weekend it was on the Epcot line.

SSB

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

Only one of each color, although there are some similar colors (e.g. I think there is a coral that looks close to pink to me).

Then what's the point? There is only one "pink" monorail. Even coral is "pink". And we need to be that technical, the one right now is not pink, it's magenta. It's wont do anything to deter people from remembering the accident or anything. Pink is pink, unless they put two pinks on the monorail with 2 distinctive shades, it will be a useless change. It's really spiting hairs.

And the other is indigo. There is another "purple" monorail, but it's violet.

 

[darby01_2007]

My guess is that, a year from now, people will ask, "What happened on which monorail? I don't know anything about it!"

I only found out about this because I'm on the DIS, the actual crash has not (to my knowledge) been reported in the UK, and therefore not all guests will be aware of what happened.

WOW!!! My friend in Brasil knew about it right away!! Wonder why the news didn't travel across the pond as quickly as it did to South America?!

 

[Disneyholic]

Quote:
Originally Posted by paladin
I must say that I never even noticed the different colors (and I have been to WDW many times). Guess I am not very observant.

Me, too. We rode the monorail several times on our last visit, even up front 3 times. But I never noticed that they were different colors.

Not only did DH notice all the different colors, he has been on a mission to get pictures of ALL the different colors. He has SO many monorail pictures now that he has duplicates of some, but may still be missing others.
He is also crazy with taking pictures at It's a Small World every trip.

 

[lowepg]

I think people fail to put this accident into perspective.

Think about how many people travel in and out of WDW every day- probably the equivalent of a small city (maybe not so small!).

For all those people, it seems to me to be one of the safest places on earth!

Some of these threads are a bit too drama for me.

I hate to say it- but it reminds me of the pictures of these people just SOBBING for days over Michael Jackson- never met him- just melodrama to the extreme.

An accident. Its over- move along.

Seriously, since this thread started 10 children across the country have been seriously abused. THAT is a HUGE tragedy.... this was an accident.

 

[Tigger_Tina]

Here is a letter I have written to Disney in reguards to the tragic recent monorail crash asking that with respect to the victim and this incident Disney retire the colors Purple and Pink on the Monorail.
If you agree, would you copy it and send it with your name?
or write your own to support it.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Dear Disney,
First let me send my sympathies to the family of the cast member who was killed at the accident on the monorail recently. As well as sympathies to the Disney family as a whole. As a life long Disney fan this is a sad and tragic time.
I realize there is a lot of important things to take care of at this time, this is not the most important thing at the moment but with the recent accident on the monorails may I respectfully request that Disney retire the Monorail colors Purple and Pink.
I know as a frequent visitor seeing these colors now would be a tragic reminder. While it is important to remember the past as not to repeat it, I feel continuing to use these color would be unnessassary with the wide slection of colors available.

Sincerely,

okay. i understand how you feel about the colors. but it doesnt make sense to retire them. the colors purple and pink are as much of a reminder to the death of the driver as the monorail is. so, frankly, i think it is unnecessassary to retire the colors. but i understand how you feel and i hope you feel better!

 

[famsen]

First I want to say that I am really sorry for the loss of life and for the family of this young man. When I saw the pictures of the horrific accident for the first time, I was shocked and saddened. But honestly, in perspective, recently some guests driving on WDW property were killed in a car accident. There have been many fatalities over the years at WDW. Disney does everything within their power to keep those reports under wraps. If there is a special tribute to the monorail driver, I would also like to see Disney make some sort of memorial gesture to guests that have lost their lives on property also.

 

[Tink_Taylor]

Okay, really... I understand people are upset. But as Tigger_Tina said, she is correct, there is NO NEED to retire the monorails. I know they dont want to sit in the same one, and all of that. I feel very sorrowful for the family, I was very upset when I heard that had happend. But is there really a need, or inticate purpose to retire the monorails? No, in my eyes, there is not.

People won't worry about the colors after time goes on. They are redoing that part of the monorail anyway. Who knows, they may re-paint the monorail a different color so people dont give them that issue.

Yes, it was a unfourtunate event, but people shouldent make a big deal about being in "The Monorail" and Disney may want to keep it as something to remember the driver by.

No need to retire the monorails, as I said.

Really think about it.