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Monorail Refurbishment

They didn't have to, breakdowns happen.
Several different groups raised concerns under the relevant acts, Merlin's argument was that repairs were underway and ongoing.
A number of charities, disabled groups and individuals then raised concerns with the relevant government department and quango.
Their response was basically, they are taking their time, we can't speed them up.
All of this is factual and correct, the matter was never tested legally, because assurances were eventually given...
but to stop the circles and get back on topic...

There is no access argument for the monorail closing, I'm pretty sure they can close it without replacement, as they have disabled parking.
I would love to see it done up, cleaned up, and operated properly...
But I will still probably use express for the picnic.
 
The thing is, though, Alton does have step free access paths to every portion of the site, as well as the option of hiring mobility scooters.

So even with the Skyride closed, there is no argument for the park not having reasonable adjustments, and thus no legal obligation for them to open it.

The park’s own T&Cs of entry also state that they can withdraw access to any and all attractions as they see fit, and Skyride, technically speaking, is an attraction rather than a disability access aid.
 
Just a reminder that this is the Monorail thread and not the Skyride thread. And we have had that same above Skyride discussion countless times over the past couple of years.

So if we could move on from that and focus on the Monorail, that would be great.

Thanks!
 
The fact that they keep the monorail on life support shows that Towers sees its value. Given how they operate it, they are desperate to keep it going until its dying breath. They obviously see that making it SBNO will cause more trouble than it's worth.

Hopefully, the Skyride investment gives hope for a monorail investment. But it feels like we're back in uncertain territory with the scrapping of the Galactica refurb/retheme, a restructure within Merlin, and seemingly wider changes across the group.
 
It was looking filthy yesterday and my friend (first visit) wasn't impressed by the dated look and cleaning of it. His thoughts were: oh this is old... not the first impression you want to have!!! and is it me or is the station in the wrong place in the car park?
 
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SuperMuscleMan said:
It was looking filthy yesterday and my friend (first visit) wasn't impressed by the dated look and cleaning of it. His thoughts were: oh this is old... not the first impression you want to have!!! and is it me or is the station in the wrong place in the car park?
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It really is awful. I guess I used to put up with it as a means of getting from A to B but with the impending cancellation of three MAPs in this household I’ve just priced up a Saturday in April and three tickets with parking is showing as £128 online! If I’d paid £128 to sit in filth on that rickety old thing on a first time visit I’d be severely disappointed.
 
I think the state of disrepair it's currently in, and total lack of investment suggest that either substantial investment, or permanent closure, is coming very soon.

Does anyone know how viable it would be totally refurbish the trains? Or acquire new ones that would run on the existing rail?

In an ideal world, AT would have been planning for significant investment in the monorail for the last 20+ years, but I can't help but think that isn't the case. Although, bit by bit, the park have been putting a lot of investment into their 'crown jewels (Nemesis, Skyride, Hex, Alton Manor) so maybe the Monorail is next.

Either way, I'm sure there'd have been delaying any permanent or temporary closure until the skyride's back, so once that's up and running, I wonder if we'll be getting an announcement from the park about the future of the monorail towards the end of this season.
 
Withnail said:
I think the state of disrepair it's currently in, and total lack of investment suggest that either substantial investment, or permanent closure, is coming very soon.

Does anyone know how viable it would be totally refurbish the trains? Or acquire new ones that would run on the existing rail?

In an ideal world, AT would have been planning for significant investment in the monorail for the last 20+ years, but I can't help but think that isn't the case. Although, bit by bit, the park have been putting a lot of investment into their 'crown jewels (Nemesis, Skyride, Hex, Alton Manor) so maybe the Monorail is next.

Either way, I'm sure there'd have been delaying any permanent or temporary closure until the skyride's back, so once that's up and running, I wonder if we'll be getting an announcement from the park about the future of the monorail towards the end of this season.
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I understand why they have two running but what annoys me the most is it just needed a clean!!! It was filthy with mould. That doesn't cost alot nor does it take much specialist effort.
 
I’m unaware of the state of the electronics, footers and the concrete rail but at a minimum it needs new rolling stock and airgates.

I reckon they could get away with not doing too much to the stations aside from painting and new audio and tv screens. They’re very much “of their time” though with the pebble dashing and the nasty flooring on the ramps, so I can see why some people are calling for a more substantial upgrade to the stations.
 
s_g_k said:
I’m unaware of the state of the electronics, footers and the concrete rail but at a minimum it needs new rolling stock and airgates.

I reckon they could get away with not doing too much to the stations aside from painting and new audio and tv screens. They’re very much “of their time” though with the pebble dashing and the nasty flooring on the ramps, so I can see why some people are calling for a more substantial upgrade to the stations.
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The rail is steel, not concrete. Although some, such as Disneys monorail, use concrete rails.
 
SuperMuscleMan said:
It was looking filthy yesterday and my friend (first visit) wasn't impressed by the dated look and cleaning of it. His thoughts were: oh this is old... not the first impression you want to have!!! and is it me or is the station in the wrong place in the car park?
Click to expand...
When the monorail was built it probably was closer to the middle of the car parks, but one if them is now for Splash Landings hotel guests only and other parts have become the golf etc.
 
Withnail said:
Does anyone know how viable it would be totally refurbish the trains? Or acquire new ones that would run on the existing rail?
Click to expand...
Europe park (owned by the mack family) I believe uses the same system, they have retro fitted their monorail with stuff such as air conditioning, and their monorail looks very tidy. They also have expanded their monorail to their hotels.
 
flyingguitar said:
Europe park (owned by the mack family) I believe uses the same system, they have retro fitted their monorail with stuff such as air conditioning, and their monorail looks very tidy. They also have expanded their monorail to their hotels.
Click to expand...
Of course it rather helps owning a company which is experienced in mechanical engineering and transport systems.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
Of course it rather helps owning a company which is experienced in mechanical engineering and transport systems.
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yeah, tbh I am quite surprised that AT still have it open given it can't be easy to get parts as the manurfacture has been brought a few times.

I also think this could be oddly useful:

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQp3-0gwYG0


It also makes me think that AT should use their rides as zones (currently it is just letters) it would only be a few signs but I feel like it would be much easier to remember where you parked (remembering oblivion zone is much easier rather than B zone) and would make it much more themed.
 
Regarding what Monorail's future might be, we'll have to wait and see what the plans are following Skyride being back in operation and what might follow next as I have no clue how much more extensive a Monorail refurb will be compared to Skyride and that is not including the elephant in the room of all the Merlin cuts taking place with the question of further investment in overhauling all other attractions/upkeep have equally got demand for work themselves.
 
Not sure if other people do this, but it seemed useful to me, when i completed forbidden valley I left the park via gate next to galactica, got a stamp then got the monorail to the enterance at towers street. I’ve never thought of doing it before and it seemed to help my legs a lot.
 
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