• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Monorail Refurbishment

I would imagine the bulk of the operating costs are the drivers' wages. I do not think it is beyond the will of Merlin to upgrade the rolling stock to automated trains, with automated barriers on the stations, much like many modern airports have. As others have said, the track seems to be fine.

Oh, and windows you can see through. The park lost so much magic when you couldn't see it on the way in.
 
Good point, at a guesstimate from last time we were there, there was two members of staff at the top of the walkways, another down the other end to shout at people who dare put a toenail over the yellow line too soon, one in the control room, and two on each train, three trains running, so that was 14 staff members, 16 if it was 4 trains.

How many does it take to run the Smiler? 6?
Enterprise? 3?
Oblivion? 6?

Even I'd be looking into automation if it took more people to drive the trains than it did run a whole section of the park, and I hate anything remotely autonomous.
 
Apparently the mk3 system was designed to have the option of being fitted with automatic system so it could be used in automatic or manual.
 
delta79 said:
Apparently the mk3 system was designed to have the option of being fitted with automatic system so it could be used in automatic or manual.
Click to expand...
Yes, but that system was probably powered by valves and water wheels. Even assuming the original parts could be sourced, it's unlikely the system would meet modern safety standards.

I'd say new all trains are the way to go, but if the current trend for new rolling stock in this country is anything to go by, they'd only have three seats per carriage to maximise standing room.
 
I was wondering if the system was installed on the rolling stock when new. If not the modern systems can be retro fitted along with a upgrade to a more efficient motor system.

Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk
 
delta79 said:
I was wondering if the system was installed on the rolling stock when new. If not the modern systems can be retro fitted along with a upgrade to a more efficient motor system.

Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
This is what I was getting at with my previous question. If the rolling stock chassis are sound (and I don't see why they wouldnt be after only 30 years of relatively unintensive use), then I see it as a bit extreme to discontinue the entire infrastructure and say good bye to Towers Street for the sake of a systems and propulsion system upgrade coupled with a recondition.

It's why I'm not as confident as others that the monorails fate is sealed. It was expensive infrastructure in the first place, the whole entrance design of the park is built around it and I would struggle to see how it would be in such a bad condition after only 30 years of mild use.

I would imagine the whole propulsion and operating systems would need an expensive upgrade to meet modern standards and that Merlin are probably wincing at the though of having to do it. But only time will tell if they would see this as preferable or not to leaving large integrated infrastructure SBNO in full public view and sacrificing a park entrance that is so iconic it's still used as an artistic vision of the place in most park marketing.
 
I'm not that clever but, Is it feasible to remove the monorail, Somehow keep the station and footers and build a newer, higher capacity, more cost effective monorail?

If the monorail was to be removed it would be a really big loss for anyone who has visited Towers since it opened. It created many people's first impressions of the park, yet it is so convenient for many who have visited.
If the entrance of Towers was to be relocated then families would have to trek to the back of the park to get to Cbeebies Land. If the entrance was also to be relocated, we would lose the iconic view of the Towers apon entry.

It would be a really sad day for Towers when TowersStreet and The Monorail close. :(
 
To upgrade they would need to automate the system to make a business case for the expense.


Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk
 
I don't understand why you couldn't automate with the existing track. It's a steel beam, afterall.
 
Its the rolling stock that needs the automation systems installed. All they would need is to add sensors and markers for the onboard systems to use.

Its technically not that difficult with todays technology
 
Is Tower Street not a "protected view"? Surely there would be a fair bit of opposition from the heritage guys.

And that's before the BBC get there knark on about cbebies being moved to what is effectively the extreme far end of the park!
 
Britford said:
Is Tower Street not a "protected view"? Surely there would be a fair bit of opposition from the heritage guys.
Click to expand...

Yes, but nothing does or can say where the entrance to the park has to be. So long as the view over to the Towers from across the lawns and lake is not impacted then all is fine.

I'd imagine that automated systems are only going to become better value over the coming years so maybe that is something that Towers could look in to.

:)
 
On a side note, with the amount of people who seem to walk to the entrance from the car park these days, I often wonder why they don't have some sort of funky little open top (optional cover if it rains) land train/bus/charabanc type thing that charges £2 a pop to shuttle people.
 
The walk to the entrance does need some thought applying to it, it's fine for a small crowd but when it's busy it can be a little sketchy with vehicles.
 
The Monorail (and Towers Street) are an integral part of the Alton Towers 'experience'.

Losing one or both of them would badly damage the parks already weakened image as a big player.

The park needs a monorail even if it means replacing both the existing rolling stock and the track/rails.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top