• 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

It would not be difficult to fit a compressor to each station as part of the airgate upgrade. That would not be what is stopping them.

Besides many systems including some types of airgates can operate on different methods other than pneumatics.
I just meant it as a note, that adding a compressor may be difficult. you could easily install some electrical system.

just a comperessor would haver to have the CFM for a piston per row (or at least per 2 rows like on rita) to be activated each cycle (so like every minuite) that is a lot of air required, so it would probably have to be a big air compressor (rides have massive air compressors).

a sliding gate would defiantly work, although the cars are much smaller on AT compared to disney, and I could see some concern about guests opening them

I am really hoping if the Monorail gets an overhaul the track is cleaned or replaced (Rails do wear and tear), and the stations are update I feel the hotel Monorail Station is not as good as the Tower Street Station
the track is welded as one piece, so is difficult to replace and it is hard to tell as the wheels are rubber, and so impart much less wear on the track compared to a steel wheel so the track may be fine (or at least in some areas require a bit of work)

I do really hope the stations and vehicles are updated and brought up to the standard the resort is starting to reach (such as in FV)
 
I just meant it as a note, that adding a compressor may be difficult. you could easily install some electrical system.

just a comperessor would haver to have the CFM for a piston per row (or at least per 2 rows like on rita) to be activated each cycle (so like every minuite) that is a lot of air required, so it would probably have to be a big air compressor (rides have massive air compressors).

a sliding gate would defiantly work, although the cars are much smaller on AT compared to disney, and I could see some concern about guests opening them


the track is welded as one piece, so is difficult to replace and it is hard to tell as the wheels are rubber, and so impart much less wear on the track compared to a steel wheel so the track may be fine (or at least in some areas require a bit of work)

I do really hope the stations and vehicles are updated and brought up to the standard the resort is starting to reach (such as in FV)
I kinda like the Vinyls from the outside they are colourful, unique and quirky definitely fit Alton Towers style.

Like what other park has a Cow Train, Strawberry or Jelly Bean Train.

They give each train an identity.

One idea I have had for a while cover the outside with LED Screens and have the lights transition into the different themed environments. So Forbidden Valley Could have a red and black, Gloomy Wood Purple, Katanga Canyon Green, the Car Parks Grey and Towers Street Blue
 
I kinda like the Vinyls from the outside they are colourful, unique and quirky definitely fit Alton Towers style.

Like what other park has a Cow Train, Strawberry or Jelly Bean Train.

They give each train an identity.

One idea I have had for a while cover the outside with LED Screens and have the lights transition into the different themed environments. So Forbidden Valley Could have a red and black, Gloomy Wood Purple, Katanga Canyon Green, the Car Parks Grey and Towers Street Blue

Nice idea but not practical and would be very costly
 
I kinda like the Vinyls from the outside they are colourful, unique and quirky definitely fit Alton Towers style.

Like what other park has a Cow Train, Strawberry or Jelly Bean Train.

They give each train an identity.

One idea I have had for a while cover the outside with LED Screens and have the lights transition into the different themed environments. So Forbidden Valley Could have a red and black, Gloomy Wood Purple, Katanga Canyon Green, the Car Parks Grey and Towers Street Blue
I never said remove the vinals, just a lot of them are worn out and could do with some updates (along with internal improvements, I believe mack managed to install AC in Europa's monorails) I would also love for them to get rid of the advertisment for MAP / fast passes over the speaker, just make it a fun adventure into the park (I doubt anyone is going to pull out their phone and order a MAP)
 
Personally I don’t see the issue with the current station setup

Just stand behind the line - simple
I agree, we manage it on railways just fine.

Unfortunately, insurance company's think differently. Although, understandable, seeing as common sense can go out the window when some people visit themeparks.

I bet insurance premiums would be much higher or an outright refusal to insure if they went back to the older system. Due to the perceived high risk that the insurance companies would think their bottom line could be impacted.
 
Last edited:
I agree, we manage it on railways just fine.

Unfortunately, insurance company's think differently. Although, understandable, seeing as common sense can go out the window when some people visit themeparks.

I bet insurance premiums would be much higher or an outright refusal to insure if they went back to the older system. Due to the perceived high risk that the insurance companies would think their bottom line could be impacted.

You've hit the nail on the head there.

To give a similar example - we manage parking our car in a car park just fine in real life don't we. You would not BELIEVE the amount of cars at Towers each morning with doors left open, windows down, handbrakes off - people literally throw it somewhere near the space and leg it to the Monorail station.

Different world, different behaviour.
 
That's me that is.
Last two flat batteries...legging it into the beach to meet mates at Crevettes, left lights on once, hazards on the other.
And I have to leave the windows open on my car due to the summer heat and smell.
 
WDW monorail is much higher capacity. AT needs more frequent trains to manage the capacity required so don’t think manual gates would work.
To be fair Alton gets nowhere near the visitors WDW does I would like it on more than 5 7-8 would be ideal its fun for you won't know what train you will get. Each has their own audio and sounds don't they
 
Anything more than six and they just back up.
One coming in, one in station and one leaving...on each side.
Seven or eight would mean a lengthy wait to get into the station every time.
It used to run great on five or six.
 
Sliding manual gates seem like an obvious solution, they have them at the WDW monorail and they work a treat
1752224748418.png
Makes me feel like i'm late for my flight (Side note, I find it funny how Heathrow included a swiss railway inspired clock here when this system has no timetable and is basically nothing more than a horizontal elevator.)
 
Last edited:
I guess it's just that I'm so used to the system at Towers but the WDW monorail system gave me airport transit VIBES, mainly due to the fact that they just pack people into it and most people have to stand. The whole setup makes getting out of MK feels a bit of chore, involving either a monorail or a ferry and then having to get a tram. If the capacity could be sorted, the Towers system could theoretically give a better guest experience, though not in its current run-down state
 
Top