Not a great photo, but I haven't seen many of the Mk III. So much glass, who needs to ride in the bubble? I think it would be cool if the lower sides and floor were transparent, too.

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/Mark_III.jpg

Great Picture! The top looks like a few of the tourist boats from Europe.

After re-doing my plans I'm getting ready to start v.1 of my build. The general body.
I'll be using the same technique as Brent Gair did for his big Spindrift build. It looks like I'm going to end up doing 2 versions.
The G scale train to run, and a 2nd with interior parked at the monorail garage.

The drive train for the front boggie is probably going to make an interior a problem. The nicr part is once the drive train and power are figured out then they can be used to do the Disney sub ride, with out water.

Great Picture! The top looks like a few of the tourist boats from Europe.
Thanks, Scott. The same similarity crossed my mind.
After re-doing my plans I'm getting ready to start v.1 of my build. The general body.
I'll be using the same technique as Brent Gair did for his big Spindrift build. It looks like I'm going to end up doing 2 versions.
The G scale train to run, and a 2nd with interior parked at the monorail garage.
I'm glad you brought this up. I'm sure you'll have great results.

I'm starting with the track. My first train will be made with my cardstock technique. I'm not committed yet, but it looks like I'll be going S scale. I intend to have all the windows open, and basic interior detail. The glass will be scavenged from one or more mouthwash bottles.
The drive train for the front boggie is probably going to make an interior a problem. The nicr part is once the drive train and power are figured out then they can be used to do the Disney sub ride, with out water.
My drive will probably be a simple belt type, using a standard O ring. I'm thinking O rings, or faucet washers, for the drive wheels. Also, using Hot Wheels bearings, where possible.

...The nicr part is once the drive train and power are figured out then they can be used to do the Disney sub ride, with out water.
Sounds like you're planning a G scale Tomorrowland.

Sounds like you're planning a G scale Tomorrowland.

Not exactly....I have the full spoken script for the monorail ride in digital form.

I thought it would be fun to take the patter and match a few highlights to it. The Hotel, the monorail station in Tomorrow land, the subs(20K style),and maybe a couple of more.

The sub ride after the monorail would be easy as it is a monorail also. :)

Not exactly....I have the full spoken script for the monorail ride in digital form.

I thought it would be fun to take the patter and match a few highlights to it. The Hotel, the monorail station in Tomorrow land, the subs(20K style),and maybe a couple of more...
Don't forget to show me and my cousin, bashing the dog poo out of the Autopia cars!

The sub ride...would be easy as it is a monorail also. :)
Will your subs look like the real ride ones did?

I think it would be cool to have 20,000 Leagues-style Nautiluses, a Seaview, one of those monster Soviet subs, and maybe a WWI U-boat, just for fun. And, you could have them actually dive, at least to periscope depth, instead of just passing behind a waterfall.

The subs would be the 20k style. Don't think there will be any "water" falls maybe a large blue livestock water container with the monorail trach crossing 1 end.

I have floating around on my hard drive the blueprints of the 20K ridr cars, but as we have found out...Disney blueprints are not the most accurate things!

awe gee Scott, :D are those the ride sub blues i provided from fred over at 20kride.com?


Best,
Will

Not exactly....I have the full spoken script for the monorail ride in digital form.

I thought it would be fun to take the patter and match a few highlights to it. The Hotel, the monorail station in Tomorrow land, the subs(20K style),and maybe a couple of more.

The sub ride after the monorail would be easy as it is a monorail also. :)
You did say "20K style". I actually remember misinterpreting this, as referring to the particular version of the ride script, based on the file size(!). I was thinking of the fan website that has the recordings of the various train and monorail spiels used over the years.

I have never been to WDW. I had a vague idea, that they had a sub ride similar to the Disneyland ride, and that theirs used Nautilus-style subs. But, I figured that idea might simply have been wishful-thinking, on my part. It is good to know that there was, indeed, such an attraction.

...The drive train for the front boggie is probably going to make an interior a problem.
I can understand wanting one's monorail models to feature actual Alweg-style trucks. I gather that the prototype used truck-mounted traction motors, on at least some of the trucks. Too bad we can't just use scaled-down motors! I don't plan on using Alweg design trucks. There just isn't enough space in S scale, for that, and the interior I want.

It looks like I may be able to fit the motor I want to use longitudinally, between the rear seatbacks in the nose, and the front, rearward-facing seatbacks in the main cabin. I figure much of the space of the cockpit, below the bubble, will need to be sacrificed for the drive. I'm thinking of just having a pilot's head and shoulders mounted on a flat piece, somewhere around, or just below, the level where the bubble mounts to the car roof.

I have a preliminary drive worked out. It uses nothing more than the worm and wheel gearset which came with the motor. I may be able to mount the drive on a rotating truck; it will, however, have only one road wheel. I'm still considering a fixed-axle road wheel, and sprung-axle guide wheels. I will probably try both designs.

...The nicr part is once the drive train and power are figured out then they can be used to do the Disney sub ride, with out water.

I did notice the w/o water part. Could you explain what you have in mind?

Like I was saying to will the other night, once one has the drive train down then they are open to the other monorail style rides.
I have the taped speach that was played on the monorails run. What I'd like to do is pick a few highlights from the tape and then try and model them in a basic form.
My favorite shots of the MkI,II,and MkIIIs are the shots of them above the sub ride.

I think a simple round tank like a horse tank, or cheap kids pool would work for the base of the sub ride. Add the track and 1 or 2 subs built with the monorail drive train and then build a few pylons and run the monorail over it. Or I couldjust get o shallow in ground water pond and stock it with fish.

Scott,
I agree that pictures of the monorail over the water are cool!

However, for your subs running in the water, you will probably need a substantially different design, than the monorail.

Scott,
I agree that pictures of the monorail over the water are cool!

However, for your subs running in the water, you will probably need a substantially different design, than the monorail.

Not really. The sub ride was a ground level monorail. The only difference being the subs used diesel motors not electric, and ran in a large puddle.

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/medium/5.JPG

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/9.JPG

If I stay dry then the drive assembly should work for both.

Not really. The sub ride was a ground level monorail. The only difference being the subs used diesel motors not electric, and ran in a large puddle.
If I stay dry then the drive assembly should work for both.
Will your sub track be above the surface of the water?

There won't be any water. The bottom of the pool would get the basic details, and the water shade of paint. But no water would be added. Standing water in the desert tends to bring some less than nice wildlife to ones yard like mice which then attract snakes and hawks and owls, and the ocasional illeagal person who is here looking for work!

Got it: subs, yes; water, no.

I was thinking of a generic Disneyland. Hotel,sub, monorail station, just whatever the cand speach call out. If I can pull this MkI off then it's the MkV, and the Seattle Alwig. So somewhere there needs to be less Disney and sone Seattle.

I bit the bullet, and bought a new monorail blue at Downtown Disney today. So far, I haven't broken the seal, just in case I want to get rid of it.

This is the new version, which comes with eight tiny, bendable Disney figurines. The middle cars now have see-through windows, full interiors, passenger doors which open(albeit, unprototypically), and opening roof hatches(to place the figures in the cars).

Interestingly, the box has the WDW logo on one end, and the Disneyland logo on the other. The skirt of the power car is marked for WDW, though. This was a bit of a surprise, since it was purchased at Disneyland. I have been told that everything about these monorails is going to be made Disney-generic, including the spiel recordings. My guess is that this move will reduce sales, because it will reduce the souvenir, and collector, values.

It was good to see the $15 die-cast static monorail toy, also. The current stripe color is close to plum; I don't know what Disney calls it. I may still get one of them, and try a conversion to a powered model. They are a bit smaller than the operating models. Offhand, it looks to me that the powered models are close to S scale, and the die-cast models are close to HO.

...somewhere there needs to be less Disney and sone Seattle.
A Worlds Fair layout would also be nice!

A Worlds Fair layout would also be nice!

Worlds Fair Monorails!
Seattle-Alweg or New York- AMT? :)

Worlds Fair Monorails!
Seattle-Alweg or New York- AMT? :)
So far, I'm more in the straddle-beam camp, because of the high level of passenger safety possible. The height of the beam, and use of stabilizing side rollers, makes for an extremely low likelihood of derailment. I am not aware of any straddle beam type monorail ever derailing, whereas, in comparison, conventional trains derail frequently.

However, I can imagine that even the least expensive straddle beam, laid on the ground, would be much more expensive than conventional railroad trackage.

I don't know if the same anti-derailment safety is possible with suspended-type monorails. They are inherently more stable, but they also typically allow for a side-to-side swinging motion, which may conceivably cause an impact hazard with the necessary rail supports.

Also, suspended monorails always require the additional expense of overhead support structure.

Will anyone be setting up a monorail around the Xmas tree?

Sounds like fun but not here. The Disney monorail I have was given to me by a friend, and only has enough pieces to make a U shape.

In the mean time talking to Will sent me on a quest for info on the MkI. After digging for a while in the patent office's web site I found patent#188,745......Bob Gurr's patent for the MkI trains. Oh, I'm now a member of the Monorail Society. Their yahoo site has some helpfull stuff on it.
Scott

Sounds like fun but not here. The Disney monorail I have was given to me by a friend, and only has enough pieces to make a U shape.
Disney does sell extra track. Your point-to-point situation suggests having the train stop and pause at each end of the track, then reversing.
In the mean time talking to Will sent me on a quest for info on the MkI. After digging for a while in the patent office's web site I found patent#188,745......Bob Gurr's patent for the MkI trains.
I'll check it out. Thanks!
Oh, I'm now a member of the Monorail Society. Their yahoo site has some helpfull stuff on it.
Scott
I've thought about joining; I didn't know about their yahoo group. Again, thanks.

I stumbled on their yahoo group. When I tried to join I was declined because you have to join the Monorail Society 1st.

When you check out the patents go to the FAQ page and down load a tiff viewer(free)! If your like me you have Quicktime on your computer which will by default act as your tiff viewer....only problem is you can't print, or save what your looking at. You need to search for "Monorail Train" in the whole library. Just start opening the results and look at their links to other patents. Mach the link to the #188 475 and click on it, you should see Gurr's patent!

Their is a guy on ebay selling patents as well as a few "services" that will sell one to you. But why spend the $$ when you can print it for free.

Scott

So I'm curious, anything new on the proposed MK 1 monorail system???
Best,
Will

Just a heads-up: there's an episode of Modern Marvels on the History Channel about Walt Disney World, which features Bob Gurr discussing the design of the monorails.

I have been playing with the idea of powering one of the Master Replicas Mark I's. I came across this site through a Google search. Thanks for the great info posted here. Look forward to seeing how your projects progress.

I am still in the planning stages as to the right material for the beam. I plan to use a variation of the Schuco mechanism for power. I will post pictures of my project as it progresses.

Wbnemo1,
You and Rich did an outstanding job on the Mark I. Thanks for posting the drawings and info. I wish Bob Gurr had envisioned tinted windows in the
Mark I since powering it would be greatly simplified. If it wasn't for the Monorail Story I would have never realized it didn't say SFRR in the logo. They did a nice job on that video.

Dan

So I'm curious, anything new on the proposed MK 1 monorail system???
Best,
Will

HI Will,
The project is still a go!
I've been sidelined with work and a couple of medical items I needed to deal with.

Scott

I have been playing with the idea of powering one of the Master Replicas Mark I's. I came across this site through a Google search. Thanks for the great info posted here. Look forward to seeing how your projects progress.

I am still in the planning stages as to the right material for the beam. I plan to use a variation of the Schuco mechanism for power. I will post pictures of my project as it progresses.


Dan

Welcome Dan,

Nice to see we're back to 2 projects. ToyRoy has put his on hold for a while.

Have you joined the Monorail Society yet? They have a yahoo group also with some good pictures of the MkI's.

I'm still working on the power train on my build, like you I wished for tented windows! I will probably end up cheating and block off the whole drivers area for the motor. If I do the cockpit will probably be a photo under the dome.
Scott

Lately, I've been interested in the Disney monorail sets, both the recent battery-operated ones, and the Schucos. Anyone have any experience with those? Would it be feasible to electrify the newer sets?
Sir,

I am expert in the Schuco Monorail's. With over 4,000 pieces and collecting since 1987. I can answer any and all your questions about this fantastic electric toy train.
My layout is currently 12 feet long and 8 feet wide with extensions for another 4 feet in length.
The layout currently consists of 434 pieces of 7" track with an overall height of 34 1/2" OFF the table at its' peak. There are over 1,000 pylons (so far) supporting the tracks, and 18 terminal connextions to provide a consistant electrical current in all locations on the layout.
There are currently 9 signals and 4 electric switchers each having 2 signal controls on each one. One Signal (6333/27) is run manually to start/stop the train with a manual switch (6333/28). EVERY single connextion is Schuco, from the 2, 2-prong plugs on every automatic switch control (6333/26/3) to the 6 and 2-way distributor platforms that run under the layout to connect all the wiring mechanisms. (Parts 6333/46 & 6333/42).

All trains (4) five car 1:90th scale trains are all of a different color. Two Blue; one sky blue and one a turquoise blue, one silver and one red.
There are two complete trains running, on the layout at any one time. The other two are on "off" tracks that one can be park; (6333/21L &R) to allow the system to be fully operational with two trains at all times. (This is how it was originally designed to operate!) the A:B switch on the engine allows the pick-ups to each draw the current from the top rail, and one each from either side rail.

Each train is powered by a Schuco (6333/150) 110volt transformer, which can run the trains separately in forward or reverse directions.
The transformers also operate all the Signals which run on 50 mA each. You cannot exceed 5 Signals on one transformer; 250 mA maximum, or you will melt the Signal stems from overheating. The switchers use 220mA each. I use a 220v only for the one extra Signal with a step down transformer. So only 4 Signals are attached to each transformer at any one time.

I've added to each train an extra length with the bolster attached to the stock 4 car MK II trains from my Schuco "S" sets which each contain 200 pieces each. All manuals/instructions for them are in ENGLISH translation.
There are, so far, 4 layered layouts on the table, each connecting into each other. The automatic switch control (6333/26), provide the means to switch all the switchers from each layered layout, back to the main line. A manual switch control directs the train(s) into each layer on the table. (6333/41)
There are 4 of these used, for each set of two electric switchers.
If you are familiar how these switchers operate, you will know that as each switcher switches their track, the two Signal lights also change at the same time, lighting one red and one green. When switched they are reversed, one green and one red.

All wheels of the trains have been changed as the originals have dried out and were of no use on the main engines; especially with all the inclines on the layout. I only use the old ones for the end cars. the lights on the trains themselves are rated at 19 volts so they don't blow out. I tried 14 and they didn't last long.

There are even insulator rails that you can place at the beginning of each oncoming switcher. Parts (6333/15 & 16) This prevents the train from running off the unswitched switcher if there is an electrical malfunction. They also are used in conjunction with the manual switch control, part 6333/28 and a Signal, (6333/27). Using two insulator rails in series will stop the train as power would be cut on the center rails. A terminal board (this supplies the power, Part 6333/44) is controlled by the manual switch control. (part 6333/28) to stop or start the train, and return it to the main electrical system.

You have to remember; this toy was produced in 1961, many long years before integrated circuits were invented! Everything is gear driven! The adaptation of Part 6333/26; the automatic switch control, to automatically switch the switchers, is nothing short of amazing!
This is why I love this toy so much! It was decades ahead of its' time!

I have tons of more information on this amazing 1:90 scale electric monorail, which was made in Western Germany starting in the Autumn of 1961 and ran until 1969. It came in five different sets, 1st the "Oval" giftset, the "G" set, 1st Generation, with a 16 page instruction manual; then the round or circle gift set, 2nd Generation, with a 24 page instruction manual; then the American 'H" set, with the ENGLISH 24 page instruction manual (this is the most rare of items to locate); and then the "S" Super set, the largest set produced with 200 pieces plus the instruction manual. There was also an accessory set, Part 6333/99, which only contained extra pieces for the system.( I believe there were 45 pieces in this set)

There was even pieces, although small, that were not even in the manuals at all, like the 8mm pylon, listed as part 6333/61; but this is not pictured anywhere! Then the manual switch controls, part 6333/21L & R, which are in the instruction manual, but not in the english translation brochure.

I have every single piece of this 1:90th electric toy train; right down to the electric motor brushes and the triangular screwdriver to remove the train skirts. I have EVERY SINGLE PIECE, in their original Schuco box/or cellophane wrapper.

You must have questions now, so please ask...

Thanks

Any photos of your layout?........Please.
I will have questions soon.

No, not yet as the layout is NOT complete. I am still experimenting with wiring configurations. These are extrapolations of the wiring diagrams expressed in the Schuco Monorail Instructions.
If you have questions, though, please ask away; I invite your inquiries...

Waiting for your questions?

Still working on them....the real world has taken over again!
Sorry.

I went the other direction, to N scale instead of G scale. The baby monorail is battery powered and uses an infrared control. The Mk I was radio control but there is so little room for an antenna that reception is shaky. The IR works much better in the small distance this model needs.

http://www.mindspring.com/~bobquincy/wdw/monorail_6218.jpg

I went the other direction, to N scale instead of G scale. The baby monorail is battery powered and uses an infrared control. The Mk I was radio control but there is so little room for an antenna that reception is shaky. The IR works much better in the small distance this model needs.Thanks, for this info. Would you please tell us some more of the details of this model? It appears to be a Walt Disney World cab unit.

Seems there are more monorail builders out there than I thought.

Maybe we could we all post a list of general questions and share how the problems were solved?

Scott

Seems there are more monorail builders out there than I thought.

Maybe we could we all post a list of general questions and share how the problems were solved?

Scott
Hi Scott,

I think one's got to figure that there's some interest, just based on all the Disney sets sold.

As to your suggestion, are you talking about some sort of FAQ?

My N scale monorail is based on Disney's spring powered toy (pull it back, let it go, watch it run off the table). The model is loosely N scale, close enough that N accessories look good with it.

I milled out the spring powered parts and built a drivetrain out of a motor from a servo (Mabuchi n-20 size) and some gears made for indoor model aircraft. The rest of the chassis is plastic pieces. You can see the two foam rubber beam wheels, made from sanded down DuBro tail wheels. The side beam rollers are plastic tubing over brass tubing. The radio receiver is GWS 4 channel, batteries are Kokam 145 maH and should give a run time of about 45 minutes.

The beam is made from vinyl siding, planed to 5mm thick and sliced to 1" high on a bandsaw. The vinyl is flexible but will hold a curve shape when bent enough.

This Mk I needs more gear reduction but the gearbox was the most difficult part to machine. The Mk II uses a modified HiTec 55 servo for the motor and geartrain and should run much slower (Mk I will about hit the scale sound barrier, maglev territory). The servo based Mk II should also be much easier to build.
Non-cab units are just shortened cab units.

Why did I do this when I had a perfectly good HO scale RC monorail?
http://www.mindspring.com/~bobquincy/wdw/monorail/rcmonorail.html

I bought another home and have less room. The HO monorail takes a 24"+ radius curve and I don't have the space. The N scale monorail will run nicely on a 15" radius curve, allowing a decent 36" x 72" layout (including a N scale WDW Railroad).


boB

My N scale monorail is based on Disney's spring powered toy...The model is loosely N scale, close enough that N accessories look good with it...
Thanks, Bob, for sharing your very interesting monorail projects!

Here's a bigger drawing of Disneyland's new Mark VII monorails:

http://www.burkecompositeengineering.com/images/monorail.jpg

I hear they are to debut sometime this month.

That's what a Disney Monorail should look like!

It doesn't look like there is an on-board operator. Will they be automated, or run remotely?

That's what a Disney Monorail should look like!
I agree. I hear some fans are disappointed that there is no top bubble, though.

April has come and gone, and still no Mark VIIs at Disneyland, as far as I know. However, when they do appear, I'm guessing they'll stop selling the current blue-stripe battery monorail sets, at least in So. California. Disney is pretty persnickety about keeping their ride souvenirs up-to-date. For instance, they discontinued the Schuco models, when the real Mark III trains were introduced.

It will be interesting to see if Disneyland will introduce Mark VII toys when the real trains debut. Conceivably, WDW might continue to issue the newer version of the Mark V-VI toys(those with the interiors and rider figures) with different stripe colors. Having both styles would be just fine with me! (I'll take the DCA Golden Gate bridge too, thanks!)

Rumor has it they pushed everything back for the return of the sub ride which seems to be a big hit at the moment.

Howdy,
I finally checked back on this thread as you know me and the monorail :)...So Bob this is very interesting to me about your little N scale mono. I just picked up something pretty cool,I think anyway. There are some zz scale( 1:300, 4.8 mm between rails) battery operated Shinkansen train sets made by Bandai. I picked 2 sets up and my mind is reeling from the thoughts and imagining a zz or z scale monorail layout. I purchased both the E3 series Komachi and the 800 series Tsubame. My thoughts on these are very simplified. You see, the train tracks for these little train sets are cast in one piece , rails, ties, and baseboard all in one and you just snap the pieces together with its' little ingenious locking system. the locomotive is a mere 3.100" long by .440 wide and .575 tall the whole on the Komachi train is 9.250" long once assembled.. my thought is to make three different style bodies for this, firstly, a wonderful little MK1 Disneyland Mono like we mastered for Master replicas and Disney. Second, a Mark 6 monorail like the one currently running at WDW, and lastly, this may hurt a little and show my age, but I always liked the train from the very short lived Tv show Supertrain, a Supertrain replica body. I already have completed the CAD drawings for each, so it's just a matter of creating the master pattern for each, then molding and resin casting the bodies. Also, I think laser cutting all the beamway with a groove for the wheel rims will work well and make a simpified mono beam. Here's are a couple links to see the little zz scale trains. l even found a Youtube video to show them in action. This could prove to be alot of fun.
Will
http://www.asovision.com/zz-train/index.html Please note: this link does work, just click cancel to not install the japanese translation software. You will see pics of all the little guys offered, just can't read anything :).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8VZvIyBqLak this is the Youtube video that shows them in action, you will also see how small these little guys are.

Ps. Thanks for the compliment Dan.

Howdy,
The z scale monorail project is nearing half way point, with one modification, it's gonna be a MK4 monorail first. I finaly figured out the radius of the beamway for this little guy and the absolute smallest I can get it is a 36" diameter circle. This is actually pretty good considering the MK4 is a longer body in relation to overall contours. Anyway I'll post pics as soon as I can. I decided to make the beamway have a raised outer surface and recessed inner surface about .020 deep...it will still look like a mono, but will allow the locomotive to actually work lol...
Anyway, all for now..
Will