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?

I have the new monorail Red set and from the looks of it it would be hard to switch to electric.

I'm also working on a MkI/ MkII in G scale with the idea of using it for a backyard railroad. If that works then a new MkVII will be next.

Anyone with info or photos of the monorails???

I have the new monorail Red set and from the looks of it it would be hard to switch to electric.
I am guessing the hardest part would be adding conductors to the track. I was wondering if copper tape placed on the track sides might work.
I'm also working on a MkI/ MkII in G scale with the idea of using it for a backyard railroad. If that works then a new MkVII will be next.
What materials are you using in constructing your monorail trains?
Anyone with info or photos of the monorails???
I could use those, too.

The whole toy is made for batteries. You would need to change motors,rewire the sound board(which clicks and is too loud), and replace the flashing light on the top(they use a green led which needs to be changed to yellow or white, along with a new flashing circuit that flashes at the correct speed.).
Then add the pickups. For the track copper tape might work, but the side wheels sometimes don't turn so they might tear the tape. You might want to look into the double electrical tape used in doll house building on the top of the rail.

The G scale monorail will being made using carved wooden molds that will be molded in RTV then the bodies will be cast in resin, and detailed. The track looks like it will be milled 1x2s with inlayed conductors. For the sound I have the entire DL recorded script as heard in the 60's on the monorails in mp3 form. The pylons might be cast cement as there will be one about every 20 inches and it'd be easy to make up a few molds for them and cast them in mass.

I will be more than happy to share my info and photos with anyone who wants to try this.

Heck if folks are interested I'd be happy to see a group build here, or I could host it at Studio Scale Modelers on ezboard.
Scott

The whole toy is made for batteries. You would need to change motors,rewire the sound board(which clicks and is too loud), and replace the flashing light on the top(they use a green led which needs to be changed to yellow or white, along with a new flashing circuit that flashes at the correct speed.). Then add the pickups.
I am actually confronting a similar problem, with my battery loco bashes. I'm thinking there may be some onboard solutions that will allow the lower voltage battery motors to run on the variable 12 volt output from a standard HO power pack.

For the track copper tape might work, but the side wheels sometimes don't turn so they might tear the tape. You might want to look into the double electrical tape used in doll house building on the top of the rail.Thanks for the tip, regarding the guide wheels. If nothing else, I can imagine the extra friction and noise that situation might lead to. Also, the additional wear on the plastic rails. I like your idea of the double-conductor tape; I need to check that out.

The G scale monorail will being made using carved wooden molds that will be molded in RTV then the bodies will be cast in resin, and detailed. The track looks like it will be milled 1x2s with inlayed conductors. For the sound I have the entire DL recorded script as heard in the 60's on the monorails in mp3 form. The pylons might be cast cement as there will be one about every 20 inches and it'd be easy to make up a few molds for them and cast them in mass.One other neat thing about monorails is the extra layout freedom in the vertical dimension, given the traction of the rubber road wheels.

I will be more than happy to share my info and photos with anyone who wants to try this.

Heck if folks are interested I'd be happy to see a group build here, or I could host it at Studio Scale Modelers on ezboard.
ScottSounds like a neat challenge! I can't seem to stop thinking of ways to build the Alweg trains in Tommy's burger box cardstock... :thumbsup:

Another thing that occurs to me, is the potential for multi-train operation on a single track, and multiple functions on each train, without DCC. The original Disneyland track beam had two conductors on the one side only. Schuco had one on each side. With two on each side, you have six independent circuits, on each track route.

With three conductors per side, you jump to fifteen independent circuits. Let's say you run three trains on each track route at the same time. That gives you five separate circuits per train. Use one for speed and direction; one for a remote horn, announcements, and whatever other sound effects; and one for lighting control. You still have two unused channels, per train. If you have a two track line, the trains running the other way have the same functional situation, since it is a separate route.

Also, as long as there are the same number of conductors on each side of the rail, the special polarity reversing required at wyes and reverse loops will be no more complicated, than with a two-rail train layout.

Submitted, for your consideration...

I have been trying to convert some photos of Disney Mk I models to drawings, using the descriptive geometry from my engineering graphics class, but it has been a few decades, and I'm fumbling and stumbling a bit. Still, I'm encouraged by the results so far.

Beyond the Disneyland model, I have been thinking of a simpler track rail system. To me, one potential advantage of a monorail over a conventional railroad is cheaper, easier, and faster to lay track. I figure to make a model, to illustrate what I come up with.

Hey Roy,
Sorry, I've been busy. A former member of the Space1999 Modelers group at Yahoo, has started posting links to a new group using our name- an "s" and with our groups home page photo and colors. Some folks are just sad!

I like the idea for multiple trains on the same beam- I just don't have the energy or knowledge to do the electronics. Heck, I'm pushing it with the audio playback of the MkI naration and a flashing light!

The beam itself changes at Disneyland and Disney World depending on when and who did the work. The old Alweg I beams are slowly being replaced by the newer rectangle shaped beams. That's why I'm looking into using 1x2 boards with light milling for the track for the G scale outdoor model I'm working on. Contact on each side. thin coat of Weld Bond and fine sand on top for traction. The fun part is that an 8ft board = 3 beam lengths with a collum every 18.75 inches. This changes in the curves but hey that's what makes model building fun. Stay tune for the the chart! It will help with your work. I will also try and get the scan of the MkI from the traning manual done tonight or tomorrow for you.

Scott

Ok table time...be warned that I could be off on some of the numbers due to lack of information!

MkI
years 59-61
length of train-88ft.
Front and Rear Car length-30ft.
Middle Car Length-24ft.
Space between Cars 2ft.
Car Height-14ft 5in.* could be very wrong!* Looks to be 10ft tall when drawing in the Operatin Procedur manual is scaled up.
Car Width- 10ft 3in.
Train Make Up- 1 front car, 1 Middle Car, 1 End car
Color(s)- Red followed by Blue. Stainless Steel panels on the sides of all

Beam Size-20in Wide X34.5 High**Disney Beams Are Smaller Than Normal Alweg Beams* *
Disney World Bombarier beams-80in ends, 48in middle x 26in wide(arch shapped)
Dual Track Construction- Beams on 12ft centers.
Column Size* Varies* standard Disney sizes are 5ft, 20ft, 25ft and 30ft tall.
Column Spaceing- 50ft.

So my G scale model will come in as follows:
Train Length-33in
Beam Size- Alweg.62in high x 1.08 tall
Bombarier-1.67in high x .54in wide(1in in the middle)
Columns range from 1.25in to 7.5in tall spaced 18.75in apart.

The MkVI trains running currently would come in at 76.31 in G scale.

Not listed are Radius beams which are shorter than regular.
Beam nd general monorail info from Monorail.org

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info, Scott.

I read somewhere that the original Disneyland-Alweg trains, as well as the steam trains, were built to 5/8 of full-size(just like Hollywood sets). I have also heard that the Mark VI trains running now at WDW are tall enough for adults to stand. I wonder if that will be true, of the new Disneyland retro-look Mark VIIs?

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/MarkVII.jpg
Artist illustration from monorail.org

[IMG-LEFT]http://images19.fotki.com/v19/photos/9/969095/4069630/frontHighwayinthesky029-vi.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]

[IMG-LEFT]http://images18.fotki.com/v86/photos/9/969095/4069630/back-vi.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]

The above drawings are out of Highway in the Sky, which was the trainning manual given to the DisneyLand employees who worked on the monorails.

They are also drawn to scale and can be enlarged or reduced as needed!

The whole manual is posted at my fotki site if you want
Scott

Thanks for the info, Scott.

I read somewhere that the original Disneyland-Alweg trains, as well as the steam trains, were built to 5/8 of full-size(just like Hollywood sets). I have also heard that the Mark VI trains running now at WDW are tall enough for adults to stand. I wonder if that will be true, of the new Disneyland retro-look Mark VIIs?

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/MarkVII.jpg
Artist illustration from monorail.org


Yep! Alot of stuff at Disney is shrunk. Remember John Wayne was 3ft 5in and rode a Shetland Pony. :rolleyes:

And yes to the standing. The original hight on the above turns out to be a MkVI. Disney is going to keep the new monorail as high as it is now.

Thanks again, Scott.

These drawings seem to show a window in the front door, just behind the nose, on both the lead and trailing cars. Could these be Mark IIIs?

...The original hight on the above turns out to be a MkVI...
Would you clarify this for me, please?

Would you clarify this for me, please?
Car Height-14ft 5in.* could be very wrong!* Looks to be 10ft tall when drawing in the Operatin Procedur manual is scaled up.

At the start of my search for infirmation on the monorails I discovered that information on the Disney trains was harder to find than a correct kit list for most studio scale models. I aslo found Disney information and other info would varies by up to 4ft on the same subject.

The MkI was 88ft long
2"end cars" at 30ft ea
1"insert car" at 24ft ea
2 spacers at 2ft. ea

The MkII was 110ft by Disney material, yet the length was 114.
2 "end cars" at 30ft ea
2 "insert car" at 24ft ea
3 spacers at 2ft. ea

Everyone says the difference between the trains is the addition of 1 car to each and adding Monorail Yellow(Gold) to the fleet.

No height was ever given on these . The 14.5ft number was from a chart at Monorail.org which turns out is for the MkVI.

:confused: The drawings are in fact after reading the booklet MkII era which is strange as I thought the pilot bubble and body modifications were done on the MkIII.
Yet all the photos and talk in the book is pointed at operation of a 3 train 1 beamway system. All Monorails pictured are 4 cars long. and missing the back"tail lights" which were removed because they kept getting knocked off on one of the turns.

The MkIII-122ft***I don't even want to think how they add a car and only gain 8ft over all

If you have different info please let me know. It's starting to look like I need to buy one of the MR Monorails to measure.
Scott

OK I'M BEGGIN HERE SOMEBODY HELP US OUT

...The MkI was 88ft long
2"end cars" at 30ft ea
1"insert car" at 24ft ea
2 spacers at 2ft. ea...

...No height was ever given on these . The 14.5ft number was from a chart at Monorail.org which turns out is for the MkVI...If you have different info please let me know. It's starting to look like I need to buy one of the MR Monorails to measure.
Scott

OK I'M BEGGIN HERE SOMEBODY HELP US OUT
Scott,
I really appreciate YOUR help, here! I am not so good at getting info from the web. My brain just keeps giving me the wrong search terms.

Anyhow, I've been using photos of the 1/48 MR models, and the 1/90 Schuco models, as the basis for my descriptive geometry efforts. One thing I've found, is that the middle cars are proportionally shorter, compared with the end units. 24/30=.8, whereas measurements from my "massaged" photos indicate a proportion closer to .62. Doing the math gives an end car length of 32', and middle car length of 20', assuming the diaphragms are 2' each. However, that renders a car height of only about 8' 7".

OK, here is one "illustration" I've cobbled together. It is based on a photo of a MR model of a Mk I head-end car:

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/Mark_I.jpg

Click on the thumbnail below, and enlarge, to see the full-size image. The color is off, due to processing necessary to bring out the car top, and bubble outline. I synthesized the middle and end cars. The middle car length is estimated based on apparently similar window width, and body length from the end of the car, to the window.

However, this gives an even shorter middle car, than my other observations indicated(as given in my previous post):

End car length-33' 3 1/2"
Middle car length-18' 7 1/4"
Diaphragm length-1' 4 3/4"

Roy watch the 2 models they are very different if you look closely!
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/medium/MRvsSCUCHO.JPG

Front car
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/front_side1.JPG

vs.

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

Middle car
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/schuco_middle.JPG

* I don't have a photo of the MR

End Car
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/schuco_rear.JPG
vs.

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

Of the 2 I'd go with the MR as a base for reference.

Shots of the bottom of the Schuco trains

Rear no motor
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/schuco_rear_bottom.JPG

Front with motor
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/schuco_front_bottom.JPG

MR trains
MR cockpit
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/cockpit.JPG

MR front
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/medium/front.JPG


Building the MkI at Disney
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/medium/MkI_construction.JPG
Notice the rear and middle car boggies are not powered.

Here is a wooden model of the Alweg Monorail in Washington
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/box.JPG

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

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

Scott,
Thanks for the various pix, especially the MR model end view.

The wood Seattle toy is an interesting combination monorail/cable car!

About the Schuco: are the road wheels part of the swiveling trucks, or mounted to the car body?

Check out this thread:
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=126419
I'm guessing Will (Wbnemo1) might have some usefull info. :thumbsup:

Check out this thread:
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=126419
I'm guessing Will (Wbnemo1) might have some usefull info. :thumbsup:
Thank you!

Check out this thread:
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=126419
I'm guessing Will (Wbnemo1) might have some usefull info. :thumbsup:


Beeblebrox
Thank you!!!!!
I knew I'd seen that post somewhere here! I was getting ready to ask in the sci-fi area if anyone had info on the MkI.

Ok Roy,
The Seattle Alweg monorail toy is cool! I didn't read the box when it was auctioned on E bay. I lost the toy, but the winner contacted me because he didn't want it after he saw it.

When you put the thing together it's 5 ft long, and you run a string between the cars. At each end the string goed through an eye screw, so when you pull one car the other goes the opposite direction.

The Schuco road wheels are part od the body and do not swivel.

and lastly.....you want to contact Wbnemo1 and ask about the monorail or should I?
Scott

I'm just amazed that I pulled that old thread out of my limited memory capacity! :p

Howdy,
I see you found my old thread on the MK1. She was a dream for Myself and Rich to build. I talked with Bob Gurr on many a night on this train. Rich Allsmiller would get the info by email, Mac to MAc vrs my pc, and send it to me and I would change the drawings and dimensions accordingly. I started out with some amazing drawings of the mk2, not the ones posted here, but actual studio drawings of the MK2. I searched for MK1 drawings, but Bob assured me they never did em if memory serves. It really didn't matter anyway, as the MK2 was a converted MK1. They changed the driver bubble to a driver passenger bubble, and added a car making it a four car train, as opposed to a 3. I originally scratch built a complete boggie wheel and stabilizer wheel system for the entire master pattern, again based of drawings and photo reference. the MR train should be exactly 21.929" long including the two sets of bellows between passenger cars. The cabs are identical on the exterior and mirrored on the interior, as this was the way Bob explained it and my reference agreed. The Mk1 trains were tiny compared to todays' Disney monorails. You had to duck to step in and if you were lucky enough to ride up front, the floor inclined and the observation dome(canopy) sloped downward making it difficult to ride up there. The very first MK1's had no passenger train car windows, if it rained, you got wet.
Best,
Will

a couple pic links


http://i1.tinypic.com/o0wlft.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/o0wm5d.jpg

Howdy,
...I started out with some amazing drawings of the mk2...actual studio drawings...I searched for MK1 drawings, but Bob (Gurr) assured me they never did em...
Hi Will,
Again, it is really enlightening, to talk with someone who knows! Thanks, for giving our efforts a boost.

I have to ask: have you gotten a lot of email from model builders who are converting your masterpiece to powered, working models? And, did the possibility of such a conversion, factor in to the choice of scale?

Scott,
Here is a typical cross section I derived, primarily, from your front view pic. This version is in scale with my previously posted side view. The original is about four times larger, if you would like it.

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

A big THANK YOU to both of you!

Will welcome!

Howdy Roy ,Scott and all,
The drawings you have shown in this thread are indeed from the "Highway in the Sky "SOP Manual. they are a make shift sketch of the MK2 train, however nothing that could be used to actually make a model. I'm doing something here I would normally never do. I'm showing everyone a blurred tech drawing, which I had to come up with in order the patterns to be made. Please respect my many hours of intense research and drafting work and do not copy this information or share it without my permission...with that in mind hope ya like it.....
Will

http://i10.tinypic.com/34rul1j.jpg

Wbnemo,
Again Thanks!
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

WOW! thanks, Will!

You're welcome. All I ask is, no reprinting of this work without my permission...
Will

A few thoughts, on monorail trackage. There are three commercial systems I know of: Schuco and E-R HO-scale electric(that is, power passes through conductors on the rail to the model), and Disney's S scale(?) solid-plastic track. As far as I know, they are all mutually incompatible, strictly sectional(fixed turn radii), and expensive.

I'd like to come up with a cheap, do-it-yourself-able alternative. It would also be nice to have a flex track which can be bent to shape, and maintain it. This would primarily benefit the many temporary monorail layouts. One idea along this line is to take advantage of the single rail, and mount the conductors vertically. I'm thinking of using something as basic, as galvanized wire.

I like to think of toy train track as if it is a building set toy. Just as Erector parts can be disassembled and reassembled in many interesting ways, one can use track to construct geometrically fascinating designs, which can be changed around at will. I see even more potential for monorail trackage as a building toy, on account of it's greater simplicity. For instance, it is much simpler to change level vertically, compared with railroad track.

There were several Monorail sets marketed.
Kenner's Sky Rail, Lego and Rokenbok are 3 that come to mind as expandable.

Others were expandable if you, your dad, or older brother was savy enough to do some basic metal/ and wood work. Sets like The Jet Express, The Star Master, The Lin-Mar Rocket Express,to name a few. Most of those had "Hanging Cars", cars that were suspended below the track. The track there was usually just steel wire that a groved wheel followed.

Then there were a few where the car just ran back and forth on a string, the Win Mac AMT Monorail for example.

Of the 3 big sets today only the Rokenbok and Disney sets are still being made.
The E-R was made for the company by Life Like if I got the story right. I've been told they stopped making the sets in mid 2005.

The Schuco set has been gone for years almost 40 years.
The lego set came out in 1987 I don't know when production stopped.

As the tracks go I think only the Disney Track lends it self to the flex track idea. Thats why if you look you can find all sorts of track pieces that Disney never made for sale on the bay!

Here is a link for the:

Rokenbok (http://www.rokenbok.com/catalog/2002_pd_rcv_monorail.html)

Hey gang,
You all forgot a true straddle beam monorail, the Remco Speedrail, which by the way, was my very first electric train set as a little boy.I think I had just turned 6m and it was a Christmas gift. It ran a figure 8 and even had a" tunnel "..fun stuff. The pickups were incaseed on top of the trak just like a normal track with the exception, there were no ties.
Best,
Will

The monorail systems I mentioned are straddle-beam types, more scale-oriented, and, I figured, the ones probably most played with, at least by us grown-ups. Yes, Tomy makes some, too. I've seen all sorts of monorail sets from the wayback; mostly tinplate, mostly suspended-type.

I'm just starting w/ monorails. I have a VERY broad palate, for track toys.

I'm approaching monorail models as a do-it-yourself modeler, rather than as a collector. I've already got a thing for electric trains, and Hot Wheels. I'm trying to get more satisfaction, through actual creation of the things I love.

As for flex track, I'll never forget that three-rail O gauge track, that literally rolled up into a tight coil! It used a sort of chain-like telescopic tubular rail, and looked like it would make quite a racket, if one actually ran trains on it. After that, I don't have much doubt about the possibilities for flex track...

ok sorry, when but you mentioned the Rokenbok monorail i thought you were talking all monos, I definitly don't consider that mono scale to anything, my opinion of course though. Now I do have a Disney friend
that made a "O" scale MK6 monorail. It's very neat, even has a true bus bar, postive and negative, and brass pick up shoes....it was mentioned about the Disneyland mono beam way being updated..is this true????
As far as I know, they still run the old beamway from back in the 60's, got some pics????
Best,
Will

I wasn't bashing the Lego and Rokenbok toys, or any others. I took a close looksee at one of the Lego airport jobs-pretty sleek! I just thought adult operators would gravitate to the closer-to-scale stuff.

I'm not too keen on the Lego beamway, though. It seems more like a narrow road, w/ a rail down the center. As for the real Disneyland beamway, all I've heard is that they sandblasted the white paint off of it. I know the monorails are down while they are working on the Little Nemo's sub thingy. And, as I'm sure you know, the new Bob Gurr designed Mk VIIs are supposed to debut next year. Last time I rode a monorail at Disneyland, the Mk IIIs were new.

Hey gang,
You all forgot a true straddle beam monorail, the Remco Speedrail, which by the way, was my very first electric train set as a little boy.I think I had just turned 6m and it was a Christmas gift. It ran a figure 8 and even had a" tunnel "..fun stuff. The pickups were incaseed on top of the trak just like a normal track with the exception, there were no ties.

Sorry about that! while gathering what little info there is on the Disney sets I also gathered info on 20 monorail sets and toys, the Remco being 1 of them. I also found 2 different articles from train magazines in the 50's with do it your self plans.

it was mentioned about the Disneyland mono beam way being updated..is this true????
As far as I know, they still run the old beamway from back in the 60's, got some pics????

Disneyland has the old Alweg style beam but the newer parts of the park have an updated version which I've heard is a little bigger. I'll try to find some pics, or if I can go to the park when I'm out there next month.

As for flex track, I'll never forget that three-rail O gauge track, that literally rolled up into a tight coil! It used a sort of chain-like telescopic tubular rail, and looked like it would make quite a racket, if one actually ran trains on it. After that, I don't have much doubt about the possibilities for flex track...

Roy your 1 up on me! I only have seen the 3ft flex sections that are usually bent so bad you have to cut sections out of them! I was thinking about the monorail track, and all I could think of was bendable resin with the conductors painted on with conductive inks.

Last time I rode a monorail at Disneyland, the Mk IIIs were new.

Those are the only monorails I've been on. I'm not to keen on the new style. I understand the need to update, but sometimes Disney misses the mark. The original ride was part of Tomorrowland and was designed to have a Buck Rogers look to it. To replace that with a modern day fleet was a bad move. The new MkVII returns to the old future style, while keeping the good parts from the current fleet.


Scott

...I...found 2 different articles from train magazines in the 50's with do it your self plans.I believe I saw parts of one of those articles, as it was being sold on EBeigh.

Along similar lines, I think I have seen some Erector designs, for monorails.

Disneyland has the old Alweg style beam but the newer parts of the park have an updated version which I've heard is a little bigger. I'll try to find some pics, or if I can go to the park when I'm out there next month.Just FYI, I have read that the Disneyland monorail will be out of service until sometime in December(due to construction on that Little Nemo thingy).

I'd like to say that, while I appreciate the increased loading capacity of the arched WDW-style beamway, I am aesthetically drawn to the Alweg-style constant cross-section I beam design.

...I was thinking about the monorail track, and all I could think of was bendable resin with the conductors painted on with conductive inks.

There is a resin which can hold a bend?! What is it, and where can I get some?

(The Mk IIIs) are the only monorails I've been on. I'm not to keen on the new style. I understand the need to update, but sometimes Disney misses the mark...

Scott
I think Disney himself would not have wanted Tomorrowland to become a days-of-future-passed relic. However, I've never thought of Lear jet styling as futuristic, or even attractive.

I read someone describing Mk IV and later designs as "more streamlined". Give me a break, you can come up with other attractive, streamlined designs; I've seen some. But, nothing could be more streamlined, than the Mk Is.

...The new MkVII returns to the old future style, while keeping the good parts from the current fleet.
Just so I'm clear on the point, ARE the new Mk VIIs tall enough, to stand in?

Also, one of the wierd, not-too-cool things about the Mk I-III seating, was that fully half the seats were facing rearward. This makes some semblance of sense, on the WDW double-ended designs. But, the Mk I-IIIs were single-ended, and it lead to unnecessary competition for the forward-facing seats.

I've only been on the WDW one and this:
http://i.gleeson.us/gb/0509/monorail.jpg

Who manufactured this wooden-car, kit-built set?:

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

This looks like Will's childhood set:
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/Remco_Speedrail.jpg

A tinplate Leland-Detroit from 1938:

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/Leland-Detroit_monorail.jpg

I've only been on the WDW one and this...
I remember seeing overhead monorail tracks at the Los Angeles Co. Fair, but no trains.

Who manufactured this wooden-car, kit-built set

The set looks to be home made. The track looks like it came from a Lelund set

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/571/8.JPG

The set looks to be home made. The track looks like it came from a Lelund set

Good observation, Scott! It looks like the insulators on the wood set track are red, though.