E
I stopped by yesterday and all three trains were runing. Today no trains were running! Wonder who is in charge of keeping the trains functional?
V
↩ replying to EpcotCenter82I've always wondered this. Is there a CM specifically assigned to turning the trains on and off every day? I can't imagine that they leave it running 24/7. Who fixes it if a train de-rails? I doubt this is something that just a random Germany CM is tasked with. There must be a train specialist or something.
H
↩ replying to VictoriaOn one trip we stopped to watch IllumiNations between Germany and Italy. Just before the show began a technician or maintenance person - they were not a costumed cast member - came out and scooped up the train cars for the night. He put them all on a cart and walked toward Germany (I assume to take them backstage for charging). So there is a procedure in place to collect the trains at night, but I would be surprised if it is a dedicated person. Probably more like a checklist item on the daily responsibilities.
V
↩ replying to hpyhnt 1000That's kind of how I figured the procedure went. It's a relatively small piece of an otherwise enormous compilation of attractions. Maybe they just call in a model railroad expert when something breaks or it is time for a refurb.
D
the trains do not 'charge' they get their power from the rails.
V
↩ replying to dstrawn9889Interesting. I had no idea. I always wondered what kept the train running all day. I love watching the trains go round and round.
R
↩ replying to dstrawn9889That's up for debate. The technology does exist.
J
↩ replying to roj2323If you know about model trains then you would know that, besides low end children's toys, higher end model trains get power from the the track. It's not something up for debate.
J
Digging this one back out. On our trip Jan 3-8th 2 of the trains were just derailed. One was operating with only one car.
P
↩ replying to jbolen2Friday night all four trains were running. One was just a locomotive with no cars, but the other three had multiple cars running.
B
Each day typically starts off with all running. Guests love to throw coins at them...
J
I guess by time we made it there 3 evenings they had been been derailed. I just figured they were not getting any attention but seems they reset them each morning the way y'all talk.
P
↩ replying to jbolen2Yeah. And throughout the day as well. People just abuse things. Just Friday night I watched a women put her toddler into the display to stand on the tracks and take a picture.
M
First week of December I saw one of the trains being dragged because a wheel was off track. It led to a chain reaction of falling completely off the track and knocking the car in front of it off the track.
Especially when you get to a bridge. The railings don't allow for misaligned cars to pass.
Eventually, the engine was stuck in a tunnel. I had to go into the nearby German shop to tell the CMs. Since the engine car was still running, I warned them that it could possible catch fire with the friction.
As for what could cause such a calamity?...
Enhance...
Godzilla!