Originally Posted by Trusted Source
It was about 2am, Sunday 5 July. The Magic Kingdom was open until 1am, so it was not unreasonable to keep the Epcot line running, though taking off a train might have been expected about this time.
Monorail Purple was in the TTC station on the Epcot beam, preparing to take one or two families back to their cars at Epcot. Monorail Pink was a short way around the loop, ready to back down the spur line that links the Epcot loop to the Express loop, as one would expect of a train returning to the shops.
Normally, cast in the Shop operate the two switchbeams, apply power to the spur line, then radio the operator on the platform at the TTC. They in turn make sure the Express platform is clear and ready to receive a train, and radio the train (Pink in this case) that they are clear to back into the station.
Apparently these instructions were given, but the switchbeam on the Epcot line had not been operated. Because this move over the spur isn't covered by the Mapo rolling block system, Pink was run under "Mapo Override" which limited speed to 15mph.
Backing around the Epcot loop instead of the spur, it collided with Purple at the station at about 15mph, crushing the end cabs of both trains, killing the pilot of Purple, and pushing Purple about 1/3 of it's length out the south end of the station.
There were no guests on Pink as it wasn't in service. One group of five guests were on Purple, waiting to return to their car at Epcot. The guests were uninjured and released from the scene promptly. The pilot of Pink needed Reedy Creek help to exit the cab, as he was four cars north of the platform. He was taken to hospital (probably for drug testing, as he was 200 feet from the point of contact).
Questions remain about why the switchbeams didn't operate, why a clearance was given and relayed, and why the pilot of Pink didn't notice he was on the wrong beam soon enough to stop.
Monorails at WDW are out of service until further notice. The Disneyland Monorail is operating only one train today, but may resume regular operation once the control system has been cleared as a cause.
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