I know it's not technically public transportation but the idea for this project came from the company, Universal Mobility's, product which originally was designed to offer public transportation. Universal Mobility originally designed their "Straddle" steel-box-beam style monorails to be people movers. They were originally marketed to be used for public transportation around urban centers, between office complexes, airports and such. However, the first nine installations of these "people movers" would not be used for public transit, but rather for amusement while being installed at various amusement parks, zoos, and the Louisiana World's Fair. Since the initial nine, early 70's installations, Bombradier had purchased Universal Mobility and installed two similar monorails of this type at airports. How is this tied into Ohio? Well one of the original nine UM monorails was purchased and installed at Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio just north of Cincinnati:

The monorail operated from 1974 until the end of the park's 1993 season.

 

In 1999 it was purchased by Fairfield, Ohio business Jungle Jim's International Market. For awhile many have watched the monorail slowly come together as the store continued to expand, and while I'll spare you a long winded history of the store I am glad to say that the monorail is finally coming back to life and maybe, just maybe instead of just being a solution to the stores parking problem it will demonstrate the monorails potential to be a fuel efficient, environment friendly, high capacity form of public transportation. Hell, for some of us this is the closet thing to light rail Cincinnati has. If you want to read the full article I wrote check it out here:

http://www.kicentral.com/history/monorail.php

 

Or if you want to check out Jungle Jim's International market visit:

http://www.junglejims.com/

 

Or just check out these pictures from when I met with Phil Adams, a representative from Jungle Jims, and Keith Menter, a former monorail operator, to tour the monorail being built at the store. . .

 

-One of the freshly renovated trains complete with its new Jungle Jim's paint job. The cars have been renovated with new safety and drive systems and the back car has had its seats removed, it now features a clean air diesel generator by Kohler to power the trains independently as opposed to electric bus pickups.

 

Other things they plan on installing on the trains - flat screen tv's to show advertisements, specials going on at the store or if your company is holding an event you can show a presentation or if holding a wedding reception at the stores event center display photos for the wedding. Currently one train is ready to go with another soon to follow. As for the others they will become parts donors or may eventually be remodeled.

 

Parts donors:

 

 

 

A monorail train parked at the station above the starbucks:

 

Phil Adams, the mastermind behind the Jungle Jims monorail (foreground) with Keith Menter, a former Kings Island monorail operator:

 

Operators booth on an old train:

 

I'm really excited to see the monorail come back to life in my hometown of Fairfield, I've been interested in this form of transportation ever since my dad used to build monorails out of Legos in my room as a kid. If you haven't been to Jungle Jims I recommend it, lots of fun for the family to go along too. Although if you wish to take pictures I would call ahead first for permission.

 

Hey, its the closest thing we get to light rail around here.

 

Full article here:

http://www.kicentral.com/history/monorail.php

 

Yeah...

wow how cool. is it up and running yet? looks like it.

So cool! I love Jungle Jims!

Ended up going home this weekend for Oktoberfest and stopped by Jungle Jims on my into town, monorail hasn't moved in a week so I don't think they have it open to customers yet, I'll email Mr. Adams and see what he has to say. He mentioned hopefully having it opened in October when they hold a party at their banquet center for all the youth soccer teams they sponsor.

A great photo essay, thanks for sharing it Ronny. I went by Jungle Jim's today and it was ... zimply wonderful! A bit far for me, so I'll just stick to Whole Foods and Findlay Market...

You should have called, you were right by my house!

Jungle Jim's is fantastically cool.  Too bad it's in Fairfield.  :|

Hey now, what's wrong with Fairfield Rando?

 

Talked to Phil today, very little work has been done since these photos were taken, they have been extremely busy. Hopefully we'll finally see an opening soon.

You have seen Rt. 4 lately, right?

Jungle Jim's is fantastically cool. Too bad it's in Fairfield. :|

 

I always thought that Jungle Jim's is located where it is not fully appreciated by those who live in the immediate area. "Screw making these fresh exotic foods at home; Applebee's has Curbside to Go! Fire up the Yukon XL!"

You have seen Rt. 4 lately, right?

 

Of course, but you can not judge Fairfield by Route 4 alone.

I just messaged Jungle Jim's to let them know that entire BART trains are now for sale:

https://abc7news.com/society/bart-seeking-buyers-for-hundreds-of-old-cars-going-out-of-service/5042574/