Gemini questions

A have a couple questions about Gemini. Although I have rode it probably a couple hundred times over the past 25 years my brain is fuzzy on a couple details.

1) When was the 3rd train taken out of service?

2) Was there always Trim or retarder brakes just before the helix at the end?

I think Gemini still uses 3 trains but only on busy days? Usually two sets, but early in the day only one side runs. As for the brakes before the helix, I think they were always there but were modified around 1980. The straightway before the final bunny hill was lengthened, making a longer brake run and the bunny hill was lowered in height to allow another set of brakes just before the helix. I am probably a little wrong but this was discussed in the CP 1972 youtube thread. *** Edited 9/2/2007 9:28:43 PM UTC by JetstarIII***

The ride has been running only four trains for a couple years now. The other two are stored in the middle of Mean Streak.

As for the trim brakes. No matter how retard you think they are, every ride with trims has a reason for them. ie: Less stress on the structure/chain/brakes, longer intervals, etc.

Well, I've been on Gemini without the helix trims and I'm thankful that they're there.

I don't think jamiec meant the brakes were retarded. He is talking about retarder brakes,they are used alot on heavy equipment for the purpose of slowing you down,but will not bring you to a complete stop.

LOL...No I wasn't implying the brakes are retarded. I'm a machine mechanic by trade. We call a device that slows down an object a RETARDER. So that is where the term RETARDER came from on my post.

Anyway I guess I just dont remember them being there, or I have rode it most of the time when they were turned off.

As far as the number of trains goes, Gemini had 3 sets of blue and 3 sets of red trains. I have noticed that the 3rd sat has been gone for sometime now, but I just decided to pop the question.

Everytime I see the "trim open" light above the operator booth I get more excited to ride. That helix is so much more intense without the trims.

**Post 2222!**

I enjoy the early morning rides more on Gemini, as vince said, the trims are not on in the morning. The helix is much more intense, almost to the point of being painful at times. Gemini, if I recall correctly, was modified a couple years back for four train operation, I don't think it is able to run six trains anymore. *** Edited 9/3/2007 6:32:09 PM UTC by GibsonSoft***

Ever since they added the platform gates, the ride has run with 4 trains. I miss seeing how fast they got those trains loaded and sent out when there was a 6 train operation.

^The loose article bins are the source to many of the problems when it comes to efficiency. I'm not sure what they bring, but everyone has some kind of giant purse or backpack. I don't get it.

Raptor is a nightmare. You get off the ride, go to the bin to get your stuff and before you get there you get trampled on by a whole bunch of teenage girls getting their flip-flops and purses.

That's why loose article bins should be abolished. :)

Ever since riding Mean Streak I have been against trims that haven't been on the ride since it was first built.