A bit of a throwback...and a new songbook entry.

I was in another park recently watching as the ride attendants were going through a whole bunch of very showy (and useless) actions even as trains were piling up on the safety brakes instead of running through the ride. I remembered How It Used To Be, and promptly got an old Tony Orlando song stuck in my head. So I'll work this out here before I post it to the rec.roller-coaster songbook.

For those who remember how Cedar Point did things before there were gates, I present ...

KNOCK TWO TIMES

Hey, crew, what'cha doin out there?
Dancing around all the cars while I wait for your signal
I can see that you're frustrated
We're making this too complicated
A minute fifteen should be fine if we just keep it simple

Just remember
Knock two times on the window to dispatch a train
Once on the glass to get ready to go
Just keep it simple
Knock two times on the window and it's leaving
Once on the glass when you're ready to load

When a train pulls in to unload
It's all automatic as everyone heads for the exit
Getting the new riders seated
That's when your work is repeated
We lock up the train, check the belts and the bars to make ready

Count all the thumbs, then I'll
Knock two times on the window when it's ready
Twice on the glass if you're ready to go
Knock one time and I'll lock up all the lap bars
Twice on the glass and that train's gonna go

...
...
I can see that you're frustrated
We're making this too complicated
A minute fifteen should be fine if we just keep it simple

Just remember
Knock two times on the window to dispatch a train
Once on the glass to get ready to go
Just keep it simple
Knock one time and I'll lock up all the lap bars
Twice on the glass and that train's gonna go

(with apologies, of course, to Brown & Levine...)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Good job on the song RideMan, I enjoyed it. The 70's sappy top 40 songs are a great source for song re-writes. We just purchased a car that came with a 60 day trial subscription to XM radio where I have discovered the 70's on 7 channel, much to the chagrin of my family. On the way to CP last Sunday another song by Tony Orlando & Dawn came on: Tie a Yellow Ribbon. It got me to thinking about the endless Mean Streak construction talk. I don't have the time to pen a whole song but the chorus could go something like this:

Tie a pink ribbon 'round the survey stake

It's been 25 years, do you still love me

If i don't see a ribbon 'round the survey stake,

I'll get on the train to the front of the park

Put the blame on Henry

If I don't see a ribbon 'round the Mean Streak stakes.

Now the whole darn train is cheering

I can't believe what I see!

A thousand construction ribbons 'round the Mean Streak queue.

Another song came on that reminds me of all of those "single riders": Alone Again, Naturally.