Blocking

In one of the Dragster threads regarding capacity, it was observed that the Millennium load-station train is not dispatched until the on-course train reaches the brakes. Furthermore, the train is nearly always ready for dispatch earlier.

Naively, it seems as though one could dispatch the in-station train before the on-course train hits the brakes, as long as you don't let it crest the lift hill. In other words, you could use the top of the lift hill as a block.

The question is: why not do this? Seems like you could goose capacity nicely if you did, so there must be some reason not to that I'm just too clueless to figure out.

The computer does not let you dispatch the train until the one on-course reaches the bunny-hop past the station. As long as the train is ready to go and all the thumbs are up, you can hit the dispatch button, but by the time all three ride host hit their dispatch buttons and the catch car gets a hold of the train and begins to leave, the on-course train is already in the breaks. So actually the train is dispatched before the on-course train gets to the breaks. I hope that helped you out!

------------------
Screamsters 2001
Millennium Force/Screamsters 2002
If I dont get out of here and find me a sweet bus station skank, I might do something disgusting that I might really regret!
*** This post was edited by 99er 2/3/2003 12:23:06 PM ***
*** This post was edited by 99er 2/3/2003 12:25:09 PM ***

Yea - that delay on dispatch is interesting on MF. It seems like a good 5-10 seconds from the time you hit the button until the time the train takes off up the lift. Also, to further answer Brian's question - the reason that they can't dispatch until fairly late in the course (bunny hop) is because the train takes a while to get through the final brake run. If it hasn't moved fully into the unload station, the train on the way up the lift will stop. I've seen this happen a few times on cold days, despite them waiting until the last overbank to dispatch.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

If your familiar with RCT2, it has a similar effect. The train (using a cable lift) will stop at the top if the train before has not completely cleared the block brakes. Also, I'm sure that a lot of unneccessary wear and tear would be put on the cable itself having to start a VERY heavy train 300' up in the air. Not to say that it probably couldn't handle it, but doing that all day/everyday would put alot of stress on it. And I bet alot of people would rather get stuck 15' rather than 300' up in the air. But who knows.

------------------
MANTIS ROCKS 2002 & 2003

Stuck? You stop for less than a minute during a setup.

RCT2 only gives the blocking concept. Most roller coasters deal with blocking in a more complicated way. The real world is different from the theoretical world.

MF uses the time for the train going up the lift hill to move the train on the holding brakes to the unload station. The reason that the train set-up at the top is because the train in the brake run slows down too much, and takes longer to clear the holding brakes.

I though that the train could be dispached when the running train hit the sensor before the first brake run. Then the elevator lift system would set up then send the loading train to speed 1 during the time the running train hit the sensor before the second brake run. When the running train hit the sensor before the second brake run, the train in the load would be accelerated to speed 2. Finaly when the running train reaches the load station and the brakes close, the train now on the lift would be set to speed 3. [speed one is about 1 MPH, speed two I'm guessing is 10 MPH, speed three is the full 13 MPH.] Also this is for 3 train operation, the 2 train operation is different] I never have seen MF in a one train operation.

------------------
Millennium Force 03'

Yes, I was thinking about using the variable-speed nature of the lift. For example, I'm certain I've been on the lift when it sped up near the top of the hill. In addition to all the technical reasons why this is good (fewer sudden starts/stops), it also adds to the excitement of the ride. ;)

Anyway, it appears that the hypothesis is wrong; trains are dispatched before the on-course train hits the brakes. Thanks all!

I always loved how as you went higher, you also go faster. It really builds up the thrill on the lift hill. And I'm a poet and didn't even know it! Haha, ok I'll be quiet now.

------------------
life without danger is a waste of oxygen

i thought it was faster then 13 mph at the top tho? seem like it is going closer to 20 or so!