Brake Trims Open

There is nothing better than seeing the "Brake Trims Open" sign lite up on Gemini.

Flying through that last 1/4 portion of the ride is fantastic!

I could ride that coaster all day long>>>>>>>

When do they usually operate Gemini trimless? And do they race it trimless? I'd really like to know.

At least one side was almost always trimless last year.

I haven't had the safeties on the low side turnaround by Magnum grip in ages. On the flipside, I dread when the trims prior to the helix are off.

I do not operate Gemini, but form my ride experience, the MCBR/safety brakes are commonly off. But the helix trims are very rarely off. (I'd like to know when they are off, though... as violent as the helix is without trims, I haven't had a no-helix-trims ride in ages.)

The MCBR... that reminds me... I wish the ride still ran 3 trains per side, but with Gemin's seatbelts and without adding a lot more staff, that would not be practical, or the ride would set up on the MCBR regularly.

I think in today's modern safety climate, it was decided Gemini could no longer safely operate three trains on a side as there was no way for them to all safely stack. While Magnum technically sets up when a train stops on the safeties, a train stopped after the third tunnel is much different than train stopped on the midcourse of Gemini. Same reason Iron Dragon doesn't run three - a full stack stops a train on a lift.

I miss six train Gemini. But I do understand the reasoning.

^That isn't really a safety hazard - evacuating from a high brake run like Valravn's inclined brakes (where it would stack the third train) or Maggie's safeties isn't much worse than the midcourse on Gemini. Mean Streak's old brake run was pretty high up too, (it had that weird high brake run followed by a drop to the next section of the brake run) and that could run with 3 trains.

I'd guess it's more of an issue of guests freaking because they think they're going to die when the ride stops mid-ride. I saw this first-hand when we got stuck in Maverick's tunnel, then a launch attempt failed, and they evacuated after the others on the train started to freak out even more than they did at the initial stop.

To be honest, I don't see why they couldn't just say "In some circumstances, the ride may stop on the lift/brakes mid-ride" for 3-train ID / CCMR / Gemini much like how Maverick and TTD both have rollback disclaimers posted in the queue.

I’m sure the reasoning behind Gemini ditching its 3 (6) train operations has much more to do with the need simply not being there anymore. No need to keep those extra trains handy only to be used a handful of Saturdays throughout the season.

Yeah, I’m not particularly a fan of the helix trims being off on Gemini either. Just a whee bit too rough for an otherwise smooth ride.

^^Iron dragon needs its third IMO. It may have frequently been a walk-on with the third train, but without it it has a relatively long wait fairly often.

I second that about Iron Dragon

It surprises me that Iron Dragon doesn't have FL while Corkscrew does. I've never seen anything longer than a station wait on Corkscrew, but I can't say the same on Iron Dragon, especially with VR (not that I think you should get FL privileges for VR).

Gemini's trimming is all based on train speed, weather, and a small timer that is activated once the train passes through the C-Brakes (What some of you are calling the MCBR.) That timer measures the time from C-Brakes to the Trim-Safety Brakes at the end of the ride. The brakes in that block are all manually controlled still, and are set at the control host's discretion. The helix brakes though are now automated and will never turn off—even for an empty train. The computer will only apply the lightest amount of pressure that it is designed to output for an empty train.

As for the 6 Train discussion, a train stopping in the C-Brakes regularly would be much more of a problem than most of you think. Following all current OSHA lockout procedures, a host would actually have to run all of the way out to the base of that block and manually release the train(s)...every...single...time that it set up. In it's current ridership, there would never be a need to run 6. With four trains Gemini is still one of the highest capacity coasters at the park.

Doesn't Magnum's C-Brake now allow a ride host to remotely release? Is that impossible for Gemini because of the increased distance and obstructed view from the station? Or does CP just not want to give Gemini a more modern control system (I've heard the current one is very simple, but robust and does its job quite well.)

(Also, there's a simple solution to c-brakes... MOVE. Just like people moved for 25 years. And ditch the useless seatbelt.)

By the way, if you see this, RideMan Dave, you should talk about how the ride was, in terms of rider experience, designed perfectly for 3 train per side operations (with several interactions between pairs of trains.)

What type of PPH does Gemini get with 4 trains? I do agree it rarely would benefit from 6 trains any more. I just wish I was around to see coasters built and run for raw efficiency instead of being built to stack regularly because the guests can't get moving (allegedly why Iron Dragon's third train left, because people were "rushed on.")

As for helix trims... hmm, I swear I've gotten a no-helix-trims ride. When was the last time the ride was able to give no-trims rides?

Correct. When Magnum sets up, the C brake can be released from the station now rather than needing a ride host to run out to the safeties once the train in the station heads to the lift.

Not sure what the issue with Gemini is, but my guess is the obstruction from view is a major part of it.

Definitely learning a lot of coaster terminology here (have to look up some of these words on the internet). I swear the Gemini used to feel way more intense with the last helix and now it makes sense. I can't recall the year though when I last went through the helix no-trim.

They were open on Closing Day of this past year and it was rough going. One of the few trims that I prefer to grip hard than be open.

That's what she said.

...I do recall my stomach feeling quite queasy (didn't eat long ago) after going through the end Gemini closing day. It all makes sense now.

During CM last year, I had a ride that had no trims before the helix, and now that I've experienced it, I don't need to ever again. I believe the other C-brake is used at the ride operator's discretion, to slow whichever train he/she wants to lose 😜

Getting a trimless ride on Magnum is great, and is still manually controlled by the ride operator. The pretzel is not too rough, and it has major speed through the bunny hills for great airtime.

It sure was nice to see the newly painted red and blue Gemini trains at the Amazement shop this past weekend.

Blue train rules, even though red train wins more often.