Extended Closure

Is that based on your extensive experience modifying trains at Cedar Point?

Well, I guess it just depends on what the issue is. And we're all currently guessing at what it is. If it's really just replacing a few small parts that could be done at cedar point probably. But if it's a bigger issue that's imperla needs to diagnostic first then yeah it's going to have to be sent to zenperla

2020TpForSale:

^if they have to ship the trains out for repair, that’s a minimum of 1-2 days shipping both directions.

Well, IF they have to ship the trains, it will depend on where, right? 1-2 days supposes Zamperla can subcontract to some local-ish repair facility to do the work. If it's just springs and strong wheel guides (as Jeff noted as just a possibility), then I suspect they could do that right at Cedar Point, since they routinely tear apart trains. However, if it's a substantially more-involved issue, then who knows.

My speculation is that if it's an 'extended' closure, the time may less about shipping trains anywhere, and more about Zamperla figuring out the engineeering solution and designing and manufacturing the parts. So, for instance, with IF this about the shimmy causes LSM misalignment (we all saw the painters tape), Zamperla needs to figure out (1) how do we effectively reduce this, (2) possibly design the fix, (3) possibly engineer the parts (if they aren't stock things) and then get them out to CP, install and test.

But, regardless, this is unfortunate for Zamperla (and CP). The ride appeared to be very well constructed and designed. opened on time and seemed to be running almost flawlessly -- until this. It takes on a more troubling note because of the history of the ride (fairly or unfairly), and some skepticism about Zamperla.

If it's a 2 week blip or so, it will be no big deal. If it extends deeper into the summer, then if I am a higher up at CP, I start getting very annoyed at Zamperla....

I haven’t booked a trip for June yet. Was supposed to lock in my hotel for first week of June. What do you guys think? lol smh

First time coming would be sad to miss it. At the same time I’ve been looking forward to this so long at least SV would be open (knocks loudly on wood)

Saw this comment on reddit and it made me chuckle:

"Zamperla has decided loose articles also includes people."

I was among those who wanted to see Intamin get the chance to right their wrongs on this thing, but I think Zamperla has done a great job overall. It was a risk for both them and the park to take the chance of debuting these trains in such a demanding environment and in my opinion it's reasonable to assume there would be a learning curve. Sure it would have been nice to have discovered whatever is currently causing this issue during what was the most rigorous testing schedule I can remember for a CP attraction, but we also don't know what all they learned and modified while the park was closed to get to this point.

It's definitely a bummer to have to speculate at the moment about how long this closure will be, but I am highly encouraged that the method of propulsion used for TT2 seems to be in great working order so far given how much the hydraulic launch system (unfortunately) plagued TTD.

then if I am a higher up at CP, I start getting very annoyed at Zamperla....

this comment irks me. Intamin, then RMC, now Zamperla. We are running out of manufacturers that Cedar Point isn’t annoyed at. At some point the finger has to stop pointing at everyone else. If you’re constantly asking these companies to push the envelope, expect these problems to continue and be patient enough to let them troubleshot.

1-2 days shipping. And here I am still waiting for my Temu.

They have Zamperla Prime.

Cedar Point's annoyance with Intamin, for lack of a better word, isn't so much about their rides' litany of issues, but rather how the company treated the park. I don't know about RMC, but it would seem as if there is a pretty solid relationship with Zamperla. As long as they take care of what they need to take care of and take responsibility for what they should, all is good.

I keep waiting for the Sandusky Register to sue for more information.

This is disappointing for sure, but not all that shocking. And that's not because of the ride's past (because this isn't that ride), but rather all the prototype tech and parts being used.

For those of us who were around for the first 3 seasons of TTD, this is nothing. Now if it's July and we're still having these conversations...well....then it becomes something different.

SRE123:

his comment irks me. Intamin, then RMC, now Zamperla. We are running out of manufacturers that Cedar Point isn’t annoyed at. At some point the finger has to stop pointing at everyone else. If you’re constantly asking these companies to push the envelope, expect these problems to continue and be patient enough to let them troubleshot.

Well, Cedar Point is paying these companies millions of dollars to successfully push the envelope. If their design, engineering, or construction cannot reliably do so, then the company (be it Intamin, Zamperla, or RMC) should not accept the contract. My suspicion is these companies are not saying "well, I think we can do this, but we need to just see how it goes...", because no large-scale company like Cedar Point, which necessarily depends upon reliable, operational rides, would agree to that.

Instead, I strongly suspect Zamperla got the job because they pitched these great new, well designed trains that would perform amazingly well on TT2. And for all we know -- they have and they will. But, however, if there is a significant problem with the trains, it's entirely on Zamperla, not CP. I mean, honestly, this isn't exactly envelope pushing: until the accident, the Intamin trains ran fine at these speeds for about 2 decades (ignoring the tire flying incident) -- the problem was the damn hydraulic launch and brake fin system.

Now, I understand Zamperla pushed the envelope in terms of the one-piece-ish construction design and lightweight nature of the trains, but after all the extensive testing of them during the pre-opening phase, I'm sure CP is as surprised as the rest of us that this entire ride is shutting down for an "extended closure" just about a week after formal opening.

there's just no good way to spin this for Zamperla presently....

What was the timeframe from Wicked Twister opening to the extra supports being added to the spikes again?

Depending on how long 'extended' is, it does seem like a decent time to make other adjustments/modifications within reason. Guess we'll see if any cranes show back up in the interim (legitimately not sure how you'd add a stopper to the reverse spike otherwise, but hey, I'm no coaster engineer).

IIRC the extra supports on WT were added during the off-season after year 1.

I heard that in the meantime, they were doing frequent overnight welding.

veritas55:

Instead, I strongly suspect Zamperla got the job because they...

...had a product that fit within Cedar Point's budget.

To look at things a bit differently, there is also a chance that Zamperla knew there could be an issue that might cause an extended closure and Cedar Point decided to continue with opening the attraction on time with the hope that Zamperla's guess would be wrong. Scenarios like that happen all of the time in construction, including the building of new rides. The issue they are fixing does not necessarily mean something was unsafe or could become unsafe in the near future, but rather more costly repairs/ longer downtime if the issue isn't corrected now.

Does anyone have a photo of the tape on the LSM?

For what it's worth, as of today, there were at least 2 trains on the storage track. Didn't notice if the 3rd was in the station or had been removed. (maybe it was on the storage track too and I just missed it). I believe it was at winter chill out where they said they were setting up a repair shop for the trains in the old hydraulic building.

edit: not positive on the location of the 3rd train, I thought I only saw 2.

veritas55:

there's just no good way to spin this for Zamperla presently....

Except that they've never built a ride at this scale, with these trains, on the bones of someone else's ride, that's faster than all but a handful of other rides, and they're adjusting something that we don't actually know or understand. But sure, no room for a little grace here.

I was there today. There were definitely 3 trains on the storage tracks when I left around 1:30 pm. So maybe they moved one since?

This thread is the first I'm hearing of Cedar Point being "upset" with RMC.

Lemon chill guy informed everyone about RMC annoyance years ago

I think it's too early to say that Cedar Point is upset with Zamperla, or that Zamperla has done anything wrong. Zamperla is only the second company to attempt a ride of this magnitude. As best as I can tell, prior to TT2, Zamperla's tallest coaster was 115' tall (Thunderbolt at Luna Park.) It is just not realistic to think that a ride of this magnitude can open without technical difficulties. Yes, it is disappointing, but it is not at all unexpected. If Zamperla wants to set themselves up as the go to company for large scale rides, then they will need to be working closely with Cedar Point to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible, and as best as I can tell, that is exactly what Zamperla is doing.