Mantis running efficiently?

I was watching the cleveland cam and decided to time the intervals between Mantis trains cresting the lift. It came to just under 2 minutes. What are they doing that is allowing them to seemingly hit interval (since the ride time is 2:40). Are they running 3 trains or just 2?

I'm pretty sure they're still just running the two trains, but if they keep it up, they might justify adding the third back in. On Saturday they were dispatching trains before the other train was even stopped in blocks outside the station. I was quite impressed.

That's a great sign. I love the ride and to watch the operations suffer the last few seasons (one train on opening day 2004) was just sad. I hope that they are able to keep things up and keep it moving.

The line for mantis moved faster than any other time I have been in line for it. I was quite impressed.

There was also very minimal "unlock 8. Lock 8, unlock 4, riders your harnesses have been unlocked, lock 4" dialogue.

Why did they stop the third train anyways? no need?

News Flash: From what I hear...its comming back!

BPMCH02 said:
Why did they stop the third train anyways? no need?

People don't understand that on a stand-up coaster you have to stand up. As a result, it takes (or use to take :) ) forever to load a train as they had to keep locking and unlocking harnesses. The other train would always make it back to the station before the other one was dispatched, so the 3rd train really wasn't needed, and it only added to the stacking.

BoonDock said:
News Flash: From what I hear...its comming back!

I hope you're right! I would love to see the return of three train operation on Mantis!

I don't see why they should. Opening Day it was fantastic. By the time the train was sent off from the station, the one that just completed its course stops for about 2 seconds before coming in the station.

If they add 3 trains it'll just create more waiting time. Keep it at 2, they are doing a fantastic job.

I don't know when you were on it/watching it, but when I was watching it and inline, the trains were dispatching before the other train stopped, just about when it hit the first breaks (not the midcourse). With a little time, I think they could justify it. *** Edited 5/8/2006 10:50:44 PM UTC by DBCP***

It will be interesting to see how long lines are this summer. If they aren't too bad, it doesn't seem like there is a huge need for a third train.

Seems as though they are trying some new wheels on the one train...every other run is incredibly loud. Those wheels were screamin' this last weekend. If you walk next to it as it hits the bottom of the first hill it's pretty painful on the ears. We are in the marina and can hear that it's quite loud.

Glad to hear it. Mantis is one of my favourites and when I have to sit in a train outside the station for 5 minutes it takes away from it.

Scott said:
Seems as though they are trying some new wheels on the one train...every other run is incredibly loud. Those wheels were screamin' this last weekend. If you walk next to it as it hits the bottom of the first hill it's pretty painful on the ears. We are in the marina and can hear that it's quite loud.

I was wondering why it is so loud this year. Seems every train is loud, you can hear it all over the park. Sounds like the roar of a low pitched air-raid siren.

2 trains on Mantis is easy to run interval, always dispatch when the train enters the middle of the final turn into the transfer section.
Controls can also release roll in short by about 4 inches to speed up onloading.

If you run it that way, you get the most amount of time for each load/unload to explain to people they just waited for a standup coaster. :)

If you get into quick dispatch when the train is ready you will not be able to run multi intervals.

Cheers!

Matt

Mantis, Raptor 02

Anyone remember when they put the Mantis wheels on Raptor in 2003 I think it was? You could hear that beast running all the way back to Dragster! :)

I was on the Mantis train that got stuck. We were in the front row....the op never clicked in her seatbelt....and it stopped halfway up. They came up and snapped it in...and off we went.

^That seems to happen a lot for some reason.

I remember how silent it always seemed last season after Mantis stopped running for the day. Working at Millennium Force Photo, I guess I just got used to always talking over the noise, but after its last run of the night, things suddenly get very quiet.

ok, yikes! mantis alway was loud to me, but if you say it's louder wow, and since they have been using only 2 trains did they rotate between the 3 trains each season? or just use the same two over again?

As far as raptor if I remember correctly the first few season being loud, I liked it, when you heard it, it's like ..."FEAR ME!!"

One thing I did notice this year was that when they op was giving his speach they kept enforcing the fact that the ride ops will buckle the belts. I never heard this before and found it odd, just wondering if this is new or just never noticed it before.

RIDE ON!