Question about Raptor

Don't worry, although the ending hurts, I agree with you, that ride rocks!

wickeddragster88 said:
I also had a different question about Raptor, i noticed for the past two seasons Raptor doesn't really brake you at all mid way through the ride anymore. Does anyone know why you basically just fly through the brakes??

Thanks

The way the ride works it's not really meant to. That mid-block break separates an otherwise unstoppable section of track into 2 areas so if there are any train backups, the train will stop mid-section instead of in the brake section of the station. I don't recall the ride ever slowing down there for the sake of less speed.

Then you didn't pay close attention to the ride, because it has been 'trimmed' at the MCBR most every recent season except part of 2003.

Didnt Hartley work the Raptor?

bholcomb said:
Well, the countdown lights and the countdown on WT are different than a countdown on Power Tower, because the ride op doesn't know exactly when it's going to launch. There is usually a pretty good idea, but I didn't always know when it was going to go.

I do have to agree with Walt though. While I didn't agree with the rule at the time, I can see where it came from.
*** Edited 1/12/2006 12:40:46 AM UTC by bholcomb***

Ah, ok. I always thought it was like WT where it launches right when you push the button.

Yes, Hartley did work at Raptor, and hopefully he comes back for another season! What Hartley said is mostly accurate. The "block brake" is there for just that...to block the train from moving onto the next section of track if the train before it hasn't cleared the next block (the main brake). The computer on any roller coaster will not allow two trains in the same section of track at the same time. That's why the block brakes are put in place. They are different from trim brakes. While Raptor does have trims in the block as well. Sometimes, if the computer senses that the train is moving to fast, it will slightly apply the trim brakes to slow its speed. Ride operators have no control over this, only the sensors and the computer system of the ride.

It's nothing I have ever actively noticed at all last season, and I certainly rode it a lot in different conditions and train sizes. But as said, the main purpose of that section is stop a potential accident. If it trims, I suppose it does, but it has been something that I've not once noticed.

And my application got reviewed today, so I'm waiting for a call (for better or worse) and I hope I join you on Raptor again, Matt! :D *** Edited 1/12/2006 8:54:09 PM UTC by Hartley***

GOOD LUCK HARTLEY

I don't know all of the specifics, I just know that it slows you down through the midcourse brake run. Back in 2003, it was off for a good portion of the season, and there is a noticable difference between then and what it was like last year (or even in 2004).

Plus, if you listen closely you can hear it.

Again, maybe I am wrong, but it's an observation at least.

ChrisR82 said:
I was asking a legit question why is Raptor's lift louder then Montu's lift. It could be that Montu was built later and B&M devolped new tech for it.. I don't know, that's why I was asking.. Didn't know I would have someone attack me for wanting to know the differnce inbetween the 2 lift hills.

Chris, when Raptor was new it had the almost silent anti-rollbacks also. Montu does not have newer technology, someone told me a plastic lining or cover on a part of the anti-rollback system wears out and needs to be replaced when the dogs get noisy.

Apparently CP does not feel it is important enough to spend the time/money to replace the part and make the lift less noisy. This is in no way a safety issue, just a comfort issue. Personally I hate the way the Raptor lift shatters my eardrum and I wish they would service the lift to make it sound like it did when it was new.

If I remember correctly, Busch Gardens has a residential area right across the street. I'm sure the people living there don't want to be listening to the sounds of the anti-roll backs all day, so they made them quieter.

There is no residential area right across the street from Montu. There's the BGT parking lot and a Wendy's. I'm pretty sure there's a Shell station nearby too.

My hotel was caddy corner from it =).. Nothing like waking up to a b&m roar. Thanks pete for the info. That's what I was wandering about Raptor if it was them not wanting to put the money into the ride. I was really impressed with Busch down there. Kumba being built in 93 had fanastic trains. I thought they had fantastic upkeep on there rides. I was impressed on there arrow looper when the harnesses accutally stayed up when they were released =). I wish CP put that care into there rides. *** Edited 1/14/2006 4:57:59 AM UTC by ChrisR82***

TerryFriel said:

I don't think they care if you have a conversation other than holly sh!t i think i'm gonna die or something of that nature. Seriously, do you go on roller coasters to have a conversation or to get a rush? If you want to have a conversation either do it in line, when you get off the ride or just don't ride and sit on a bench and talk.

Ya know what? If I want to carry a conversation I'll do it wherever I want. Perhaps we should think before we post.... Fear Factor... No.

bholcomb said:
I don't know all of the specifics, I just know that it slows you down through the midcourse brake run. Back in 2003, it was off for a good portion of the season, and there is a noticable difference between then and what it was like last year (or even in 2004).

Plus, if you listen closely you can hear it.

Again, maybe I am wrong, but it's an observation at least.

I believe you, don't get me wrong here, I'd be pretty dumb to call someone a liar who firsthand noticed it, it was just something that I never noticed and was never mentioned during our training. It's more important for us to realize timing on the train dispatch so they don't stop at the block versus losing 1-2 mph going into the section.

AphelionAxeMan said:

Ah, ok. I always thought it was like WT where it launches right when you push the button.

Wicked Twister doesn't launch right when you push the button. There's a 2-second delay. We actually push the button when we say "3" in the countdown.

Top Thrill Dragster said:
There is no residential area right across the street from Montu. There's the BGT parking lot and a Wendy's.

Actually, Millennium Man is sort of right. To the south of Montu, there is the bus parking lot. Then across Busch Blvd. is a residential area. And if you go east from Montu, across the road and parking lot, there is another residential area. Both within the distance needed to hear the lift if it sounded like Raptors.