Red Reflectors
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As a third-person observer...
I know what Bill is talking about in regards to Timbers. I noticed two of them myself while at the park last weekend, but I can't say I know if they are actually "photo eyes" or not. There is one mounted at the front of the station where the train makes its left-hand turn. It is attached to the railing and sits maybe four feet above the walkway. There is another one at the back of the station, on the left-hand curve there, that sits at the same level. They look as if they are positioned so as to line up. If a line was drawn between them it would run straight down the middle of the station.
Each box is blue, as Bill stated, and is about the size of a loaf of bread. Each one looks like it contains some sort of radar eye, similar to those seen on the devices that buzz when you walk into a convenient store. Like I said though, I'm not siding on whether they are any sort of specific sensor or not...just adding my observations.
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James Draeger
http://draegs.tripod.com/
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"
I know what Bill is talking about in regards to Timbers. I noticed two of them myself while at the park last weekend, but I can't say I know if they are actually "photo eyes" or not. There is one mounted at the front of the station where the train makes its left-hand turn. It is attached to the railing and sits maybe four feet above the walkway. There is another one at the back of the station, on the left-hand curve there, that sits at the same level. They look as if they are positioned so as to line up. If a line was drawn between them it would run straight down the middle of the station.
Each box is blue, as Bill stated, and is about the size of a loaf of bread. Each one looks like it contains some sort of radar eye, similar to those seen on the devices that buzz when you walk into a convenient store. Like I said though, I'm not siding on whether they are any sort of specific sensor or not...just adding my observations.
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James Draeger
http://draegs.tripod.com/
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"
Okay, I appear to have been under the influence when I interpreted the fiber optic. The reflectors are a passive aspect of the system, and yes, appear to be slightly left of center on the mounting. (Which is good, the brakes are right of center) They are, however, completely different from the photoeye.
The blocking system uses, I believe, the little color-coordinated prox sensors, as there is one on the lift approach, one just after the mid-train apexes the lift, and one that you are going too fast to see on the break run.
Jeff, by needing to know where to look, I meant that when you normally look that way, you are watching the train race through the helix, and overlook the little blue breadbox nestled on a walkway support. James is right, though, as the before station and after station seem to line up, but then, so does the station itself. The trains will pass w/in ~1m of the sensor anyway.
The blocking system uses, I believe, the little color-coordinated prox sensors, as there is one on the lift approach, one just after the mid-train apexes the lift, and one that you are going too fast to see on the break run.
Jeff, by needing to know where to look, I meant that when you normally look that way, you are watching the train race through the helix, and overlook the little blue breadbox nestled on a walkway support. James is right, though, as the before station and after station seem to line up, but then, so does the station itself. The trains will pass w/in ~1m of the sensor anyway.
Hmmm, well I don't know ST as well since I've yet to get my sorry butt out there, but the box you guys are describing does sound like a photo-eye. Most likely it does go to a receiver on the opposite end of the station. Short photo eyes tend not to be used since they are going to cover only a very small secion of track, and usually since you are sensing the existence of a train, you'd prefer to cover as much ground as possible.
But to bring this all the way back to the beginning, I'm still fairly certain the red reflectors seen throughout CP recently are from accelerometer testing. You can check GMH out on the web if you're courious about testing at http://www.gmheng.com/
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-Brian
I really should be working...
But to bring this all the way back to the beginning, I'm still fairly certain the red reflectors seen throughout CP recently are from accelerometer testing. You can check GMH out on the web if you're courious about testing at http://www.gmheng.com/
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-Brian
I really should be working...
Monty Jasper was asked about the new red reflectors at one of the Coastermania sessions yesterday and he said they are to provide the ride computers with additional information on train position for better braking etc.
*shrug* All I can say is that isn't true for Raptor, Mantis, and CCMR.
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-Brian
I really should be working...
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-Brian
I really should be working...
Tim: I presume you are referring to the first CoasterMania session? Because that sounds an awful lot like the answer he gave at the second session for why Millennium Force has a new prox switch array this season.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
If memory serves me correctly, I don't think Timbers has a photo eye on it anywhere, just the standard green prox switches.
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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentr
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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentr
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