Roller Coaster Problems

Over the past 3 or 4 years, there have been a slew of problems with roller coasters. (many of which have occured at Cedar Point). I can never remember there being this many problems. What leads to these issues? Lack of maintenance? Poor design? Wear and tear? Share your thoughts, here.

My counter-argument would be, when did you start reading amusement park boards? You might find it coincides with this apparent sudden rash of problems.

profound, very profound...but I was looking for a more logical explanation.

Roller coasters often use new technology, and new technology has issues. Yes, many coasters have been having problems throughout parks these days, but that is because they are using new technology. Many manufacturers have been expanding from the typical chain lift, friction brakes, etc.

Many other coasters are having issues too. Sheikra, Deja Vu, X, Kingda Ka, just to name a few.

^^ - but why do you need a longer answer when the simplest may be the right one?

While I think TTD has part of it (using new technology) I think Ensign has the other part.

Do you really think there hasn't been an increase in coaster problems? Maybe we're just hearing about them more.

What are you talking about SheiKra hasn't been having issues although I do agree X, Kingda Ka and Deja Vu have been

The Internet has helped expose many of the flaws of rides from around the country. Beforehand all we knew was what we saw the few times we went to the park(s) each year.

I was somewhat shocked to learn that CP "laid off" 6 ride mechanics this season. I was told this by a CP "union employee" who also said "you didn't hear that from me". I guess they did this to cut back on the budget.

So if this is true, it may be that the rides are not getting the preventive maintenance as they should, leading to more breakdowns.

I just got back from cedar point. It was an 11 hour drive and it was totally worth it. I did notice that TTD was having some difficulties. It broke down about three times that day(friday). I got in line right before it got running again. So it was only a five minute wait! =D

^I wouldn't use TTD as a yardstick for roller coaster reliability, though!

I think there are several issues at play here:

1.We hear about them more, being more connected on the internet.

2.New coaster technology= new coaster issues

3.More and more coasters are being built every year. even if the percentage of accidents is the same, the number would go up.

4.Budget cuts. The entire industry is in a huge slump right now.

I'm not clear on if you mean accidents, including ones involving death or injury, or just mechanical breakdowns. If you mean accidents, human error could be a big cause as well.

MillenniumMadMan said:
^I wouldn't use TTD as a yardstick for roller coaster reliability, though!
I think there are several issues at play here:
1.We hear about them more, being more connected on the internet.
2.New coaster technology= new coaster issues
3.More and more coasters are being built every year. even if the percentage of accidents is the same, the number would go up.
4.Budget cuts. The entire industry is in a huge slump right now.

I'm not clear on if you mean accidents, including ones involving death or injury, or just mechanical breakdowns. If you mean accidents, human error could be a big cause as well.

Exactly. I'm pretty sure in the 70's, the cork screw had chain issues or an air leak at various times. There were no 'message boards' like these at that time. However, if there were...we'd hear about it like there's no tomorrow.

"oh noes, oh my, the new Corkscrew's air tank corroded and leaked! what am I do ride now??"

Another deal is the fact that the costs for labor and materials in the US is outrageous. So, to cut costs, you must look elsewhere...even 3rd world. I'm not making assumptions here, but most people feel using 3rd world manufacturing isn't as good as the "MADE IN USA" deal. (With the exception of cars where the opposite is true) Like I stated, it's not a proven fact, but a plausible theory. *** Edited 9/4/2007 2:37:27 PM UTC by DJTheC***

I heard something about TTD and Millenium Force running better in the heat... is there any truth to that? I was told that TTD can only be run at half capacity when its cold because if it ran at full capacity it would get numerous rollbacks. Thoughts?

Budget cuts do not affect the maintenance of the rides at Cedar Point. Period. Rides break down over time, and with new technology, the potential for break down is even greater.

mk522 said:
Budget cuts do not affect the maintenance of the rides at Cedar Point. Period. Rides break down over time, and with new technology, the potential for break down is even greater.

Cutting the budget of ride maintenance does affect the rides becuase the less money means less workers to do repair work and therefore more downtime due to lack of work getting done in a timely fashion.
*** Edited 9/6/2007 7:18:22 AM UTC by wickeddragster88***

I have long observed MF running faster on hot days than cold, presumably due to friction/expansion. The speed is retained better over the course of the ride on a hot day.

Watch the trains coming into the station. On a hot day, they'll still be moving at a pretty good clip when coming out of the first (fixed) magnetic brake run, and the second brake one (where the mag brakes move) does alot of the stopping. On a cold day, the trains creep into the second set of brakes.

I'm going to go ahead and say that nobody on this board has access to reliable information regarding CP's budget when it comes to maintenance and maintenance workers.

Or, at least, those who do know are not the ones doing the talking. :)

For the record, I didn't say anything specifically about Cedar Point's ride maintenance in my post.

I watched TTD go on a BLAZING HOT DAY. We're talking mid 80's blazing hot.

Storm the prior evening, the first hour it was open they were running test trains then finally 3 rows of people in front. Then let it run 10 or so runs, and add another row, and then add another row until finally at full capacity.

So despite the track receiving rain the night before, it was a perfectly dry morning.

I would say that laying off people is just squeezing more money out of areas for more profit...for more coasters.

I don't think because X amount of employees leave that the check list is any different for when people check the coaster / perform maintenance.
I bet those signed and dated maintenance reports / check-ups are required to be turned in to lawyers upon completion for record keeping even.

I believe CP benefits by not employing 6 specialized mechanic's making a healthy living salary, and benefits.

If Hotel Breakers has 16 full time luggage people in the summer time I don't think they have say just 2 people running the entire parks maintenance.

Besides management...these people who keep the park running. HVAC, electricians, mechanics, and etc draw the largest wages.

6 people could easily be over a quarter of a million dollars saved.
It could be to make the bottom line more appealing after a 25 million dollar coaster.

These are assumptions here, but fairly agreeable assumptions.

When CP starts having Six Flags reliability then we know somethings up. *** Edited 9/7/2007 5:17:32 AM UTC by factory81***

TTD used to have dragster slicks on the rear car, you don't see them any more, what happened to them?, where are they? (boneyard?). There are a lot less rollbacks since they dissappeared.