Something odd from closing day...

I noticed something odd on closing day last week.

A red Gemini train was sitting in the parking lot next to the ride's transfer table. I didn't think anything of it until I rode the ride and realized that there were two red trains operating on the ride all day long.

The odd thing about this is that the third red Gemini train has been sitting in the Mean Streak infield with the spare blue train for years.

Anybody care to speculate as to the reason for the partial return of the third red train?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Maybe the one red train was broken, and they didn't want to disappoint on closing day?

I always hear that they re-move the red and blue trains each year.

^CP removes all trains from the rides during the winter. One year, in the Blue Streak parking lot, there was Wicked Twister, some BS trains and Matterhorn cars. I have a picture someplace around here...

What I meant before about the Gemini Trains is that they switch each of the red and blue trains every other year so they will say they will be fine in structure.

Do they rotate the unused trains from year to year so they will all be in usable condition?

It's been said on here before that they cycle through the trains every season, so a train never sits out more than one season.

I'm guessing they're just getting a head start on the winter rehabs. A blog posting showing the same thing was posted two years ago on the same weekend.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/fun/blog/index.cfm?entry=b935df0e-c30b-4dd3-b553-5b7ece47366f

I'm sure Rideman is aware of the off season procedures. However, unless they're putting that train on now and letting it sit on the transfer track all winter, it does seem weird for it to have been there.

They've done this at the end of previous seasons as well. I can remember both of the "extra" blue and red train sitting over there around Closing Day last year, and previous seasons. I don't think it's anything special... seems to be nothing more than grouping them together, to me.

*** Edited 11/4/2007 11:22:03 PM UTC by DBCP***

I noticed it too while riding, and was kind of surprised to see it. I doubt that there's any reason other than to get all of the trains in one place so they can be taken to one of the shops together. I assume they rotate the trains every year since they can only use two per side now. Are they doing that with Mine Ride? God knows they're not using all five.

Can someone explain how Mine Ride operated with five trains without back in the day? I can't see how those trains could be loaded and unloaded that quickly.

They were down to 2 trains this season and it was horrible. I saw one CCMR train near the extra Gemini trains. Where are the other 2 (that aren't on the track).

What is the reason 6 can't be used on Gemini now?

Mine Ride used to have two block brakes out on the course. One was just before the long, curving drop; the other was just before the final helix. Both of those brakes were removed when the control system was updated. So now count with me:

1) Loading station
2) Lift #1
3) Block Brake #1
4) Lift #2
5) Block Brake #2
6) Safety Brake (ahead of station tunnel)
7) Unloading station

My understanding is that the crew was originally 26 people. I assume that means 13 per shift, which would be five unloaders, five loaders, a couple of operators and a host. And I've been told that when the brakes were released, the train had to be pushed out of the station to move it fast enough to keep from setting up the ride. Don't know how true that all is, but that's what I've heard.

As for the Gemini trains...yeah, I've noticed that they move trains around in the off-season. And I figure the "spare" train is probably fully rehabbed and ready to run. But I thought it odd that the rehabbed train would be brought out to the ride and placed in a position where it will probably have to be moved in order to take off the trains that have been running all season. I wouldn't think they'd have trouble keeping track of all the cars, given that each car has a unique number...

Anyway, I know what I would *like* this to mean, but I suspect the chances of that happening are pretty much zero, in spite of recent personnel changes in the park.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Dave,

Forgive me for sounding stupid, and it is late at night, but what are you implying for what you would *like* it to mean?

My guess is that he means Gemini going back to 6 trains, but I could be completely wrong.

I, for one, would love that!

Back when Mine Ride was new, I've seen the ride operators push trains out of the station like Dave said. Also, they used to park two trains in the station, one loading and one unloading. Plus, back in the day, the ride had no seat belts, which really made the load process much faster.

I assumed it was just to get the refurbishing process started early. With a new coaster like Maverick added, your inspection times are increased, combined with a busy season pushed into October, they probably do all they can to help jump-start the process.

I remember when I was about 7 or 8 (we're talking 1984 here) riding the Mine Ride over and over and over...and there was never a line due to an alomst constant cycle of trains.

Wow, Mine Ride had a much more complex system than I thought. The newer control system is the worse in the park. It takes forever for the trains to park in the station.