Stall On Tophat / May 24, 2005

There is a proximity switch on the tophat, it is where the stairs end on the left (down side) of the tophat. From that point, it's guaranteed that the train is going down and not rolling back. When that proximity switch has been activated by the train, and said train clears the switch, the second train waiting on the transfer track moves into launch position.

It's all automatic.

didnt this happen in 2003 too?

anyways, yes, this wierd that it happened. maybe it was due to winds at the right moment or something.

Benjamin, just because it was never reported here that it stalled at the top with people in it doesn't mean it didn't happen. I was told by a supervisor of that zone of the park, and I doubt that they would just make it up. They said it stayed up there for a couple minutes and then eventually rolled backwards. So not only did they get the best view in the park for a couple minutes, they also got a rollback and re-ride out of it.

Before Dragster opened, people denied the possiblity that it could ever stall since so many variables would have to be perfect. Now people swear that there's no way it could happen while its loaded. Murphy is alive and well...

If a train stalls at the top, it's not like a tiny gust of wind or someone shifting around in a seat would immediately send it over. The trains are over 5 tons, empty. Add 18 people and it jumps to right around 7 tons (on average). Ever try to push a large truck (like a F350-550) on your own from a stand still? Sure it's not an identical situation because of resistances in the wheels and such, but similar enough to give you an idea of how difficult it is to break the static friction of a heavy object with wheels.

When it has stalled empty in the past it has required a maintenance worker to muscle it over. Sure it's on wheels, but it takes a relatively significant force to break the balancing act.

It happened. My friend Kristin was on it when it happened. I was so jealous when she told me! Talk about the ultimate experience on Dragster... :)

Now I'm jealous...:(
It's bad enough that I havn't had a rollback yet.

"dispatch prematurely."

We all know we don't need any premature....oh, never mind. ;)

I have only ridden Dragster once, and I didn't get a great view from the top, it was over too quickly. I have always wanted a roll back, maybe one day. Being stuck at the top, even for 20 seconds would be awesome.

Post 500!

it is pretty amazing that a train would sit up there once, let alone three times! think about the perfect balance it would have to aqquire in order to just sit up there. pretty amazing.

Yesterday while on the platform for Raptor, Dragster stopped at the top for about 7 seconds, then slowly rolled back.

scooter... you're all about the funny comments today... i like it.
*** Edited 6/24/2005 5:28:07 PM UTC by Vince982***

Again, I do what I can. Happy to entertain. :) Guess I'm feelin' a wee bit smarmy today. Every once in a while, I have a good day.

Word from the park is that it just did it again - loaded this time.

http://www.*************.com/boards/showthread.php?p=587807#post587807

there are some pics in this thread about it. lucky people if it was loaded...

I saw the pic but you cannot tell from it if it was loaded or not. It did happen during the day though so I guess there is a chance it was loaded.

Ragan and Front Seat Rider, where do you see the pictures of it? The link doesn't work obviously with all the **************.

lol, the site must have a filter or something.

it was on www.*************.com

jeff/walt-

how is thrill network a bad word or something?
*** Edited 6/25/2005 1:39:18 AM UTC by ragan***

i know double post...

anyways, http://photobucket.com/albums/a391/ThePhantom05/?action=view&current=IMG_0708.jpg

some lucky souls on top of top thrill....

Is that from today?

yes

Well, nice to know my sources were reliable :)