Stan Checketts on VertiGo...

If you're curious to know about VertiGo, check out this update from Westcoaster.net. Stan Checketts of S&S spoke last weekend at Winter Solace at Knott's Berry Farm (kind of like our CoasterMania):

http://www.westcoaster.net/update.php?id=03020211

The thing that surprised me is that they removed the cables and vehicle from VertiGo. I wouldn't have expected they'd do that.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Very interesting!

I'm not surprised that they remove the cart and cables, it seems like CP would want to pack as much as possible away for the winter. What does surprise me is that no one thought of this problem. The effects of strong winds on rides have been discussed for years at CP and this just shows you that you can't think of everything all of the time - accidents are still going to happen.

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If there is nothing wrong with me, then there must be something wrong with the universe. -Beverly Crusher, Star Trek TNG

This is the kind of news I was waiting to hear...

Bu tlike Stan says... it's up to CF. Some people say there's no such thing as bad press. Well in the world of amusement parks, there is... and the VertiGo incident is it...

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 (2001)
Will there be more????

Well, I guess it makes sense. Those towers were scary enough swaying 5 feet let alone 15! Hopefully CF will let Stan and the gang come in and patch things up for the 2002 season.

This is why you wait for official word peeps...Very interesting Jeff..thanks for the Link!

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

Well, the problem that I see now is that the other two towers have been sitting there blowing in the wind 15 feet in some direction. I think if VertiGo comes back, it has to come back as an entirely new ride.

I don't see a problem with the system, provided you leave the thing cabled, but I am really surprised that they're only designed to sway five feet. I would think something that free standing would have a lot more play allowed.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I agree. If they are to reopen VertiGo, they would have to replace the remaining tower. The remaining towers have been put through the same stresses and for a longer period of time since they are still standing.

If they are going to replace it, hoping they will, this won't turn me away. I know that rides are designed to be safe and that they are tested fully.

What I don't quite understand is why CP took off the vehicle and towers. They keep the Power Tower vehicles and cables attatched. I still just wonder why they took the cables out on this attraction.

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2002- Raptor Hot Shots
Force Laps: 424
Wicked Twists: ???

*** This post was edited by Wicked Twisted Greg on 3/4/2002. ***

Actually, they don't keep the cables on Power Tower. Look closely at this off-season photo.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

The only thing I can think of is that maybe S&S engineers may have reattatched the cables on the remaining two towers in such away that would prevent them from swaying 15 feet. Then again, I also haven't seen the towers up close to see if there are cables on them or not. However, if S&S is puting up a new tower, that might explain why the Tall crane is still in the parking lot, then again it could also be used for the opposite. Guess we'll have to wait for the official word or see what happens through next month.

The only ride where I'm pretty sure they don't take the cables off of is SPace Spiral since it typically spends the winter with the cabin at it's halfway position as seen in this picture http://www.spiritofthepoint.com/images/Aerial%20Shots/airpark2.jpg.

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- Chris -
Computer Science - Ashland University
Witches' Wheel/Monster - 2002
3rd Shift Trash Removal - 2001

*** This post was edited by Flisk on 3/4/2002. ***

I've seen that pic before but failed to notice the lack of cables. I assumed they were there since the vehicle is elevated off of the ground. I just didn't realize they cables weren't there.

Does CP really need to take the cables off during the off-season? Is it required or just something CP decides to do?

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2002- Raptor Hot Shots
Force Laps: 424
Wicked Twists: ???

That makes sense.

I think that if they re-open VertiGo, they should fess up to what happened and have the information posted somewhere by the entrance, Challenge park, and VertiGo itself. This would educate the public on what happened, and make them aware that it couldn't possibly have happened while in operation. This way, word of mouth will spread to the GP that it's safe.

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MF count: 23

I don't think it is required, but with the snow they get it would freeze the cable and stiffen it up. It is kind of what happens to your garden hose of you leave out in the winter, it always wants to go back to that postition in the summer.

Yeah, but wouldn't you think that they would remove the cable from MF if they remove them from the S&S rides...?

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MF count: 23

I'd think they'd want to play it safe and replace all 3 towers. Like it's been said.. The other two have been through alot, no use in taking chances..

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 (2001)
Will there be more????

But the difference between a cable and your garden hose is that you dont run water thru a cable. I wouldnt imagine a cable freezing up just because of a little snow. I mean, look at all the guy wires on telephone poles. Those stay up during some pretty harsh winters. Unless there was one of those bad ice storms, I wouldnt think that the cables would be in too much peril.

but what do I know, I'm only a rocket scientist...
jeremy

Next time you ride Power Tower, look at the corners of the vehicles. There are nylon screws that are tightened down on the structure to secure the vehicle.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Yeah, Jeff, I know what you're talking about. I've seen them and always wondered what exactly they were for. Thanks for clearing it up for me!

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2002- Raptor Hot Shots
Force Laps: 424
Wicked Twists: ???

If you want to know why they remove the cables...go put a rubber band in the snow for a day...they lose elasticity in cold conditions. MF's cable is a different story. It's not elastic, but rather tight like a cable on an elevator.

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www.geocities.com/freddieneo

*** This post was edited by FreddieNeo on 3/4/2002. ***

Umm.. so is the one on VertiGo.. it's a steel cable.. not a bungee type.. I know.. I helped move it one night...

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 (2001)
Will there be more????