The Engine Removed on the cars

Hey, I was wondering when and why did they remove the engine, wing and tire thing off the back of the dragster cars. It is weird because I am just noticing.

I don't know if this is the full reason or not cuz I'm not really familiar with Dragster's history, but I read they removed it to add a row of seating to further prevent rollback. I also could not care less as long as Dragster keeps its skeletons in the closet while I'm riding lol

Not a good first post.

In before the close!

During testing one morning in 2003, a tire flew off. The theming was removed for the 2004 season.

Twisted Wicker said:
In before the close!

During testing one morning in 2003, a tire flew off. The theming was removed for the 2004 season.

True, but it happened at close, not during morning testing. I was in line. After an hour delay, to check the other trains and remove the train with only one tire, they continued giving rides. Which I give the park credit for and the reason I didn't mind that the ride was closed during my next 4 visits that year. But I decided to work there the following year!

Many pictures were posted on internet sites around the time it happened but cant seem to find them now.
*** Edited 7/25/2006 4:12:45 AM UTC by 901liveson***

The tires would and themeing probably would have come off anyways since they did add another row of seats which helps capacity. I'm sure one falling off just added to their demise.

The tires would and themeing probably would have come off anyways since they did add another row of seats which helps capacity.

This is news to me! When did they add another row of seats?

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Cory Marshall

TTD's train theming timeline:

2003
- All the trains were delivered to the park with two real dragster tires, a spoiler (front & back), and a engine mockup. Note: each train only had 16 seats.
http://www.cedarpoint.com/_upload/inside_the_park/rides/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/construction/Construction150.jpg

- Something happened during testing that the theming was removed.
http://www.cedarpoint.com/_upload/inside_the_park/rides/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/construction/Construction155.jpg
http://www.cedarpoint.com/_upload/inside_the_park/rides/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/construction/Construction156.jpg

- May 4, the ride opened with 5 trains (no gold) with the theming on.

- Around mid-May the tires were removed, the reason is still somewhat unknown, but it is said that the tires were spinning and creating problems.
[url=http://pointphotography.net/images/originals/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/001.jpg"]http://pointphotography.net/images/originals/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/001.jpg

- May 24 or 25 the tires were put back on.

- First week of June, the tire on the right side of the blue train fell off while going into the brakes at night.

- All the theming was removed the next day, but the front spoiler.
http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/gallery/cp/ttd/20.jpg

- The ride shut down for a few weeks in June and the back cars were modified with two extra seats making a total of 18 seats per train.
http://pointphotography.net/images/originals/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/021.jpg

- The front spoiler was removed sometime after between July and October. This left a hole in the nose in front of the trains.
(Can't find a picture)

2004
- The front spoiler was put back on before opening day.

- The front spoiler was taken off again sometime during this season.

2005
- The nose piece on each train was replaced to cover the hole left from the front spoiler.
http://pointphotography.net/images/originals/roller_coasters/top_thrill_dragster/019.jpg

Just when I thought I wasn't that big of a TTD fan. :)

CP has said many times, the theming will not return. :(

*** Edited 7/25/2006 6:24:52 AM UTC by Gomez***
*** Edited 9/6/2006 1:55:00 AM UTC by Gomez***

That's more in depth than I could have ever gone.

I could have sworn it was still in May when the tire fell off towards Iron Dragon, but if it was June I'll take your word for it.

I know the cable snapped for the first time on Memorial Day (May 27) and the theming was still there so it could fell off on May 28, 29, 30, or 31. If it was in May it would technically still be the first week of June though. :)

Wow Gomez... nice info!

Greg

What I still haven't figured out is why the tires were able to spin in the first place. They should have been so securely welded in place that it wouldn't affect anything.

Yeah, with the amount of tech poured into this ride, these oversights are nothing short of idiotic.

When I was on Mean Streak last year I saw the engines in the middle behind that building while going over the first turn and the brake run. I don't know if they're still there though.

Hey, thanks for the info, it wasn't that big of a deal, but i was just wondering.

The spoilers and the engines are in the middle of Mean Streak.

901liveson said:

True, but it happened at close, not during morning testing. I was in line. After an hour delay, to check the other trains and remove the train with only one tire, they continued giving rides.

This is correct, as I was on the train ahead of the one that lost its tire. It happened maybe 10 minutes after the park closed while the ride still had a 1+ hour wait. I want to say it happened sometime around the very end of May, as I remember the laser show hadn't started for the year yet.

You have 4 posts and 2 threads?

Great detective work gomez.

I wish I had followed the themeing history as closely as you did Gomez. Unfortunately I didn’t start following any of Dragsters history until the beginning 2004. It was around that season that I started giving a big hoot over it.:)

*** Edited 7/25/2006 8:50:41 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***