Theming On Trains Not out of the Question

If you happen to look at the webcam, you'll notice the back of one of the cars wrapped in plastic. You can clearly see that the is something sticking out a little ways behind the second row of seats. Now I can i'm not saying that there is going to be theming, but that could definately be some kind of weird mount or something for them to connect something on to. We could know alot better if the rest of the red train could be seen and it had it too. I'll guess we'll have to wait and see.

that what it is.. it's the mounts.. they have been cleaned and greased so they are sealed in plastic so as not to get dirty.

Let the idea of the themeing go people..

EDIT** having just looked at the cam. The large wrapped thing you see is a stack of mulch bags for the landscapers.

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82
*** This post was edited by Red Garter Rob 4/3/2004 6:57:00 PM ***

Did I ever just say that is exactly what it is? No. I didn't think so. I was just listing a possibility.

It's NOT the theming.

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Eddy the retard is awesome.

Maybe we should make one more topic about it though, just to make sure!!

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Final 2003 Stats: Trips: 37
Top Thrill Dragster: 17
Magnum XL-200: 85 (last train of the year in 6-1)

Why are they theming TTD with mulch? You guys aren't making any sense... ;)

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But then again, what do I know?

Nice.

Yes folks, it is true, TTD's theming is coming back. But not in it's original state as during last season. There will be a new look and feel for the ride as the park incorporates mulch into the all encompassing, totally immersive stata-mulching experience. Where else but at Cedar Point will you be able to go from 0 to 120 cubic yards of pure landscaping bliss? You want height? They've got pallets and pallets of it. You want speed? There will be multitudes of workers spreading it. You want action? Then get yourself out to Cedar Point for Top Thrill Mulcher! (some assembly required, comes with everything you see here, each sold separately, part of this complete breakfast) ;)

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This ain't no book you you can close, when the big light hits your eyes. Cropduster-Riot Act-Pearl Jam

But, seriously Mawty, what Rob was saying is that Seriously, those ARE the mounts. They are a prt of the actual train themselves I beleive, I think they maybe even act as a bumper.

So, yes they are there, but I think serving more of a safety purpose.

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- Chris -
Monster/WW ATL 02
Monster WW TL 03
Antiques/Swings TL 04

Bumpers they are. Very useful on the transfer track when moving the trains around. There good for a couple MPH without damage to the train. When running trains around on the main line, inverter controlers are designed so that the trains not only don't bump into each other, but stop in a spot with a few inches of tolerance. Why spend the money on expensive inverter controlers for 6 more blocks in the transfer area when you can get away without them? Bumping trains with riders on board is not an option. When there isn't anyone on the train, as long as you don't break it theres no problem.

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Eddy the retard is awesome.

I heard they were putting the theming back on the trains, and giant target beyond the tower. Whichever ride-op can land a wheel closest to the target gets a bonus. You guys better start practicing.

John

Although I think it's preferred for the trains to NEVER be bumped. A small bump can do a lot more damage than one might think.

An example being low speed crash testing on automobiles. One 5 MPH bump may cause as much as $1000 in damage to a car. You can see the number of cars which get poor ratings in the low speed crash category. Here is a link to a popular website for insurance companies. Here is the category for midsize SUV's, but I'm sure you can browse around for more info. http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_midsuv.htm

If it causes damage in cars, I can imagine a few MPH can cause structural integrity damage on a coaster train....

So yes, they put those bumpers on the trains to reduce structural damage, but still I don't think there is a park in the world that want's their trains "bumped" even on accident.
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- Chris -
Monster/WW ATL 02
Monster WW TL 03
Antiques/Swings TL 04
*** This post was edited by Flisk 4/5/2004 12:42:36 PM ***

The Wildcat cars get bumped all the time, but I think they have much stronger bumpers than real cars.

The bumpers on the Dragster trains seem well designed, wouldn't think bumping trains on the transfer track at slow speed would be harmful. Many cars do get damaged during 5 mph collisions, but it is only cosmetic damage. The important chassis pieces are not damaged.

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I'd rather be in my boat with a drink on the rocks,
than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

The Intamin trains' bumpers are mounted on the chassis' center beam. I doubt very much they'd do any significant damage at the speed trains are moved around. I did appear that the nose pieces were re-fitted early in the season last year though. I seem to recall them touching the bumper, which would be bad news when it compresses on a bump.

Other than that, I guess it all depends on how durable the ball-and-socket joints between the trains are. I should hope plenty strong, because a separation while in motion would be disastrous.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

Hey Jeff... you think that if we make 50 more topics on bringing the theming back on the trains they'll actually consider it??? (sarcasm)

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Arms down.....Arms down.....Arms down.......Arms down.....Arms down....Arms down...(you think they would get it the first time?!)

2003-TTD-15 Rollbacks-1
2004- Demon Drop (first year)

Jeff, kudos on noticing that retrofit...however, only "certain trains" received it...also, notice the difference in the front bumpers (bubbles vs. concentric rings). Doesn't take much to create spider webs in fiberglass. Transfering and manuals are a fine art on that ride, particularly when the track is wet.

EDIT - JuggaLotus, if you only knew...Hi to our friends at Camp Snoopy, Paddlewheel Excursion, and Monster. ;) They know why, "No loose articles are permitted on this ride!"
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TTD '03 Crew
69 Launches - 65 Complete Circuits
*** This post was edited by Purdue University Engineer 4/5/2004 4:55:58 PM ***

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Flisk said:
Although I think it's preferred for the trains to NEVER be bumped. A small bump can do a lot more damage than one might think.

An example being low speed crash testing on automobiles. One 5 MPH bump may cause as much as $1000 in damage to a car. You can see the number of cars which get poor ratings in the low speed crash category. Here is a link to a popular website for insurance companies. Here is the category for midsize SUV's, but I'm sure you can browse around for more info. http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_midsuv.htm

If it causes damage in cars, I can imagine a few MPH can cause structural integrity damage on a coaster train....

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Actually, if you look a little closer at what happens in a parking-lot crash, which is what the IIHS bumper-basher is testing, here's what you find out: At <5mph, the cylinders behind the vehicle bumpers compress. This prevents damage to the vehicle structure. This compression, though, means that the bumper cover has to move straight back, and because cars are built with tight fit and finish, that bumper cover has to go somewhere. If you are lucky, it splays out and goes around the fenders, at the front it either breaks or plows back into the grille, at the back it should ride in under the taillights, but often doesn't. It's the non-structural destruction of all that plastic that causes expensive damage to a car.

Coaster trains, on the other hand, are built more like 1950's automobiles. It is assumed that any collision will be at a predictable angle (since everything is on rails) and so the force is sent directly into the vehicle structure, which would sooner push out of the brakes than collapse.

Wildcat's cars are more like 1970's automobiles. They have the shock-absorbing bumper, but it is designed so that it can collapse all the way back to the car body before it hits anything, so the cars bump together and the bumper pops back out as though nothing had happened.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Everytime I read one of Dave's posts, I feel smarter. ;)

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Beer and golf Thursday thru Monday, Cedar Point & beer, Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Purdue University Engineer said:
Transfering and manuals are a fine art on that ride, particularly when the track is wet.

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You'd think they would've learned that after seeing trains slide around on Millennium Force the first year!

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

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Purdue University Engineer said:

EDIT - JuggaLotus, if you only knew...Hi to our friends at Camp Snoopy, Paddlewheel Excursion, and Monster. ;) They know why, "No loose articles are permitted on this ride!"

The reason I put that is through stories I've picked up here on the message board regarding why the theming was removed =D....does anyone know what happened for real, I just hear references to the "Wheel Incident" but as I haven't been to CP in 2 years and am finally going to make it back this year I tried to avoid most things to keep me from being depressed about it....still haven't even gotten on WT, it was down when I was there in June of 02....anyway, can anyone elighten me as to what actually happened with the wheel on TTD?

Thanks,

John

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