Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

TheLooseGoose:

So here's the scoop on what is going on with TTD. Zamperla is not doing the update. Cedar Fair is going back to Intamin to tackle the redesign. This is for two main reasons. First, is they need Intamin's LSM launch capabilities. Second, is Intamin's Triangular track. The Top Hat will be inverted at 460ft. They need to use the double spine track which allows the extra height without adding additional supports. This would be similar to Xcelerator's top hot design but inverted.

Work behind the station is being done to accommodate for a longer launch that will be needed due to the extra height and the LSM conversion.

As for the track still being attached to the top hat, this being done for efficiency and secrecy. The lower height of the brake run and launch track are easy to reach and work on. When work begins on the top hat they will remove and replace to avoid setting up the necessary equipment twice.

After work is complete CP will reclaim the tallest roller coaster once again (by a mere 4') and also the highest inversion.

I'm so excited for this. 100 percent confirmed. This is going to be the best ride ever, even better than Frog hopper probably.

CPVet:

How much longer should I sit tight? I’ve lost my job, I’ve lost my spouse. I can’t do this for much longer

You’re obviously not sitting tight enough.

What's the verdict fellas?

How dare you assume my gender?

The mythical and ridiculous notion of an 460' inverted top hat made me wonder what they'd do in the event of a stall, given that Random Internet Person mentioned it would use the double spine track to negate the need for additional support structure, a la Xcelerator. Which, for me, naturally begs the question: has a train ever stalled on Xcelerator, and if so, how do they remedy that, given there's no catwalk from which to "advance" the train?

Call these guys.

A crew member ascends the track in the hopes the train doesn’t roll in the direction they’re climbing, nudges the train, and descents back down ;)

That’s a good question. I have never heard of Xcelerator stalling. I have now idea what they would do. Hope the wind picks up?

I remember reading a story about dragster stalling at the top, and the riders were able to shift their weight enough to get it moving before any intervention was necessary. No idea if it was true or not.

It happened several times and I think each time they had to send a maintenance person up the elevator to give the train a shove with their foot. And in the forward direction, so as thrilling/scary as the experience might’ve been, the poor riders weren’t awarded with so much as a rollback for their time and trouble, lol.

Dragster's easy like you said Xcelerator not quite as easy. Maybe run into it with a drone? Really big stick?

Several times? I've only ever heard of it happening once. How many times has it actually happened?

I thought there was at least two but probably three times. Now I can only found evidence of once. Sorry.

Dragster has stalled at the top at least once with an empty train (I was at the park that day), and I thought twice with people on the ride.

Simple: a set of drive tires that can be engaged by an operator on the ground. 460 feet below to be exact ;)

Here's a couple old OnPoint! posts regarding the train being balanced at the top. In short, it has happened several times.

2nd Recorded Stall with Passengers

3rd Record Stall with Passengers

I am sure someone within maintenance or operations has an official count somewhere.

There, see? I knew I wasn’t crazy.

I would argue that information doesn't necessarily have any bearing in your mental state. ;)

Tony says odds of 1 in 80,000. I came about 79,950 short of that figure.

Better odds than my bracket winning the March Madness pool.

RCMAC:

There, see? I knew I wasn’t crazy.

I don't know that this validates the claim. 😉