Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

If the LSM idea is true that would take a lot of power and would definitely require significant electrical infrastructure work. The markings could extend that far out to tie into existing 14KV utility lines. On a side note I wonder where Wicked Twister was powered from, doubtful that would be enough capacity for an LSM on the scale of TTD but they might need multiple feeds for something like this anyway.

Thabto said:

It's very obvious the launch system will be gone. However, the major issue that caused life altering injuries wasn't part of the launch, but happened in the brake run.

While true that the launch wasn't directly responsible for the injuries, you could find the launch as secondarily liable by way of requiring the flag plate (metal piece used to signal the sensors along the track) in the first place. I don't think they were able to place the sensors down the centerline because of the width of the catch-car channel along the launch + rising brake fins. This forced them to offset the sensors within the launch, and as a (sad) result, add an additional failure point to the trains.

In today's world, the spine of the train's underbody is dual-purpose - contact LSMs/braking mechanisms and signal the sensors, making the flag plate obsolete.

Not surprised, they are going to try to recoup as much as they can from this lemon. It has spent considerably more time down than up during it's life. On a side note it's also going to be interesting to see what they do with Xcellerator at Knotts. It was the prototype, and has been down for about a year, although they did paint it last winter. This is a quick fix, compared to a built new replacement, as a spectacular requires a three to five year lead time. It'll be interesting to see what they do with both of these rides.

I’m really interested to see if this new version of TTD will be opening in 2023.

I bet it's their 2024 attraction announcement. Sometime in August of next year.

Bringing back Demon Drop! ZumanJaro Style. to free up Power Tower site by Matterhorn!

Random thought but didn’t TTD just get repainted not too long ago?

Worlds tallest BBQ restaurant.

Dutchman said:

Not surprised, they are going to try to recoup as much as they can from this lemon. It has spent considerably more time down than up during it's life. On a side note it's also going to be interesting to see what they do with Xcellerator at Knotts. It was the prototype, and has been down for about a year, although they did paint it last winter. This is a quick fix, compared to a built new replacement, as a spectacular requires a three to five year lead time. It'll be interesting to see what they do with both of these rides.

I was deliberating on this but I think scale is the name of the game...Xcelerator being only a fraction of TTD's size means a lot...running ~40 MPH slower changes a lot of the dynamics in terms of stability, safety, reliability, maintenance intervals. Case in point - I'm reminded of a story how in the early days TTD's trains were zooming by the proximity sensors too fast, failing to recognize trains & consequently throwing faults. That likely wasn't an issue on Xcelerator.

As for Kingda Ka....all bets are off.

If our reading of "As you know it" and "Reimagined" is correct, meaning dragster will reopen with an LSM Launch, then I predict that Dragster will reopen with brand new trains. My reasoning is that they would already have to reconfigure the current trains to work with the new launch system. I would want the trains that they used on Veliosicoaster. That would be awesome.

WZNM said:

Bringing back Demon Drop! ZumanJaro Style. to free up Power Tower site by Matterhorn!

Power Tower isn't just a drop tower. It's not a free fall as Demon Drop was. It actually launches riders up and launches riders down. Depending on the tower. All done with compressed air. I would be bummed to have it replaced by a free fall ride.

I wonder if they would enclose the launch track as part of a retheme, if the ride were to stay as it is today. Could make for a cool launch experience.

^ and a cool light show in the enclosure as you launch. Wouldn’t that be cool.

Cedar Point doesn't have a good history with maintaining ride theming... Maverick's tunnel, Magnum tunnels, the entirety of Disaster Transport....

They did at one time, a long time ago, but with the major management change in the late 1970's it started to be of a much lesser concern as the years went by. Robert Munger is said to have stated that if it doesn't directly affect the operation of an attraction it doesn't need to be there. This attitude was passed down to Dick Kinzel when he ascended first to the VP/GM position at Cedar Point , and ultimately that of CEO of Cedar Fair. The acquisition of Knott's Berry Farm by Cedar Fair has gradually started changing this, along with the retirement of Kinzel.

CPVet said:

Invertalon said:

They can always continue the LSM launch UP the spike. It doesn't need to remain on flat track, so I don't see why (unless the entire curvature upward still isn't enough) to get up to appropriate speed to clear the top, it can't be LSM without having to modify the height.

This is what I’ve been saying all along. No rule limiting the LSMs to only the flat track. Extend it a little bit along the curvature just like Intamin has done with some of their swing launch coasters like Pantheon and bam, 420 feet. Who knows, that might not even be necessary with advancements in LSMs since Red Force.

This is precisely what I don't want to happen but probably will.  Having launch sections further up the hill means less speed needed to clear the tower.  In other words... "Let's take a 0 - 120 mph in 3.8 second launch and downgrade it to a 5 - 75 mph in 6 second 'boost' like a modern day Mack launch snooze fest".  Great 😒

Am I the only old person on here who hears "reimagined" and "not as you know it" and thinks, "Nestea Plunge?"

Wait--don't answer that.

I say it gets a Rougarou style upgrade. New name and paint job and rerouted line to cover any safety concerns. Maybe figure out a way to reduce the number of proximity sensors for more up-time. To the general public it will be a new ride and still as fun as it ever was.

If reimagined at all resembles a roller coaster, let alone remain an Intamin roller coaster, well color me flabbergasted!!!

so over Intamin rides getting the axe. I get it but I still don’t like it.

I will remain cautiously optimistic that Intamin and CF can restore their relationship. And perhaps rebirth a coaster - which even in 2019 still excited me - into a better in every way version of itself - maybe something like pantheon (switch track, multi directional multi launch, back spike) could be integrated into the design.

because EVERYONE wants a rollback!

HotSauceJunky said:

I say it gets a Rougarou style upgrade. New name and paint job and rerouted line ...

If they go that route, there's a good chance it'll be ready for next season. If they add LSMs, or major track work, I don't have much confidence in seeing it till 24 at the earliest.