Train Operation

I don't understand why CP sometimes operates 2 trains on rides that are capable of operating 3. For example, some days Magnum only runs 2/3 trains and so does Iron Dragon. There's nothing more disappointing than waiting in line and seeing another train just sitting there. I suspect it's because crowds aren't heavy enough but seems like a 1.5 hour wait for Magnum should be enough to fire up that third train. And Iron Dragon's wait hit 1/2 hour with 2 trains. A third would cut that down so why not run 3? Is it work force also? I know CCMR doesn't run 5 because it would take more people to run it than it would be worth. Anybody?
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aIrtIme'S oVeRrAtEd...

Just like anything else in this world you have to remember that something is bound to break on these trains, or general maintenance needs to be performed on them whether it is to replace bad road wheel or whatever. I have seen maintenance repairing stuff like this numerous times out there.

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Brandon Sorc
Millennium Force count:36
www.spiritofthepoint.com

Mine Ride can run four trains with it's current crew. It has done this one time last year, I think. If you have waited anywhere over 15 minutes without all coaster trains running then come back to that ride later. It usually just means that the mass crowds are on that ride. As most people follow a route around the park. They will move on from ride to ride. This may cause a line to be 15 minutes one moment and walk ons the next.

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Dispatch Master, This is Transport one! I'm losing control, I'm losing control!

Honestly, I'm pretty sure CP does a pretty good job of keeping their rides running at maximum capacity as often as they can. Sometimes, there is going to be a problem with a train or they'll have to do maintenance, but overall, I feel they do a decent job. Just visity any Six Flags park if you want to get a feeling for a place that could care less about capacity... :)

-Matt

What could be better than Y2K @ Cedar Point - America's Rockin' Roller Coast?

Actually, Mine Ride did not run more than two trains last season, because the control system was not idiot-proof. A few years ago there was an incident on Mine Ride which proved that. Suffice to say that neither passengers nor seasonal crew were involved, but it was enough to prompt a restriction to two trains.

This year the ride got a new control system allegedly to allow for three train operation, but I have my doubts as to whether that is possible now...what used to be a 2:42 ride (2:36 without trim brakes) now has fewer brakes and runs a full 3:00 because the computer brings the train in so incredibly slowly. The time required to bring the train from the final trim brake into the station has been increased by a full 24 seconds, which means the station dwell has to be reduced to make up for it, and that may well make three-train operation difficult or impossible unless they do some tweaking on the controls.

Can you tell I'm not terribly impressed with the new system?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Are all blocks still there?

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Dispatch Master, This is Transport one! I'm losing control, I'm losing control!

(referring to the Mine Ride, I believe)

No, two block brakes have been removed. The block brake just before the dive to the lagoon before the second lift, and the block brakes just before the helix have been removed. The trim brake at the base of the first lift has been removed, and the station, tunnel, and approach brakes have all been replaced. The only Arrow brake remaining on the ride, to the best of my knowledge, is the trim brake at the base of the second lift.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.