TTD Train Changes

Okay, so I was under the original impression that TTD has ALWAYS had 5 cars per train with theming on the back, then later after the theming fell off 2 seats were added on the 5th car of the train.

The concept art; http://www.coastersandmore.de/rides/dragster/train.jpg also shows 5 cars per train. But after looking at some photos on rcdb, more specific: http://rcdb.com/ig1896.htm?picture=42 & http://rcdb.com/ig1896.htm?picture=44 there are only 4 cars per train.

What I don't understand is, when did they add on the 5th car WITH the theming still on, and why did they do it? I guess I just don't remember it ever happening. So did they have to order extra cars for each train twice from Intamin? Can anyone shed any light on this?

*** Edited 9/5/2006 4:22:35 AM UTC by geewhzz***

I didnt follow the train saga very closely because I wasnt yet a fan, but I believe the 4th cars (to make the 5) hadnt arrived yet for the trains so they only ran with the 4 cars they had.

::edit::Craig, can you clearify?:)

*** Edited 9/5/2006 7:31:26 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***

it might also have been to keep down the weight while breaking in the motor. When i was there on Media day they weren't loading the two seats by the theming because of weight concerns and the motor.

I'm pretty sure the explaination for the lack of a car was due to "breaking in" the motor. It ran with 4 cars on it's opening weekend, then the park was closed for a week, and the next weekend it had all 5 cars.

Those pictures were from media day. Im probably wrong but i heard that the reason that thery were running only 4 cars on the train during media day was because they could not get the trains to clear the hill so they took a car off each train to lighten the load.

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Cory Marshall

I thought they actually used only 4 cars to lower the weight because they didn't have strong enough magnets for the brake runs?

TTD 120mph said:
Graig, can you clearify?:)

It's Craig, but I knew what you meant. :)

When TTD opened on Media Day (May 1, 2003) it had 4 cars and only loaded the first 3, there's footage of the ride testing with only 5 cars, but as it got closer to Media Day they removed one of the cars. Opening Day (May 4, 2003) the ride still had only 4 cars per train, they also only could run red, blue, and green (black and purple weren't licensed and were on the storage track and gold was brought back to Intamin for maintenance). In 2002 and 2003 CP changed its operating dates a little with the park opening on Sunday, then it was closed Mon.-Thur., and then stayed open daily for the summer starting that Friday. On that Friday, May 9, 2003, the ride was running all five trains with all five cars.

I've heard many different reasons, one was something to do with the catch car and a replacement was needed so they put less cars on each train as a temporary solution for the ride could be ready for the media and opening day guest.

The ride then ran with lots of downtime in the morning for the next few weeks, then the tire incident happened, and to top it all off the motor started tearing itself apart and left the ride closed for most of June 2003.

There's some sad TTD history for you.

Yeah, with alot more to add to it.:(

But not THIS year! :D

I can remember Media Day... thinking "why are these extra gates here...?" :)

Thanks for the info Gomez. How do you know this stuff?

I thought that was common knowledge around here. Maybe I was the only one who cared at the time, I don't know. If you go back to the topics made around the time TTD opened, you'll find exactly what I posted (what would I do without GTTP and Pointbuzz). :)

If you want someone who knows TTD, wait until ForgottenEE post something.

Back in the day (2003) TTD was like Project 2007 to many of you so called newbies. I got hooked on the mystery ride (Area 51) and found the ride and construction fascinating. Turns out the ride was just as fun to ride than it is to watch on the many videos I downloaded of it and it quickly became my favorite. No other ride ever left me speechless when it rolls back into the station. *** Edited 9/5/2006 9:58:17 PM UTC by Gomez***

What was the tire incident? I wasn't a big coaster fan back in 2003. I know TTD used to have the tires on it but I have never heard why they were removed.

Here is by best guess for TTD train workings chronology.

-Tested 5 cars, last row in Car 5 had Wheels/Spoiler.
-4/20ish/03-“Incident”, caused only 4 cars to be run on Media Day and opening weekend. Also one train went into rehab.
-After week off and First Full week of Operation it was back up to 5 cars and last Row had wheels/Spoilers.
-June-ish “Incident” where wheels fell off mid ride, wheels disappeared, but spoilers remained
-July-ish Spoilers removed and last row of seats were added to car 5. Station was also reworked.

Might be off a bit, but that’s about what happened.

I actually posted a time line of the disappearing theming a few months back.
http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=19137&page=1#272609

Man I wish I could have caught onto Dragsters construction a bit earlier......then I'd know alot more than I know now. Though I am proud of the knowledge that I know now. I mean, being the HUGE Dragster fanboy that I am, I pride myself in knowing it's history and knowing stuff about the ride that the average person doesnt know. For instance, yesturday I was wearing my TTD polo, that looks almost exactly like the Challenge Park uniforms, and I must have had 5 people come up to me and ask me misc questions about Dragster as if I worked at the park(a couple actually asking if I did).:)

I love being a Dragster fan!!:D

Ok back on topic.:)