The Undead Creature

I apologise if I'm repeating anyone First answer, the catch car hits it's own set of magnetic brakes in the guideway, this happens just after the clutch disengages the drive. It also happens regardless of the speed it is at. Second answer, the launch only uses about 80% of the straight track, the rest is used to stop the catch car. The length of the catch cars braking area is made to suit the catch travelling at 160mph, which is the maximum speed available, or there abouts.

There isn't a law that says they can't provided it meets all the structural, mechanical and electrical requirements for this country.

I've wondered the same thing myself. But apparently, B&M's trains are too heavy. The track would have to be extensively strengthened which would cost more than it would to replace the ride.

If I remember correctly, it's a siemens. I could be mistaken, I'll ave a look tomorrow for ya.

The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley. The ride that sets out soley to give you a right good kicking. The good thing was it kicked you evenly from both sides so the damage kinda gets cancelled out.

height isn't usually an issue (unless you are extremely tall), it's mostly chest size and B&M design theirs around 52inches.

Here is the official reason behind Intamins OTSR's on the rockets. A potential danger was found on the risk assessment, this was the posibility of someone taking a bite out of the seat in front on the brake run. The control measure was a shoulder restraint. Simple. I just skimmed the other posts but I'm sure I saw a mention of this. So if I'm repeating anyone, I do apologise.

Could have something to do with the missing panels at the bottom?

The Riders! The ride was in a workable condition by the end of the first day. But from start to finish it took 2 days. I may have said I did the most work on it, I didn't do everything. I didn't put the "hat" on the top of the tower nor did I guide the crane driver.

I suppose I'm being a bit posessive, Gullivers bought the ride, the only reason everyone there considers it to be mine is because I did the most work on it when it was being built and I know the most about it. This is what I did. Set up the 5 tonn base ready to receive the tower (orientation and levelling), Bolted the 2.5 tonn tower to the base (16 EN24W bolts tightened to 660Nm), http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0275.jpg Connected the 4 hyraulic hoses to the pipes that were pre-installed in the base. Then connect the base pipes to the towers hydraulic control block, http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0277.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0278.jpg Connect the towers electrical junction box to the base plugs (all the towers electrics were wired at the factory), http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0276.jpg Connect the hydraulic hoses to the power pack and prime the system, Using the emergency release, lower the cradle from the top of the tower to ground level and install the 2 emergency buffers to teh sides of the cradle, http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0284.jpg Install the 2 emergency shock absorbers on the base and tighten the bolts to 660Nm, http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0281.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0271.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0272.jpg Install the shock absorbers bracing legs on the base and around the top of the cylinder, Lower the cradle down onto the shock absorbers and install the seats using 6 bolts each (3 bolts either side of the bench) http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0267.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0269.jpg Connect the seats electrics to the cradle box and then install the restraint sensor system contact on the base, http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0266.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0274.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/IMGA0273.jpg The major structural work is done at this point. The electrician ran the supply cable from the substation to the rides main supply box and brought power to the ride. Connect the base wiring system to the control cabinet (sensors and solenoids) Connect the hydraulic controls to the cabinet (pump and stirrer motors, solenoids and sensors) Connect the operators control console to the cabinet (somewhat essential) Connect the floodlights to the cabinet. Download the PLC operating programs from a laptop (4 individual, operator selectable programs) By this time the loading platform has been installed, the floor panels for the base are screwed down and the fence put up around the ride. Now it is time to activate the ride. Switch on the main isolator, run the stirrer for about 20mins to make sure the hydraulic oil is warmed up to the correct operating temperature. Plug in the remote control box (maintenance use only) Start the main pump Run the ride on the remote slowly to the top of the tower, then lower it to the ground, making sure the shock absorbers are moving smoothly with teh cradle. This is where the ride inspectors take over and begin the functional testing unsing bags of stone to simulate a full load of 10 fully grown adults. The ride is basically put through its paces and made to do things that it isn't supposed to do, such as disabling relays and sensors to see how the ride responds to different mechanical and electrical malfunctions. One test included dropping the ride from the top of the tower right onto the shock absorbers. The accelerometer measured 8.8g at that point. The ride passed it's testing with flying colours. After the operational and maintenance training sessions, me and 2 other engineers got the very first ride. Work started on a thursday and teh ride opened on time saturday morning. And thats how you build a Moser family drop tower. Too detailed?

Today I am not a happy camper. http://www.ukrides.info/gwwildmine.htm I spent the best part of the day, in howling winds and battering rain getting the above ride running. I had to repair a pneumatic regulator for one of the brakes on the upper level. I finally gets it working and the first car decided to go down teh drop, roll up the other side and says to itself "Ahh feck it" and rolls back down backwards, settling at the bottom after having it's picture taken about 10 times. *heard emanating from the controls* "BOLLOCKS!" NOT HAPPY.

^ Obviously Wet 'n obviously Wild < Is dangerously annoyed. v this person is obviously nuts about rides.

No, I'm just a lonely old ride engineer. I installed the ride at the park, it was made by the Italian company Moser.

^Correct, what gave that away? vProbably hates me

I built it myself at the strangely large but out-of-the-way Warrington theme park. Thar be plenty of shots showing the inner workings of this family ride. http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a349/undeadcreature/Gullivers%20drop%20tower/

^ Is incorrect < Is pondering. v Sneaking up behind me with a large bardiche

You would think so but no. Years ago at Gullivers, we had a Zamperla Frog hopper, the ride ended up severely damaged thanks to a dozey crane driver, twozzoking it with his boom. Originally the director wanted the ride repaired and overhauled, the estimated bill for that was about 30%larger than what the ride originally cost. So we got 2 new ones, basically buy one get another half price. And ti still turned out cheaper than rebuilding the old one. So as you can see, just repairing a ride isn't always the desired option. If they want to, they will. The cost will ultimately depend how bad the damage extends. If the crumbling supports are all thats wrong with it, chances are it will remain but if it ahs caused other problems such as twisting the channel, it could be grizzly.

Not very. The ride would have to be dismantled and new concrete poured for the foundations. It would be cheaper and probably easier to knock it down and build something else.

I could rant on forever. One particular thing that does get on my nerves is the boss, or rather one of the bosses at work. When a ride is down for whatever reason and is in need of a repair, I set about the task of getting it running again. I will bet a sizeable chunk of my wages that the first thing he will come out with is the same old question "How long?" In engineering, time takes second seat and therefore it is almost impossible to accurately predict how long a job is going to take. What is more annoying is when customers are constantly coming up demanding why the ride isn't open. The reason it's more annoying than the boss is simply becuase there are more customers. Rant *2 The company I work for is a pain in the arse when it comes to money. They will spend £8000 on new plants for the gardener and yet they will quibble over the price of 2 new drive belts for a broken-down ride. The belts each costing £3.50. The story goes like this: Ride breaks down, cause: drive belts on air compressor snap. Replacements urgently needed. No spare belts of the correct type available. A price was quoted by a local supplier within 15mins of the problem being found. The boss asked me to find a cheaper alternative than the £3.50 quoted. I ended up having to phone about 5 different engineering companies in order to compare prices. They all gave the same price. I could ahve got 2 new belts from BSL which is just down the road within 10 mins and have the ride running again within half an hour of the problem occurring. But no, we have to buy them from a supplier in Derbyshire because they are always cheaper. In the end we got 2 new belts a week later at a cost of £3.40 each. If this was a proper company, there would be 2 spare belts sat inside the compressor case waiting to go on. I'll shut up now.

Thats IF it goes off. (it better not) The most recent film I have seen is King Arthur, I think it's rather good but I rarely watch anything at all. My all-tiem favourite film has to be Return of the King.

MC Hammer: Can't Touch This. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........rumbly.

Pirate-Ship-Stopper, Commonly described as a large mattress in the back seat.

*shaking madly* ^ Is incorrect, already tanked up. < Is weird v Is going to post something.

I will use Nemesis as my example as its every man for himself in the station. None of that "you go there" cwap. I won't go for the front as it can add up to 20 mins to the queue and the only thing special is the view. So I prefer the back, you can't see where you're going anyway so why not make the most of the ride by getting marmalised. For a completely different experience, try Nemesis, back row, in the dark. Now that is a ride worth remembering. So because the poll is too general, I will use my above example and say back.

Funny I should find this topic. I was talking to the inspector a couple of days ago and he mentioned Dragons Falls. He said the support foundations are cracking up just like the old Log Flume at BPB did.