dollywoodmech2

Hello Everyone I would like to provide a few items on Lighting Rod. First, I would like to mention that I work for Dollywoods Maintenance Dept and this account was just created to provide you with a few things about the ride. A lot of this has already been mentioned in the "Rumors" posted on this forum. Take this as you please, I know few of the members here won't believe this post. Keep in mind, the reason you don't see us actively working on the coaster when the park is open is because the coaster itself is fine. There aren't many problems with the track, launch system, or even trains. Another Note: We do not have a estimated time we will reopen the ride. This doesn't mean it will not open again this season, but keep in mind we only have a few operational weeks left if you include the days the park is closed. Our goal is to have Lightening Rod open as soon as possible with 100% up time. The park is closed until Saturday so you never know. We are actively working as I type in hopes of getting Lightening Rod open again. This coaster, and most of it's control unit, is a prototype. It is a new technology. It is a technology that overall is working fine, but does have issues just like any prototype will. We apologize to those who have planned a trip to Dollywood for Lightening Rod, but again, this is the reason we have chosen to list it as closed. From a customer service standpoint, it is better for us to publicly say it is closed than it is for it to be down 75% of the time Few Points I would like to make 1.) Lightning Rod is 100% safe when it is running and even when it is closed. The reason it is closed usaully has to do with a customer service standpoint. We would hate for a sensor to cause multiple rollbacks or to even stop the ride completely and empty the Queue line multiple times an hour, and this does and has happened. We also know you all hate it being closed and we are stuck between a rock and a hardplace on this issue. As a park, we actually have fewer complaints filed at guest services, when the ride is closed. We only chose to close the ride if we feel that it's issues will cause a downtime of more than 75% 2.) There are no structural issues with the ride. We are aware of what some of you call the "pothole" but this is not causing any structural issues with the ride and we do have plans to correct this issue down the road, but its far down our list. As a maintenance department, we have a list of improvements we plan on every ride. These improvements are in the order of priority, so when we say its far down our list, we don't mean Lighting Rod has a list that is miles longs. 3.) Danny is a great person but most ride ops, not even Danny, know about most of the issues with Lighting Rod, or any ride for that matter. They are like you guys, and just hear rumors around the park. Not even all of us in the Maintenance Dept know all of the issues at all times. If you notice at the park, we actually ask the ride ops to leave at times when working on the coaster, or even a lot of other rides for that matter. (I'll buy you a soda this weekend Danny for letting your secret out) 4.) The launch is fine and we are having 0 issues with the launch. It's working, and has been working wonderfully 5.) Most of the issues we are facing are control issues. Control issues consist of sensors, the control units, PLC, and more. The reason you don't see us actively working on the coaster, is because most of the work is being done behind the scenes. Again, there are no structural issues with the ride so there is no need to work on it at the park. 6.) The trains themselves have had a few issues but most are correct aside from a few of the unforeseen maintenance cost that have been higher than expected on consumable parts (Wheels, Lubes, Etc) I would like to apologize for not really providing any great information on the issues we are providing. I have a non disclosure agreement, with the park, and even though this was posted anonymously, there are only a few of us in the park with a full idea of the issues we are facing. The parks PR department has posted in an interview a few months ago that we were facing issues with sensors, we are still facing a lot of these issues.