Jon Sabo

TATSU! "Fly at the Speed of Lentil Soup" *I was looking for a side order of (Southern-style) grits to go with that cornbread..lol

http://amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002461971 It's about time someone in the media takes responsibility for their actions and ethics on reporting "correct" information..lol

^love the Hula Music..lol The reason why I didn't see that earlier because the Hawaii (DCL) was a test market and they weren't sure if the cruise line would still have "any" of the Hawaii routes because our TSA (security) was trying to ban incomming cruise lines to ALL islands for some dumb-ass reason. Well, thats the HI. gov't at work. But there are some offers out there even CHEAPER that the Disney website. You can search on the Hawaii tourism sites and find links that are about 30% cheaper (even during winter-peak season). That is best time to come anyway, because the humpback whales come to Maui.

Hey? Isn't that the tram driver at BGE who is spreading the rumors that the next BG coaster is a hyper woody? Lol

Here is a link on how dysfunctional our society is becoming...lol and of all things, BEER is actually a sponsor. Breaking-up + alcohol=dysfunctional psychologist meetings http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/05-26-2006/0004369461&EDATE=FRI+May+26+2006,+06:00+AM

Not sure how I found this article (I think during a search for another topic), but the D-CL has been stationed here off the coast of Maui (Kahului Harbor) for a couple of days and conducting "unofficial" tours around the island chain. The ship(s) arrives during odd dates/times and there seems to be no clear way to track how often Disney does come, but some of the employees (and themepark management) have been seen trying many Hawaiian-local foods and I just have to laugh at their facial expressions. There may be a link on Disney's cruise line regarding the trips to Hawaii and around the islands (I've heard prices as low as $450 a week!).

I wonder if it has anything to do with Tatsu/Six Flags & The Home Depot Gang..lol

^^Ok that link worked well, thanks! One thing that bothered me in the report is that the newslady stated that it has "happened before across the country (problems with 'these' brackets)". What isn't clear is if it is only prone to Morgan-rides or other mfg. coasters affected as well. Even so, I wonder if Morgan has even put out a Service Bulletin (TSB) on the part(s). There is a manufacturers site where they list updated TSB items/problems and none of them has Morgan listed in any coaster item(s). The only one I have seen in the past 6 months is Disney's CA. (Ca-Screamin') a exhaust port/valve modification to their brake system (which caused the crash of 2 trains awhile back). In my years of working maintenance on coasters (mostly Arrow), I have NEVER heard that a mounting bracket was to "function" or perform a duty during a ride cycle..lol I actually never seen a malfunctioning bracket EVER. It is a general part of the daily maintenance routine to check the clearance of those brackets/brakes/proximity switches/track deformations and so on. Arrow and Morgan (caliper brake runs) use very similar brake brackets. If it is a braking bracket, it simply just holds the brake unit along the track (and hopefully it supports the braking pad/unit on the track). Maybe it got misaligned during a ride cycle and the next train actually hit it. Or the bolts simply were rusted out. Strange indeed. Thanks for the Vid link Mr. Morgan!

Here is a PDF file-link regarding the proposal of the new park: http://haas.uwf.edu/pdfFiles/impactStudies/Holmes%20County%20Report.pdf

It is quite amazing what a park can do with theming a ride providing it has the budget to do so. Just from a general perspective (withOUT the theming), Black Mamba would just seem like an ordinary B&M coaster to fill a space within the park..lol The intensity of that ride (and the videos) really does give you a sense of speed and calamity going through the landscape/scenery. Simply awesome!

^ he drowned in paperwork..lol

^ You have just made your point regarding the "American" media...lol I clicked on the link and it says the site is under repair. Hmm. There was a thread going (I believe Rob started it) about how the media (in America) is not the best in terms of ethics and honest journalism. I cannot find the link at the moment.

I was going off the original press release on this post. The second post (news report) was clearer in describing that the two incidents (Sat & Sun) were not related. The original press release did not state anything about if they were related or not so, now I know. Thanks for the second news report. I've tried looking over those accident pictures posted here and cannot see the bracket they are talking about. Assuming this bracket is part of the proxi-switch(es) mounting plate. Generally, those brackets (if they are holding the proximity switches) are mounting along the brake run and just used to secure the switch units (quad-sensors some call them). The sensors determine the speed of each train and trim or stop the train in the brakes (depending on what the computer is programmed). The only other bracket I could "possibly" see it a bracket actually holding the brake (air) lines and/or electrical conduit piping along the track. All in all, I am completely mystified on how this was (perhaps) missed in the first place. Assuming the report was stated where they had inspectors perform the routine inspections and so forth. Or, this could be a freak incident of pure metal fatigue and just may have been overlooked. Quote>>>Every winter, rides are taken apart and the integrity of the metal components is tested, officials said. There are also monthly, weekly and daily checklists that staff inspectors go through, said Tip Harrison, the park's physical plant director. The daily checks are made in the morning, before the ride opens, and at an afternoon shift change. <<<< Startribune site (http://www.startribune.com/462/story/454833.html) Oh well, at least they found the problem and just goes to show how a part like that can really create a serious situation and the pics and show the result. I actually think now that if my idea of a mis-aligned brake/knife blade caused this, the brake unit(s) themselves would have alot of damage also, but the pics are not able to show much either way.

Anyone seen the television show "Michael Eisner-Conversation?" The airing is on CNBC (and will be repeat programming throughout the weekend). ME- interviews current CEO Bob Iger and discusses the current things/changes Disney is currently undergoing. He also talks about the recent purchase of Pixar Animation and what effect it will have on the industry as well as the future of media. Anyone who has seen it (or read the transcripts) I welcome any comments on their thoughts on the program as well as the future of Disney!

^ LMAO I agree. Too bad the helicopter scene didn't have 'real' bullets...mwuahhahahahaha I love the way the headlights are lit. I wish more coasters had lights on them. I loved the way Drachen Fire had the lights on the side of the cars lit up (I just hated replacing those bulb units though..lol).

Thanks for the update! Also coming on tv (not sure if repeat shows from last year or actually new ones for this year). Tonight 25th: Sea World Revealed: Travel Channel (TC) Fri 26th: BG Revealed: TC Sat & Sun: WDR-Revealed: TC /DC (Disc Ch) **Mon 29th: Ultimate Thrill-Fast & Frightening (all new for 06): Travel Channel. Most all of the shows are repeated throughout the day. Or just Tivo

Nice shots! I love the pics of SR. I asked Santa to deliver one of those to Hawaii for Christmas...lol I know just where to put one too, just in my backyard right before the cliff.

If it is going to become a "two part" coaster, then perhaps they can have the red track for the first half and change the track color for the second half..lol Hmmm, two-parts (aqua-track theory coming back into play again). LOL! If it is a western-themed coaster, I wish they painted it similar to DW-Tenn. Tornado or Wildfire (SDC). Give it a rustic 'old west' look. ****They could add just six inversions (go forward and backwards) and then break the inversion record in about a 40 second timeframe..wheee lol A shuttle coaster with 6 inversions is only counted as 6 inversions, not 12. Vekoma boomerangs have 3, even though they go through each one twice. ^ Ya, I know that a shuttle loop coaster would only count as one set of inversion, but you know how marketing departments can be creative and say it is 12 (with 6 inversion elements).

Whoo. Good Job with the update post! There were reports of the ride having some problems the day before with e-stopping and other operation downtimes. I'm curious now if the proximity switches are located on this bracket (maybe the bracket was loose from vibration) and that the loose/broken bracket caused those downtimes the day before. I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt or killed. I wonder why the bracket failed in the first place since that should be a required daily inspection on the morning maintenance. Perhaps rusted bolts (and the vibration of the track as the trains pass by finally caused it to break loose). I can imagine the other Morgan coasters at the parks will have the brackets inspected now, even though that is supposed to be a required daily inspection (even on B&M coasters). Thanks for the update!!!

^smack just for that...lol

Nice photo's! Did you find Chevy Chase or Marty Moose? lol

^ not only that, but I can't really see them really adding anything unique that hasn't been done already. BGT- Disney-AK Sea World All 3 are some type of zoo with educational experiences and so on. It's becoming a saturated market in FL. and 'assuming' it DOES create new jobs how is the operation going to survive (such as your point made about CG). Isn't that religious themepark located in Fl also? I believe they are having a hard time with its current operations even if it is a bit unique.

There are 2 conflicting reports here. One site/information is saying that the chassis is Arrow and Coaches are Morgan and another site is saying the chassis/coaches are Arrow. I sent a message to C-M to get a confirmation on which is which, so I'll hopefully have an official word by end of the week. I'm still sure the chassis are Arrow, but the coaches look similar to Morgan. I would even say Vekoma coaches, but will await the answer from the mfg. From the pics on RCDB, the chassis/axles are Arrow. But, the knife-blade assembly will be the same (including the mounting brackets).

Awesome photo's!! Man, I haven't been to SW since (before) Kraken was built...lol 1. S-E looks like a fun coaster, and I can only imagine from that view of the "tail" you can only have a good view from the front seat..lol I actually LOVE the color-scheme. I'll have to ask Santa to put one in my backyard in Hawaii. 2. Bubba Gump restaurants in Hawaii (ALL of them) suck! I've tried to go on several occasions (even with management changes) and each time the food gets worse. I'm curious on the B-G food report if anyone else experienced this chain. 3. DD-looks nice with it's paint job (long overdue). 4. Busch seems to have done a nice job with its landscaping there. I love the pic of the 'Great American Beer Co."..lol 5. NOTHING beats a good day @ a Busch park than seeing those Awesome Clydsedales Beer wagon! 6. Looks like IOA will make use of the S-T track afterall..lol That looks like a fun ride with the kids 7. Good job on the PTR!

I'm curious if the Morgan engineers will attend the other parks with similar chassis/coaster trains once they find the cause. Someone reported the other ride was closed down, but I think that was due to the lift chain being replaced. Assuming it is a knife/brake blade misalignment, I think they should just incorporate a new shim-adjustment to the chassis so the blade flexing wouldn't be so close to tolerance levels during the heat/cool-down periods. Also, the trains on Steel Phantom (Kennywood) have the same style axles-anyone know? Or are they still using the Arrow chassis with Morgan coaches?