Question about Impulse Coasters

[AT0527]

I have a question about Impluse Coasters. When the ride operator dispatches the train, does it launch on its own? or can the ride operator choose exactly when to launch it?

[Loco]

Yea, Ive always wondered that. Like does it have a timer after everything is clear?

[verticalzero]

I think the Op presses the "green" button, the computer takes over and goes through it's sequence of launching the train forwards and backwards.

 

There should be an override button which can be pressed if the computer fails, can anyone confirm this..?

 

I wonder where and when the 1st "double" twist Impluse will be built.

[Stitch]

Wicked Twister (2002)

Copyright Coaster Image

[Scaparri]

Yes, there is a button you push.

[slick]

Yes, there is a button you push.

 

And to think that at Six Flags that's still a confusing process.

 

Seriously though, knowing Intamin there'd be a "despatch" button and an "e-stop" button for ride-ops to use. From there there'd be another set of over-ride controls to manually return the ride to the station if a ride-op decides to e-stop the ride. Other than that, the computers control pretty much everything else.

[Scaparri]

^I haven't personally used Wicked Twisters controls, but what you described is almost exactly what Millennium Force is like.

[AT0527]

Yes, there is a button you push.

 

And to think that at Six Flags that's still a confusing process.

 

Seriously though, knowing Intamin there'd be a "despatch" button and an "e-stop" button for ride-ops to use. From there there'd be another set of over-ride controls to manually return the ride to the station if a ride-op decides to e-stop the ride. Other than that, the computers control pretty much everything else.

 

 

Yeah that was basically my question. Like after the Ride OP pushes the dispatch button, does the computer choose when to actually launch the train, or does the Ride OP choose when to launch it.

[Scaparri]

^Yeah, I guess I should have specified a little more that when they press it, the ride instantly goes.

 

Some of my buddies who worked on Wicked Twister would intentionally push the button around one or two in their "three, two, one..." count down to catch everybody by surprise.

[Guest]

From what I read, when the ride op counts down from three, they push the button on two. Wicked Twister is a great ride, but I find that it is getting a little rougher over the years. I say rough as in more vibration than you find on other Intamin rides at Cedar Point.

[larrygator]

^they used to do that a lot with Chiller at SFGAdv. The dispatching ride ops on Chiller used to interact a lot more with the riders. I know it gets corny after awhile but does make for a more enjoyable day at the park.

[rollermonkey]

Remember the stress fractures in the supports at the impulse at Geauga Lake a few years ago? (What's its name this week?)

 

Maybe Wicked Twister is headed that way.

 

I think that all of the Impulses are under-supported.

 

I don't know about Linear Gale. I has a lot of down time, and without any twist to the spikes, there should be less strain on the structure.

[larrygator]

^didn't they redo the supports on Wicked Twister soon after it opened?

[Canobie Fan]

ntentionally push the button around one or two in their "three, two, one..." count down to catch everybody by surprise.

A few launch coasters do that.. And a lot of S&S towers I have been on.

 

Hell. I have video of SFNEs S&S tower going "5,4,3,2,1,0,-1,-2,-3,-4 *launch*"

and Canobies "7,6,5 *launch*" with chiller I have heard "Oh we need to recheck car 4 *launch*"

[rollermonkey]

^^That, I don't know. I'm not really a CP fanboy. If they did it wasn't as big news as (then) Superman's closure.

 

If they were reworked, it says something about Intamin's design work at the time.

 

^I love when they screw with peeps in the launch countdown.

[larrygator]

with chiller I have heard "Oh we need to recheck car 4 *launch*"

 

Yep I heard, OK we need everyone to put your hands up to recheck lap bars, launch.

[BeemerBoy]

^didn't they redo the supports on Wicked Twister soon after it opened?

I'm not sure exactly how soon it was, but we were there the year it opened and noticed they had been changed the following year when we returned.

[coastrfreak2000]

Yes, they did modify Wicked Twister's supports.

 

http://coasterimage.com/pictures/cedarpoint/wickedtwister08.htm

[rollermonkey]

Maybe that's why it wasn't a big deal: Wicked Twister was 'fixed' in the off-season, while Supe went down to be repaired during the season.

[AT0527]

Yes, they did midify Wicked Twister's supports.

 

http://coasterimage.com/pictures/cedarpoint/wickedtwister08.htm

 

Yeah, they modified to Vertical Velocity's also, right? and the Steel Venom's? They added another support on the back towers. Except for SFDK, of course. Since the tower is so small

[Jayjay719]

Are impulses fun? I've never been on one but I'm looking forward to Wicked Twsiter. They look pretty cool, but I havent really heard anything.

[AT0527]

Yeah they are a lot of fun. The seats are comfortable, and its cool cause you dunno when its gonna launch. The noise of the LIMs is also pretty cool. Its loud and it always scares the people in line, lol.

[Jayjay719]

LoL, good. I can't wait to make my Cedar Point trip this year. They look great, but I guess time will tell.

[XII]

I finally get to go on a Normal Impulse Coaster This Year!

[snuggles]

At WOF, the detonator crew kept saying "there seems to be a problem with the air system, so everyone just relax for a few minutes while maintenance gets here. This was after it rose up a little, and then the op would "talk" into the radio, and lean back, hit the button, and scare everyone.