SFKK Observations...

[DBru]

I was at SFKK a few weekends ago, and made some observations which I found interesting and thought I would share...

 

First of all, T2's second train is no longer on the transfer track, or anywhere else. Now, I know that trains go through winter rehab, but keep in mind that there were still two more weekends before the end of the season, and it has always run 2 trains during FrightFest.

 

Also, I noticed that Changs maintainance shed has/had 3 sections of transfer track. The most I have ever seen it run, though, was 2 trains. Has it ever run with 3, just designed for three, or is the 3rd section for something else?

 

And finally, while going up the lift on Thunder Run, I noticed that Top Eliminator Dragsters has still not been removed! What's the deal?

 

If anyone has an answer to these questions, or have something to contribute, please respond!

[dj snow]

I can only answer your Chang question, and can tell you that the ride was designed for three trains (it is, after all, nearly a clone of Mantis, which opened with three), but has only ever had two trains. Perhaps it was a last-minute budget cut; I don't know for sure.

 

Interestingly, when Chang went in, the park didn't own the ride, but rather leased it. The owner of the ride at that time was one of the individual investors in the park, and the park leased Chang from him. The park was unable to get financing to pay for the ride on their own, so they set up this arrangement instead.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

To shed some light on the T2 question. I'm not 100% on this situation, but rollercoaster trains are just like cars. You can set up a maintainence schedule, but things can always happen due to wear and tear. I'm sure it's just an early rehab.

[goatdan]

And finally, while going up the lift on Thunder Run, I noticed that Top Eliminator Dragsters has still not been removed! What's the deal?

 

Random guess here -- it hasn't been removed because they haven't found a buyer for it yet, and without a buyer they are deferring the cost of removal until they either get a buyer for it (who they would probably have pick up the cost of removal) or until they need the space.

[coolhandluke]

...things can always happen due to wear and tear.

Good analogy. From the stories I've heard about the ride that thing gives, I'm surprised those trains aren't in every other week for "wear and tear" maintenance.