bluestreak Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 I think that if it is a problem with the launch system they should rip the existing system out and call up premier, or any company with reliable launch systems of this type, and have them install a new system. It might cost more at one time but in the long run it'll save them money and headaches and get the ride open again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STDog Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 I think that if it is a problem with the launch system they should rip the existing system out and call up premier, or any company with reliable launch systems of this type, and have them install a new system. It might cost more at one time but in the long run it'll save them money and headaches and get the ride open again. That assumes it can reasonably be done. If they are relying on the capacitor bank power source from Velocity Magnetics to make it a viable (due to power system constraints of small town in the mountains) changing may not be an option. How much space would be needed for an alternative storage system? Does DW have a place to put such a system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defrocker Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 ^ They still have one as a backup, but the flywheels usually work fine. I was out of the loop during construction of Thunderbird. What system does it use for its launch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Alex Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hell, I'll take a traditional chain lift at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tykunkel1031 Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 ^ They still have one as a backup, but the flywheels usually work fine. I was out of the loop during construction of Thunderbird. What system does it use for its launch? LSM powered by a flywheel. It would've been drawing too much power at once, so they decided to use the flywheels to just be able to slowly charge up for the launch. They have one big generator (last year it was 2 further down the hill) there as back up systems in case the flywheels were to fail. I think this is mainly because it's the star attraction. They can't really afford for it to go down, or they'll have plenty of angry guests in the park, since it's the only steel coaster there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defrocker Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^ They still have one as a backup, but the flywheels usually work fine. I was out of the loop during construction of Thunderbird. What system does it use for its launch? LSM powered by a flywheel. It would've been drawing too much power at once, so they decided to use the flywheels to just be able to slowly charge up for the launch. They have one big generator (last year it was 2 further down the hill) there as back up systems in case the flywheels were to fail. I think this is mainly because it's the star attraction. They can't really afford for it to go down, or they'll have plenty of angry guests in the park, since it's the only steel coaster there. Dang. When B&M builds something, they overbuild it. lol. Interesting. I assume it's been effective as I haven't heard much about downtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^ They still have one as a backup, but the flywheels usually work fine. I was out of the loop during construction of Thunderbird. What system does it use for its launch? LSM powered by a flywheel. It would've been drawing too much power at once, so they decided to use the flywheels to just be able to slowly charge up for the launch. They have one big generator (last year it was 2 further down the hill) there as back up systems in case the flywheels were to fail. I think this is mainly because it's the star attraction. They can't really afford for it to go down, or they'll have plenty of angry guests in the park, since it's the only steel coaster there. Backup systems don't constantly run and emit smoke like that. They were using it as a primary draw last year. You could see the engines belch smoke when the trains would take off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sphantom91 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I think that if it is a problem with the launch system they should rip the existing system out and call up premier, or any company with reliable launch systems of this type, and have them install a new system. It might cost more at one time but in the long run it'll save them money and headaches and get the ride open again. Premier doesn't design their own launch system either. All of their coasters' launches since Sky Rocket have been designed by Intrasys and they use flywheels. I'm not sure if an expensive new German launch system is financially viable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hriscay Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Lightning Rod is open today! Waiting in line now for my 2nd ride. Still not sure where to rank it besides saying it's up there. Great ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashcanMan Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Lightning Rod is open today! Waiting in line now for my 2nd ride. Still not sure where to rank it besides saying it's up there. Great ride! I'm so jealous it's hard not to hate you . Have fun! Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Lightning Rod is open today! Waiting in line now for my 2nd ride. Still not sure where to rank it besides saying it's up there. Great ride! SMASHING THAT LIKE BUTTON IF IT EXISTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Lightning Rod is open today! Waiting in line now for my 2nd ride. Still not sure where to rank it besides saying it's up there. Great ride! Come on you know we need all the details. How many trains? Exactly how long has it been running? Has it broken down yet? How long is the line? Just kidding of course... I'm glad to hear it's running, even though I'm not there to ride it. I guess we might have to make a return trip to the park to get on this damn ride. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindbenderManiac Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Yay!!! Great news. Hopefully it will be running like a champ this weekend, as it is the last weekend of 10A-10P operations. Crossing fingers, knocking wood, and avoiding black cats in hopes that I will finally get my ride this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I have a trip planned to Carowinds this weekend but that could be changed to Dollywood if Lightning Rod is still running...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Good grief man I was just there Monday haha. I think I may try to find a random day to go within the next two weeks as hopefully it'll stay open LOL. Sheesh, trying to get a ride on this thing this season has been a complete crapshoot for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Good grief man I was just there Monday haha. I think I may try to find a random day to go within the next two weeks as hopefully it'll stay open LOL. Sheesh, trying to get a ride on this thing this season has been a complete crapshoot for me. Are you actually from the Atlanta Georgia area? If the ride is actually open I would like to go with other coaster enthusiasts if anyone is down for a meetup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^No I'm in Nashville. About 3.5 hours away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^No I'm in Nashville. About 3.5 hours away. Whoops haha. Username threw me for a loop (no pun intended) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^Haha it's all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBparks57 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^Haha it's all good. Nashville park meet up....oh yeah. Some day? Polercoaster? Oprywalk? Anything? Williamson county fair this weekend haha. I have my DW trip planned for next weekend, hoping I waited late enough in the season. Either way I'll have a great time, I love that park. Glad to see it's running. Nashville is just far enough away to make a day trip difficult. I've done it plenty of times, but it's not my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hriscay Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Lightning Rod is open today! Waiting in line now for my 2nd ride. Still not sure where to rank it besides saying it's up there. Great ride! Come on you know we need all the details. How many trains? Exactly how long has it been running? Has it broken down yet? How long is the line? Just kidding of course... I'm glad to hear it's running, even though I'm not there to ride it. I guess we might have to make a return trip to the park to get on this damn ride. Have fun! 2PM here now... Still running! 2 trains are going... The 2nd train stacks almost every time but it only waits a minute or 2. I'd say 3-4 minute dispatches. 3 rides so far. Front twice and back once. The pacing of the ride is just awesome. The quad-down provides a lot of airtime. IMO, I 'd place it 2nd among RMC's, nicely between NTAG and Outlaw Run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 ^ ugh I'm so jealous. Crossing my fingers it stays open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simaticable Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Good grief man I was just there Monday haha. I think I may try to find a random day to go within the next two weeks as hopefully it'll stay open LOL. Sheesh, trying to get a ride on this thing this season has been a complete crapshoot for me. Are you actually from the Atlanta Georgia area? If the ride is actually open I would like to go with other coaster enthusiasts if anyone is down for a meetup! I'm from the Atlanta area and definitely down for a meet up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ape Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Please let this be open on Tuesday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Good grief man I was just there Monday haha. I think I may try to find a random day to go within the next two weeks as hopefully it'll stay open LOL. Sheesh, trying to get a ride on this thing this season has been a complete crapshoot for me. Are you actually from the Atlanta Georgia area? If the ride is actually open I would like to go with other coaster enthusiasts if anyone is down for a meetup! I'm from the Atlanta area and definitely down for a meet up. If it makes it into next week I'll likely go next weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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