It is a safety device that enables itslef if the system detects an object in the path of the train (I believe it is infrared light being used). Usually you'll hear a "BEEP!", especially if it has went off prior to the train dispatching. More than likely, it is due to a guest leaning too far past the air gates (or sticking their arms out), or if a guest decides to kick off their shoes prior to launch (even though I constantly remember telling guests to take of their shoes if they were loose and were concerned about them falling off )
It is a VERY sensitive system and I have witnessed paper and leaves sometimes enable the system. I'm not sure if there's a photo lurking around somewhere that shows the device attached to the entrace and exit of where the train leaves the station. The four "posts" create an invisible curtain of light (hence light curtain) and when interrupted, it sets the system off.
tp41190 wrote:I've set it off a few times from taking pictures
With or without flash?
With just my arm actually. I was trying to get a pic down the track and I had it sticking out really far. Then other times I forgot about it and I did it again.
the only time I went in the 2008 season, the brake did malfunction and closed the ride for a while after that. idk if that was the last day the brake worked. and i dont remember how long the ride was closed after that. hmm
david wrote:The brake doesn't "malfunction" it just doesn't catch the train. I highly doubt that they closed V2 because the holding brake didn't catch.
V2 has no catch....There are LIM motors. It's not even considered a brake because it is magnets.
"I've been told that some part of every wish will be heard but lately I lost sight of the truth in those words."
Yes, i should be corrected there, by "catch" I meant to say that the magnets didn't "turn-on" ( i use that very loosely) in time for the magnet to hold the train, or the train was to heavy.
FParker185 wrote:Knowing Intamins track record, a collapse would not have been out of the question at all if the park didn't keep 100% up to date on maintenance.
Are Intamin coasters really that bad!?!? What are some that have had problems? And if the brake hasnt been fixed yet i dont think it will ever be fixed
Yeah but they added trim brakes that lowered the speed by ~15 mph to around 79.5 is the estimate. So they did something even worse, they lowered the excitement.
"Park staff later claimed that they were offered a hundred bucks a pop to try to the slide, but refused after seeing that test dummies often emerged on the other end dismembered. The looping slide was actually closed down for most of the park’s life due to these injury concerns."
Like I said before, if you can't handle it, don't ride it.
I don't get it. Intamin has a good design with the Giga, but then they say, "hmmm.. Why not CHANGE IT UP?!'' I really have trouble understanding their logic.
B&M finds a good concept with the Dive Machine. They build them bigger and taller every time. No changing the track design.
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