yes, but Whizzer was installed more than 30 years prior and didn't have nearly the same safety specifications as rides do today. I doubt a new coaster installation would be permitted to have the same clearance to the ground that Whizzer does. Times have changed.
And with the changing times Whizzer would have also changed. Dipper is FAR more secure than whizzer. You have a lap bar and a "new century" (haha) safety belt.
BLADE wrote:yes, but Whizzer was installed more than 30 years prior and didn't have nearly the same safety specifications as rides do today. I doubt a new coaster installation would be permitted to have the same clearance to the ground that Whizzer does. Times have changed.
You're right, the safety regulations were different back then, but as the years went on and those regulations changed, so did the safety policies of the rides. Little Dipper's wood is all 90% new so it now makes OSHA Standards....same reason for the new seatbelts.
In the construction photos, look at everything that is not already painted, that was all new wood. The pieces that were already painted were old.
"I've been told that some part of every wish will be heard but lately I lost sight of the truth in those words."
New wood does not determine a rides height requirement or Osha specs. State regulations are probably the biggest factor in setting the height requirement. This is the problem Magic Mountain is having with Mr. Sixes, as was explained to us at the West coast bash Q&A session with park managemnet.
Actually the state and all regulatory agencies say that the park has to follow manufacturer specifications, so whatever PTC says goes as far as height requirements unless the park wants them set higher which they are free to do. Also OHSA has nothing to do with rides, it's ASTM standards.
And Media Day is thursday morning, so I'd guess chances are either thursday afternoon or fri it should open.
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
BLADE wrote:New wood does not determine a rides height requirement or Osha specs. State regulations are probably the biggest factor in setting the height requirement. This is the problem Magic Mountain is having with Mr. Sixes, as was explained to us at the West coast bash Q&A session with park managemnet.
I did not say that the new wood determined it. I was making comparison. Back in the 50's Little Dipper was safe, today, it did not come close to meet OSHA Standards. Now, Thanks to six flags, it does.
But you can trust me on this....A 3 Story roller coaster like Little Dipper will most likely be 36' with an adult, 42' alone. That's just too obvious.
"I've been told that some part of every wish will be heard but lately I lost sight of the truth in those words."
Goku 1910 wrote: But you can trust me on this....A 3 Story roller coaster like Little Dipper will most likely be 36' with an adult, 42' alone. That's just too obvious.
That would seem obvious to me too. But that is not what is posted on the parks website just days from opening.
by FParker185 » Tue May 25, 2010 4:25 pm
Actually the state and all regulatory agencies say that the park has to follow manufacturer specifications, so whatever PTC says goes as far as height requirements unless the park wants them set higher which they are free to do. Also OHSA has nothing to do with rides, it's ASTM standardsning.
That is what Magic Mountain said was their biggest hurdle to get Mr. six down to 36." They could not get Vekoma to sign off at 36", because no one there wants the liability. Vekoma has changed ownership since that ride was built, so they don't care. The amusement board of the state of California says that the manufacturer determines the rides height. Is that the same way the state of IL determines ride heights? If not, I would think the amusement board of the state could determine what it would be.
IL has no amusement board, Department of Labor which regulates amusement rides, their rule is just that the park has to adhere to all manufacturer specifications.
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073