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Thorpe Park: General Discussion

Bunker door was open today so likely a hydraulic related issue.

Interestingly didn't see any action on Zodiac today even though its been continuously testing and added back on the app.

Seems they've gone back to not sending empty trains on Hyperia again. Was on the last train and spent what felt like forever on the breakrun whilst they filled the 3 front rows dummies with water 🤣
 
Call_um said:
Bunker door was open today so likely a hydraulic related issue.

Interestingly didn't see any action on Zodiac today even though its been continuously testing and added back on the app.

Seems they've gone back to not sending empty trains on Hyperia again. Was on the last train and spent what felt like forever on the breakrun whilst they filled the 3 front rows dummies with water 🤣
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I saw Zodiac’s main arm up this morning, but not spinning. So looks like they’re still doing something, wonder what they’re doing before being able to get it open again?

Noticed the bunkers doors open as well today! No activity on the ride platform however.
 
Call_um said:
Bunker door was open today so likely a hydraulic related issue.

Interestingly didn't see any action on Zodiac today even though its been continuously testing and added back on the app.

Seems they've gone back to not sending empty trains on Hyperia again. Was on the last train and spent what felt like forever on the breakrun whilst they filled the 3 front rows dummies with water 🤣
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Serious question: why do they use water-filled dummies instead of real people (e.g. staff)?

Are there just not enough staff available?

Surely it would be easier than having to fill the dummies up each time?

I remember seeing a staff member ride Shockwave before Drayton Manor opened for the day during the mid-1990s; I assumed at the time that he wanted a free ride, but maybe he was taking the part of a dummy? (Maybe the awkward restraints made it difficult to fit a dummy inside?)
 
Secret Weapon said:
Serious question: why do they use water-filled dummies instead of real people (e.g. staff)?
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couple reasons - staffing will be one of them, because the likelihood is that most park staff have left by the time hyperia is sending its last cycles (and keeping staff longer than required means paying them more - obviously not the Merlin way). water dummies are also more reliable for this purpose since you're able to control the desired weight necessary for the train to complete the track reliably - I would hazard a guess it also helps speed up the maintenance period each morning if a train already is filled with water dummies as opposed to the tech team having to start from the top

this is different to ridechecking (likely what you saw on shockwave) which is mostly for noticing any abnormalities or hazards that could threaten the safety of the ride before it opens - this could be clearance with trees/bushes, noises, etc. obviously a water dummy cannot do those things
 
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rob666 said:
If they didn't use water dummies, how would they soak the queueline punters in the mornings before ride opening?
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When I first saw Hyperia running for the first time (with test dummies inside), I legitimately thought that the trains had a built-in "water spray" that splashed riders whenever it inverted

I later realised that it was simply the dummies emptying out, which is a shame as I thought this might have been a cool effect (pun not intended) to incorporate into the train
 
LPW said:
couple reasons - staffing will be one of them, because the likelihood is that most park staff have left by the time hyperia is sending its last cycles (and keeping staff longer than required means paying them more - obviously not the Merlin way). water dummies are also more reliable for this purpose since you're able to control the desired weight necessary for the train to complete the track reliably - I would hazard a guess it also helps speed up the maintenance period each morning if a train already is filled with water dummies as opposed to the tech team having to start from the top

this is different to ridechecking (likely what you saw on shockwave) which is mostly for noticing any abnormalities or hazards that could threaten the safety of the ride before it opens - this could be clearance with trees/bushes, noises, etc. obviously a water dummy cannot do those things
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Also there is the whole problem of saftey and evacs,

The water dummies are often sent round for testing the rides systems (either after down time, or on ride start up) and is intended for checking everything is functioning fine, worse case senario if there was a problem, e.g if a block zone wasn't perhaps detecting a train causing a collision then with water dummies it is a problem but not as bad as with staff.

there is also evacs, if there is a problem causing a stoppage mid ride now you have 10+ staff members trapped on a ride untill they can get evaced, also posing safety concerns
 
flyingguitar said:
there is also evacs, if there is a problem causing a stoppage mid ride now you have 10+ staff members trapped on a ride untill they can get evaced, also posing safety concerns
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As well as compromising safety, I suppose it could also potentially lead to staff shortages elsewhere in the park, now that I think about it

What I never understood in 2024 is why Hyperia was still testing with water dummies well after the park had already opened

Could they not have begun testing an hour earlier (so that the ride would be ready for 10 a.m.), or was this not possible due to staff being unavailable and/or noise complaints from neighbours, etc ?
 
Secret Weapon said:
What I never understood in 2024 is why Hyperia was still testing with water dummies well after the park had already opened

Could they not have begun testing an hour earlier (so that the ride would be ready for 10 a.m.), or was this not possible due to staff being unavailable and/or noise complaints from neighbours, etc ?
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Because it takes longer to open than planned. They didn't know they were going to have to loads trains with water dummies every morning for example.

With it being a new ride and the various issues that cropped up, procedures had to be adjusted and it therefore took longer to open.
 
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