They can run without sand/water containers, when the Smiler was first built there was a lot of adjustment and wheel changes to make the ride work, planning and space restricted this ride so much, it is on the edge of physics when it comes to getting those cars around the track, conditions need to be close to perfect, which is why in my opinion, they were sending empty cars around.
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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015
- Thread starter spinba11
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They can run without sand/water containers, when the Smiler was first built there was a lot of adjustment and wheel changes to make the ride work, planning and space restricted this ride so much, it is on the edge of physics when it comes to getting those cars around the track, conditions need to be close to perfect, which is why in my opinion, they were sending empty cars around.
Coaster
TS Member
That is the most selfish post I have seen in a long time. People are seriously injured, yet you're worried about the ride being closed?
I heard something very interesting on the radio as I was driving home from someone in the queueline.
They said they saw the empty car go around, and they saw it stall.
Then, they said a car went up the lift hill full of people, but it stopped near the top. It stopped for anything between 5 to 10 minutes. He said people didnt think anything because "in this modern era, its unheard of for cars to smash into each other, besides, as it had stopped, they assumed people had seen the stalled car and stopped the ride".
However, after this delay, it continued back up the lift hill and off it went.
So, if thats true, the ride did stop. Was that due to this stalled car, and if so, was a manual override done of the safety system to get it over the lift hill. If thats even remotely possible.
They said they saw the empty car go around, and they saw it stall.
Then, they said a car went up the lift hill full of people, but it stopped near the top. It stopped for anything between 5 to 10 minutes. He said people didnt think anything because "in this modern era, its unheard of for cars to smash into each other, besides, as it had stopped, they assumed people had seen the stalled car and stopped the ride".
However, after this delay, it continued back up the lift hill and off it went.
So, if thats true, the ride did stop. Was that due to this stalled car, and if so, was a manual override done of the safety system to get it over the lift hill. If thats even remotely possible.
I'd say that the wind would have something to do with the fact the empty train didn't complete the inversion. The winds today were horrific and really strong, so I'd say it is likely that the winds would of caused the empty train to do that.
As for the full train, the sensors really should of picked it up so it makes you wonder why the sensors failed to act as they should.
As for the full train, the sensors really should of picked it up so it makes you wonder why the sensors failed to act as they should.
LordOfDarkness
TS Member
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Press conference at 6:15.
https://officialwmas.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/joint-media-conference-at-alton-towers-resort-shortly/
https://officialwmas.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/joint-media-conference-at-alton-towers-resort-shortly/
little_daz
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- Hex
Thanks for that Aircanman
AirFAN
TS Member
If the op had been aware of a stalled train surely there is a huge bright red emergency stop button that stops absolutely everything in its place?
Not taking it too seriously, just found it super tragic that somebody thinks it's okay to write that someone died when this is not confirmed by any official channel. It's just Chinese whispers and total nonsense scaremongering.
Balb0wa
TS Member
You plonker, im not getting worried at all, i was just saying it will be the second time this year i go and it was closed both times. If towers are open im going regardless of the smiler being closed.
Andrew
TS Contributor
The only issue is that as soon as a train has cleared any mechanical section (such as the brakes or lift hill) it's all down to gravity and there's nothing you can do to stop its progress.
We'll have to wait until the results of the investigation until we know the definite cause.
Coaster
TS Member
Okay, it just came across that way. The Smiler being closed is the least important thing at the moment, the recovery of the people trapped on the ride is important.
AirFAN
TS Member
Very much aware of this - but the full train was on the lift hill for a reported 5-10 minutes whilst I assume the stalled train was merrily rolling backwards and forwards.
I am speculating which is probably not a good idea, but I think someone has made a cockup here, the system has, from reports, known there was a problem, but someone / something has moved the ride on after stopping. Possible software system, likely human error. Put into perspective, how many cars go around at once, it takes a serious setup of sensors and computing power to keep all of them doing the right thing, planning all that would blow my mind.
TypeR
TS Member
AirFAN
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TomLad
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Just a quick google will get you the odds of dying in a plane accident at 11 million to 1, and in a roller coaster accident 1.5 billion to 1. It's an extremely safe industry but unfortunately things will go wrong. The media never do situations like this real justice to the people involved, instead try to increase numbers of viewers and make people terrified of something that is incredibly unlikely. It's pretty awful that this has happened, but the ride will only become safer because of this. May as well just turn off the news and listen out for the official reports and findings.
The people wanting 'The Slider in Sector X' to be taken down may just as well ask for all public footpaths to be closed due to the danger of lightning strikes from encouraging people to go outdoors. It's just ludicrous! I feel sorry for those who made or signed that petition.
The people wanting 'The Slider in Sector X' to be taken down may just as well ask for all public footpaths to be closed due to the danger of lightning strikes from encouraging people to go outdoors. It's just ludicrous! I feel sorry for those who made or signed that petition.
This ride will be closed for months following this, and will probably have a reduced number of cars on at any one time.
TomLad
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I'm not saying it won't, but they will do a thorough investigation and make sure it can't happen again. As for reduced cars, I doubt that, even with two cars the exact same thing 'could' happen if there was a blocking problem.
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