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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015

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Leah said:
It can be used on other rides too. Not just in the event of a crash, but other incidents that could occur.

I don't know if this is likely or not, but as a result of he crash, would some of the medics chose to leave the park, why they need to train New ones.
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I doubt they would choose to leave as they would be expected to respond to anything at anytime. Why would they leave a medic anywhere could end up being called to a similar incident and training would have to take place across most if not all rides I would imagine
 
ASturge21 said:
They appear to have no confidence in the ride not stalling again which is quite alarming
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I see the fact that they are doing everything they can to prevent another stall good (such as adding a wind gauge), although one does have to question why they hadn't taken such measures already seeing as it is prone to stalling in that area.

Don't forget, the fact that it stalled isn't really the main issue, many rides do it - the issue is why another train was able to be on the same block.

But the last thing AT need is for the ride to stall again, the reaction from the GP would not be good which I think is partly why they are taking such high care in ensuring the ride doesn't stall again.
 
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A stall would cause a little frenzy, definitely, but I think a good reaction to it, people seeing that all is well when it happens and that it's just annoying rather than dangerous would temper some of the bad press. If it was to stall again I don't think it would be the end of the world, it would just give you a small glimpse of it.

It does feel like they are doing everything in their power to prevent it, so with any luck we shall never see its like again. I am curious about those markings on the supports though, have there been any pictures?
 
You can never completely remove the risk of any roller coaster stalling. There was an incident a few years ago at Flamingo Land where a plastic poncho blew onto the track of Mumbo Jumbo and it got gummed up in the wheels and stopped the car.

They've clearly looked at each factor in the incident individually and come up with something to address each specific factor. They've added measures to better identify a vehicle at the bottom of the batwing if the situation would repeat itself, and they've also looked at the reason for the stall and seen how they can improve the problem of gusty wind.
 
EVERYTHING THAT I CAN THINK OF TO IMPROVE SAFETY.

1. Reduce the chances of a stall - This could be done by raising the high points to increase the speed, but would never get planning permission. Alternatively they could add weight to the trains or install a mini launch prior to the batwing. In my view the most likely method is to change the wheel compounds and clearances. It is clear that wind monitoring equipment has been installed, and I believe that The Smiler will not operate when the windspeed and direction increase the likelihood of a stall. I believe that empty cars will no longer be sent round during opening times and that a new kind of weighted dummy may be designed over the closed season that is quicker and easier to embark / disembark.

2.Ensure that two trains can never occupy the same block. I think the Smiler did the job it was supposed to do on the day of the incident and that this system is allready very safe... BUT... it is clear that processes that allowed staff to overide the safety system were not robust enough. Solutions include better staff training and supervision, multiple reset panels around the ride that will work only when used in conjuction with each other, improved communication from around the ride to the cabin and the installation of more cameras. I think they will do all of these things.

3. Better protection in the event of a collision. I believe that crumple zones, airbags, etc would be impractical to retrofit and that the train design will remain unchanged with the budget going into ensuring the block seperation. I do believe however that improved rider protection will be built into future coasters, including SW8 in particular.

4. Track stability. It cannot be guaranteed that a rollercoaster will never shed a bolt. Even the superbly engineered and built B and M's have been known to do this. It is concerning that when The Smiler shed a bolt in its first year of operation there was a degree of track seperation. It is also notable that Gerstlauer have used more but smaller bolts on later infinity coaster models. I assume this is to add a greater redundancy against track seperation. It would clearly not be possible to retrofit new bolt designs to The Smiler. The loss of a bolt or anything falling off The Smiler in the future would be a PR disaster as the press would be merciless and I'm sure Merlin know this. I suspect that The Smiler will become a more expensive ride to operate as track and bolt inspections will be both more thorough and more regular.

With all of the above send, I know that rollercoasters are statistically incredibly safe and I will happily get corrected when it reopens
 
Courtesy of Andy MC on TowersTimes, there is a picture of a train at the bottom of the vertical lift with just one dummy in it.
 
For those that want to see without heading to tt

Left the park early today but it was testing from 10am ish dueling with 1 dummie on each train. Train 2 pictured below, don't know what other one was doing the circuit.
t7y7wk.jpg


Credit to Andy Mc Towers time
 
It went from 5 to 2 yesterday, then 1 sometime before this morning so it could have 0 dummies tonight, with empty trains testing tomorrow for a couple of hours then an opening! Just a prediction though :)
 
Who knows, but it just seems weird that the dummies have decreased drastically as Scarefest creeps closer, like less than 48 hours away now!
 
Why do they need to test it with no dummies? Surely if it goes around fine it goes around fine?
 
Don't get me wrong want it open but you can see the headlines now "sick horror ride open for horror show at danger park" etc etc over the top bs headline.

Bring it on! I still say if it's not open by Sunday /Monday it isn't going to open this season.
 
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