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Rita launch cable snap!?!
- Thread starter LoveAltonTowers
- Start date
John
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
At first they closed the ride for a couple of days to change the cables, but now they can do it overnight without closing the ride at all.
I'd be very surprised if it opened today though, as unlike with a planned cable change they won't have the staff/equipment immediately available.
I'd be very surprised if it opened today though, as unlike with a planned cable change they won't have the staff/equipment immediately available.
Andrew
TS Contributor
I'm just going off what my source has told me, and the person in question is usually accurate.
Anyway, I said it could open by 3pm today, but it all depends on what the technicians do and what investigation needs to be carried out, if any.
EDIT: They will not do any work until tonight because a large area of DF will need to be closed, and they do not want guest experience to be disrupted any further.
Anyway, I said it could open by 3pm today, but it all depends on what the technicians do and what investigation needs to be carried out, if any.
EDIT: They will not do any work until tonight because a large area of DF will need to be closed, and they do not want guest experience to be disrupted any further.
Sam
TS Member
I think the idea that it will re-open the same day as a snapped cable is unlikely to the point of impossible.
Sigh, as Astro points out, another brilliant endorsement of Intamin's safety record.
I think it's again worth reposting Lance from Screamscape's rant about Intamin's "Decade of Destruction", originally posted about the Xcelerator cable snap in 2011:
Intamin make some amazingly intense rides, but it does seem that safety is compromised. Maybe it's the price we pay for the awesome power of the hydraulic launches.
This is either Intamin or Alton Towers' fault. A cable snap is not a natural occurrence, and should not happen on a well-built, well-maintained ride. One of the two companies is at fault here, possibly both equally.
Sigh, as Astro points out, another brilliant endorsement of Intamin's safety record.
I think it's again worth reposting Lance from Screamscape's rant about Intamin's "Decade of Destruction", originally posted about the Xcelerator cable snap in 2011:
Screamscape said:
Intamin make some amazingly intense rides, but it does seem that safety is compromised. Maybe it's the price we pay for the awesome power of the hydraulic launches.
This is either Intamin or Alton Towers' fault. A cable snap is not a natural occurrence, and should not happen on a well-built, well-maintained ride. One of the two companies is at fault here, possibly both equally.
Andrew
TS Contributor
Is it just me who thinks that Intamin have some explaining to do?
Multiple accidents should not be acceptable for one of the leading ride manufacturers in the world, and if they want to maintain this position, then they need to change their ride systems!
It's lucky that nobody was hurt in this situation or Intamin, as well as Alton, could really have some explaining to do, especially with health and safety in this country!
Multiple accidents should not be acceptable for one of the leading ride manufacturers in the world, and if they want to maintain this position, then they need to change their ride systems!
It's lucky that nobody was hurt in this situation or Intamin, as well as Alton, could really have some explaining to do, especially with health and safety in this country!
James
TS Founding Member
We can't really point the finger at Intamin being at fault when we do not know exactly why the cable has snapped. The cable works on a lifespan of so many months, then it has to be replaced. For all we know it might have been coming towards the end of it's lifespan and snapped. It might have been over it's lifespan and snapped. Or it could be one of those unfortunate times when things just simply break.
Unless specifics are known then neither Alton or Intamin can be blamed. It could be a fault on either side, or no ones fault at all. These things do happen.
Unless specifics are known then neither Alton or Intamin can be blamed. It could be a fault on either side, or no ones fault at all. These things do happen.
Jem8472
TS Member
I would think the ride wont be closed for too long, as they are already getting the spare cable to the ride hopefully they will have it up and running again.
I took this a few years ago when the Towers did their fires behind the scenes tour its spare cable for Rita.
http://prntscr.com/clz0x
Looks like they have two of them! I do remember being told that they were rather expensive but I cant remember what the figure was.
I took this a few years ago when the Towers did their fires behind the scenes tour its spare cable for Rita.
http://prntscr.com/clz0x
Looks like they have two of them! I do remember being told that they were rather expensive but I cant remember what the figure was.
Jem8472
TS Member
But will H&S have to get involved? it could be classed as a near miss and then go on from there.
We have the near miss/ accident report at work. If something happens that could have resulted in injury or damage to company equipment it is classed as a near miss. From a near miss report it is looked at the see what can be changed to stop that happening again and becoming an accident.
Its only classed as an accident when someone is hurt or property is damaged. I am guessing they must use the same or similar system in theme parks.
If the cable has been properly looked after and it was still within its operational life then I guess its one of those things. Stuff breaks, things do not always last exactly how long it is designed to last.
We have the near miss/ accident report at work. If something happens that could have resulted in injury or damage to company equipment it is classed as a near miss. From a near miss report it is looked at the see what can be changed to stop that happening again and becoming an accident.
Its only classed as an accident when someone is hurt or property is damaged. I am guessing they must use the same or similar system in theme parks.
If the cable has been properly looked after and it was still within its operational life then I guess its one of those things. Stuff breaks, things do not always last exactly how long it is designed to last.
Scott.Smith
TS Member
I think towers will work on the cable all this niht and maybe tomorrow, because they especially don't want a repeat of the fast track system also it will leave many people dissapointed and unlikely to return
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
The more extreme weather of late might affect the cable negatively maybe? (complete stab in the dark)
Also it has become more popular since 2010 and has to do more launches (bigger Q at park close so more launches to clear it)
Apparently it is due it's mid season change soon I have heard.
Correct me if I am wrong
Also it has become more popular since 2010 and has to do more launches (bigger Q at park close so more launches to clear it)
Apparently it is due it's mid season change soon I have heard.
Correct me if I am wrong
Tom
TS Member
Jem8472 said:
There still needs to be lessons learned as the potential implications of the incident are quite serious.
I don't know if they have to notify the HSE of a dangerous occurence, but they do enforce Health and Safety practices at theme parks so I would have thought they'd need to be informed.
Things do break, but it's about minimising risk. I would say blame has to lie somewhere over a cable snapping.
I feel like I've been desensitised by Intamin accidents these days, they just happen so frequently regardless of whether its the companies fault of the parks fault.
I don't think any company or park would put their customers in danger for the sake of making an extreme ride, to the point where they ignore the risks. For years, the snapping cable has been part of the accelerator roller coaster design. Whether this particular cable had a fault should be at question, as should are the cables given too long a life of operation because its happened on Xcelerator, Top Thrill Dragster, Kanonen, Rita, Stealth and Kingda Ka. I could probably bet my life the others such as Xaturn and Superman Escape have also encountered similar problems.
I don't think any company or park would put their customers in danger for the sake of making an extreme ride, to the point where they ignore the risks. For years, the snapping cable has been part of the accelerator roller coaster design. Whether this particular cable had a fault should be at question, as should are the cables given too long a life of operation because its happened on Xcelerator, Top Thrill Dragster, Kanonen, Rita, Stealth and Kingda Ka. I could probably bet my life the others such as Xaturn and Superman Escape have also encountered similar problems.
