'Good Year" tire falls from Top Thrill Dragster

Earlier this evening (11:30 pm), one of the Good Year tires fell from the blue train on Top Thrill Dragster. Apparently, one of the tires let loose from its axle somewhere along its 120-mph journey. I was in in the purple train, two trains behind the blue train, and I wasn't even aware that there was a problem until our train approached the unload platform. The blue train, minus the right tire, was occupying the first position on the unload platform, with the green train behind it. Our train had to be unloaded on the brake block (we waited about fifteen minutes to be disembarked - apparently there was some confusion on the unload platform as to what was going on and how to best unload our train).

When I walked onto the unload platform, and then to the stairs, I got a good glimpse of the axle, which was clearly severed at is neck. The tire was nowhere in sight, and I had clearly remembered no faults with the blue train as it had cycled through the station prior to my entry into the purple train (I noticed the blue train specifically because I had taken my first TTD ride in the blue train). As to where it landed - whether it simply landed in the dirt alongside the launch, or whether it was catapulted into the air along its ascent - that's just pure conjecture. One thing is for sure - at least the park was closed at the time. The chances of the tire striking an unfortunate bystander were probably greatly reduced simply by the time of day. I would look for the blue train to be out of commission tomorrow (at the very least).

On my way out of the park, I was talking with a guy who had been on the blue train - he said that the guys in the back row heard a noise during the ride, and that they knew something was wrong. Apparently they noticed the car was without its right wheel only after getting out of the train on the platform. He said he took a picture of the train but was yelled at by one of the employees (they didn't confiscate the camera so no harm done....but I doubt he told them that he was going to try to sell the picture to the newspapers).

It was quite a sight and even more shocking than the three consecutive rollbacks I saw two weeks ago. Just think of the damage that tire could have done if the park was open. I didn't stick around last night, but I would guess the attraction was closed and will remain closed until a cause was found and solution to the problem was devised and applied to all of the cosmetic wheel assemblies on the coaster.
*** This post was edited by ophthodoc 5/26/2003 3:04:18 AM ***

wow. i'm guessing TTD was closed for the entire day.

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Colossus [1]
Nemesis: Inferno [6]

First the tires spin, now they just fly right off the train. Great idea in theory, but are they really worth the hassle anymore?

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My Girlfriend says I'm addicted, but all she wants to do is shop!

Shivering Timbers - Most underrated coaster Ever?

The tires look nice, but if its going to become a safety issue, I say get rid of them. You'd think with all the money they spent this problem would be resolved by now, but I guess not.

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-Bob, from Toledo
CP Visits: 2
Dragster Trials: 1

Now we know wht they were removed...

I wouldn't expect to see the ride closed but I would expect to see the wheels gone.

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God bless Intamin, Company that I love. Stand beside her, and ride her, from the opening to the closing of the day.

Those tires do quite stick out, I was wonderin how they kept them on there, I guess not too well from what just happened.

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"You know its a good ride when you come into the final break run wiping tears from your eyes"-me

Hmm... I thought I saw a black blob lodged in the MF supports on the webcam ;)
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-Troy
EHT (Extended Hangtime) Survivor - Cbuzz Con '03
*** This post was edited by B&M Guy 5/26/2003 12:40:58 PM ***

Wow it sheered right off eh? I'd love to see that snapshot the guy took. You should be able to tell if it was torn off, or if the pipe broke, or if it broke on a weld.

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Kevin Stone
NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulator
http://www.nolimitscoaster.de

UK NeMeSiS said:
wow. i'm guessing TTD was closed for the entire day.

He said it happened at 11:30 pm so it was after the park had closed for the day and they were finishing up all of the line for Dragster
*** This post was edited by keg5651 5/26/2003 1:31:48 PM ***

Phyter said:
Wow it sheered right off eh? I'd love to see that snapshot the guy took. You should be able to tell if it was torn off, or if the pipe broke, or if it broke on a weld.
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Kevin Stone
NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulator
http://www.nolimitscoaster.de

It broke off on a weld spot by the looks of it. I got fairly close to the car and noticed that there were weld marks on the end of the axle.

I don't think taking the tires off of all the cars is a good idea. It's Cedar Point's best theming effect yet. I would rather see each car get modified/improved so that the incident does not happen again.

The tire bounced along the break run actually bounced over the electrical building and landed under iron dragon somewhere. I was in the left lane just about to enter the station when it happoned at 11:30. They took the blue train off, then the green one for some reason but left the tires on the other three trains. I finally got on at alomost 1.

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One Love

Wow! I think it's quite odd that CP didn't just close the ride right away. I mean, did they check the area for any potential damage from the incident?

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CoasterBuzz club member 316 says I just kicked your @$$!

That thing is danger0us!

TAER IT DOWN!

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

No. Let it sink. That way they can save money.

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Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.

I'm actually now loosing my excitement on going on this ride in a couple of weeks and am now starting to become concerned with saftey.

Hmmm...I was at CP all last week (5/19-5/23) and TTD was already tireless. Did they get the "tire"some problem fixed over the weekend and then only to have the tires fall off again? I would have liked to have seen the tires on for the full effect; it looked somewhat funny with this big train and engine block on the end cruisin' at 120 and no tires to complete the look. Good ride, nonetheless :)

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"This mode is difficult!"

yea thats what i was thinking pokeyron, oh and yea i didn't realise it happened at night!

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Colossus [1]
Nemesis: Inferno [6]

Johnnyecks, a tire fell off and harmlessly bounced away. I admit that some injury *could* have resulted because of this, but what else happened that makes you think that TTD is unsafe?

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Six Flags Worlds of Adventure Online

Wow good thing we decided to do TTD during the day and do MF as our "late ride"! I think they should just pull the axels in, weld or however you have to attach rubber the tires at the base to the engine blocks or something. Might look a little odd, but at least they won't shear off. And I distinctly remember the blue train's wheels spinning when it hit the brakes when we rode. I specifically commented on it to my group that they had just fixed it so it wasn't supposed to do that anymore.

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"You know we got a good thing goin and I don't wanna see it end" --Reel Big Fish
-- Brett

Those tires are heavy. If something that weight flies off the train doing 120MPH it is not at all unlikely that someone could be killed, or at very least badly injured.

There was an incident about a year ago where a tyre came off a Formula 1 car and killed a marshal.

R

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