TA2K question

I've been wondering about this for a while now. As it has been demonstrated by a few observations, sometimes the vehicle does not have enough speed and doesn't get all the way over the top and ends up coming back down backwards. That actually sounds like fun to me but it shows that their system isn't full-proof. Now my problem is what happens if the car is propelled too fast? Is there some braking kind of system near the top of the tower to slow the car down if it is going too fast. IMO it is far more dangerous for the vehicle to go screaming over the top and having the riders exposed to SERIOUS G-forces that the body might not handle too well. It might scare some people if the car doesn't make it over the top but those of us hear understand that it's no big thing. Just curious, do they have a security measure for this instance.

the Incidentalist

I believe they do. If you look at some pictures of the ascent side of the tower, you'll see some brakes. From what I've heard, these brakes are NOT used to slow the train down if it rolls back. The only other likely use would be to slow it down if for some reason it went too fast. I really doubt that would happen often, if ever. Can somebody who has been there and ridden it shed a little more light on this?

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For one, there is a big difference between the train going to slow and too fast. Many things can cause the train to go too slow, including an overweight train, wear and tear on the wheels, etc. But few things will cause the train to accelerate more than it should other than a technical error, and that can be easily avoided.

Also, it might not be possible for the train to go over a certain speed. After all, there is only so much air that can be pumped out of those tanks. Just a guess.

Whatever the case is, you can be sure that they have got it figured out. And that plan has a backup, and that plan has a backup, etc. Safety is their #1 priority.
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I'd Rather Be Riding Rollercoasters

Here is the ascent side of the tower:

http://www.coastergallery.com/2000/pkd41.html

When I saw a rollback, I didn't see or hear those breaks being applied. (The TA2K brakes are VERY loud.)

I dobnt too much thrust is an issue. The shot tanks only hold so much air, and I'm sure it was tested with empty trains at maximum thrust to be sure it's OK. I doubt the difference in thrust is terribly great between an empty train or a full one. After all, it only holds 8 people with very strict size limitations.

When is the last time you heard about a space shot getting launched with too much thrust? It's weighed each time and shot with varying amounts of air pressure. Just a thought

-Peabody