Train Certification

I have a question for anyone who can answer this. I went to PKI on Monday evening on my way home from Cedar Point. My friend who works there and I decided to stop and ride SOB to conclude a fantastic weekend of coasters. When we got to there at 6:30, they had already closed the line off. One of the factors in this is the fact that they only have one train certified (at least as of last Thursday when my friend worked last). The thing I don't understand is that they've had all this time to repair the track and test the one train, why can't they get the other train certified at the same time? I mean, they were only open weekends until today, so it's not like they would be turning guests away during the day. What all is involved in certifying a train in the State of Ohio? Anyone know??

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UCSigep

oh Ride Man??

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Neil
By popular vote, the official start
of the Millennium has been moved to
May 13, 2000

Having a train certified????Thats the first time I've heard this one.

In Ohio, a ride is licensed for operation in a particular configuration. A good example might be Cedar Point's Mine Ride last year. They were only certified by the state to run two trains because they couldn't successfully demonstrate that they could run three safely. Legend has it they bumped a pair of trains in the station with the inspector there, so that pretty much nailed them to two! The new control system (and a lot of new brakes) now allow them to easily run three.

A similar case was made with Millennium Force. They couldn't run three trains because the computer wouldn't do it. I get the impression it has a lot to do with the way the rides' PLC's are programmed.

So to make a long story longer, you as a park have to show that the ride can safely operate under certain conditions.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Thanks Jeff! PKI needs to get it's act together, I guess...