8/14 : TTD Cable Break

The cable broke on TTD Saturday 8/14 early on, at about 10:30AM. My group was 3 rides from getting on front row when I looked out just as a train was launching, and I see cable flying out of the track down the lauching strip and the train stopping halfway to the tower. My group knew right then that our chance of riding dragster was over- and that every other line would be 3 hours. The ride ops were whispering and we heard them say "cable broke". It took them 20-30 minutes for them to bring the trains back and let everyone out of the station. There were no shards of metal this time. They gave us a special access ticket and TTD freeway ticket. When we passed TTD during the day we saw workers laying new cable in, and we joked about it actually opening later. There were a few rumors about it running but it never did.

When we were leaving the park at about 10:15PM we pass Dragster and see the "Prestage" lights on and a train rolling up to be launched! Lots of people were watching...and there was a line up to the entrance of the ride. The lights went on and the train was off...It crests the tower and everybody cheers...They fixed a cable break in 12 hours.

I recall this happening about the same time last month...Is this becoming a monthly/routine problem? *** Edited 8/15/2004 3:18:12 PM UTC by nkcomp***

Yes it did happen last month. Fortunately, no one seems to get hurt with the cable breaks.

It's because of the wear and tear on a cable. I mean a cable being pulled to 120 mph pulling a really heavy trainload of riders is going to wear out eventually.

I realize you didn't get to ride it but you gotta admit, they did have it back up quickly despite this happenning.

They should just start replacing it monthly now at night.

You know what I don't care if the cable breaks. If it breaks it breaks and its a good reason for it to break but I give the mechanics props for doing this in such a decent amount of time. (even though they have seem to do it quite often)

I see cable flying out of the track down the lauching strip

The cable came out of the box track?

Yeah, if thats what he is saying, thats a lie. The cable does not come flying out of the track when it snaps.

It looked like cable, but it might have been oil or something else because the back of the support and the pulleys that lead into the building were covered in black after it happened and they were powerwashing the road along the track...I'm not sure.

Well that whole area has beben stained black since the infamous break in July that hurt 4 people.

When that cable frayed apart was when everything, the track, etc.. down by the room turned black.

During the first cable snap, the cable was wrapped around the track. It's possible for it to come out.

Does anyone know how many "extra" cables they have on hand at any given time? I agree, maybe they should just automatically replace them monthly, if that's the case.

-Tina

monthly how about every three weeks or so and do it not in operating hours? make the ride stay up that way?

Oh no - Dragster has the 'monthlies' 8^O

Sorreeeee....

Dragster is a GUY, Jim. ;-) But *he* has his own version of PMS at times. lol.

-Tina

good to know that it is back up and running beacause i am going the Cedar Point this friday 8/20 and i;ve been looking forward to riding dragster for the whole summer!

And I'm going on Tuesday. I'm not gonna be devistated if its not up, but I was hoping to have my first Dragster-gasm. Let it just ride out the cable for this week....:)

It's touch and go, Clint.....I am HOPING for your first Dragstergasm my friend! I will be sending positive thoughts your way!

Just remember there are a ton of other 'gasms to enjoy in the park.....MF, Magnum, Raptor, Cedar Downs, Gemini, the Museum, the Midway, Wildcat, chili cheese fries, the Lake, the awesome view from the causeway.......there is a lot to take in for a first-timer! I know you will have fun. Just take in as much as you can, but don't rush it. :-)

-Tina

*** Edited 8/16/2004 1:03:41 AM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

I wouldn't go on Tuesday. I'll be there and whenever I'm there Dragster tends to be a large lawn ornament and not operate. Good luck with your 'gasms.

I've been going to CP for years, and still have not had a museum-gasm yet. Wonder what I'm missing...

MF easily blows away TTD, but TTD is an amazing short ride. The launch is like...whoosh everything is flyin by you and you feel like you are going at the speed of light.

I wouldn't exactly call the museum visit a 'gasm but it's worth checking out, especially for newbies. Hell, I still love visiting and place and totally get lost in the history. I love it. I can never get tired of visiting it from time to time.

And it's a great, air-conditioned break from riding. ;-)

-Tina