Carowinds Hurler was slowed down!

Yesterday when we went for opening day at Carowinds, we immediately rushed for the Hurler, wanting to start the day out with a bang. Speed, Airtime, what more could you want. We noticed while walking through the structure to get in line that the trains seemed to be squeaking a lot around turns and that the ride was going reeealy slow when it hit the breaks. So, while on the ride we could also feel a definate speed difference seeing that the ride lacked airtime after the 2nd turnaround, where usually the entire ride has airtime. We rode like 4 times looking for trims and trying to find out what the problem was but we couldnt find any. All we noticed was the extremely loud screaching noise around curves and the noticeable slowdown around the 2nd turn. Anyone else feel this yesterday? or have any idea how they killed the Hurler?

I was there last July, rode it and the coaster was great. I couldn't tell you the difference since it's kind of a long drive from Northeast Ohio.

------------------
YOUNGSTOWN 2010

I wouldn't worry about the slowing down being trims, as normally, they wouldn't put trims on a banked turn. My guess is this: there might be a possibility of lack of oil or something on the wheels of the rolling stock.

------------------
"Enjoy your record-breaking ride on Millennium Force"

What was the temperture when you were there? If it was on the cool side I'd say it was stiff grease in the wheel journals. Also it sounds like the track wasn't oiled. This is becoming the norm lately, as the EPA frowns upon anything where refined oil can get into the ground.

If they are following PKI's maintance, they are probably letting it run really dry. The Beast seemed to have dry track all summer long. Every now and then you'd see some grease on it, but it was rare. Also, considering it was opening, the coaster could be a little "cold." Give it some time. When we rode it last year, it was a great ride. Hopefully thing will turn around.

Eric
------------------
"I'm hoping to see if any dead people will be my friends." - SS

Beginning of the season, cold weather, and lack of track lube can make for SLOW rides :( I wouldn't worry. I've had some frigid rides on S:ROS where there was no air!

------------------
- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

Like everyone said... it hasn't been greased at all really (do they ever grease it ;)), and there is a lot of new wood that was put down in the offseason, and it needs time to break in. It was definitely a lot slower though, and seemed to barely make it over the last hill, but I'm sure it will be running up to speed after it has time to break in for the season.

------------------
/\ Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot | Lord of the Fish
Oh yeah, that's a walk off challenge my friend.

Wow, 3rd Carowinds topic in 2 Weeks.

The ride is just getting Broke in for the season. It was like that last year too. It will be normal in a few weeks.

(I like the screeching noise, it gives the ride character :) )

------------------
"Grit Your Teeth, Bare The Load, Enjoy your ride, on Thunder Road"
*** This post was edited by Dukeis#1 3/23/2003 3:21:09 PM ***

I really dont mind the screaching noise. I hope yall are right because this used to have awesome airtime (actually painful on the first bunny hop, you make it over and it like bumps down the other side, crushing your package) but it was barely making it around yesterday. It wasnt that cold yesterday cause I was soaked the whole day and it really didnt seem that cool outside.

It was definitely slower both Saturday and today, and had very little airtime. It was screeching badly around all the turns. Since it was MUCH warmer this year for opening weekend than last I was surprised it was running this badly. Last year in March it was a *bit* slow, but nothing like this. Thunder Road was running VERY well, and seemed to be flying on both the out AND return legs. It usually slows down a good bit on the return trip. So whatever the problem is doesn't seem to be affecting all the wood.

I'm hoping a little breaking in and grease will get this one back to last season's form. It was my second favorite coaster to Top Gun in the park, and on some days I enjoyed it more when I was in the mood for airtime.

Of course, Top Gun was good Saturday, better later in the day, and downright wicked today - I felt my feet going numb in the batwing from the G's, and could barely keep my hands up in several places due to the G's - and it had lots of nice whip entering the inversions. So I can't complain TOO much about Hurler....

------------------
Ken

You're locked and ready to fly!

TAER IT DOWN

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

Your ignorance is not appreciated Homey.

TAER HIM DOWN HOMEY!!!!

------------------
"I'm hoping to see if any dead people will be my friends." - SS

Look pal. Everyone can appreciate the spirited manner in which you force us to constantly think about Carowinds because of your insistence on CRAMMING it down our throat for the entire 20 DAYS you've been a member of this site. I love Carowinds as much as the next guy, but ever since the thread where your compatriot submitted the assinine "which side of the park would you rather save when a bomb dropped on the park would wipe out all of Greater Charlotte, NC and Rock Hill, SC".... well my tolerance as been tested.

Oh, and just so you know? I've been here since 2001, and there's things going around here called "inside jokes". Make it a month around here and you'll notice such things. They often go unaddressed and unanswered. It's just something that goes with the territory around here.

Allow me in conclusion to address your use of the wrong word "ignorance". If you'll move your little mousey thingy over this link I've provided for you right here :

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ignorance

I believe you're the ignorant one in this case, no? Don't bother apologizing to me, because you were already forgiven because we all love children. If you insist on apologizing, do so because you've subjected us to a 3 years worth of Carowind's posts in the 3 weeks you've been here.

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

I think I'm in love with HomeyG! LOL! Great post, man...way to go ;)

------------------
"Everybody loves Moosh!" - Dawnmarie313

"AMEN, BROTHER HOMEY G"

------------------
"Grit Your Teeth, Bare The Load, Enjoy your ride, on Thunder Road"

The Texas Giant was also squeaking and running slow last week. I personally like the low oil screaching noise of a poorly maintained coaster. Be thankful... that sound means your park is caring for the envirnment by rationing our natural resources. ;)

------------------
On the Titan at SFOT last week, I saw a bird coming torward me on the first drop and i thought to myself, "Crap, I'm gonna pull a Fabio."

I rode the Texas Giant last week and it was running exceptionally fast.

Rode Carowinds' Hurler today 3-29-03 and it was MUCH better. It's still running a bit below average, but didn't have squealing, didn't seem like it'd stop before it completed the course, and had AIRTIME - decent pops on the 2nd and 4th hill.

It's not where it was last season when it was GREAT much of the season - but it's at least rideable now. Hope this is a trend.

------------------
Ken

You're locked and ready to fly!