Cedar Point's VertiGo suffers partial collapse

Word out of Utah states that all other attractions like this one will undergo Stress test, as well looking for possible Engineering flaws, I'll have more tomorrow...
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It's conflict that shows who a person really is!

IntaminAG1, it's Astroworld that's getting one, I don't know about Elitch Gardens.

JD
http://www.westcoaster.net

I have an idea........Let's Fix It With DUCT TAPE! ;)
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We Turn Dreams Into Reality - RidgeStone Amusement

I agree with the duct tape theory. This way there will be no stress from freezing and then wind.

In all seriousness, this could pose a problem, as SFMM has high winds and also bone chilling temperatures at times,  so if this is a factor, only time will tell if Thrillshot may go down. I'm gonna stay a little farther away from those towers for a little while.

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Bow Down to...The Sleeping Smiley!!
--_--zzZZzzz
(tm)

The change in temperature of air isn't what would concern me. Dozens of rides deal with that every year. It's water getting into tight places and freezing, expanding, that would concern me.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Whoever asked, this is Vertigo

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/challenge_park/vertigo/index.cfm

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CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

I hope that Cedar Point releases some pictures, or lets a Sandusky Regester person, or one of our guys goes out exploring.

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TiM Schroll
Da Bears!
"It starts with an O, and ends with a C, and in the middle is hicag!" Bill Swerkski's Superfans *** This post was edited by MFRULES on 1/16/2002. ***

I think it will be a few days before we know anything, as this morning's article in the Sandusky Register ( www.sanduskyregister.com ) doesn't reveal any more than we already have stated here. I agree with the water / ice speculations, as the ride would be capable of handling the wind sheer.  For now, just wait and see...

Have any pics of the collapsed tower been released?

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Anthony Clauser

Not a chance. There's no way to see it unless you're there, and I'm pretty sure that's not something the park is going to go out of their way to advertise.

Here's the register article, another shining example of how small-town papers never proofread:
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=51058?localnewsdaily

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Obviously, we know very little at this point.  Some comments though.

From the little information available it sounds like ice wedging is not likely to have been a factor.  The weather could have had 3 other effects that could be a factor. I also have another question.

1) Was there any ice accumulation?  Any ice buildup on a tall structure adds a lot of weight and also slightly increases the cross section exposed to the wind..

2) How cold was it?  Steel does become more brittle during cold weather.  This can especially be a complicating factor if there is a flaw in a weld.

3)  How high were the winds?  The largest load on those free standing towers would be high winds.

4) Was any work being done on the ride at the time?  Lots of possibilities here.

I hope it didn't hit the Magnum XL 200

As some of you may have noticed, I made a post earlier this morning with some info. I deleted it because I wasn't sure that it was a good idea to let people in on it, but now that the cat's out of the bag (Completely), I'm reposing what information hasn't been hit on by the News reports:

-The tower broke approximately 66.25 feet up the tower, about 1/4 of the total height. This is about where the first "tower joint" is.

-The collapse took out a ticket booth of some sort, but it is unclear which structure was hit.

-Cedar Point is reviewing Web Camera images that were saved on their computers. Some may be familiar with a web cam that was pointed at Magnum XL-200. Basically, In one shot, the tower is there, and in the next, it is not.

-No one was near the site, or witnessed the collapse. An employee driving in the area was the first to notice that the tower was missing.

-From initial reports, the tower is badly damaged. But I can't say for sure that it is un-salvageable.

More info as I becomes available.

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Jes
Webmaster, Jes's Roller Coasters
"Thank You Jeff Putz" "My Fellow Americans, Lets Roll!"

Maybe it collapsed under the weight of all those EVIL bugs at Cedar Point?  (joke! humor!) 

Or maybe Monty Jasper was trying to install a trim brake.. you know he's famous for that. (more humor! ha!)

And after chatting with Astroworld, foundation work continues as is until further notice.

Panther Modern
SixFlagsHouston.Com
*** This post was edited by Panther Modern on 1/15/2002. ***

I think the trim brake is a reason of why it broke. Just shows why trims are evil *sarcastic*
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*** This post was edited by Lone Star Thrills on 1/15/2002. ***

There were alot of parks getting these for 02 and 03 i wonder if they will think twice before getting them.

...Agreed. It's much easier to make modifications when the structure isn't vertical, and still yet to be built.

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Jes
Webmaster, Jes's Roller Coasters
"Thank You Jeff Putz"

I don't remember where I read or heard it, but you can never be more than 100% sure of anything. I'm of course referring to the 150% comment in the article.

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If you have to figure out how to ride a coaster to be comfortable, then that's not a coaster worth riding.

I'd have to go with Jeff's wedging proposal. It seems to make the most sense. It's amazing how much pressure forming ice can exert. My question, though, is how they prevent this from happening on the skytower?
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"I'll bet that thing hits 5 Gs going through that loop.....faaar ooouut!"

Whoever said that SFMM gets bone-chilling cold has not been to the shoreline of Lake Erie in the winter. Although I'm sure it gets chilly there at times, I'll take sunny So Cal in the winter over the Ohio shorleine anyday!