That was one of the reasons I avoided riding Big Dipper until this year. Changed my mind, though, and I quite enjoy it now. A true classic ... I just wish they'd repair the trains. It's sad to see them in poor shape.
Jeremy
Johnathan said:
The big dipper at camden park in huntington, wv is an unsafe coaster. I've felt the ride actually jump on and off the track some. Those old NAD trains sure do look cool but aren't the safest ride.
I've ridden the dipper around 50 times, and trust me, this just doesn't happen. I mean, its not like there aren't upstops on the trains.
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Idle hands were orient to her.
But, Jim, the reason you said is correct and i'll add that too: During the time La Ronde was owned by the city of Montreal, they tended to cut corners... and the maintenance on Monstre showed. The structure is in no shape to take racing all the time... But! there is hope, as track 2 got retracked last year and track 1 is getting part of it this year. Also, structural work is being done.
The most common cause of ride fatalities is mechanical failure. Rider misbehaviour is the primary cause in only about 25% of fatalities.
Ravenguy98:
There are numerous woodies that you can feel the running wheels jump off the track when you get airtime. However, the upstop and side friction wheels are still doing their job, and there is no danger.
When it's rolling fast, Leap the Dips does leave the track without upstops, but it stays well below the tops of the side friction boards and is also safe. (Leap the Dips is the only coaster in the US that does not have up stops.)
Jim Fisher said:
Ravenguy98:
There are numerous woodies that you can feel the running wheels jump off the track when you get airtime. However, the upstop and side friction wheels are still doing their job, and there is no danger.
Yeah, just about any moment of ejector type airtime the upstops are going to come up and hit the bottom of the track. That doesn't make it a dangerous coaster. Its not like the train is actually disengaging the track.
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Idle hands were orient to her.
It may look like you will get your hands chopped off, but designers/parks make sure that the clearances are fine. Do you think a park would really take that risk? If I had a park, I would guarentee that people couldn't hit beams by just holding their hands up.
Funny this topic has come up. I have never thought about it before, but when I was riding Disneyland's Matterhorn the other night I was noticing the low clearances both height and width too. Then it occured to me that it is one coaster where I never seen anyone put thier hands up. Not even an enthusiast!
I don't think this ride would be built as it is if it were to be built today. So, I'm glad it was built when it was, as the close walls are what gives you a sense of speed on what is really a slow moving ride.
the only coaster that i think is dangerous is the williams grove cyclone because it is delapitated.
Yeah, that park was a little scary. But during the Con it was also a whole lot of fun! I noticed the lack of brakes on the paratrooper too. In fact, it spun around so much I was close to tossing my lunch! As for inspections, everything had a current sticker...well except the kiddie coaster that had a 1996 sticker on it! Still...it looked the most sturdy of any of the rides. I hope this park makes it as it was a really nice place. Support your small local parks
*** This post was edited by Coasterbuf on 2/5/2002. ***
Absimilliard said:
But! there is hope, as track 2 got retracked last year and track 1 is getting part of it this year. Also, structural work is being done.
This is good news! Any other tidbits concerning what's going on at LaRonde are always appreciated:)
you are right about the upstops but the trains still are very close to hopping off the track coming into the final brake run. this comes after 23 rides on it last season. i think that part of the reason is that the last two rows of seats no longer operate because the restraints are broke. hopefully camden park will fix this problem.
As fast as they run their monster, I would venture that would be the most dangerous ride in the park, at least for your stomach. I'm amazed I saw no one throw up.
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Idle hands were orient to her.
As far as brakes go, who cares? They only run one-train operation, and can do no more as far as I know. One of the elements that makes it a classic is the manual braking system, which gives riders a chance of running through the station and right into another run through the course. I'd be more than happy to marathon BD. :) It may be small, but I enjoy the brief pops of air and the laterals. Nice tight tunnel too -- which may not have enough clearance for people with long arms.
As far as age, it isn't that old. It was built in 1958. Maintenance has hurt it more than anything, and that department has suffered due to previous mismangement. I believe the current managers (Camden Park is once again run by the family who owns it) are making great strides in rectifying all problems. My visits last year showed a much cleaner park, some repainting where it was needed, and better security presence. From what I understand about the financials, they are also paying down the debt the park owes. I have high hopes for the future of CP as a small family-run park. (Unless a certain megacorporation chooses to buy it... ;) Don't count on that.)
That's my 2 cents. And -- unless people are fascinated with intense discussion of a small park in WV -- I think I'll refrain from posting more in this thread.
Jeremy
Johnathan said:
it would never come completely off the track but it will give play until the upstop catches it. this is an extreme safety hazard.
This is not an "extreme safety hazard". Every coaster with air time does this all of the time. It is more noticeable on some older woodies, but it is not unsafe as long as track and coaster are maintained.
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