Hades @ Big Chiefs - CoasterBuzz

I think it's pretty clear from that picture that the photographer is standing on the catwalk that runs alongside the return track.

So then what's the problem? Sounds like a safe place for him to stand.

That would be a blur. My guess is that they could not have too fast of a shutter speed in that light.

edit: Holy post at the same time Batman, this is in response to DaCoasterMan. *** Edited 5/5/2005 3:47:14 AM UTC by RavenTTD***

No offense, really, but isn't this arguing for the sake of arguing? If that happened during open hours, with riders on board, I'd take issue, but that's not the case. How else do you think they get these pics, and tests done? Somebody does it, at every new coaster opening.

I haven't heard of anyone dying recently (or ever, for that matter) taking measurements, or pictures during testing.

...and I won't sit here and argue it. I'm just curious why you care so much?

The Flying Turns makes all the right people wet - Gonch

...not to mention these guys build coasters for a living and would know where to stand.

Right, because people who work on rides for a living never get injured.

Charles Nungester said:
Nate, Of course it is dangerous to a point, However your overlooking that if everyone involved knows it's in operation, They also know to keep extremely aware of whats going on.

Except that's not always true. Remember the incident at SFGAm? He knew the ride was operating, yet was still struck by a car and killed. It's happened before, and until parks make sure to strictly follow lock out procedures, it will happen again.

So then what's the problem? Sounds like a safe place for him to stand.

No, a safe place to stand would be outside the ride area.

How else do you think they get these pics, and tests done? Somebody does it, at every new coaster opening.

There's just simply no reason for it. "Testing" a ride does not require standing within a ride area. Taking a picture like that does, but for what purpose? It seems like an unnecessary risk.

-Nate

SFMM was a incident of lock out, tag out.

Hades is not.

There is a difference, Did it ever occur to you that the photographer was specifically there for the specific reason and standing in the specific place he had to be in to safely get the shot?

I've been on a half a dozen shoots where they put a bucket crane up next to the structure and several other safe locations to get a close shot.

Like Moosh said, These are highly qualified people to work around the coaster in operation or not.

The SFMM case was a average employees who sadly lost their life because they had no buisness there to begin with. I know at my local corporate park, when a non qualified employee must enter a area deemed off limits. The ride must be locked out and tagged until qualified personel are called to restart it.

Chuck ready to get back on topic about the coaster Hades

Did it ever occur to you that the photographer was specifically there for the specific reason and standing in the specific place he had to be in to safely get the shot?

Or check on a particular stretch of track as the train passed? Or check on the train's performance as it passed a particular spot on the track?

But just think if he had been killed by Hades racing thru the underworld... ;)

Charles Nungester said:
SFMM was a incident of lock out, tag out.
Hades is not.

Well, aside from the fact that I haven't seen anyone here mention SFMM, this absolutely is an violation of lock out procedures, if they existed. My whole point is that they don't exist and they should.

There is a difference, Did it ever occur to you that the photographer was specifically there for the specific reason and standing in the specific place he had to be in to safely get the shot?

Of course! Do you think I just thought he was hanging out in there for fun and happened to snap a picture?

It doesn't matter what reason he was in there. He shouldn't have been.

I've been on a half a dozen shoots where they put a bucket crane up next to the structure and several other safe locations to get a close shot.

How someone who could get hit by a train while standing in a bucket crane is beyond me.

Like Moosh said, These are highly qualified people to work around the coaster in operation or not.

So were many of the people who have been hit by trains because of the same disregard for safety policies.

I know at my local corporate park, when a non qualified employee must enter a area deemed off limits. The ride must be locked out and tagged until qualified personel are called to restart it.

In most parks, nobody can enter a ride area unless it's locked out. It's clearly not that way with Mt. Olympus, and therein lies the problem.

And Moosh, come on - you're honestly suggesting the guy was standing there to "check the train" as it flew past at 60mph? What, exactly, is he checking? They have accelerometers for that. The same goes for the track.

-Nate

Ah Nate....I can pretty much guarantee you that almost every park when they build a new wooden coaster will have people standing along the course on catwalks and many others places checking on performance and other issues during the initial testing phases. the ride probably hasn't even been turned over to the park yet for pete's sake. Why are you being so stubborn about what is clearly a necessary requirement to opening/releasing the ride??

Wood Coaster Fan Club - "Sharing a Passion for the Classics"

Yeah. Having people on the catwalks during testing is not unusual at all. In *fact*, I've seen it when a coaster was open to the public. I rode Shivering Timbers in the first days it was open, and there were workers for a while on the turn around. I don't think they were park people, they were CCI people, as I rode in the back seat with some fellows with CCI shirts on.

I'm just saying...this isn't just a Mt. Olympus thing.

Mean streak opened a full month before workers were done laying handrails and other structure parts.

Chuck, who found it interesting at the time of a couple dozen workers climbing all over the structure while it was running all three trains.

Considering that the photo actually appears on the designers' website and not some enthusiast site, I would guess that the person taking the photo knew the risks involved in taking that picture, was probably associated with or actually one of the designers at Gravity Group, or was told were to safely stand in order to not get hurt. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that whoever it was taking that picture knew what they were doing.

I doubt that they will want anyone else in the tunnel without permission to be there for the sole fact that someone who doesnt know what they are doing and where to safely be would potentially get hurt or killed.

Media Day is quickly approaching for this ride and I have my doubts that they will allow anyone in the tunnel then unless the ride is not operating at the time. Or unless the person has been given permission and instructions on their safety before going into the tunnel. *** Edited 5/5/2005 12:38:05 PM UTC by beast7369***

The deal is, we have no idea if the camera was on a tripod, if there is a cubby hole in the tunnel or what. When you see a park patron in the tunnel you can tell us they shouldnt be there.

There's absolutely nothing that has to be "checked" or "inspected" while a ride is running. Nothing. The bottom line is that it's unsafe, and there's no valid reason for anyone, employee or otherwise, to risk it.

-Nate

ho, hum

Yawn

Well, if there is no way the tunnel is wide enough for 2 tracks, then there is certainly no way it is wide enough for 2 tracks PLUS a photographer. ;)

If you're so curious why I thought there would never be two tracks in the tunnel, it's because I accounted for a safety envelope around the train (that is, on the sides). Mt. Olympus did not do this.

It's not a big deal; plenty of wooden coasters don't have large safety envelopes on the sides of the trains. When I made that estimate, however, I was accounting for it.

-Nate

Mt Olympus didn't design the coaster or the tunnel, Gravity Group did. And I'm sure Mike Graham and the boys would have a heartly laugh over your accusation that their design is unsafe.

I might see Him tonight, Im sure he'll laugh.

Chuck, who still owes him five bucks for borrowed items :( *** Edited 5/6/2005 5:37:00 AM UTC by Charles Nungester***