In response to # of trains...

Does anyone remember the good old days when you would get on the Gemini and there would be 6 trains runnin.. the last few years I have been there, you are lucky if you get a race... Im sorry if this has been poste din the last few years, but I have been here a few months and havent seen it...

Not that I mind, I get TONS of rides on that thing, and I know a lot of ops so it makes it easy to stay im my seat for 10 rounds or so..

But I must say, when ya lose the race element... ya lose 30% on the fun....

Any opinions?

I was blessed with a short wait, and a race on my run on Gemini during my day at CP.... but I seriously don't think the ride would be worth much without the race... and hand slapping

*** This post was edited by Adix on 11/13/2002. ***

Yeah, they take off two trains late season and only one run side when the line isn't long. Sure, I like the race too, but why run more trains when you're not filling the ones you have?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Climbing as we fall, we dare to hold on to our fate, and steal away our destiny to catch ourselves with quiet grace" - The Stairs, INXS

It actually ran all six trains (and raced) on one of my trips there this year. If the crowds warrent six trains, they'll run six trains. The only time I haven't seen it race is in the morning or when there is very light crowds.

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Lori - who hopes Koaster King is reading. ;)

My only gripe is that if you have em, run em... These ride ops get paid to run the trains... Is it really that hard to push the buttons and check lap bars?

Don't run them just 'cause you have them! That's a great way to raise costs. It would have to be hard to work with more trains & less people. After YOU ride, there just may not be others coming along, it's pointless. Creates more work.

"creates more work" - Ahhh the downfall of america! Bunch of lazy people in this country! jk... Anyway, I don't see how that would raise cost. Its not like they stop the chain between cars to conserve energy, at least no that I have seen... Its not that it's "all" the trains I am concerned about, it's the lack of races... the day i went, they had three trains running... why not 4? Im not asking for all six, but come on! And times there were 2 in the station, they would only release one, and wait for the other... On and off races. ie train 1-2 race, then train 1-3... what's the deal there? Dont get me wrong, I will always love the gemini.. I thinks a great ride even on a single train, and I always ride at least 5 times when Im there, but it just makes no sense to have a racer, and not take advantage..

Parks don't run every train they have because it saves money. Not in terms of employees (generally, though that can be a reason if they're short handed) but in terms of parts and maintenance. A train sitting on the transfer track is not causing stress on the structure by running at 60 mph nor is it being stressed itself by running, nor is it stressing the braking system everytime it stops. Obviously, when you run it, you stress parts that need to be replaced. And you can't just get parts for a Arrow mine train (or PTC 2 bencher, oor whatever) at Autozone. They're expensive. That's why parks run less trains when its less busy.

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Alan

Many people don't realize the amount of money that a park saves by running fewer trains and one side of a racing coaster during slow times. First, you have to consider that less trains in operation means less wear and tear on the trains, meaning a decreased need for maintenance. Second, fewer trains means less time other systems such as the brakes and lift chain are run, saving maintenance and energy costs. And don't forget that when you run one side instead of two, you automatically cut costs in half by cutting energy, maintenance and staffing.

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-Rob
Don't forget to vote for your favorite wooden coasters @ http://www.geocities.com/wcoasterpoll - the polls are open until November 30th!

CozterNut said:
My only gripe is that if you have em, run em... These ride ops get paid to run the trains... Is it really that hard to push the buttons and check lap bars?

Then you do it.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Gemini has 2 blocks at the end of the run, meaning that if they were delayed with loading, the third train would be stopped on the set of blocks before the last turnaround.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the main reason they don't race 6 trains is because waiting for the other side to be ready would reduce capacity, and possibly could lead to a block setup.

They do usually run 6 trains, racing. Late in the season 2 trains are removed. Jeff already stated that.

But, yes, Gemini is very prone to a setup. I believe the train needs to be in, loaded, and dispatched in 23 seconds if I remember correctly. Anybody able to correct me on that?

It's to bad AE can run 6 Trains, but they'd have to staff the crow's nest.

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I'm loud, I'm annoying, I'm the Anti-Rollback.

*** This post was edited by The Anti-Rollback on 11/13/2002. ***

Hold on here folks... there are several factors that effect the operation of Gemini, none of which have to do with laziness.

First off, if they don't clear that ready block up track of the station, they'll setup the ride. When you have to secure bars and seatbelts, it'll slow them down and it'll happen.

Cedar Point doesn't take off trains to save money, they do it because it's the optimal way to run things.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Climbing as we fall, we dare to hold on to our fate, and steal away our destiny to catch ourselves with quiet grace" - The Stairs, INXS

When I was there last season, it was hardly a busy day. In fact, Gemini was a walk-on, and the trains were being sent about 2/3 full. They were running 6 trains all day, and that's probably the thing I respect most about their operations. If they have the capacity, they use it.

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"When I was growing up, we were taught something called manners. You'd understand that if you weren't such an idiot." - Jack Handey

Jeff, you forgot an important one. Gemini rolls back if it doesn't have enough people onboard.

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Last 2002 public ride on MF's front row

Thank you for the Money comment Jeff. I totally agree there. But my whole point is that if they are gonna run a certain number of trains, it should at least be an even number so you can race. It was really dissapointing to get on a blue train, when the red came in the station, and we were the only one to go, as the were running 2 blue and one red. I would have rather seen only 2 trains running, a 5 minute longer wait, and have gotten to race...

Well, if there are an odd number of trains running, just wait on the side with the fewer trains... then you're guaranteed to race.

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"When I was growing up, we were taught something called manners. You'd understand that if you weren't such an idiot." - Jack Handey

Wow, this all sounds very strange to me. I've never been to CP when Gemini was not racing. Usually I see them running 4 trains, and the capacity is still extremely high.

I agree that a great component of the ride is the racing aspect, but I don't think you would lose very much if there was only one train running. Ever sit in the back of Gemini's trains? Major airtime and headchoppers! This ride is completely different from the front seat to the back.

If you're running both colors, that's two coasters running that are running. That's two crews. That's twice the staffing required. (Did I make the two thing understandable enough?) It doesn't make sense to run one red and one blue when you can run two blues, get the same capacity (if that's even an issue on that day) and have half the staff.

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- John
I got a B&M T-shirt!

*** This post was edited by Michael Darling on 11/14/2002. ***