well actually they never really have stopped investing money into it. so it's not that they don't have money. they did what they could to keep it running without straining the structure, or patrons backs the best that they could. i remember one summer a crane remained at the bottom of the first drop the entire season with a huge stack of lumber and other building materials. it's just that now there might be the type of technology (with intamin) available to improve it, create a better more exciting envelope-pushing ride experience, and lower the maintenance expenses into a cost-efficeint operation as well. it could be a win-win situation for all.
The technology exists. A bit of foam rubber, a bit of vinyl, a bit of plywood get added to the train. A bit of urethane goes to the dumpster. Suddenly the rider's backs aren't in trouble anymore, but the maintenance department has to spend more time and effort on maintaining the upholstery.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
The ride has it's own carpenters working full time on it.. The breaks have to be there or the ride would fall apart..
They need to add some steel supports in there.. those are easy enough to hide..
----------------- -Nick Catalano
you know how when you get there in the morning, no one is at the back of the park? i think it was in '94, a friend and i ran back, and rode it i think 4 times in a row. it hurt one of my discs so much, that when i get in the seat now, the back of the seat lines up perfectly with where the pain is! it only acts up and hurts when i ride mean streak, which is why i rode it once in the last three years. upholstered padded seats can't be beat. no question about it. i was so bummed when they took them out of the blue streak.
