After watching Maverick go up (webcams are our friend), I have a question about test trains. Would the park run them after the steel is finished, or wait until the WHOLE thing (landscaping, theming, etc.) is finished? It'd be a kick to fire up the webcam and see a train going by!
The themeing will probably be going up while the ride is testing. I think the reason for having the structure up relatively early is that they have to deal with two sets of LSMs to program and test. I'm sure that will be taking a great deal of time to do.
The themeing and all the other stuff to finish the area around the ride will take a relatively short time compared to the actual construction of the ride. The last few rides we've seen gone up with or without themeing had all the finishing touches done within the last one or two weeks before opening.
I'm guessing they don't want another Dragster or Wicked Twister on their hands with it barely opening on opening day.
Just a quick question, aren't LSM's more difficult to work with and more of a hassle? I just remember hearing about LIM's being much easier to work with and cheaper. I wish I had that ACE Magazine issue with the 3 page discussion on the history/info about both. If anyone has that, could they scan that article?
I suspect a pull-thru to check for clearances will be done prior to the addition of theme elements, followed by a second check once theming is intact. But that's just a guess ;)
I have a question about the ride too. TTD also has six trains, but only uses 5 because they found that it is better with five. But since Maverick is longer, will they use all six or only 5 like TTD? Also, is it a single or dual loading station?
Moosh, I cant completly confirm this but from what my untrained eye could see on Saturday that was the case (but I must warn you it was dusk when I made it to Frontiertown.)
Regarding Maverick's station: seems logical that with the shorter trains that two trains could load simultaneously in-tandem. The first will leave and go up the lift, the second will advance to block just before lift and wait until next block is clear.