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Smiler shuts after wheel hits someone
- Thread starter nadroJ
- Start date
_koppen
Hyper Poster
Darren B said:
Your post is so full of fail.
The half pipe in Tokyo is fully operational, the Sarajevo Bobsleds still runs today, the Space-diver ran for 20 years before being closed, Linear Gale was not closed because of the ride and I can assure you that Vertigorama not running is not because of the manufacturer.
Darren B
Giga Poster
_koppen said:
RCDB are slightly misleading with a few, so yeah I'll give you the bobs and Flashback, (Although constant maintenance issues forced it's closure, and they DIDNT get 18 years out of it, it was always down).
Linear Gale was closed due to maintenance issues, that's common knowledge.
And Tokyo's Half Pipe has never operated rcdb.com/3383.htm
However I know you weren't actually interested in having a discussion about any of this , you were attempting to catch me out (and succeeded to be fair) in retaliation for me calling you out in another topic for being a douchebag, which you have a solid reputation of being. It's a shame really because you are one of the more knowledgeable members on this site, but you ruin it all by posting like an Bellend towards less knowledgable members.
_koppen
Hyper Poster
Darren B said:
It doesn't matter if the half pipe has operated or not, it was ready for operation after it was built. It never operating has nothing to do with the ride itself. Whether the building is to weak, or the noise is to loud is irrelevant.
And Linear Gale operated for over 10 years before it was closed, for whatever the reason.
Your argument was that Intamin has built coasters that never opened, due to issues with them, which is not true.
That is the reason I'm calling you out, because you were lying.
I don't really give a bird about what you called me in another thread.
No please, let this discussion die.
Quite frankly, I would like to be friends with everybody on here, you included, I just get so upset when people are making up facts, so don't take it to personally.
And regarding that other thread, I didn't do to much wrong in it. People were discussing it already, I stated what was the common rule on all the message boards in the world, someone was a douche to me, and I was a douche back.
Darren B
Giga Poster
^ lying isn't the word I would use, more misread. I will stick by my original statement that there are a few Intamin models that haven't opened, and some that were barely operated before being closed.
I've been on the forums long enough for people to know that I don't make things up for the sake of posting, but is everything I post 100% correct, no of course not, and I appreciate it when that's pointed out to me, as long as it's done in the right way.
As for the other stuff, I'm happy to let sleeping dogs lie. I'm not on here to make enemies either, but I'll always stick up for people who are unfairly slammed, I'm sure you understand that.
I've been on the forums long enough for people to know that I don't make things up for the sake of posting, but is everything I post 100% correct, no of course not, and I appreciate it when that's pointed out to me, as long as it's done in the right way.
As for the other stuff, I'm happy to let sleeping dogs lie. I'm not on here to make enemies either, but I'll always stick up for people who are unfairly slammed, I'm sure you understand that.
therick311
Mega Poster
sparky2u
Mega Poster
http://riderater.co.uk/2013/why-has-the ... -problems/
The ride incorporates more track per cubic metre than any other rollercoaster in the world, something which designer John Wardley has been keen to promote.
Unfortunately it is this attribute that has caused so many problems during – and after – construction.
Anyone that has ever tried putting a pop-up tent away will tell you how the process can be somewhat challenging. They try to free themselves from the compressional forces placed upon them, like a coiled spring attempting to release.
In layman’s terms, the problem with The Smiler is that it has not quite been installed in the correct position – its supports don’t lie precisely where they should and this makes sections of the track effectively coiled springs.
Ride manufacturer Gerstlauer’s technique is to concrete the supports into place after the track has been erected, so that they sit precisely where they should when the track has been put together.
However it seems that on this occasion that process has not been carried out as well as it should.
So, in conjunction with supports slightly out of place, and the fact that some parts of the track had to be ratcheted and welded into place to make them fit, you are left with areas of elevated stress.
It is at these key stress areas that bolts would be capable of shearing under the heightened stress levels, and that is what we have seen, certainly in the incident in July.
It remains to be seen whether extensive restructuring work is to be carried during the closed season, but that is the only way that The Smiler’s track problems can be eradicated once and for all.
Drainage
The ride has also suffered a number of disruptions simply as a result of heavy rainfall, blame here can more easily be apportioned.
The SmilerThe civil engineers and designers involved with the site’s foundations are ultimately responsible for not tackling the issue of drainage both during and post construction.
Bizarrely, the prospect of significant amounts of rainwater entering an excavated site in Staffordshire were not properly prepared for – despite the park having constructed rides in far deeper excavations without issue.
Flooding during the excavation and concrete-laying phase delayed the ride’s opening by many weeks and further flooding post opening has led to the unfortunate sight of sandbags appearing against the wall of the ride’s indoor section.
Failing to account for these issues has caused further unnecessary embarrassment and disruption to operations, not to mention the costs the park has incurred from negative PR and compensating those guests who have complained.
Its easy to blame contractors, but ultimately it is the job of the engineers and designers to actually implement and supervise a project, delivering it to an acceptable standard.
However, what was actually presented was insufficient drainage and subsequent flooding in the ride’s aforementioned indoor section and also the guest queue lines.
As with the track issues discussed above, every problem has a solution – and Alton Towers will soon have the opportunity to eradicate these problems during the rapidly-approaching closed season.
The ride incorporates more track per cubic metre than any other rollercoaster in the world, something which designer John Wardley has been keen to promote.
Unfortunately it is this attribute that has caused so many problems during – and after – construction.
Anyone that has ever tried putting a pop-up tent away will tell you how the process can be somewhat challenging. They try to free themselves from the compressional forces placed upon them, like a coiled spring attempting to release.
In layman’s terms, the problem with The Smiler is that it has not quite been installed in the correct position – its supports don’t lie precisely where they should and this makes sections of the track effectively coiled springs.
Ride manufacturer Gerstlauer’s technique is to concrete the supports into place after the track has been erected, so that they sit precisely where they should when the track has been put together.
However it seems that on this occasion that process has not been carried out as well as it should.
So, in conjunction with supports slightly out of place, and the fact that some parts of the track had to be ratcheted and welded into place to make them fit, you are left with areas of elevated stress.
It is at these key stress areas that bolts would be capable of shearing under the heightened stress levels, and that is what we have seen, certainly in the incident in July.
It remains to be seen whether extensive restructuring work is to be carried during the closed season, but that is the only way that The Smiler’s track problems can be eradicated once and for all.
Drainage
The ride has also suffered a number of disruptions simply as a result of heavy rainfall, blame here can more easily be apportioned.
The SmilerThe civil engineers and designers involved with the site’s foundations are ultimately responsible for not tackling the issue of drainage both during and post construction.
Bizarrely, the prospect of significant amounts of rainwater entering an excavated site in Staffordshire were not properly prepared for – despite the park having constructed rides in far deeper excavations without issue.
Flooding during the excavation and concrete-laying phase delayed the ride’s opening by many weeks and further flooding post opening has led to the unfortunate sight of sandbags appearing against the wall of the ride’s indoor section.
Failing to account for these issues has caused further unnecessary embarrassment and disruption to operations, not to mention the costs the park has incurred from negative PR and compensating those guests who have complained.
Its easy to blame contractors, but ultimately it is the job of the engineers and designers to actually implement and supervise a project, delivering it to an acceptable standard.
However, what was actually presented was insufficient drainage and subsequent flooding in the ride’s aforementioned indoor section and also the guest queue lines.
As with the track issues discussed above, every problem has a solution – and Alton Towers will soon have the opportunity to eradicate these problems during the rapidly-approaching closed season.