Signal Thrill Dragster

Top Thrill Dragster is Russian Montagnes steel, with hydraulic propulsion ( Accelerator Coaster in English) located at Cedar Point with Sandusky, in the Ohio. They are the first Strata Russian mountains built (Russian Montagnes exceeding the 400 feet is more than 121 meters). The seconds Strata Russian mountains are Kingda Ka localized with Six Flags Great Adventure in the New Jersey with the the United States.

Top Thrill Dragster was also the second Russian mountains with hydraulic propulsion built by the firm Intamin (first being Xcelerator ) and are the only ones to have scram rods rather than harnesses.

Records

Cedar Point has leaning for the race with the records and often opens the way when it is a question of beating the records height and speed. Cedat Point was the first Amusement park to have Russian Montagnes of more than 60 meters (200 feet) with Magnum XL 200. The park also built Millennium Force, Russian mountains high of more than 90 meters (300 feet), and of second Russian mountains with a first descent of more than 30 meters with Gemini (Russian mountains out of wooden with double circuit).

With Signal Thrill Dragster, two “quantified” records were beaten:

  • Russian Mountains with closed circuit of more than 120 meters height (400 feet).

  • Russian Mountains exceeding 190 km/h (120 mph).

Top Thrill Dragster were also the second Russian mountains to exceed the bar of 160 km/h (100 mph), preceded by Dodonpa (localized with Fuji-Q Highland (Japan)).

Top Thrill Dragster obtained three titles graces to these records:

  • more Russian high mountains in the world.

The preceding Russian mountains holders of this record were Superman: The Escape with Six Flags Magic Mountain located at Valencia, in California (416 foot top), or by Millennium Forces already in Cedar Point. This old record is prone to debate because certain purists do not consider Superman: The Escape like Russian mountains (because of its open circuit). Top Thrill Dragster cepedant is détroné in 2005 by Kingda Ka of the park Six Flags Great Adventure (456 foot top).

  • more Russian high mountains in the world with closed circuit.

This record was held by Steel Dragon 2000 in Nagashima Spa Land located at Nagashima in Japan and reached 318 feet top (95 meters). Some think that Millennium Force were holders of the record because Steel Dragon had been closed for several years. Once again, Kingda Ka détronèrent Top Thrill Dragster with a height of 456 feet (139 meters).

  • the Russian mountains fastest in the world.

Top Thrill Dragster détrônèrent Dodonpa in Japan which reached 107 mph (172 km/h). Kingda Ka still stole its record to him by reaching the 128 mph (205 km/h).

The circuit

The top of the Signal Thrill Dragster is the point highest of Cedar Point, easily visible from any place of the park, but also of the neighborhoods. The rail of the tower is red and white, of a form square, characteristic of the Intamin rails. Addition with that, enchevétrement of yellow beams constituting the structure of the tower.

The beginning of the queue is a kind of passage going under the launching pad. However the file does not pass under the deceleration lane. The file is almost entirely between the launching pad and the deceleration lane. With this configuration, the visitors can see passing the trains quickly while they make the tail. On the walls of the queue, one can read a comparison between the characteristics of attraction and those of a dragster (speed, weight…).

Arrived at the station of loading, the file is divided into two branches. The visitors can choose the branch leading to the first quay (located forwards) or that driving with the back quay. The two quays are connected between them but a barrier prevents the visitors from passing from the one to the other. Two trains are simultaneously charged (one by quay) and are sent at the same time on a waiting area, located after the zone of loading. From this zone, the first train is launched, then the second. During this time, two other trains arrived at quay loans at being charged. It is rare that one is if the loading of the visitors is rather long so that there is no train ready to be launched. Thanks to this manner of proceeding, the file advances relatively quickly. If the file does not advance any more, it is often because of a visitor not having observed the access terms with attraction (for example, a visitor having a too important stoutness and not being able to return in the train and to close the emergency rod). The loading is then delayed. These pauses in the progression of the file are often followed by progressions more important. Indeed, the two other trains finishing the course arrive almost immediately behind those of which the loading at summer longer than envisaged.

After the choice of the quay, the passengers will have to choose their place in the train (the line). Generally, more the long line is that for the first line of each train, although some consider that best arranged either the second because of the discomfort of the wind and the insects to the first line. August 1st When the riders are next in line, they are quickly instructed to enter the train ace the spoil before open them. There, they must fasten to their seatbelt in such has way that At least two inches off slack in the belt edge Be exposed. Correct The amount is indicated by red markings one the belt. Yew has to wrinkle is unable to C so, they are declared unable to wrinkle (although the wrinkle hosts are often relaxed one this policy). Give Often, the belt edge Be coaxed to more slack yew it is pulled from year angle and " rocked" back and forth (sweater while changing the direction off the sweater from one side to another and back until more belt is EDF through). The belt will not easily allow itself to slipway from has tightened position, so it edge easily Be tightened to the necessary amount off slack for almost anyone who knows the right tricks. The seats are exactly the same ace the ones used one Millennium Forces, and the exact same policy is enforced At both coasters. For those that fear being unable to wrinkle after waiting in line, sample seats are provided At the fan-in to both off thesis wrinkles.

After all guests are fully secured by has seatbelt and lapbar, the two loaded trains roll forward to the launch area. To the left off the track has Christmas tree light, similar to the ones employed At has drag strip. At this time, has brief message is played to the riders: " Arms down, head back, and hold one! ". Had to the unsafe natural off raising one' S hands one such has roller coaster, the wrinkle host will not launch the train yew any riders are holding their hands up. The host may replay the "arms down" off leaves the message repeatedly until the guests lower to their arms, and stop the wrinkle altogether yew has guest persists. Ounce the wrinkle is prepared to launch, has motor revving sound effect begins. At this time, the magnetic braking fine lower from the launch track, and the train rolls backwards has slight amount in order to connect with the launch because below the tracks. The Christmas tree lights one the tower itself and the small light fixture to the left off the track cycle from furnace yellows to has green light.

Ace soon ace the green light comes one, the train begins its acceleration, and has car-screech sound effect is played. Near the end off the track has sign which displays the speed that the wrinkle was whitebait to reach At that particular launch; it is usually has number between 120 and 124 miles year hour (although it has been known to reach 135 MPH needed). Maximum Shortly after reaching its velocity in less than furnace second, the train begins its ascent up has 90-dismantles inclines that has 90-dismantles clockwise twist that takes the train straight over the signal off the 420 foot hill, where riders will experiment significant airtime (negative G-forces). One the way down the other side, there has 270-dismantles clockwise twist that leads into the magnetic braking section that brings the train to has swift drank comfortable stop. The riders exit the train to the right, and the empty train proceeds into the launch station to Be refilled. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Thématisation

Although these Russian Montagnes is thématisées on the Dragster S, much of visitors find that attraction resembles more launching of a Space shuttle rather than of a race of dragsters. A dragster weighs approximately a ton, whereas each train of Signal Thrill Dragster weighs nearly 6,5 tons. To simulate this race of dragsters, the trains had with the back two decorative wheels. At the time of the year of the inauguration of attraction, one of the decorative wheels was taken down of a train and lands in the pond which was at side. Since this incident, the wheels made place with an additional line of seats thus increasing the time capacity of Signal Thrill Dragster. Only remaining decoration is a large block box at the end of the course.

Rollback

The speed of the trains of Signal Thrill Dragster is controlled by a computer which adapts the force of catapult-launching with an aim of minimizing the forces of traction and to make cross the tower with the train. In rare cases, the train does not have enough speed to cross the tower and carries out a rollback. However, no bond with the weather could be established and the rollbacks occur a little randomly. Certain rumors affirm that the employees of the park would cause voluntarily and by chance rollbacks with an aim of offering the advantage of having had two catapult-launchings in a turn.

When the track is wet or that the weather is cold, the normal speed of propulsion is not sufficient to make climb the tower with the train. The train can be also to influence by the blowing wind in a quite precise direction. When that arrives, the train will begin its rise, to stop just at the top, then will set out again behind. In the event of rollback, the zone of launching is equipped with a system of retractable magnetic plates. After each launching, these plates leave to slow down the train if necessary.

A panel placed in the queue informs the passengers that the rollbacks are possible, but without danger.

Certain fans of strong feelings hope to live a rollback. The propulsion is appreciably the most intense part and exciting attraction, and a rollback means the possibility of remaking a turn without having to reparcourir the queue. It is also possible, for the passengers wishing it, to leave attraction after a rollback.

The firm Intamin calls this event a “short launching”, however the term of “rollback” is used the most in the parks having of the Russian mountains with propulsion.

June 24th, 2005, the green train was launched with exact speed to remain in balance at the top of the tower. There remained there fifteen minutes with 18 passengers on his board, while waiting for that an agent of maintenance arrives by the elevator of evacuation. The agent have just to push the train so that it takes again its race.

Time

Top Thrill Dragster will never function under the rain, even a light drizzle. That is due to the pain which the rain can cause falling on the passengers during catapult-launching to more than 190 km/h. However, the weather conditions do not influence the system of catapult-launching. The wheels making it possible to advance the trains towards the unloading/cargo loading area cannot exert their function correctly if they are wet, because they will slip under the train instead of advancing it. Attraction can thus be reopened quickly when a lull arises.

Attraction cannot function in day with the empty trains. If the train is not charged completion, it will not cross the tower. That is due to the speed matching of launching by the hydraulic system of propulsion. Contrary to the generally accepted ideas, a train completely charged would require a less speed to entirely climb the tower. That is with the phenomenon of inertia.

Top Thrill Dragster will never function when the wind blows with more than 50 km/h. A sensor placed at the top of attraction indicates the force of the wind on a control screen in a room especially envisaged for this purpose. If the wind blows with more than 50 km/h during more than 5 seconds, attraction will enter directly in procedure of emergency stop. The operators have obligation to notify the direction of the park when the wind blows with more than 40 km/h. This obligation is a security measure because the force of the wind could have an influence on the course of the train, by preventing the train entirely climbing the tower. This system was already used several times. The sensor can be temporarily decontaminated the days of strong winds to allow the operation of attraction.

Incidents and accidents

  • In 2003, before the opening to the public, the gilded train had a magnetic plate (being used for braking of the train) badly installed. At the time of the “rollback” of the train, it stopped in the station whereas it would have quite front stopped being. The train was returned to Intamin in Suisse to be repaired.

  • on July 13rd, 2004, four people were wounded after being struck by metal parts coming from the cable tractor drawing the train during its initial acceleration. The four people were neat with the infirmary of the park; two people required a transfer to the local hospital.

Anecdotes

  • attraction offers an acceleration from 0 to 190 km/h in 3,8 seconds.
  • Top Thrill Dragster cost 25 million Dollars.
  • During construction, a webcam according to the progression of the building site caught in the act a worker urinating on the future cabin of sales of photographs taken during the course. The image quickly and was widely diffused on the Net and the humorous sites.
  • Top Thrill Dragster has 6 trains but only with 5.
  • Cedar Point functions more effectively does not authorize the objects (glasses, cameras, video cameras…) being able to be lost on attraction.
  • Beyond a certain morphology, the visitors cannot take seat in attraction, owing to the fact that the security conditions would not be sufficient (due to the design even of the trains) for the corpulent people.
  • the audio track that one can hear on the dispatching platform is “ Ready to Go ” of Republica.
  • on November 5th, 2005, Top Thrill Dragster was qualified worse investment because of the frequent breakdowns than sudden attraction.

Some figures