planenut

And it's "uncomfortable" for loading staff, glaring.

Hmm, as last Saturday was to be the better weather for a while, I popped to TP. sadly Stealth was late opening and then went faulty again. After noon she was running, for a short while, before requiring more attention. All seemed good as it was running for quite a good session, queues for all rides were at least an hour and a half due to park attendance being just short of capacity, then about 4.15p.m., we came over the brake hill, I thought I was a tad too fast, and we came to a halt on the bottom straight. With some strange noises when trying to get the drive wheels to pick it up, and failing, they had to close the ride, emptying the queue line and platform. they then had to conduct a "manual evacuation". Health and safety requirements meant that trained management had to do that, and it involves full procedures as if we were suspended on top of a high structure, using harnesses and cables. One person at a time. The whole thing took up to another hour and a half for some. The weather was not warm, nor sunny, and we were also treated to a steady shower, which meant that some people were shivering with cold, all the time with restraints on, though those who needed them were supplied with thermal foil blankets. the "rescuing" staff had to use the electric power pack to release each four seat section, to then secure and assist off the emergency platform, each rider, one at a time, using cables and harnesses. A very difficult task for the staff, and one which they all carried out professionally, but not one I want to repeat.

"Down and strapped" or "locked and buckled" in essence shows restraints locked and secondary safety in place. There are additional sensors to detect incorrect variations.

Good show, it's very good watching from behind the launch as the train blasts into it.

Such incidents are rare, yet to those involved it's "the worst" . Naturally many will now their opinion as to how/why it happened and many now have the ability to transmit pictures of incidents without assessing the distress they may cause. Understably several rides, believed all to be B&M's, across the U.S.A., are closed for safety checks.

Today, launch platform smoke was switched on during the afternoon, apparently, the upturn smoke will return for Fright Nights.

It was a great finish. What was interesting to see, as the gates opened. all riders immediately moved forward onto the train sitting down, lowering harnesses and putting buckles in. Staff said it really sped up the operation making it far easier and faster than normal. Stealthlike ritual........Go, Go, Go!

Wow, that Stealth 20 Years of Speed Event last evening. I had to change my mindset as normally I would be at TP to ride, but this was about The Ride. The day was interesting as I was aware that the discussions were about Stealth, our own achievements on it and the staffing, Riders normally are not interested in technicalities; the Event was in fact a great opportunity to meet and be amongst like minded people there to celebrate one thing, Stealth. It gave us the chance to chat, including with various staff members which we don't normally have the chance to, all the operating crew for the evening were volunteers. Some of the staff who work in the background were there and that too was a pleasure to be able to talk to them. I could go on but I am sure that there are members here who will also have interesting comments. Well done to Thorpe Park. Planenut

Interesting report Mattymoo; Today, Monday 14th September, it looked like it was a low attendance which showed with some of the q's. At one stage Stealth had gone technical and I saw that Nemesis Inferno, Swarm and Hyperia were also closed, with Colossus' train stationary at the top of the lift hill. Not brilliant.

Just checking with someone yesterday to establish their awareness of Stealth's forces, "yeah, I rode it when I was younger!"

Nice. Should get some interest.

Those financial figures seem incredible. It always seems odd when sat on other rides, to realize that the person next to you has a pair of Hyperia wings on.

I suspect that there is a large majority of visitors to the Park have travelled a considerable distance, therefore, have to plan their travel around their departure time. As Cal says, there is not much interest in DJ's perhaps due to visitors' interests being in rides and TP entertainment, not what they can sample elsewhere.

Wildest reaction to launch yesterday. A young woman alongside me flung her arm out (still attached to her body) grabbing me almost by the throat in terror, so intense that I had to check she hadn't ripped my shirt, wow! She did apologize afterwards.

After last weeks annoyance of the Service, a new cable and train 3 refurbished, yesterday Stealth ran really well and the team were pushing the trains through quickly, even in the high temperatures. Both trains had also been cleaned.