planenut

Apparently, because there wasn' t much of an option, the Q for the Walking Dead was over three hours.

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.

At the moment if you can get there, after 3p.m. Is a good period to attend, but the queue size seems to fluctuate and I think a lot of that is the flow caused by people relying on "the App". I agree that Park seems to be operating efficiently, with staff reacting to minor hiccups, I.e. Illnesses, very quickly and without hesitation.

Though when I attended today, a train had stopped on the lower turn to the platform, it was sorted proper within an hour. Stealth then ran continuously with two trains until close.

Again an annoying interruption to it's operation. Sadly though, if it's one plastic pipe in this weather then they're going to have to do rapid checks on all similar fittings. Each of the brake vanes has these.

Though I love the beast, it failed again today, but not alone, with Swarm, Nemesis Inferno and Samurai all experiencing down times, it seems due to high temperatures. Needless to say no bleating about those rides going.

Train One in the workshop. After today's visit, I won't give the source, and although I suggested after the winter rebuild that with that investment, Stealth will be with us for a while, I am much happier for the next few years with regards to Stealth.

Due to my favoured ride misbehaving, during a walkabout, I had two virtually walk-on front row rides on this, and they were the smoothest rides I'd ever had on it.

Go and wash your mouth out! Today, yes she was having more tantrums, they took train One off, then again later another hiccup.

On Stealth today and a guy next to me announced that he first rode it twenty-five years ago. What large sticker is on the front of each train? 20 years old. He must have had heat stroke.

Not sure about riding in the rain though, on some rides that can sting.