September 17, 20186 yr comment_260210 Only The Sun would label a bit of foam falling off a ride as a "horror high speed incident"
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260211 They also mention in the photo descriptions that a "chair" and "seat" is what's fallen off when that isn't the case - but hey - who needs facts...
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260213 4 hours ago, MattyMoo said: They also mention in the photo descriptions that a "chair" and "seat" is what's fallen off when that isn't the case - but hey - who needs facts... 6 hours ago, ChessingtonSam said: Only The Sun would label a bit of foam falling off a ride as a "horror high speed incident" Woah... Any part that's come off mid motion, non-critical or not, can do some serious damage to someone. That foam back is actually quite a large lump and after being flung off can be traveling at some speed, and only needs to hit someones head to give concussion or some serious damage. It's part of the seat thats come off, so the Sun are correct. This shouldn't be down played, because its foam. This is still serious.
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260214 7 hours ago, MattyMoo said: I don't know too much about Vortex, but from that clip - it looks like the ride was e-stopped straight away, am I right? Or is that the sound of Rush. No that was the sound of Rush Vortex doesn’t make any noise when stopped. The operator would’ve done a cycle stop/soft stop, as an e-stop on Vortex would bring the ride to an end, but would prevent the floor rising ? I couldn’t help but laugh at parts of that article - NOT the incident itself of course, but the overly dramatic way it was written and just the general Sun language ? And a chair?! I find the part about the staff “standing around laughing” odd and hard to believe though.
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260215 This must have happened very soon after I came off it as I rode it at about 2:50! Whilst queueing for the ride there were long delays in loading guests and initially upon joining queue there was about 5 minutes of just a few guests loaded (as shown in pic below) which was odd in itself. Platformers then wrapped a yellow belt around one of the seats before the restraints were lifted again and guests added to all the remaining seats (bar the closed off seat). The ride was simply dispatched and started following that. About 3 cycles later I was on, so must have happened very soon after if they say 3pm!
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260219 You can hear a thud in the video when it strikes the support column.
September 17, 20186 yr comment_260221 9 hours ago, Mark9 said: BRITISH ENGINEERING. Ah magical memories. “THAT BIG BIT O’ WOOD LYIN’ IN THE MIDDLE THERE LOOK.” “THERE IT IS. BIG BIT O’ METAL!”
September 18, 20186 yr comment_260225 13 hours ago, ProudToServe said: Woah... Any part that's come off mid motion, non-critical or not, can do some serious damage to someone. That foam back is actually quite a large lump and after being flung off can be traveling at some speed, and only needs to hit someones head to give concussion or some serious damage. It's part of the seat thats come off, so the Sun are correct. This shouldn't be down played, because its foam. This is still serious. Well obviously, but "horror" is the same word they used to describe what happened on The Smiler, and obviously this doesn't come close to that.
September 18, 20186 yr comment_260227 Something I've always wondered about when it comes to "closed off seats" are the seats closed off because of a restraint issue, or other issues? I always thought that when a seat was out of order the restraint wasn't working properly, or is it just down to a number of things?
September 18, 20186 yr comment_260239 13 hours ago, ChessingtonSam said: Well obviously, but "horror" is the same word they used to describe what happened on The Smiler, and obviously this doesn't come close to that. Parts flying of a ride mid cycle, is horror, no matter what it is, as no one knows what it is at the time. We only know it was a foam thanks to merlin comments. Seeing as Horror means intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, it suits this event perfectly, that's exactly how I'd feel if I was there.
April 9, 20196 yr comment_264024 On 9/17/2018 at 12:04 PM, Mark9 said: BRITISH ENGINEERING. Ah magical memories. Do you sound like a rock star? If so, then I'm jealous of you.
April 15, 20196 yr comment_264131 On 4/9/2019 at 12:46 PM, Ivsetti said: Is it just me or is this ride swinging higher this year compared to last year? It felt to me and my group on Sunday as if the ride was doing far more high swings than it has ever done making the ride last longer. Maybe it's been reprogrammed. Any ideas anyone?
April 16, 20196 yr comment_264135 Could depend on when you rode. I seem to remember that you get far longer rides in the morning as the ride hasn't 'warmed' up yet. Of course that could be a decade old information as I haven't had a morning ride on Vortex since 2005 ?
April 16, 20196 yr comment_264136 6 minutes ago, Mark9 said: Could depend on when you rode. I seem to remember that you get far longer rides in the morning as the ride hasn't 'warmed' up yet. Of course that could be a decade old information as I haven't had a morning ride on Vortex since 2005 ? In fairness this was probably my first morning ride in about the same timescale so could well be that same reason. I've only ever usually ridden it in the mid to late afternoon.
April 16, 20196 yr comment_264138 If I remember correctly there isn't a set program with Vortex, it just stops once it reaches a certain height or after a certain length of time, whatever it reaches first
April 29, 20196 yr comment_264272 Vortex is running so well now - it had a few years where it really struggled to get full height but now it’s as good as new - looks great too with the arms all being freshly painted too!
October 11, 2024Oct 11 comment_322567 Vortex has been consistently running so well ever since it got its new PLC a couple years ago. Noticed the cycle slightly changed too, it stops spinning midway through so more seats reach full height, rather than the same seats all cycle. My favorite flat at Thorpe flat at Thorpe now. Nearly 25 years old and looks and runs as good as new. Its also looking amazing at night. Lots of coloured permanent lighting added and they've got a smoke machine under the floor which goes off as the floor is going down 🥰
October 12, 2024Oct 12 comment_322578 Yep, I believe Zodiac also has a smoke machine too. Marc grabbed some awesome photos last night: Does seem like Fright Nights has had an awesome glow up - literally - with lighting. Hopefully that can be maintained in future years, and things like smoke machines become more appropriately common place too. And next, they can do some proper audio!
October 13, 2024Oct 13 comment_322603 God, I really wish they'd give Zodiac the same treatment they gave Samurai and Vortex. As unreliable as the old Zodiac was, it looked the part and had a gorgeous colour scheme. This version, still in its Drayton Manor look, has always stuck out for me.
October 13, 2024Oct 13 comment_322611 On 10/12/2024 at 12:24 AM, Cal said: Noticed the cycle slightly changed too, it stops spinning midway through so more seats reach full height, rather than the same seats all cycle. Oh that’s great news! It’s always been weird that the spinning always lined up so that the same seats got the top of the swing throughout the entire cycle. Glad that’s been changed!
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