OnPoint! - The Cedar Point Blog

Yes, It Happens

October 26, 2008 9:53 AM

Take a look - and mind the folks on the midway staring into the sky...



Ok. Now let's zoom in...



They were staring at an anomaly in the world of Top Thrill Dragster. Yesterday, four riders indeed received a "Top Thrill" during their longer-than-expected ride.

It doesn't happen very often, but in perfect conditions (cooler weather, wind direction, train weight), a train will make it to the top of the tower but will rest pefectly balanced, 420 feet into the air.

How often does this happen? This is only the second time with riders on board (the last time was in 2005). It's happened a few times while the train was empty. Our Maintenance Department has to go up in the elevator and give the train a little push to send it on its way.

So, based on calculations from our analysts in the Rides Department, there's a 1 in 80,000 chance that you'll experience the ride that Aaron & Alysia Grimm (Lexington, KY), Jason Skidmore and Josh Volz (Fort Wayne, IN) did.



For the record, although they were a tad cold, they enjoyed their ride.

We suggested that the four of them go buy a lottery ticket.

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Brian writes: (10/26/08 - 3:06 pm)

Why were there only 4 people riding?

  • From Tony & Tyler:

    Dragster's launch system needs "warm-up time" before a full train can be launched. In colder weather with high winds, we have to gradually load the trains, which is why only 4 people were on it at the time.

 

Laura writes: (10/26/08 - 7:10 pm)

How long were they up there?

  • From Tony:

    About 15 - 20 mins.

 

Mike writes: (10/26/08 - 8:06 pm)

Does the ride keep going when this happens, or is it shut down for testing for awhile?

  • From Tony:

    Once Maintenance has performed their system inspections, the ride re-opens as usual. High winds were the enemy this weekend, especially on Sunday.