Well, Diamondback has had its first major problem today. The ride was shut down sometime before 6:50 pm this evening, and remains closed at this time. One of the trains was stoped on the MCBR and the riders were evacuated and walked down the spiral stairs case. The train remains on the MCBR at this time. I hope everyone is okay and there isn't a MAJOR issue with Diamondback. What happened to B&Ms not having problems .

I hope all guest are okay.

I don't really see a reason that they wouldn't be. Just a technical malfunction

...What happened to B&Ms not having problems .

Compare Diamondback's opening uptime and reliability to:

Top Thrill Dragster

Kingda Ka

Volcano: The Blast Coaster

Maverick

I'd say B and M reliability has proven itself yet again. What appears to be a relatively minor incident on a single night does not a record smear.

wow, we left around 6:30 tonight, rode it aroud 4:30. i hope there isn't a major issue and the riders are okay. they were enforcing line jumpers pretty well today though, i saw a kid trying to duck under turnstyles and a rather large, balding gent in a white shirt came into the line an got him and escorted him out.

...What happened to B&Ms not having problems .

Compare Diamondback's opening uptime and reliability to:

Top Thrill Dragster

Kingda Ka

Volcano: The Blast Coaster

Maverick

I'd say B and M reliability has proven itself yet again. What appears to be a relatively minor incident on a single night does not a record smear.

amen to that. the one known as terpy is wise.

^^I know, I was just kidding. And yes, lets hope this is just a minor incident. Also, I know every coaster is going to have at least a couple minor issues in the first year.

Edit: I applaude KI for taking care of line jumpers today, if only it could be done everyday.

It look's like it is back open

The third weekend open and guests already had to be evacuated? That sucks.

Evacuated from the ride!

Terpy, who was evacuated in the hospital before a medical procedure once, and let me tell you, that was not a pleasant experience!

im glad i wasnt the one on the evac during previous two weekends i was there. but i bet i couldve got some sweet pics if i was.

The third weekend open and guests already had to be evacuated? That sucks.

You have got to be kidding!!

'02- Wicked Twister was down for maintenance constantly. Was down during CoasterMania that year that went over real well

'03- TTD barely ran during media day-its performance has been less than steath 5 years later. Does anyone remember the really cool wheels and racing fins that were on the trains?? Ask Intamin why they are gone.

'07-Maverick's media day cancelled the day before the event due to Intaride decided their heartline roll wasn't good for the trains.

Diamondback has been running like a champ, and it sounds to be that this incident was nothing major.

It is a machine and as such things can go wrong. I worked on the Raptor crew for 3 years and can count on my hand the # of times in those 3 years we were down more than 4 hours for non-weather related probs.

Raptor is 15 this year and still going strong, as are most B&Ms

Jo

Diamondback is indeed operating again.

So much for the characterization of this being a "major problem."

So much for the characterization of this being a "major problem."

Diamondback was open again later in the evening, it was a lot of fun in the evening!

However, the ride ops and other ride workers were really annoying as they kept coming to me and others in the line saying that it was going to be a major delay and to go find another ride....more details in my trip report.

Two B & M coasters have valleyed and, now, one has had to be evacuated this season. Not a very good start, IMO.....

Edit: I'm not saying that these incidents are related, just seems like an unusual string of unfortunate events!

which two have valleyed?

which two have valleyed?

Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure) and Afterburn (Carowinds).

How do we know this was even a problem at all? The ride could have been e-stopped...

I got to the park at 8:55 p.m. and when I got to Diamondback the line was not allowed in the queue. I got in line in front of Rivertown Junction. Maybe about five minutes later the queue opened up. After about 10 minutes of waiting I had my first amazing night ride on Diamondback!

It really is amazing! I'd read that you couldn't see the track in some spots and didn't believe it until I experienced it for myself. What an experience!

How do we know this was even a problem at all? The ride could have been e-stopped...

If that were the case, and if the e-stop were not necessary, I'd be more concerned. Most ride problems are caused by rider or ride operator actions or inactions during the ride cycle. The ones that aren't are the ones that usually have more major consequences.

which two have valleyed?

Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure) and Afterburn (Carowinds).

Raptor did twice. Once during test runs before park opened in '04 (?) and then in '06 (?) on closing day. It had everything to do with the wind. The actual Raptor manual states: "If the wind speed is greater than 20 mph, an empty train should not be dispatched from the station." It also states "if the wind speed is greater than 30 mph and the wind is blowing directly off the bay, Raptor must be closed"

This is the reason why they will not let an empty train out early in the morning anymore, keeping in mind the wheels aren't warmed up yet and that causes a slower run also.

Also someone here mentioned about the ride ops getting annoyed that they had to announce to the crowd about DB being down. That I am afraid is CF policy. We have a spiel we have to say to any guests waiting on the platform and in the queues. I even know that one by heart (thanks to riding MF so many times ) It is far better to let the crowds know what is going on then to let them stand there and get upset or annoyed.

Of course the MOST annoying thing after that is these questions:

"what's wrong with the ride?"

"how long will it be down?"

"I paid good money to get in and only wanted to ride this ride"

"I drove X amount of miles and can't ride this?"

"Is (fill in your own ride name) running?"

"I want a refund"

As ride ops we have no idea how long the ride will be down (although sometimes we do have an idea what's wrong) we have to take the information we get from the mechanics, the ATL or park ops.

I know when a ride is down, entrance is NOT the position you want to be!

You so have to give kudos to the ride crews in these type situations

Despite all that I am considering working on Raptor on Halloweekends again this season! Someone please stop me!!!

Jo

So much for the characterization of this being a "major problem."

Well, I would consider it a major problem for Diamondback, considering the ride was evacuated. No, it may not be "major," but it wasn't something too minor. I mean, having to evacuate passengers isn't minor in my opinion. How about we call it a... Major minor problem. I know, my first post was bad word choice, I'm sorry. Let's jsut all be happy DB is working fine today.

I'm not picking on you. And yes, you are right...any time riders have to be evacuated is not good, and best avoided if at all possible. Sometimes some guests may not be able to safely leave the coaster under their own power, plus their is the risk of injury.

terpy, you saying that makes me image a human domino effect going down the spiral staircase.

Diamondback broke down at the mid course brake run yesterday for about three hours then they opened it up later that night.

Well, yes...that's what has been discussed here!

Rides break down, it's normal. This is not a big issue since they got it up and running in about 2 hours. If I'm correct hasn't there only been 2 breakdowns on Diamondback since the ride opened?

They were just having air compressor issues, if you noticed they had a portable compressor near the station. When they reopened at like 9:15.