I know that wooden coasters have their tracks "walked" each day. Most steel coasters don't have a walk-way on the side of the track. How are these steel coasters inspected? Are they checked on a daily basis? What instruments are used in the inspections?

I remember a while back on Cedar Point's blog with Tony and Tyler, there was a section one day where they went up with a maintenance worker to exam Millenniums lift hill. They took the elevator car to the top, the worker strapped his fall protection in, and climbed out on the track and pretty much hung over the side inspecting the track. Mind you he was doing this 310 feet in the air.

EDIT-Millennium Force:Behind The Rides

I'm guessing parts they can reach they do check... take Vortex for example there's staircases for the loops and midcourse.

SearchClick on the link and search Behind The Rides, it gives some description about how some of the rides at Cedar Point.

I had the privilege of meeting one of CP's maintenance crew in downtown Sandusky and asked him that very question.

He didn't go into exotic detail, but the conversation was very informative.

They do not check steel track the same way wood track is inspected on a daily basis. They will check the lifts and MCBR of steel coasters due to the moving parts, and the steel track & supports are checked in great detail before the season starts using JLG's and cranes.

Maintenance crews will ride the steel coasters at night & early in the morning multiple times to "feel" and "listen" for issues. If something does not feel right or sound right, they will go into a more detailed investigation.

They will check known trouble spots more closely (i.e. WT's add-on supports MF's elevator lift, TTD's launch track & Magnum's pretzel- for sinking ) and will check the support column bolts from time to time.

And every off-season, major parks like Kings Island and large carnival operators send parts of their steel rides off for non-destructive metallurgical testing. Many smaller parks do not do this.

Looks like fun

Oh, it...never mind!

I can't remember where I saw it, but just last night I saw a photo of a maintenance guy on Diamondback's drop during morning ERT.

Is!!...............Just finishing off from which Terpy left.

I can't remember where I saw it, but just last night I saw a photo of a maintenance guy on Diamondback's drop during morning ERT.

Well, I certainly hope that maintenance guy wasn`t on the drop while the ride was testing!

I believe I read in a Cincinnati Enquirer article that steel coaster track is not walked every day like wood coaster track. Rather, they "walk" the track from the ground once a week, and inspect the areas that they can from up close daily (the areas with catwalks, and moving parts, ie brake runs).

Oh, it...never mind!

terpy!!! when you do this it's like you crack open the door to your life to us that are most intrigued by it, and when we get enough room to stick our fingers in the crack; you slam the door shut leaving our body on one side and our fingertips laying on the ground beside you.