RE: Verbolten
Bailey said:
There was about 2 hours of downtime today- what exactly is the issue that they're still struggling to work out?
The drop mechanism, I would assume, is EXTREMELY finicky. Imagine the computer processes that are working just to ensure that the train is where it should be, that the track has reconnected, etc. Every single centimeter of the train must be accounted for before the train can enter into that element, before it can work, and before the train can leave.
I have no doubt that if a sensor misfires or counts that the train is an inch off of where it's "supposed" to be, the entire ride would E-stop.
Keep in mind, too, that Busch Gardens has previously worked ONLY with Arrow (whose coasters are simple simple simple) and B&M (who is known industry-wide for near perfect uptime thanks to their refusal to adhere to new technological schemes, instead sticking to tried-and-true trains, lift hills, and friction / magnetic brakes).
The result is that Busch Gardens has three very sensitive elements (two LSM launches and a unique drop element) in one new coaster after years and years of having rides that more or less run themselves without issue. I wrote that
review of the ride last month (where you can rate the ride, by the way), but wrote a
preview of the ride last fall. In it, I expressed that very concern: that three technological elements in one ride was sure to cause at least a LITTLE bit of downtime a few times a week.
Kings Dominion's Backlot Stunt Coaster has ONLY the launches and still faces bouts of downtime every other day as computers are manually reset, etc.
I can guarantee there will be never be a "solution" because it's not a matter of a single issue that plagues Verbolten. Having a ride that relies so heavily on technology means that it will always be a battle to keep it running. See Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster, or any other number of new-age, advanced rides with innovative elements. The best the park can do is learn the ways to get it back up and working in a timely manner. That will come as they get to "know" the ride and become more familiar with the way it acts and reacts. That learning curve will also help with better train spacing, better station practices, better loading and unloading, etc. that will make the ride experience better with time.