General Carowinds discussion
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By MarkD
#5059
As my kids and I were there Sunday and seen by a couple here I wanted to share a few things I had not noticed about our 2 big woodies.

Thunder Road forwards......Riding in the back row and going over the lift hill we noticed a kind of double pump drop. Harder to explain than a pot hole but as we went over we got the usual jerk over the top and just as we headed down we got another jerk down. We rode several times and each and every time from the back this action repeated itself. I have not noticed this in the past.

Thunder Road Backwards.....While riding backwards on the way back to the station going over the second hill the train shudders allot. Not a pot hole or anything like that it's almost like the track is wavy instead of straight.

And, why can't we race? That, I must say, gets my goat every time I ride. We never got to race, although others were close, and the op was even yelling over the microphone for the attendants to hurry up. Do they get rated on how many trains they run per shift or what? I thought it quite odd to hear the girl yelling at them to hurry up even when the other train was still out on the track.

Hurler....Between the bottom of the drop and the first turn we noticed the start of a pot hole, or so it seems. I did not have my camera or I would have tried to get a picture of it to show what I was talking about. There is a little hill developing between the drop and turn that can be seen quite well. I also forgot how much fun it was to ride in the front of Hurler and that it delivered great airtime even with the seat belts but that drop area stings a little.

Has anyone else noticed this or was it just because we rode in different seats than normal?
By PoP Eye
#5060
some dude broke my riding streak sunday and hurled in the last car on train 4. I could have rode backwards 6 times in a row with out getting off but my streak was broken by the dude who hurled. I was wearing a borg shirt whit khaki cargo shots from AE if anyone saw me!!
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By swampfox43
#5061
Foreseer wrote: And, why can't we race? That, I must say, gets my goat every time I ride. We never got to race, although others were close, and the op was even yelling over the microphone for the attendants to hurry up. Do they get rated on how many trains they run per shift or what? I thought it quite odd to hear the girl yelling at them to hurry up even when the other train was still out on the track.

It seems like every time I ride Rebel Yell at PKD, they race. In fact, they seem to make a conscience effort to race the trains.

You will only race on TR if it is by chance. A couple years ago there were some TR operators who made an effort to race the trains. It really heightens the experience. I love watching the other riders expressions while racing side by side.

Hey, why don't we start a "RACE THUNDER ROAD" campaign.....LOL
By Dukeis#1
#5065
How 'bout a "PAINT THUNDER ROAD" campaign first. (I'll shut up now :rolleyes: )

Anyway, I think the ride ops race the trains more whenever the park is not as crowded and they are bored. Particularly when there is one train operation on both sides.

The last time I saw them race was Early April 2003.
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By Jonathan
#5066
There was a really cool op working Friday who was talking to people and seemed pretty happy about her job. She heard us saying we wished it would race and she went and got them to race when we rode. Too bad they aren't all like her. B)
By WWFFlusher
#5067
I am not sure why they don't race. I was there the other Saturday thinking the Same thing. I have been an operator there about 3-4 years ago, and When I drove I tried to get them to race. It does seem logical. Way back in my day when I was 13 and hanging out at carowinds during the summer, They would race the trains a majority of the time. I do feel that they should race....... All the other parks do it SO why don't we?
By Carowindsman
#5071
i think its because one side is slower than the other pertaining to the crew
By Trev32
#5077
i have an idea, next year one of us should try to be a TR op so it'll actually race sometimes!!
By BoRgAsSiMiLaToR
#5105
When i was there 2 weeks ago the woman operating tr frontwards was like "DO U GUYS WANNA RACE" which was unusal cause they usual dont do it that early in the day (or not that i know of) and it was kinda busy. At night when the lines are low they will let u race all the time i learned that last year. I want to work there and be an op sooooo bad but o well. Try going at night sum later in the season and u will get to race no doubt :D
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By MarkD
#5106
It really makes no sense not to race. If you figure it out they are not getting many more quests thru the line by not racing, plus, I have never seen Thunder Road so packed in the last 3 years that they just had to get them out as fast as they can.
Even if the Ops can't get the timing down I know there are sensors and the like that will speed up or slow down a lift to get them in sync. Yea, I know what everyone is saying, Spend more money on something old. Why not? They fixed the pot holes and continually replace wood so why not back up what you advertise on your web site? Racing means side by side not 1/2 lap down to start.

Yes, this is a sore spot with me. King's Island and King's Dominion do an excellent job with their racers so why can't we?

I am the idiot that fills out every survey with complaints about not racing on our Twin Racer.
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By Jonathan
#5108
^ I completely agree with you. I mean, the entire reason the park spent the money to buy TWO coasters instead of one was because they wanted a RACING coaster; the ride experience is so much better when they're racing... I just don't get it...
By WWFFlusher
#5111
I agree that they should be Racing. Thats what it was built there for so why not race them. I think that OPS needs to wake up and Realize what that ride is designed for. In an OLD Thunder Road Ride manual that I still have it states and I quote "Double Wood out and Back Roller Coaster with TRAINS RACING SIDE BY SIDE" I don't think that the manual has been rewritten in any way. I do have plans on finding out why they don't race and seeing if that can change. I encourage everyone to still speak up about it. The person they may listen to most is the park guest.
By Cephas
#5127
I'm Back! (From Vegas)

I was there last summer and they were racing the trains on purpose, but the last time I raced was on opening day and that was by chance. Also, I was in the middle of a 5-ride streak on TR backwards when this happened, but then this stupid kid came and I had to leave!
By carowindsfreak13
#5208
I was one the same ride when that guy hurled.
By LocoDriver
#5213
I was there on Saturday the 17th. Still not racing the trains. There were perfect oppurtunitys for the ride ops to race the trains with each side coming in to the station within seconds of each other. They were running all 4 trains with the que lines being about 4-5 trains deep. Not a heavy crowd, certainly time to wait a few extra seconds just to race the trains. I agree that this adds to the experience of Thunderroad.

I'm in disbelief that PC hasn't mentioned too and requested that the ride ops race the trains???