East River Crawler Closed 2012?

[CoasterDemon]

^Yup... they will close stuff down, then say the parts are too expensive (Whizzer for example) then end up forkin out the cash to get it done. Those old flats are built tough, and I find them to be 10x more *fun* than any new fancy flat. Especially all those silly things with shoulder bars - uck!

[Stoogie]

What would really be cool in Fling's spot is that version of the Breakdance where the cars tilt up and have an actual DJ playing some great music and lights like what the German versions have. No OTSR's either.

[CoasterDemon]

Or, just leave Fling there. It's a bona-fide classic. Nothing produced these days would have near those forces.

[w00dland]

Agreed. Fiddlers Fling is my favorite flat in the park. A scrambler on Steroids.

[TonyMichaud]

What would really be cool in Fling's spot is that version of the Breakdance where the cars tilt up and have an actual DJ playing some great music and lights like what the German versions have. No OTSR's either.

You could just wait for Terror Twister 2 to return this fall

[DeathbyDinn]

^ Or they could do this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJXbNgL7YlA&feature=plcp

[GrtAmkid]

That video is awesome...my son loves the Fling, bet he'd like even more if it were like this all the time, at least at night.

[Chitown]

What would really be cool in Fling's spot is that version of the Breakdance where the cars tilt up and have an actual DJ playing some great music and lights like what the German versions have. No OTSR's either.

You could just wait for Terror Twister 2 to return this fall

How do you compare a Breakdance to Terror Twister?

[TonyMichaud]

How do you compare a Breakdance to Terror Twister?

Bah, all I meant is a spinning ride with lights and techno. I know the rides are entirely different.

[FParker185]

http://www.ltci.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=569

Wonder if that has anything to do with the sudden decision to overhaul the ride.

[CoasterDemon]

I posted this in a trip report, but it's too good to not show again:

[CoasterDemon]

http://www.ltci.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=569

Wonder if that has anything to do with the sudden decision to overhaul the ride.

FParker185 - do you know anything about that accident other than what is shown in the pictures? I'm wondering if the ride wasn't checked/maintained properly, or...? I haven't seen many semi-catastrophic fails like that. Makes me think of the accident in Japan a few years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yOovDxfrd8

[FParker185]

Well I haven't seen a report yet, but judging by the fracture pattern it can be nothing other than either Metal Fatigue which started at the weld for the bolt sleeve, it could also be due to all to common aftermarket parts. An aftermarket gondola cross arm on a Mondial Shake broke apart in a very similar fashion like a few weeks before this one. Same thing though, Stress Fractures starting at a welded seam then extending out into virgin metal.

[Ilovthevu']

What kind of worries me is that if this is the reason for the closure of the East River Crawler, has SFGAm been updating the pieces on this ride overtime, or not? It doesn't make sense to close the ride for that long just because another ride had an accident. This ride has been in existence for over 30 years without any accidents.

I'm no expert on this German ride, but look at those bolts. They are rusty as anything. This stuff should be replaced every so often. If rust can snap a metal pipe, what do you think it's going to do to a very heavy arm on a ride?

[CoasterDemon]

FParker185, I can appreciate your techno-geek explanation, thank you

Whenever I think of Anton Schwarzkopf coasters/rides (notably Mind Bender, I am biased) I can't get a Ramones lyrics out of my head "...fine German steel." It's from a song called "I wanna live."

The Mind Bender used to be painted "gun metal gray" and that stuff was built so hearty - so I can't get the lyric outta my head - OCD/ADD/blt, etc

[FParker185]

I'm no expert on this German ride, but look at those bolts. They are rusty as anything. This stuff should be replaced every so often. If rust can snap a metal pipe, what do you think it's going to do to a very heavy arm on a ride?

I doubt corrosion(rust) had anything what so ever do with the accident. That jagged edge strongly indicates metal fatigue.

Also there is no rust at all on the bolts(which the shanks are actually never shown clearly removed since they didn't fail), and there is not much rust anywhere, what you're seeing in that first pic of the remaining part of the crossarm still attached to the ride, there is no way to inspect what's seen, as it's inside a welded shut piece. If that is a 30+ year old crossarm the inside of it looks outright spectacular.

Also just to be clear, that very first picture is before inspectors or anyone touched anything, in the second pic, that is the piece that was shown in the first pic, after being removed from the ride's arm.

[UWW-10]

What kind of worries me is that if this is the reason for the closure of the East River Crawler, has SFGAm been updating the pieces on this ride overtime, or not? It doesn't make sense to close the ride for that long just because another ride had an accident. This ride has been in existence for over 30 years without any accidents.

Parks get Amusement Ride Bulletins all the time. If the "make" and "model" fit the description of the ride, the parks take action. Who knows what they found. Perhaps they are being proactive so that it doesn't become a problem in the future. The state wouldn't have certified the ride if they didn't feel it was ever warranted.

The process is no different when they recall car parts...if the recall affects your specific year, model, and make...you get it fixed. Preventive and/or routine maintenance does not always account for default parts...parts that defect right away, or years down the road.

[X-Rider 2012]

FParker185, I can appreciate your techno-geek explanation, thank you

Whenever I think of Anton Schwarzkopf coasters/rides (notably Mind Bender, I am biased) I can't get a Ramones lyrics out of my head "...fine German steel." It's from a song called "I wanna live."

The Mind Bender used to be painted "gun metal gray" and that stuff was built so hearty - so I can't get the lyric outta my head - OCD/ADD/blt, etc

Off-topic but that is a great song by a great band. Thanks Coasterdemon.

[Necropolis]

Good to know East River Crawler won't be operating this season, I mean yes its a total bummer but at least I don't have to falsely get my hopes up for this ride this year. Till next year!!