Interesting Whizzer Photo

[superflybri]

Hey.. I was just going through some photos over at rcdb.com and came across this and found it to be interesting! http://www.rcdb.com/ig113.htm?picture=11 If you notice, There is a train almost to the top of the lift, a train in mid-coarse and another going up the lift! It just amazes me on how efficient Whizzer's potential could be! Although you now have to through in some safety aspects but defiantly very interesting!

[coasterkidd100]

You would think there would be some safety concerns with running two trains on the lift hill at the same time.

Maybe there was a safety issue doing this, so maybe thats why they don't run the trains like that anymore.

[shockwave guy mark]

the one that is mid course is not going up the list, in fact, the ride is almost over for the people on that train. If you remember correctly there is a track that goes around the lift on whizzer, that is where the train is in that picture.

[superflybri]

^ Yeah.. If you look at the picture though, there are defiantly three trains there. One on the lower part of the lift, one at the swing around one at the top of the lift.

[shockwave guy mark]

whoa, I did not see that. I am surprised they can do that. I know that there is a law that says they have to have one train loading in the station if there are like 2~3 plus trains or something like that, or I am pretty sure there is a law now due to safety concerns.

[tp41190]

That was probaly with 5 trains. One starting the lift, one almost over the lift, one after the MCBR, one in the station, one in the brake run. So, its not "unsafe". And if there was an emergency they could do a E Stop on the lift and MCBR.

[coasterkidd100]

Can they even run five trains on the Whizzer?

I have never seen five trains on the Whizzer before. I have never seen more than three on it.

[tp41190]

Yes, they did have 5 trains back in the past during Marriots. They were really focused on capasity.

But after an accident they took off 2 trains and now just run the 2 or 3.

[UWW-10]

^ I also do believe they modified the block system to the ride after the incident on Whizzer in California so they wouldn't ever be able to run 5 trains again, and I don't even believe we have all 5 trains anymore as parts were hard to come by, so didn't a train or 2 become "spare" parts???

[bigb7965]

since this topic is about whizzer..

has anyone noticed that the track after the swingaround bends when the train passes over it??

I've seen it do that many times while waiting in line.

is that a bad thing or is just a natural occurrence?

[DejaVu2001]

^ I have no idea what part you are referring to with the swingaround

^^ Train 1 is the "parts" train. Trains 3, 4, and 5 are the 3 currently in use. Train 2 is in rehab and will eventually take Train 3's place.

[tp41190]

since this topic is about whizzer..

has anyone noticed that the track after the swingaround bends when the train passes over it??

I've seen it do that many times while waiting in line.

is that a bad thing or is just a natural occurrence?

Thats normal, streel track usually bends and gives. Its the same for most coasters.

[BrianPlencner]

This page gives you a good overall shot of Whizzer, before all the trees grew in at the Gurnee Park.

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/images ... =137&pos=6

As you can see, there is one train at the top of the lift hill, one on the course (going up the 4th hill), one on the transfer track, and one going into the station.

I did not remember the lift hill being able to have 2 trains on it at the same time. I do, however, remember where the brakes out on the course were located.

Brake #1 was at the top of the 2nd hill. For reference, here is a picture of that part of the ride. The train is right over where the brakes were located. This picture was taken May of 2005 from the Sky Trek Tower.



Brake #2 is still on the ride today. It is right before you make the turn around the lift hill. For reference again, here is a picture of that part of the ride. This picture was taken in May of 2005 from Sky Trek Tower.



Brake #3 was located at the top of the hill after you made the curving drop that was next to the water. If you look at the first picture, you can kind of see that part of the ride near the top left.

Finally, you have the many sets of brakes coming into the station, and the motors (which act as brakes) in the station itself.

Now, as you can see in the arieal shot of the ride, there was actually 2 stations. The one on the left side was the load area, and the other was the unload area. The train that is either stopped or coming into the station is at the front part of the unload area.

So, using all that, and adding in the lift as two blocks, the blocks that were in place when the ride opened in 1976 would be

Block One: Load station to midway up the lift hill
Block Two: Midway up the lift hill to top of lift hill
Block Three: Top of the lift to the top of the 2nd hill
Block Four: Top of the 2nd hill to top of the 3rd hill
Block Five: Top of the 3rd hill to top of the 4th hill
Block Six: Top of the 4th Hill to first set of Station Breaks
Block Seven ... Block 1: Station

--Brian

[bigb7965]

^ I have no idea what part you are referring to with the swingaround

I was reffering to the part of the ride where it "swings around" the lift

[jbujwit10]

Hi all, I understand that the Whizzer is an old school ride at SF Great America, but don't you think that if they got rid of it and put in a much more thrilling ride it would be awesome!!!???

Also, they should get rid of Iron Wolf, and Demon is debatable, but it should stay because it is the oldest ride in the park.

-jbujwit10

[DejaVu2001]

^ No ride would ever justify removing Whizzer in my opinion. Whizzer is truly one of a kind, and what it lacks in thrills, it makes up for in pure fun

[BrianPlencner]

^ I agree with you on that. Whizzer is a one of a kind ride, and it would be a very sad day if the park ever took it out, no matter what replaced it.

--Brian

[DejaVuGurl1203]

I completely agree. It is a unique ride, and also a FAMILY ride, which the park is aiming for. Sitting in my boyfriend's lap or vise versa, adds to the fun of the ride. Alone, it's not quite as fun. I really enjoy the ride lately.

[CoasterDude12-2]

Call me a pessimist, but I believe the Whizzer's days are numbered. And that sucks because it is such a unique ride. But with the cost of maintence for it, and the new additions of the Dark Knight, and even Ragin Cajun, mkae the ride expendable in Shapiro's eyes. I don't know if SFGAm would be the same without Whizzer.

[jbujwit10]

Wow!!!! You all must be on drugs because Whizzer is the suckiest, most boring, stupidest ride i have ever experienced in my visit to SFGA!!!! I want Whizzer's days to be numbered and they can start at three days because i wouldn't miss that kiddish "family" ride a single fricken bit!!!!

-With much Love and Devotion to Six Flags Great America, Jake

[w00dland]

Hi Jake, welcome to the forums. Let me give you a small word of advice, yelling about a ride you find boring on roller coaster forums won't help get rid of it. If you want it gone try talking to park relations.

I agree with the others saying that Whizzer is truly one of a kind, I was once 13 and thought that taking out Whizzer for Superman was a great idea compared to the loss of Shockwave, but now I'm so happy that it has stayed. You can find a mega looper at almost every park around the nation, but where can you find a coaster with seatbelts and the ability to let you sit inline with your girlfriend throughout the ride. Theres really not much better than a whizzer night ride during the summer. I hope it stays for a long time.

[CoasterDave316]

^ Indiana Beach....but without the seatbelts

[cycamps]

Whizzer is truely a great ride. Every time I ride it I gain more respect for it.

[jbujwit10]

Dear w00dland,
I am glad to hear about your 13 year old experiance with the Whizzer, but I was also once 13 and I hated my experiance on the Whizzer because of the lack of exhilaration. I do not appreciate the worries I get when I am riding Whizzer and I come to see the difficulties the train is having when it turns the corner and squeaks really loud. I also do not appreciate the long hesitation when riding up the helix. It takes too long and I get bored. Lastly, I do not like the fact that I have to either be squished by another person in front of me or be worried I'm squishing the person behind me. Thank-you for reading my post. I hope you enter reality and finally relize Whizzer is Hunk-of-Junk!!!!!

Sincerely,
jbujwit10

[tp41190]

^Or just please keep your opinions to yourself....