Can Kingda Ka get stuck at the top?
Six Flags Great Adventure: Has there ever been a train that sat "perfectly balanced" on the top, or is this even possible? I've heard it is and has happened with TTD before......
From Dave Lilly
Posted November 22, 2005 at 3:00 PM
From many people I have heard the question "Can the ride get stuck at the top?" Although I know it happens with Top Thrill Dragster (rarely)has anyone ever seen it happen to Kingda Ka? I'm guessing it probably can happen to it, unless they altered designs by learning from Dragster and desinging KK so that it can't get stuck..... although I don't see the purpose for an elevator then........
From Mike M
Posted November 28, 2005 at 1:58 PM
It has never happened to Kingda Ka. It would be about a one in a billion chance, but if it does, there is an elevator and stairs down from the top.
I doubt they would ever evacuate a train at the top. When Dragster has gotten stuck, a maintenance person takes the elevator to the top, and push the train down. Any attempt to evacuate could put passengers at risk as the train's weight distributions changes with people stepping off. It only takes about 5-10 minutes for a maintenance person to get to the top and push it over.
Has it ever not made it over, and rolled back?
If it hasn't yet, it's only a matter of time. There's even a sign at the entrance stating that it's a normal occurrence, so don't freak out if it happens while you're riding (I'm paraphrasing a bit).
I think it would be cool to get stuck , or at least go slowly over the top, because when I went on it I had no time to look at the veiw because We were going so fast.
From Kyle Bundy
Posted December 3, 2005 at 8:12 AM
Thats like one in a trillion of a chance, but looking at the top of the hill, I guess there would be a microscopic chance it could happen. But as others have said, all it would take would be for a mechanic to push it over. It would be cool to be stuck at the top though, at least you could actually look around.
I'm not sure it would be so cool. Sure, it sounds cool from the ground, but imagine actually being stuck up on the top of that coaster. Yeah, there's a view, but there would be a lot of people panicking and the tension in the car would be high. The last thing most people would be thinking about is the view.
It'd be cool being that high and everything. What wouldn't be cool is feeling the coaster move in the breeze up there.
Last year Top Thrill Dragster got stuck at the top....
for about 45 mins or so....
From Mike M
Posted December 22, 2005 at 8:56 PM
Yes, it has not made it all the way up to the top. It is called a roll-back. Basically, it just falls back down and relaunches. It actually happened to me, and it was the coolest thing ever! However, that was before the malfunction, so I don't think it has done that recently.
From Dave Lilly
Posted December 27, 2005 at 12:11 PM
I'm not talking about roll backs,Mike, I mean an instance where the train becomes perfectly balanced at the top and someone would have to ride the elevator to the top and push the train over the hill.
From Mike M
Posted December 28, 2005 at 8:53 PM
I suppose if it lauched and malfunctioned perfectly so that it was just the right speed, it could get stuck at the top. However, after both Top Thrill Dragster's and Kingda Ka's malfunctions, I doubt it could happen again.
I woulden't be so sure....
From Dave Lilly
Posted December 29, 2005 at 4:17 PM
I'm sure it could happen to both again. All you need is the right amount of momentum, the catch car to not be at the precise speed, and some wind resistence. Also; anyone else notice brake fins on the top hat of kingda ka? I'm not sure, but I think i saw some up there at the top.... I dont have any idea what they might be for.....
Could there be brake fins or whatever up there in case the launch was two fast and the train needed to slow down, or would the brake things stop it completly? I dunno just a guess..
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