[quote=""Nightfall""]There is such a thing as CCTV. The ride opps on Th13teen can't see anything outside the station but they manage, guess how?
The same goes for Hex. The ride opp can't actually see anything besides the outside of the drum but they have CCTV of the inside.
I will just note that my opinion on simulators and 3D screens hasn't changed. I can imagine they would build a Vengeance ride like PeteB suggested (and it certainly will fit the space) but I suspect it won't be anywhere near as good as we'd like it to be.
My view on drop towers hasn't changed either. I think it's a very bad idea to build one just two years after a very similar ride. However I also believe Alton would do something foolish like that. I also trust the people who have hinted “drop tower” for the last few months.[/quote]
I understand what you're saying re: CCTV, but remember that both the situations you are pointing out have no guest access to where the movement is taking place. In Hex, it is actually more essential that the operators can see the outside of the drum, as this is where the hazards lie. In Thirteen, the view is simply to monitor the train's progress (the quality isn't suitable as a safety mechanism) as this area is never accessed by guests on foot. In Hex, too, there is little area to 'get caught' as the only space in the room is benches (with tiny platforms at each end for access).
Now, if you have moving mechanisms (especially in the dark), the ride operator should have a full view of the ride operation area, as guests could easily be accidently left standing in the area etc. An obvious contradiction to this, however, would be Dr Dooms Fearfall, I guess.
Basically, the main point would be that there is ZERO point engineering in an operating booth that only watches one half of the ride as it puts a really bad and unnecessary safety bias on the side that can be seen, which would be unnacceptable in H&S terms... It'd be more consistent to have the booth elsewhere, rather than preferentially close to one half of the attraction...
Also, regarding the electricals box, it is extremely likely that this will be a power distribution substation as well as a switching unit, as I predict that whatever the attraction will be, will require more power than Dynamo did, and FV likely requires another substation anyway with the large amount of attractions+food stalls it now houses... I don't think it's location indicates the type of ride at all.
Finally, re: dropping below the initial level, I repeat, this is really unlikely as you'd have to have four separate floor removing mechanisms, as well as the four dropping mechanisms, and I can't really fathom a way that the floor could be removed in such an enclosed space with enough clearance in case people lean out, AS WELL as being safe for people to access the ride from...
