Question re: Gurnee Sky Trek Tower

WestBurbs14 · Post by **WestBurbs14** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:19 pm

I was looking at CWSR's album of Shock Wave Construction photos taken in the winter, and I could see that the cabin of the Sky Trek Tower was at the top of the tower. Why was it kept there in the winter? It seems that keeping it at ground level would be more logical.

WhizzerSFGAm · Post by **WhizzerSFGAm** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:31 pm

They leave it at the top whenever it isn't running. I don't know the "official" reason, but I would guess it is to keep the cables safe from the elements.

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:15 pm

CGA's sky tower sits up at the top as well when the park closes. My first guess was that being as it's enclosed, you wouldn't want someone trespassing into the park and kind of wedge those doors open and camp out in it..I know, sounds like a ridiculous idea. I guess that keeping the cables unexposed from the weather makes more sense.

Cheesehead Dave · Post by **Cheesehead Dave** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:26 pm

The wind will make the cables clang against the side of the tower. Besides being noisy, it would also cause a lot of wear on the cables.

WestBurbs14 · Post by **WestBurbs14** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:56 pm

Good answers, all!

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:01 pm

Also, Didn't this also have to do with less tension on the counterweight... eh I heard that from someone., lol

RandyV · Post by **RandyV** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:10 pm

We covered this a few years (!) ago ... here's the original thread:

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/forums ... .php?t=292

Angry_Gumball · Post by **Angry_Gumball** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:18 pm

I guess this idea says the same for Drop Zone. They keep the cabin carriers parked up at the top while the cabins sit down below when the ride is closed, or if they're only using half of the tower.

Papas · Post by **Papas** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:37 am

All parks I know of sit their tower rides at the top when not in use to keep the cables inside of the tower to prevent them for damage or blowing and hitting the tower. This includes STT and Giant Drop.