A roller coaster is broken into block sections which functions as a safety mechanism. These block brakes begin and end a block section. If a train were still in the section after the block brakes and another train were incoming, the block brakes would stop the incoming train until the first train passed to the next section.

And why I still remain very skeptical about the 5th hill trim and MCBR use and intensity given how much shorter D-back's pre-MCBR course is compared to it's older sisters and brothers, unfortunately...

What do you all think they are doing with the splash down lake today? Looks like they have atleast one water truck spraying water into it.

I would post a picture but can't figure out how.

Heres a pic looks like putting water in SD?

Heres a pic looks like putting water in SD?

Dumb question but how did you attach the photo?

Step 1 save the pic to your computer

Step 2 Upload it to photobucket

Step 3 copy the IMG code

Step 4 Paste into your post

Ok I think I figured it out.

^^Hopefully cleaning it!!

That thing has looked kind of nasty!

Yeah, it looks more like a person cleaning the splashdown rather than someone filling it with water.

Yeah, it looks more like a person cleaning the splashdown rather than someone filling it with water.

I agree I just saw someone with a brush broom sweeping the water towards the drain.

Are they testing now? Earlier I saw them move the train on the transfer track but now because of the glare from the sun I can't tell if the train is in storage. It definately isn't in the station now.

Maybe they are cleaning it so they can paint it a nice blueish color.

Maybe they are cleaning it so they can paint it a nice blueish color.

Yeah I hope they do something like that. Either paint it blue or dye the water so you can't see the concrete.

Guys They are filling the splash down for sure.

No doubt!

It looks Fuller!

Guys They are filling the splash down for sure.

No doubt!

It looks Fuller!

I would have to agree since water appears to be coming in from three spots. The pseduo stream on the right, the bottom of the lake close to the station, and a water truck. However, I wonder why they are doing this since there is still sub 32 degree weather forecast.

It appears they are really just cleaning the area. The stream filler will probably be used all the time to fill it.

Might take quite some time with a small hose like that... :-)

But I agree they want to fill the pond soon to test the reaction with the cars and the splashdown.

I don't know if it's been mentioned but there are alot of new pictures on Diamondback's site showing it testing.

I think they would take the partitions out before they filled it.

They are filling the Splashdown for sure? Without a doubt?

Heres something for you who are dead sure to think about: It's about 25 degrees in Mason.

yeah and will be 60 by mid/end week....... :-)

(If you don't like Cincinnati weather, just wait a day)

^^Yeah thats what I was thinking, they could be possibly be cleaning it out right now to make sure it is clear and ready to go when they fill it and once the high 50 to mid 60 degree weather comes later this week and this weekend they might want to try to fill it and start testing with the splashdown area filled. Just a thought

Workers prepare the splashdown finalie of Diamondback, Kings Island's 230' steel coaster set to open in April.

Excellent, looks like they'll be filling it this week, hopefully Helbig can catch a picture with the spray.

Im almost certain he will. i cant wait to see how cool the water tails will look!

They are filling the Splashdown for sure? Without a doubt?

Heres something for you who are dead sure to think about: It's about 25 degrees in Mason.

Uh, that would matter....why?

You don't want the water freezing. Thats why

Just a little tidbit of info. but, the Rumor coaster for 2009 thread was 6678 posts long with 446 pages. We are not too far off from having more posts in this thread!

Well, thanks for stating the obvious. But they are not filling it up. They were merely cleaning it. Besides, they would want to remove the temporary clearance railings from the middle of the splash down pool before they began filling it up. Not to mention that I would not be surprised if they added some more stones around the perimeter of the splash down pool.

It would have to be much colder than 25 degrees for that body of water to freeze solid.

It would have to be much colder than 25 degrees for that body of water to freeze solid.

I don't think the risk would be the train hitting a solid block of ice in the splashdown, but rather the water getting into the filtration system, freezing and bursting the pipes. Same reason that fountains aren't run in the winter.

Prolly nothing major; I'd assume that the one on the right is the actual entrance to the queue. But I was just curious.