Anybody else notice that they added anti-rollback teeth to the last hill of Mystic? I can’t remember if they did that last year after the valley or if that is new for Winterfest this year. 

Yes, I only noticed it opening day this season at WF. I am guessing it was added in case it can not make it up that last hill due to the cold during testing. 

It was added for this Winterfest to prevent it from valleying like last year.

They may have been these before, but were very loud this weekend.

3 hours ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

They may have been these before, but were very loud this weekend.

They added them after the train hung, as stated above, but were removed again before the start of the season.

See also: the chain lift and anti rollbacks on the turnaround hills of The Racer.

Would there be a reason to remove them for the normal season?  Why not just save the labor and keep them on.

9 hours ago, flightoffear1996 said:

Would there be a reason to remove them for the normal season?  Why not just save the labor and keep them on.

I would assume it has something to do with unnecessary wear and tear on them during the warm seasons. Somebody probably did the math and concluded they'd have to replace it more often if they left it on. Just my guess.

Well, in the warmer months, they are not worried about the train not clearing the hill so they are not needed.  For Winterfest, when the temperatures are colder and they are concerned about a train not making it back, so they add the anti-roll backs.  Just like Ryan stated, they do something similar with The Racer.

15 hours ago, flightoffear1996 said:

Would there be a reason to remove them for the normal season?  Why not just save the labor and keep them on.

Wear and tear on the train, the catches on the bottom of the train will take a lot of abuse if they were left on all year.  Plus it is actually pretty easy to install and remove.  Its just a big piece of steel with teeth which is held by about a dozen bolts.  The hardest part is likely moving it around due to the weight.

Maintenance is out working on the coasters all year long as the temperatures fluctuate.  For instance if you pay attention to the color of the wheels on Diamondback, you will notice there are different wheels based on the season.  During the summer it runs softer wheels which give a smoother ride, in colder months it has harder wheels which provide less friction so it can keep its speed better.  This kind of work is just part of the job.