

The company has been doing work for the chocolate-themed wonderland since 1999, and spends the bulk of the winter months (about three to four months) when the park is closed inside the service shop doing testing on parts after the rides have been stripped down. Hersheypark appoints Lind Enterprises Inc., Harrisburg, Pa., as a third-party inspector. The frames are lined up to go through the NDE process. They are pressure washed, and the bodies, as well as the wheels, are stripped down to their frames. During this time, all roller coasters and rides are removed from the tracks and brought back to the service center to be inspected. Hersheypark shuts down completely during the winter.
#WHITECAP RACER HOW TO#
This is a demanding industry requiring a variety of nondestructive examination (NDE) methods and amusement park experience to know what to look for and how to look for it. Nondestructive Inspection during Overhaul SeasonĪmusement park rides go through a combination of stress and exposure to the elements throughout the year. The end of the year signals the start of overhaul season. It operates through many major holidays including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas season. The busiest operating time is the end of May through Labor Day. This year, the park closed on January 2 and reopened March 30 because of Easter. The park is generally shut down from January to the end of March for overhaul, and reopens on the first weekend in April. Nine months out of the year, the wheels are rolling. Utility also employs 250 part-time/seasonal workers. The roster consists of 24 electricians, 68 ride mechanics, 3 garage mechanics, 10 plumbers, 7 painters, 7 laborers, 18 carpenters, 5 full-time sign artists, 2 machinists, 2 store room attendants, 2 welders, and 20 utility personnel. Hersheypark employs 185 full-time hourly union employees in a variety of trades. Chubb, as well as the hundreds of employees he oversees, plays a key role in making sure the quality rides enjoyed are effectively maintained and inspected. He moved on to Dutch Wonderland as park manager for a few years, then returned after Hershey Entertainment and Resorts bought that park in 2001. Following his discharge in 1975, he worked in various operational roles at Hersheypark up until 1989 when he was assigned to the Corporate Safety and Security department. Army where he received training in heavy equipment operation and maintenance. His career began in the mechanical maintenance area, and in 1972, he entered the U.S. Chubb, Hersheypark’s senior director of maintenance for more than ten years, has been with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts in various roles since 1971 where he was first introduced to the welding industry. As one of the most visited parks in the nation, the rides require daily inspections and maintenance to make them reliable and safe. The park has more than 70 rides and attractions including 14 roller coasters, and more than 20 rides for children. What began as a town built on chocolate has become a must-go to indulge your sweet tooth and ride some of the most well-known roller coasters in the United States. Up until 1923, Hersheypark did not have any roller coasters - the first one to be installed was the Wildcat.

Originally built in 1907, the park has grown significantly since its original humble roots. Hersheypark, Hershey, Pa., dubbed “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” has been attracting families for more than 100 years with its abundance of roller coasters, water slides, and more. Here’s a little secret: It’s a lot of work. But in the endless quest for “fun and thrills,” one probably doesn’t think about the work that goes into making sure thousands of visitors experience that “amusement” safely. Let’s be honest, amusement parks are all about the fun. Hurtling around a 70-mph roller coaster track and navigating 180-deg turns is exhilarating, no matter how old you are. There’s no thrill like a good amusement park ride. Reprinted with permission: The Welding Journal The chocolate-themed amusement park unwraps its process of maintaining, inspecting, and designing its attractionsīy: Roline Pascal, assistant editor of the Welding Journal.
