This picture shows how the cars are normally closely spaced when stopped in the station. It also shows the water bottles used to simulate the riders during testing.
We never officially heard what caused the two cars to collide, but a general consensus emerged among those of us sitting in the cars as well as those waiting in the queue. The car that struck us was the first car full of passengers to complete the circuit that morning. The ride probably had no problems while empty, but the added weight and inertia of more than 1,500 pounds of passengers increased the demands placed on the two types of brake systems. Another contributing factor was the weather. As you can see by these pictures, it was raining when I visited. The water on the train and on the tire-brakes combined to degrade the braking capabilities of the tires located under the these cars.
©2018 Joel A. Rogers.