Because I have taken a lot of rides in the lead car of Cedar Point's Magnum XL-200, I have observed its operations in some detail, noting the elaborate signaling system the operators developed over the years to keep the ride running efficiently and to accommodate the limitations brought on by the platform design and the duties of the various crew members. in particular this involved a code of knocks on the doghouse window to allow the controls operator (looking away from the platform) and the platform crew to communicate. When the ride got a set of platform gates and a co-dispatch panel, much of the old signaling went away. Then a new control system complicated things further, then finally, Cedar Point outsourced some of their operations training to an outside company that replaced a system of simple efficiency with a lot of rote theatrics, unnecessary motion and needlessly complicated rules. Then it Dawned on me that I could write a lyric about it...
Knock Two Times
(Knock Three Times was by Dawn and sung by Tony Orlando...)
Hey, crew, what'cha doin out there?
Dancing around all the cars while I wait for your signal
I can see that you're frustrated
We're making this too complicated
A minute fifteen should be fine if we just keep it simple
Just remember
Knock two times on the window to dispatch a train
Once on the glass to get ready to go
Just keep it simple
Knock two times on the window and it's leaving
Once on the glass when you're ready to load
When a train pulls in to unload
It's all automatic as everyone heads for the exit
Getting the new riders seated
That's when your work is repeated
We lock up the train, check the belts and the bars to make ready
Count all the thumbs, then I'll
Knock two times on the window when it's ready
Twice on the glass if you're ready to go
Knock one time and I'll lock up all the lap bars
Twice on the glass and that train's gonna go
...
...
I can see that you're frustrated
We're making this too complicated
A minute fifteen should be fine if we just keep it simple
Just remember
Knock two times on the window to dispatch a train
Once on the glass to get ready to go
Just keep it simple
Knock one time and I'll lock up all the lap bars
Twice on the glass and that train's gonna go