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Pallidin, I am sorry you interpreted my comments in the way you did, no malice was intended.  It has already been reported, and I repeated this in my response, that the team operating the train and the maintenance crew had been cleared of doing anything wrong.  Currently, I see no reason to believe this not to be true.

As for believing every accident (outside of Act of God) is preventable, yes absolutely, and I would hope everyone else would also believe this.  If the root cause of the train derailment is not found, then its recurrence cannot be prevented.  The state will not give an operating sticker, and OSHA will not allow employees to operate it.  So yeah, I really, really, really hope that this accident was preventable. All evidence shows this to be the case, the park is spending an enormous amount of time and money to get the train back.  They wouldn't be doing this if they did not think it could be operated (and it can only be operated if the accident recurrence can be prevented).  The time this is taking points to a cause that was not a single simple maintenance issue, further evidence that the operation and train maintenance crews were performing their job correctly.  And to beat a dead horse, this most likely points to a failure of leadership and management for not having people that have the experience and knowledge on board to prevent the accident.

Well since I am the OP, I will assume that I am the "They will not listen".  I do not feel that this is an accurate description of my responses.  When corrected about the dates and details of the fire I acknowledged and thanked the poster.  When given information that short staffing and quick training may have been the cause or partial cause of the incidents I agreed and added my perspective.  I do not agree that these were freak accidents.  I believe that each could have been prevented.  I believe that the root cause of the incidents is a failure of the management/ leadership to provide adequate training, proper procedures, and continuous supervision if needed. 
I will add my perspective on each incidence since this seems to be a cause of concern.  In many cases, it does not differ too much from what has already been discussed.  The source of the fire was reported to be grease.  Commercial restaurants have procedures in place to use grease in a safe manner.  If these procedures are followed, I do not understand how a grease fire could have immediately become so out of control as to destroy three structures.  Either the procedures were not in place, or they were not followed. 
The train: it has been reported that the train was being operated in a safe manner, and it has been reported that maintenance personnel were not responsible and performed their jobs correctly.  There has been no report of any "act of god", so I believe that leaves us only with a lack of correct inspection procedures. 
TNT: The employee was struck by the roller coaster and died of head trauma.  It has been put forth that this was entirely the cause of the employee.  I disagree.  The employee did obviously choose to be in the situation that cause the accident, but I do not believe the employee wanted to die.  There should have been training to tell the employee that this action could cause death, there could have been remote sensing for train speed, and there could have been physical barriers to entry.  SDC agreed to make changes to prevent these occurrences.  This death could have been prevented with proper training, physical barriers, and procedures.
I have brought up training and procedures several times.  These only work if enforced by management and leadership.
If this is interpreted as "SDC is going downhill" that is because these incidences caused a loss of three structures, the loss of the train for the rest of a season, with no specific date for return, and most importantly a loss of life.  Although I did not use the downhill language, I can see why someone would.
As for the "and they don't care", well again not my language.  I thought that considering the seriousness of each of the incidences and their relative closeness in time, there may have been some talk of management or leadership shake-up in operations.  I also would have expected to hear more about improvements or changes in operations. 
I have tried to be respectful in my responses and posts.  My stance is that these incidences were preventable and this stance will not change until additional information is made available.  If this forum is not the proper place for discussions on serious incidents that occur at SDC, or if the moderator does not want this level of discussion I will refrain from commenting. 

It might be true that understaffing and quick training is the cause of the incidents.  It does make sense. Staffing and training are the responsibility of management/leadership.  If they can not perform these jobs effectively there is no reason to believe that further "one-off" incidences will not keep occurring.

I stand corrected 2021, park not fully open.  Thank you.

I guess I am surprised that there was not more of a change in the operational leadership at the park.  Maybe there is and we don't know.  2022 had some serious leadership issues.  Fire during operations, the train derailment with people on board, and the death of an employee.  All of these were preventable, and each of them was not prevented.    We like to talk about the theme going to heck and destroying the park, but a history of unsafe practices will end the park.  I hope that the management has made operational changes and does not believe that these were one-off accidents. 

SDC may have a new marketing campaign for the fall.  Pumpkin nights to be renamed Pumpkins in the City?  You can see the trademark application logo on the USPTO website.

Even Jurassic Park had problems with some of their attractions when they opened.  I think we can accept that there will be a learning curve.

Thank you, that is the information that I was looking for!

Sorry I am not being clear, I was not asking about the mechanics of social distancing.  I know if someone else doesn't want to, that is fine, I can walk away.  This was more of a general question, along the same lines as "is it possible to just walk on wildfire? or is it possible to get a seat in Echo Hollow show without waiting?"  So for the people that have visited SDC this year, does anyone social distance?  I know there will always be individuals that don't care, individuals have always cut lines, steal soda, push to the front at parades, sit in the handicap spots without being handicapped, and so on. I am asking "in general" is it possible to social distance. 

I have read several reports about the social distancing, or more specifically the lack there of.  My question, is it possible to social distance?  I don't want this to turn into why you should or shouldn't.  If it is your choice to social distance is it possible?

Just a bit of distraction.  The game is you have 1 hour in SDC.  What 3 things would you do or see.

For me it is the classics

1.  Flooded mine - a far cry from its original glory, remember when it had two loading channels, and the spray of near the end, water that shut off just before your ore boat got to it?

2.  Peanut brittle demonstration-  I don't think this has changed for 50 years.  Still the same number of grains of salt used.  I still laugh as hard as ever at the jokes (floor samples!!!)

3.  Finding the Marshall to be made a deputy sheriff.  After 40+ years of visiting he still gives me my pin and has me swear to do good.

These times might be a bit scary, and deserve attention, but take a break and share your top 3.

Would also like to see the return of the letter press.  One is still available, I doubt the ones rusting outside the old print shop can be saved.

What crafts or skills would you like to see brought back to SDC

I would certainly like to see the split oak baskets, broom makers, and even a wooden jon boat being built.

Does anyone know of a pre-shootout video of the flooded mine?

Not me.