Side Padding on American Eagle

I went to SFGam for the first time this summer and left wondering this- what's with the large side pads on the trains? Do they do that so you cannot reach out and slap hands like on similar coasters? (i.e., Gemini at CP)

I was under the impression that the padding was there to keep people from losing an arm. The trains operate in some pretty tight spaces.

I also think the padding might be different sizes on different sides of the trains. Someone has to have a picture of this...

The left side of the train comes mighty close to the supports at the end of the helix, which seems to be the reason for the restrictive padding. This is purely speculation, but it would make sense to me.

I believe the padding is only on the backwards side of the coaster. It is there to protect its riders from being thrown to the side coming out of the helix. The transition had much harder lateral forces before all the trims were added.

I have also thought that it was because of the tight fit upon exitting the helix. There are pads on both sides, with larger pads on the left side (if both trains are facing forward. This both supports the helix argument (the trains are leaning that way when leaving the helix through the structure) and discredits the hand slapping argument (if this were the case, the large pads would both point to the inside of the track).

Of course, I'd love to see them remove the pads for more visability. They should also remove the headrests, seat dividers, trim brakes, and replace the individual lab bars with single position bars. I think if they did that, I would be scared to ride it (a good thing).

Would THIS be the padding in question?

yes....and in an illegal photo, I might add.

illegal or not, that is a GREAT photo!!

Ah... the wings. Anyways, they're there on both sides, to prevent hand slapping, and so you don't hit your hand on any part of the track. (If you have long enough arms, you could.) It has nothing to do with the lateral forces.

Oh quit with the illegal photo comment....give it a rest.

No where do it say that it is against the law to have a camera on the ride...

Might be a bad idea, but no where along the lines of illegal, I might add.

-Jeffro

Actually, these days it is, as is any photo taken on any ride at any CF park. Yes, that includes the Ferris Wheel and white-knuckle thrillrides like the Antique Cars.

-'Playa

Wow...that photo is quite calendar-worthy. Methinks I need to contact SFGAm about our 2006 calendat ;)

Especially if it gets the re-paint of the ride that is rumored.

And yes, the 'wings' are there to prevent any future injury to the riders.

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LadyLegolasGreenleaf said:
illegal or not, that is a GREAT photo!!

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Haha, thanks guys. Yeah, it may have been illegal, but it was worth it!: :) That is my favorite picture that I have ever taken! :)

There are so many strange things about this coaster. For instance…What the heck are those brackets at the top of the first drop? (RCDB photo 1)

I've often wondered that myself. They're not brakes.

*** Edited 10/27/2004 3:06:55 AM UTC by Rollerhammer***

Actually, they were brakes at one time. They were put there to make sure both trains dropped down the hill at the same time when racing was a priority. They were also there to leave you suspended on the top of the lift to create suspense so to speak.

Coming from somone who used to work in a photo lab, the only thing that constitutes an illegal photo is a picture of child pornography, unless an officer of the law has it developed for evidence in a case. It may have been illegal to take a camera on the ride, but the only way that picture could become illegal is if S & D Greetings or someone came along and used it without consent of Six Flags. (which, BTW, they would never do. I know they always get permission for fotos:)). Edit: Again, even then, the photo would not be illegal to have, only the use of such photo for money making purposes.

So the correct way to phrase that would be "a photo taken illegaly", which is quite different than an illegal photo, which I hope no one on this site has ever taken. Things like photographing a person you have just murdered or are in the process of murdering, pictures of illegal substances or activities you may be growing/involved in and the like are not illegal photos. Though they can be used as evidence, they are not illegal to have in your possession.

Even if a park has signs up that you may not take pictures at the park, if you do so, you do not get in trouble for the actual physical picture, but for how you took the pic, and if they catch you, they can take the film away on those grounds only. *** Edited 10/27/2004 3:18:36 AM UTC by TeknoScorpion***

Why thank you! :)

^Put very well!

They can also ban you from the park...

Parks have done it...