Kingda Ka topped off

Actually, if you've ever looked at pictures of Storm Runner, the brakes at the end consist of a few sets of vertical (I assume magnetic) fins. The train runs over them and gradually comes down to a lower speed.

The top hat will have brakes. As noted in this article:

http://www.app.com/app/story/0,21625,1174941,00.html

I thin kthat is an awesome addition. IT will give you time to realise how high up you are.

I think it will be great to stop at the top for a second to let you catch your breath and enjoy the view. I'm glad that they are making it different then TTD in other ways. I can't wait to ride it. SFNE always opens the third saturday in april Dan.

So the train will have enough momentum to need a brake to slow it down to 15mph?

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Intamin Fan said:
Actually, if you've ever looked at pictures of Storm Runner, the brakes at the end consist of a few sets of vertical (I assume magnetic) fins. The train runs over them and gradually comes down to a lower speed.

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Right, but the train doesn't come to a complete stop. I would assume that for the train to fully "stop" and then go again, the brakes would have to retract.

From the sounds of the article the train is going to slow down significantly but not actually *stop* which is usually what I think of when someone says "holding brake."

That's all I was trying to figure out.

"Riders will be launched hydraulically in a horizontal position at 128 mph and then climb the tower straight up. **Brakes at the top will slow riders, "so it gives you time to look around," Aristone said."**

Amazing addition. The brake will stop the train for a second or two on a downward slope. The riders get a chance to enjoy the beautiful view while looking 270 degrees down a 418 foot drop.

Six Flags sure isn't playing games with this ride. HATS OFF!

Also, does anyone think this is why the OTSR were added? Being held an an angle overlooking 418 feet downward isn't exactly safe with lapbars.

I THINK WE'VE FOUND THE ANSWER HERE!

LOL to Urbanowicz totally stealing your "giant middle finger" line, Jeff. What a lame-o.

JC *** Edited 1/14/2005 8:15:43 PM UTC by Legendary***

Ummm, where did it say it would "stop" the train? According to your post, makel, it says it will slow the train. Where did holding break come from?

It's official. No one cares to read or they would have noticed that the article said it slows the train over the top. No holding break. *** Edited 1/14/2005 9:17:42 PM UTC by Coasterbuzzer***

I love using the brain. You should try it.

The train will be going around 5 MPH, so at that speed a *TRIM* break will stop the train.

I guess it's hard to put two and two together.

From the article,
"When the coaster train crests the top, it will be going only 15 mph, Urbanowicz said."

What was it you said about using the brain? Try again.

The only problem is that a magnetic brake on a slant will never stop a train. I'm fairly sure that a magnetic brake can't even completely stop a train on level track.

I think I remember reading somewhere that 15mph is how fast Dragster usually goes over it's tophat. The few times we had "Almost" rollbacks on Dragster the view up there while creeping over the top was incredible. If the least these brakes on KK do is give you a few more seconds to look around while at that height they'll be cool. If they do more and you get some serious hangtime while looking straight down into that spiral we'll all understand what those shoulder harnesses were for. ;)

^^

That's what I was getting at. 5 MPH was simply sybolism for the mere fact that you will get more time to look.

Think it's safe to say there'll be no stopping at the top...

Not a holding brake (warning, hi res pic)

-Jimvy:)

Anyone think Intamin receieved two orders for that particular part this year? ;)

And to think that Dragster actually has stalled empty at the top completely (twice) without brakes.

I wonder if these brakes increase the chances of that happening. I'd like to be on that train! :) I can't even get a lousy rollback in probably 40-something rides.

According to the link below, Kingda Ka will not open until May. How many of the "general public" is going to be pi@@ed when they arrive on Opening Day in March to find it's not opened?

http://www.xtremecoasters.com/

-Mr. Ott

I agree. And it doesn't matter if they publicize it as such...many people will not hear, not pay attention or whatever, and come to find it not open. I've never understood the SF "policy" of most major rides not ready on opening day. This is not a SF bashing thing. Many parks (not just CP) never open a ride after opening day, or almost never. SF seems to be the other way around.

I'm not going to even blame the individual parks for that....it might be corporate, and they're dealing with what they've been given.

About the trim brakes at the top and how they slow the ride down. How about we ask the 4 coaster buzzers who have apparently already ridden the ride (lol)