On Friday, I canceled by trip to SFGAdv and Nitro. I just wasn't up to driving 3hrs up and back just to hang out in the rain. Plus I had mad work to do, so I figured I'd go to work early, then head on down to PKD. About 11:30am, I called down there and they said H:XLC WOULD be running, AND that they had added carS (yes, she said cars with an S!) I got a little giddy and asked how many were now running. She replied that she didnt have that info. I took it at that, did a little more work and then headed to the park.
I got to the park at a little befor 3pm and headed straight for Hypersonic. The attendant handing out the tickets at the begining of the queue line said it would be about 3-3.5hrs. (yeah, like I cared :)). I took my ticket and joined the line.
As I enter the queue, I notice that they are running two trains (cars), #s 1 & 4. 2 & 3 were calmly siting on the transfer tracks. Because there was (another) cheerleeding competition AND the weather was fairly warm, PKD was pretty busy. Hypersonic pretty much had a full queue. However, the line moved pretty quickly. Now one thing to note, the last stretch of the queue, right before you enter the station, is situated right alongside the launch strip. I think this was a great move. Because just as people are starting to realize they have been in line a while, FWOOM! They get to see the launch up close and personal. That helps to keep them motivated. It took about 2 hours (a little less) to get from the queue enterance to the station platform (not bad for only two cars). While waiting in line, the wind shifted and the temperature began to drop; an omen of things to come.
Like I said, after two hours, I reach the station platform. There was about a five minute delay, where the train was just sitting on the weigh station. Then it went ahead and launched. I'm about to hand the guy my ticket, when all of a sudden, you hear this big "OHMYGOSH" sound from the entire queue line. I quickly whip my head around and see the recently launched train...running BACKWARDS!! That's right sports fans (coaster fans), H:XLC ROLLED BACK. The brakes on the launch strip caught the train and it came to a final rest just ahead of the 'weigh station'.
Well, this certainly caused an uproar in a queue full of GP members. Some were cheering, some were puzzled, and some were downright afraid. I mean people had already been remarking about the train creeping over the top. Now they were VERY concerned.
Well after about 20 minutes of downtime, they finally start cycling empty cars. You should have heard the cheer that went up from the (now halfway full) queue when the train made it over the top. After a few more empty cycles, they sent off the "All Clear" warning horn and re-sent the riders who had gotten the "preview" ride. And all worked well without another hitch.
It was (finally) my turn to ride. As I have stated before, the ride was lovely in the back. This time I wanted to try (closer) to the front, so I queued for row 2. Well there was also a single rider on my train in row 3. So to do my part to help with capacity, I hopped back with him and let the people behind me get into row 2. We strap up, get weighed, and are off to the launch strip.
It's kinda weird stitting up there with everyone's eyes trained on you. I was on the side nearest the queue and everyone was real focused on the launch. The people in the queue were egging us on to put our hands up (as if I needed any coaxing;)). I felt the sled latch on, and thrust my hands skyward; eyes trained on the "christmas tree" racing lights. Pre-stage, stage, yellow, GREEN, FWOOM! We are off and we are cooking. Into the vertical ascent and all you see is clouds and sky, I begin to brace for the extreme ejector air. Here's the floaty air pre-cursor....then wait, we're slowing down. The though went through all our minds "WE'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT!" We go just far enough that the nose got to the top, then gravity took over. The brakes on the ascent side of the tower immediately began the process of slowing us down, but we still hit the launch strip brakes kinda hard. The girl behind me (who was a little apprehensive at the start) was done. She wanted off. She quickly composed herself, but a 2nd attempt was out of her question. It's funny, but once again there was a general cheering mood from the crowd, not a fearfull one.
They unloaded us and had us walk back to the station (a short walk), where they gave us the option to ride again after a little testing. Five of us said yes while my riding partner and his 2 friend behind us just decided to leave. In his words "I just wanted to do the launch anyway". Well said.
After another 10-15 min they re-board us, along with 3 "new recruits". This time the launch was sufficient. We made it over the top, where we were all greeted with "Get yer hide outta da seat" ejection air (man, I love that!), cruise thru the turn, over the bunny hop and into the breaks. I turn to the new guys behind us and ask "Was it worth it?" One replies "Hell yeah!" and the other came up with the quote of the day "Whoever designed this thing has a disease!"
Well after my ride, it was now almost 6:30pm and I only had one (well one and a half :)) rides on H:XLC so I wanted to do a couple of thing before I left. I hopped on Hurler since I didnt ride it last Sunday when I was there (too busy with FOF). As soon as we are halfway out the station, the op stopped the train. I said (rather loudly) that I didnt want to get stuck on a second coaster. Three little kids heard this and one of them recognized me from the rollback. So I tell them how it was and that it wasnt really scary, blah, blah, yada. Anyway, mid-Hurler-ride, H:XLC rolled back AGAIN! (That's 3 for those keeping score at home). As you can guess I was through with H:XLC for the day. Anyway, I got two more re-rides on Hurler and headed to FOF. On the way, I saw an Outer Limits: Flight of Fear hat (yes it actually SAID Outer Limits). I was only two bucks so I had to scoop it. Anyway, the FOF line was like an hour and a half (now 7pm, park closes at 8pm). I say screw it, buy myself a long-sleeved H:XLC tee and a funnel cake and left the park.
Season Passholders appreciation day is on Monday (April 9th) so I'm thinking about going (10am-6pm). We'll see. It is good to know though that barring failures, a full H:XLC queue is only about 2hrs with two trains. Hopefully that will drop some more with the addition of the third.
later days,
jeremy
--HYPERSONIC: XLC! The only full-circut coaster to feature a vertical drop both forwards AND BACKWARDS!
