Beast braking

After trip to Kings Island last weekend and finally getting to ride the Son of Beast, then riding the Beast again, can't understand why the Beast hits the brakes and practically stops after the 2nd hill before going along the ground through the tunnels. Son of Beast is faster than the Beast EVER was, so why slow the Beast down so much?

From just about every report, it sounds like PKI really has that particular brake run turned up this year.

I have a question regarding the brakes, also. I know that there are brakes located on both drops off the lift hills, at the top of the 2nd hill, and on that long, intended "speed ramp" (although it's anything but that anymore) before the second tunnel. My question is how many brakes were on the ride originally, and when did PKI add the additional ones?

-------------

Coasters...the best natural buzz available.

Man, that sucks about the Beast. Last summer I rode it and it was really fast -- the helix with the tunnel is one of the most intense coaster sections I've ever been on. I've heard it has been braked until just recently, and when I was there it was having all kinds of trouble staying open, so I suspect they did it because of maintenance problems.

On the plus side the brakes before the Helix were wide open last weekend. A lot of retracking took place in the Helix over the winter so they can run that portion wide open. Knowing the Beast, however, that will probably change this weekend.

-------------
Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

I first went on The Beast in 1996, and again in 1997. It's my favorite wooden coaster, and I had known about the trims before I made my first trip to Kings Island, but the brakes on the first drop, heading towards the second drop, and in that long shed area, were all turned off. The brakes going into the helix seemed to be on, but were applied very lightly. It still came off as the greatest finale I've yet experienced on a coaster. Luck struck twice when I went on it in 1997. I only got to ride it once, and it started raining when we left the station. In addition to the rain drops feeling like hail, the brake sections mentioned above were again turned off! And the track being slick, made it even faster than before. Judging from all of the complaints I've heard from other enthusiasts, I caught Kings Island on two rare occasions. So I still have yet to experience this woodie in "tamed mode", but until I ride it again, I have nothing but praise for it, and I really hope to be able to ride it again, soon. I might be unpleasantly surprised, or I might not. As fast as the coaster is capable of going, I'm sure the brakes have more to do with maintanance rather than the park wanting to tame it. Like MooreOn, I'd also like to know how many brakes the coaster first had when it opened.

-------------
I'm only writing this 'cause I can't advertise.

I was last year in PKI and rode The Beast, this was my first time i rode it, i dont remember it has brakes in the course to slow down the coaster!!

Buy anyways i still love the ride.

-------------
Keeping Coaster!!