Gravity Group tests coaster-train prototype at Holiday World

Just posted a video of one of the test runs.

For riders, they used bags of corn. (Do they use bags of potatoes at Silverwood?)

I asked the corn bags what they though of the trains, but they were pretty shy. All I could get out of them was an, "Aw, shucks." :)

Paula

Considering the train consisted of only a few rows and the weather was likely still cold that train is really zooming around the track. I can only imagine how a full-sized train in warmer weather would do.

We really need that drool emoticon!

I know for Cheetah they used corn....a couple of the bags "popped", and even after official opening of the ride there was corn all over the station for several weeks.

Very cool, looking forward to seeing these on one of their rides especially if they track better. Raven is great, but with a train designed specifically for that style of ride I can only imagine how great it will become.

More about the testing on Gravity Group's blog:

http://thegravitygroup.com/gravitycast/index.php

Hmm, "the old millenium is over." Is this a knock on Millennium Flyer trains? ;)

^I'm sure that's just an amazing coincidence . . .

That new train really does fly. It sounds very different as well, almost like a toy roller coaster. From the looks and sound of it, it must be much lighter than a conventional train . . . maybe an all-aluminum chassis?

They sounded ALOT different than your traditional coaster trains. And I'm not sure if I saw this right, but was there alot more padding on those coaster seats or was that the bags of corn?

timmyk

Timmyk - re: padding, check out the link to Gravity Groups site.

Yeah I just did...my bad! I think though Timberliner trains would be pretty sweet on S.O.B. and get rid of whats on there now. Those things are loud going up the lift hill and are rough throughout the ride!

timmyk

The noise on SOB's lift is from the chaindogs interacting with the antirollback on the lift chain guide. The original trains from Premier were loud too.

eightdotthree said:
Hmm, "the old millenium is over." Is this a knock on Millennium Flyer trains? ;)

Actually after reading the leadin to that part of the comment, I took it as a blatant attack on Personal Torture Chambers trains.

The Gerstlauer trains have always had loud safety dogs. I wonder if they are spring loaded. Also, on Son of Beast, I wonder if the fact that it is a very steep lift hill makes a difference in the way the dogs are configured.

In the Timberliner testing video, the thing I really noticed was the sound of the train. It looks like the road wheels are larger than 'normal', but there is also something else going on with the guide wheels, and I think that is some of the odd sounds we're hearing. It SOUNDS like it's running with a lot of friction, but I think the truth is just the opposite; just watch it as it completely fails to slow down as it goes up the last hills.

Not that the Raven ever slowed down for anything anyway, but still...it would be interesting to see how the performance of the Timberliner compares to the PTCs. Something tells me that Gravitykraft has that data down to about nine decimal places.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

eightdotthree said:Hmm, "the old millenium is over." Is this a knock on Millennium Flyer trains? ;)

No but it kicks Philedelphia in the seeds.

RideMan said:The Gerstlauer trains have always had loud safety dogs. I wonder if they are spring loaded. Also, on Son of Beast, I wonder if the fact that it is a very steep lift hill makes a difference in the way the dogs are configured.In the Timberliner testing video, the thing I really noticed was the sound of the train. It looks like the road wheels are larger than 'normal', but there is also something else going on with the guide wheels, and I think that is some of the odd sounds we're hearing. It SOUNDS like it's running with a lot of friction, but I think the truth is just the opposite; just watch it as it completely fails to slow down as it goes up the last hills.Not that the Raven ever slowed down for anything anyway, but still...it would be interesting to see how the performance of the Timberliner compares to the PTCs. Something tells me that Gravitykraft has that data down to about nine decimal places.--Dave Althoff, Jr.

One the train was shorter. Two, All but the front car has two less road wheels. MF trains sound different too. Quite honestly MF trains sound like they are banging off the guide rails but the reality is something different.Chuck

Im wondering if testing includeds the other SPROUTs at the park.LOOK, RESTRAINTLESS TRAINS INSPIRED BY ANTON!The objective here was obviously just to test the operation and mechanics of these and not full ridership just yet :) Good work TGG

Dare I say it but...that video got me as excited as watching the Diamondback test runs. I hope it lives up to the hype they are giving it, because changing trains is not something most parks are willing to even consider.

Pagoda Gift Shop said:Dare I say it but...that video got me as excited as watching the Diamondback test runs. I hope it lives up to the hype they are giving it, because changing trains is not something most parks are willing to even consider.

Pretty much depends if the cost are recoverable by less maintainence. No Doubt it would take a few years to pay themselves off. However, Its possible some trade in could be *SEWED*Chuck

New trains? I like what I see! :)

Added a second, more up-close-and-personal video today.

Thanks, Paula