ACE coaster classics, (steels?)
- More
- 1
- 2 of 2
Stevie, the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood uses an old leather strap. They don't even get anywhere near tight (unless you're quite pleasantly plump) add to this the infamous "camel back" double dip, and it's amazing that after 80 years no one has been left on the track behind the train.
-------------
I refuse to add a signature. Damn, too late.
-------------
I refuse to add a signature. Damn, too late.
Stevieweevie said:
"Whats this lapbar crap? on the whizzer you get a seatbelt and someone sits in between your legs,, Are there any other coasters like that????? SFGA"
The Matterhorn Bobsleds are like that. Though, if you are a big boy, you can usually ride alone. Speaking of the Matterhorn bobsleds...I am surprised that more people have not brought this one up. It is the 1st steel coaster ya know. Also, an arrow with no headbanging. Ok, there are no OSTR's. You got me there. :)
ANYTHING Arrow from the 50's through the late '70's. Oh, yeah.....and lots of Schwarzkopf stuff too (Speed racers, shuttles, etc)
-------------
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
An unnerving stillness in the woods of southern Indiana beckons for you on May 11th.....
-------------
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
An unnerving stillness in the woods of southern Indiana beckons for you on May 11th.....
Hmmm... I don't think anything about Blue Streak prevents me from getting airtime. The restraints and train modifications are less than stellar, but I still enjoy the ride. It's a classic out-and-back design.
I think the ACE qualifications (or disqualifications, as the case may be) are fairly ridiculous. All focus on the design of the ride has been lost.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I think the ACE qualifications (or disqualifications, as the case may be) are fairly ridiculous. All focus on the design of the ride has been lost.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Jeff said:
I think the ACE qualifications (or disqualifications, as the case may be) are fairly ridiculous. All focus on the design of the ride has been lost.
In all fairness, I don't think there ever was any focus on design to lose. The list was set up to highlight where you could go to still have a traditional experience. While the specifics may be dubious, I think you'd be hardpressed to argue that individual lap bars like on Blue Streak belong in the same category as the Kennywood Jack Rabbit or even Zach's Zoomer. Their choice of words could have been better, but it still seems silly to criticize a category for not doing something it was never intended to do.
As a side note, I'm not much of a Point historian. Is there anything special about the Blue Streak aside from the fact it's the oldest surviving coaster at CP and that it used to be a Coaster Classic?
mike (not quite an ACE member yet)
mr acer said:
"The Afterburner at Fun Spot in Angola IN. It is the prototype Arrow shuttle looper. It's original home was Arrow's backyard, then Circus World in Haines FL and now it's Indiana's only looping coaster."
I thought that Fun Spot in Indiana was defunct?
-------------
-Glitchey
http://coasterarchive.cjb.net - glitchster@hotmail.com
Jack Rabbit is a fine ride, and trains are very quaint. The pop of air on the double-dip is outstanding. It's good fun, sure. Would I place it above Blue Streak as offering a "classic" experience? Probably not.
moverell said:
"I think you'd be hardpressed to argue that individual lap bars like on Blue Streak belong in the same category as the Kennywood Jack Rabbit or even Zach's Zoomer."
This is one of those areas where I have the most problems with enthusiast culture (I'll try to avoid the term "coaster snob" here). Like many other aspects of roller coasters, such as mid-course trims, similarities to other rides, etc., I fear that we get more and more distant from getting off of a ride and simply asking: "Was that fun?"
I have never been on a coaster with lap bars that detracted from the ride. Not even once. Blue Streak, when warmed up (like any wood coaster), gives fabulous rides with good airtime. I very clearly remember what it was like with the old restraints, and find little difference in sensation.
Scott makes a good point... what good are criteria that eliminate more rides than add them? The Hotel Breakers is 20% of what it used to be... do we retract its historic landmark status?
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Glitch01 said:
"
mr acer said:
"The Afterburner at Fun Spot in Angola IN. It is the prototype Arrow shuttle looper. It's original home was Arrow's backyard, then Circus World in Haines FL and now it's Indiana's only looping coaster."
I thought that Fun Spot in Indiana was defunct?
-------------
-Glitchey
http://coasterarchive.cjb.net - glitchster@hotmail.com"
Funspot is defunct. They auctioned off some of their rides. IT is a shame though because that park had lots of potential
Personally, I understand the point ACE is getting at with its "classic" title. If you were to get on a coaster in the 20's, you wouldn't pull down a ratcheting lab bar and sit your head against a head rest.
I understand the counter argument, though. I mean, if Kennywood's Racer isn't classic, what is?
-------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
I understand the counter argument, though. I mean, if Kennywood's Racer isn't classic, what is?
-------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
I too think ACE's requirements are so stringent that most of the "classic" coasters are eliminated.
Back to the original topic: I would include whatever the oldest active looping coaster is in the list -- that one is obvious. And as much as I think they're overrated, I'd include King Cobra and maybe Magnum ("maybe" because it's still fairly new compared to many others).
Back to the original topic: I would include whatever the oldest active looping coaster is in the list -- that one is obvious. And as much as I think they're overrated, I'd include King Cobra and maybe Magnum ("maybe" because it's still fairly new compared to many others).
The thought of ACE declaring Magnum an official "classic coaster" just churns my stomach for some reason.
-------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
-------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
"I have never been on a coaster with lap bars that detracted from the ride."
Jeff, I think this is mostly determined on if you get some lap bar nazi who staples you in so you can't breath. (blond girl on Ghostrider, you know who you are) LOL
-------------
"And none may dare entreat further, for to invoke death is to utter the final prayer."
Jeff, I think this is mostly determined on if you get some lap bar nazi who staples you in so you can't breath. (blond girl on Ghostrider, you know who you are) LOL
-------------
"And none may dare entreat further, for to invoke death is to utter the final prayer."
Lap bar nazi. LOL I love it. Too bad she does not say: 'no lapa bar for you'. No lap bar would be sweet. [flys out of coaster]
I think that I will be using that from now on everytime I refer to that nice woman. [heavy sarcasm]
*** This post was edited by sfmmman2001 on 3/31/2001. ***
I think that I will be using that from now on everytime I refer to that nice woman. [heavy sarcasm]
*** This post was edited by sfmmman2001 on 3/31/2001. ***
I still remember seeing just how much airtime a ratchet could provide. I saw someone with no part of their anatomy in contact with any surface of the train on ST. That was incredible.
And then I got stapled by a buzzbar...
And then I got stapled by a buzzbar...
Getting back on subject:
I don't think that any steel coasters should get the classic status. They don't provide the classic feel that ACE is trying to protect. I think though that they should provide something more like an historic title or something for those rides that provided some sort of major innovation. For instance Disneyland's Matterhorn is will be fifty before we know it, but it was the first tubular steel tracked coaster. That was a major step, but it does not provide a classic ride. The first corkscrew and shuttle loop are also important as well. I think that should be recognized but not as classics. They need another title.
I don't think that any steel coasters should get the classic status. They don't provide the classic feel that ACE is trying to protect. I think though that they should provide something more like an historic title or something for those rides that provided some sort of major innovation. For instance Disneyland's Matterhorn is will be fifty before we know it, but it was the first tubular steel tracked coaster. That was a major step, but it does not provide a classic ride. The first corkscrew and shuttle loop are also important as well. I think that should be recognized but not as classics. They need another title.
- More
- 1
- 2 of 2
You must be logged in to post
