Alton Towers testing rebuilt Nemesis

I'm surprised that Cedar Point hasn't done anything on that scale with its old-ass Arrows yet. They must do a crapton of welding.

Replacing sections as needed. Fab vendors I have worked with have mentioned doing rail replacement work on Magnum, Iron Dragon and other rides at the park. Probably their go-to (vendor) for that type of stuff.

Iron Dragon and Wildcat (RIP dear friend!) seemed like they got welded on nightly when I lived in that corner room of the Cedars in 1991 (dang!). Corkscrew routinely broke itself due to the lack of transition between up and down going into and coming out of that speedbump before the loop. Some people really love those spots.

They must have fortified the trains over the years to handle that all day. We know what happened to Demon 1998. Gotta say, they keep Corkscrew running tight, as brutal a design it is!

Replacing sections as needed. Fab vendors I have worked with have mentioned doing rail replacement work on Magnum

Speaking of the section-by-section approach, I would love to see a modern computer and welding re-track the pretzel on Magnum.

I'd like to see a ground up rebuild by Intamin or BnM or Mack or even the new and improved Vekoma.

Sharpel007:

Speaking of the section-by-section approach, I would love to see a modern computer and welding re-track the pretzel on Magnum.

After what that Belgian company CSM did to Python at Efteling, I'd be ecstatic if they did the entire thing... What an incredible job they had done with that.

I'd be ecstatic if they did the entire thing... What an incredible job they had done with that.

Considering it age and speed, it’s going to have to happen at some point. I am sure the towers would all stay, but if Cedar Flags got closer with new Vekoma, I can only imagine the smooth airtime and comfort the new trains would provide. With the new LEDs in the tunnel, I also want a station music theme and LED lighting too. The fluorescents and metal roof over load would make it so easy.

^If Magnum gets "smooth airtime" it won't be Magnum anymore. Variety is good!

I like violent ejector, I just don’t want bruises from a terrible train and lap bar.

Yeah, violent ejector isn't the problem; it's the shape of the restraint that causes the pain. -1G would be violent ejector, but +4 Gs doesn't "hurt" because your whole ass is being gently cupped by the seat.

You guys are talking about replacing the things that make Magnum, 'Magnum'. It may not be for everyone, just like Voyage isn't for everyone. Magnum feels like a big out-and-back wooden coaster that just happens to be steel. As for changing the trains, just sit in the front row of any car (it has Cadillac legroom), and then when you're going through the camelbacks, take your legs and push against the front of the car. Also, push your back into the seat and outward on the restraints; this won't throw you into the restraints as hard. I actually love Magnum's trains, as long as I sit in the front row of a car. But, the wheel seats do suck.

Chris R:

just sit in the front row of any car (it has Cadillac legroom), and then when you're going through the camelbacks, take your legs and push against the front of the car. Also, push your back into the seat and outward on the restraints; this won't throw you into the restraints as hard.

A tale as old as time... This don't make things any better, sorry... There is no improving the "Magnum Experience".

Magnum is just a janky oversized mine train, as we all know. People love how it is, but at some point, much like we see with other steel coasters, overhaul or replacement will be in order. It's inevitable.

But as you see with Loch Ness or The Big One... They can replace jank with more jank. They don't have to fix anything if they don't want to. It will be up to the bean counters at CF to decide :)

Loch Ness is jank? Just because there are butter smooth coasters now doesn't mean all the Arrows need to be overhauled or removed.

I mean, isn't any old arrow in terms of track shaping? I didn't really mean it as an insult per-say, just that the track shaping is a bit more, uh... abrupt? weirdly shaped? not fluid? One of more of those? It's just a result of the era, of course.

A park has options if they want to reprofile or just directly replace the existing track, is all.

I've always wondered how Tennessee Tornado turned out so unlike any other Arrow looper I have ever ridden. It's not new-age coaster smooth by any means, but it certainly stands out as a more comfortable ride. Did they just steadily get better with the designs?

SteveWoA:

A tale as old as time... This don't make things any better, sorry... There is no improving the "Magnum Experience".

Congratulations. You're finally right.

OhioStater:
I've always wondered how

…
Tennessee Tornado was an Alan Schilke design and was Arrow’s last major, giant looper. It was their first to be designed using a computer instead of their standard bent coathanger method. All these things added up to a smoother and I’ll dare say more thoughtful ride. It’s my favorite of all of them and I hope it stands forever as their best example.

I was hoping you would chime in, and that all makes sense. The only Arrow looper we've ever ridden where everyone wanted to get off and get right back on again.

Loch Ness is jank?

Well none of us will know until May or when ever Premier is done. But I rode it in Oct, and the transition after the first loop into the first left turn, hurt more then anything on Anaconda the day after.

It there first to be designed using a computer instead of their standard bent coat-hanger method.

that make Magnum

Having ridden it in 91, and nearly every year since, It has definitely gotten rougher, and rougher.

Also being from Sandusky and being an Op, I know to ride the front of the train, and to brace, Im also 6’3”. The problem is the play in the restraints, and the hardness of the seats, plus the wear on track and trains.

But if you took the Tennessee Tornado approach and fixed those bends in the computer ever so slightly, and put a more modern restraint method in I bet you wouldn’t want to go back.

Also I finally remembered a non Dis/Uni steel US coaster that was 90% retracked. When Vekoma fixed the Great Nor'easter at Moriary’s Piers. And that took everything Vekoma learned from making and improving Arrow track and transitions and apparently fixed the SLC.

Steve is right, it’s inevitable the trains and present track will have to be done. I think the biggest prob with the Big One is not doing it all at once, and also leaving the trains untouched. We will just have to see how CF/SF handles it, but considering its historical significance, I doubt it would be passed of to anyone without extensive Arrow experience.

BrettV:

Congratulations. You're finally right.

Just for that, hope Kumbak gets contracted for Magnum when it's due!

... Too soon?