Anton Schwartzkopf company
I was looking to find some new coasters for this company and I found one, the 6 g Texas Tornado but, are they even designing new coasters? I know they had alot in the late 70's and I have riddin 2, Revuloution at SFMM and Grezzed Lightnig at PGA. I really want to know how were ther shuttle loopers louched? There was a thread earilier , but i know it wasn't LIM's are LSM's but I have hear of a cable, is it like a lift chain were the train connects then disconnects but the chain goes real fast? I need help!
Todd, I will give you a link that contains the most complete information on Anton Schwarzkopf and his products, including the two types of shuttles produced, and some video too! I know that he is in his seventies (I think), but I am unaware of the company's current projects. I am a big fan of his coasters, and I love the shuttles and the speed racers (Jumbo Jet, Whizzer, etc.).
There were two types of shuttles. Both used a cable system that was either propelled by a weight dropping (in the tower at the ride's head-end) or a clutch/flywheel system. The action is similar to a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. There is a small, black attachment that is connected to the cable. It comes up behind the train while loading, and is used to push from behind during launch. Before you reach the loop, the cable disappears under the ride, and slows down, making its way back to the station underneath the track for the next run. I am doing a working model of one, though it will be quite some time before it is finished. I am in need of photos of the Tidal Wave coasters from both Great America parks, with good shots of the station and theming. If any of you out there can help, email me!
Here is the Schwarzkopf link: http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/hauptmenueGF.htm
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My site: www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
"Greased Lightnin' looks too intense for me!" *** This post was edited by ARROW GUY on 2/24/2001. ***
There were two types of shuttles. Both used a cable system that was either propelled by a weight dropping (in the tower at the ride's head-end) or a clutch/flywheel system. The action is similar to a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. There is a small, black attachment that is connected to the cable. It comes up behind the train while loading, and is used to push from behind during launch. Before you reach the loop, the cable disappears under the ride, and slows down, making its way back to the station underneath the track for the next run. I am doing a working model of one, though it will be quite some time before it is finished. I am in need of photos of the Tidal Wave coasters from both Great America parks, with good shots of the station and theming. If any of you out there can help, email me!
Here is the Schwarzkopf link: http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/hauptmenueGF.htm
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My site: www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
"Greased Lightnin' looks too intense for me!" *** This post was edited by ARROW GUY on 2/24/2001. ***
Arrow Guy is right about the cable/weight system and the flywheel system.
As for what is the company doing these days...Anton retired in 1995 to his native Germany. Antons son Wieland is offering original designs to new clients.
"It appears that the Schwarzkopf designs will live on well into the twenty-first century, and that seems entirley appropriate since Anton was always ahead of his time." -Scott Rutherford
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"Shut up brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-tip!"
~From the brilliant mind of Homer J. Simpson.
As for what is the company doing these days...Anton retired in 1995 to his native Germany. Antons son Wieland is offering original designs to new clients.
"It appears that the Schwarzkopf designs will live on well into the twenty-first century, and that seems entirley appropriate since Anton was always ahead of his time." -Scott Rutherford
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"Shut up brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-tip!"
~From the brilliant mind of Homer J. Simpson.
I was working at PGA when the cable holding the counterweight snapped. I created a small earthquake (80,000lbs!) in the employee cafeterial. Cool!
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Aaaaahhhhhhrrrrggghhhhhhhaaaaccckkk!!!!
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Aaaaahhhhhhrrrrggghhhhhhhaaaaccckkk!!!!
Oh...and by the way, "Speed Racer" is the old Whizzer at PGA. My first steelie! (:
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Aaaaahhhhhhrrrrggghhhhhhhaaaaccckkk!!!!
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Aaaaahhhhhhrrrrggghhhhhhhaaaaccckkk!!!!
By the way, that Schwarzkopf site was recently updated. Very cool!!!
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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.
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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.
The reason why there are no new Schwarzkopf coasters is, that that the company went bancrupt in 1986. According to Anton, he just focused on bending coaster track, but he wasnt good at business and trusted the wrong people, who ruined the company. Anton went on to build coasters with different companies such as BGS and Zierer. His employees found new jobs at companies like Gerstlauer, Giovanola, Zierer and Intamin. This could explain the striking similarity in Intamins track design, found on the Intamin Hypers/Giga coasters. Note that the box track was as well used on SFOTs Shockwave and SFOGs Mindbender. The track layout of the S:ROS rides resembles as well Antons pre-CAD designs.
Antons son Wieland has his own company "Wieland Schwarzkopf". The only real news from him was a brilliant spin and spew called "Sound Factory/Absoluter" (a real high-tech version of "the Monster" with looping gondolas.) Sadly there must have been something wrong with the ride, cause the looping-gondolas were recently changed, and dont flip anymore. Ride is ruined!
Wieland is otherwise desperately trying to persuade parks to retrofit older coasters with his new cars.
Antons son Wieland has his own company "Wieland Schwarzkopf". The only real news from him was a brilliant spin and spew called "Sound Factory/Absoluter" (a real high-tech version of "the Monster" with looping gondolas.) Sadly there must have been something wrong with the ride, cause the looping-gondolas were recently changed, and dont flip anymore. Ride is ruined!
Wieland is otherwise desperately trying to persuade parks to retrofit older coasters with his new cars.
Thanks, ARROW GUY, I've been trying to get back on that site for three weeks and for some reason I couldn't get the whole address down right. If it weren't for this site, that would be my favorite, 100% total fascinating stuff:).
No prob. Glad to help out. It is really amazing to see the technical stuff on the shuttles. And now all we need are rows of LIMs!
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
The LEGEND awaits........May 11th!
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
The LEGEND awaits........May 11th!
Hmmm...Schwarzkopf employees go to work for Intamin. Would that make Millenium Force the WildCat's big brother? Just a thought :-)
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CP ride host -
*2000 - Cedar Downs, WildCat
*2001 - Cedar Downs assistant team leader
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CP ride host -
*2000 - Cedar Downs, WildCat
*2001 - Cedar Downs assistant team leader
I didn't realize how much of an influence he had on rollercoaster design until I looked at The link above. I have ridden quite of few of his designs including the now defunct Lightning Loops at Six Flags Gr8Adv. That was the only laucnch coaster of his that I have ridden. You had to walk up at least a 40 to 60 foot tower to ride that. I was pretty young and I remember how afraid I was waiting in line for that because of how bad it shook when it launched the train. It pushed you from the station you went down a hill through a loop to the other side which was the same height as the loading platform and then did it backwards. They took that ride out like 2 seasons after I rode it. Gone but not forgotten. He was truly ahead of his time.
*** This post was edited by Coaster Fantom on 3/2/2001. ***
Coaster Fantom, you are referring to an Arrow Dynamics launched loop coaster, not a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop. Quite a difference between them, in both how they operated and how far you had to walk to board the ride! The shuttles mentioned at the top of this forum pertain to Schwarzkopf's designs, of which evolved 2 styles (explained above). Examples are Viper at SFOG and Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm.
Arrow Dynamics, after their success with the corkscrew loop, went on in 1977 to debut their version of a launched coaster at Kings Island, known as the Screamin' Demon (now at Camden Park in West Virginia). It opened before the prototype did (The Afterburner, now at "NO" Fun Spot in Indiana!). Arrow built several of these loops, and the Lightning Loops were unique because of their interlocking with another.
In case you are wondering, the "upper" loop is sitting in pieces at Six Flags America after operating there for the last several years. The "lower" loop faced a better future, and is currently operating as Diamondback at Frontier City in Oklahoma. The whole world of "shuttle" coasters can be confusing, and it is best explained in Roller Coaster Database, at: www.rcdb.com
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
Arrow Dynamics, after their success with the corkscrew loop, went on in 1977 to debut their version of a launched coaster at Kings Island, known as the Screamin' Demon (now at Camden Park in West Virginia). It opened before the prototype did (The Afterburner, now at "NO" Fun Spot in Indiana!). Arrow built several of these loops, and the Lightning Loops were unique because of their interlocking with another.
In case you are wondering, the "upper" loop is sitting in pieces at Six Flags America after operating there for the last several years. The "lower" loop faced a better future, and is currently operating as Diamondback at Frontier City in Oklahoma. The whole world of "shuttle" coasters can be confusing, and it is best explained in Roller Coaster Database, at: www.rcdb.com
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
I didn't know that ARROW GUY. I learn something new everyday. I just remember that coaster and the talk of the cable launch made me think that it was a schwartzkopf. Now that you mention who did build it makes more sense to me. The structure and loop supports are arrow all the way.
I am glad you got to experience it...I would have killed to be there when they ran! I can only assume they were timed better than the trains on Loch Ness at BGW!!! (they never run 3 when I am there)
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
First rule of Stormtroopers: Pee BEFORE you put on the uniform!
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www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
First rule of Stormtroopers: Pee BEFORE you put on the uniform!
I don't remember Lighting Loops running anything other then one loop (I forget which one, I'm thinking the "upper" loop) during its last few years. I'll always have fond memories of this as it was my very first looping coaster.
I was at PGA to experiance that cable snap, and I was opperating it then the Bob cable snapped one year also.
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#1 Stealth-PGA
#2 Flashback-SFMM
#3 Whizzer-RIP PGA
#4 Mind Bender-WEM
#5 Drachen Fire-BGV
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#1 Stealth-PGA
#2 Flashback-SFMM
#3 Whizzer-RIP PGA
#4 Mind Bender-WEM
#5 Drachen Fire-BGV
I might be wrong but didn't shawartz or his company have something to do with intamin once? I saw a video on hersheypark once and they said that the looper was designed by schwartz and distributed by intamin.
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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air were gonna sleep like babies"
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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air were gonna sleep like babies"
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