Batwing/X-Flight Question

I was just wondering if Batwing or X-Flight has ever run with all three trains at once using both stations. Being that Batwing is my home park, I would say that it has never happend on it, but i'm not there 24/7, so it could have happened. I also wonder why Batwing almost always runs just 1 train, or 2 train/1 station. Does anybody know about either?

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So...you can't handle a rollercoaster huh? Well...you ARE the Weakest Link! Goodbye!
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X Flight, at SFWoA (my home park), has never run three trains but this year they were much more consistent with two trains/two stations for most of the summer.

I think it has to do with to complexity of the trains in the fact that it takes longer to load and unload than usual coasters. X Flight's third train has been sitting in the maintenance yard by Depot Road since last winter.

X Factor

I've heard that on both coasters, the third train has been cannibalized for parts.

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
"It's not a Toomer" - Arnold Schwartzenkoph
"Those who know don't talk and those who talk don't know." -Jeff

While on the subject of vekoma lay-down/flyers I have a quick question. Which is better, the stealth layout, the batwing layout, or the x-flight layout... just wondering...

Well, I can't speak about Stealth, but I think the Batwing and X-Flight layouts are on par with one another ;)
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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
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I was guessing that X-flight and Batwing had identical layouts but I wasnt sure so I'll re-phrase.... Which is better, Stealth or Batwing/X-Flight?

I've been on both. I think X Flight has the better layout as the inline twists are much more effective than the two corkscrews. Other than that they are all identical.

X Factor

Don't really remember Stealth that well, but Batwing was my favorite flying coaster so far....COASTER. AFAIK, the reason that Batwing runs one station is that same "staffing issue" we hear so much about at some parks....I've heard that it was supposed to run two sides on Saturdays, but I don't go to parks on Saturdays in general...

Sure, X-Flight's *layout* is comparable (hehe), but the location makes the MD version better IMO....of course, operations makes SFWoA's more "re-rdeable"....;)

Batwing has used the third train, though never all three at the same time. Apparently, SFA has been rotating their trains around, possibly with the hopes of running all three trains at the same time if need be as is obvious if you look at the train numbers of the trains on the circut.I've seen almost every combination of the three trains on the many days I've been there this year. Batwing has also ran with both stations, most notably during ACE's Coaster Con Add-On day at SFA. It has also ran with trains reclining on the lift hill on a few occations. Unfortunatly, I have never seen the all of the unique features (three trains, two stations, reclining on the lift) in action at the same time.

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If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

The layout itself is better on X/B. The inlines are much more interesting than the layingdown corks and the helix is also pretty decent. However, my favorite moment on any flyer is the near miss on Stealth after the turn after the loop.

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
"It's not a Toomer" - Arnold Schwartzenkoph
"Those who know don't talk and those who talk don't know." -Jeff

I always visit SFA on saturdays & I can tell you this: they've never run more than one train at a time on the ride.

On occasion they have used both stations but it's only happened once or twice for me since the ride was first added to the park.

I've personally witnessed Batwing running two trains, though only one side of the station was in use. I have heard of them using both sides of the station, but I haven't personally witnessed it.

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X Factor said:
I've been on both. I think X Flight has the better layout as the inline twists are much more effective than the two corkscrews. Other than that they are all identical.

X Factor

That's not even the biggest difference between X-Flight/Batwing and Stealth. You're forgetting the helix.

I've done Stealth and X-Flight. I do like X-Flight's attempt at extending the ride duration with the helix and a change from Stealth with those heartlines, but in my book, the longer a Vekoma Dutchman is in track length - makes it worse. Those are some the most uncomfortable rides I've ever experienced.

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They have used both stations on Batwing, and I've been there to experience it! The line moves unbelievably quick, with a dispatch being possible after the verticle loop. I've only witnessed them dispatching while the other train was in the helix though. The reason both stations aren't in use is because it requires double the people--another op, and four more attendants. Now that the waterpark is closed for the season, it'll free up some people for the main park, and who knows what'll happen....
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If someone makes a post and you post-quote it right beneath it, you're wasting bandwidth. Think before you press the button.

I have ridden all three.

I personally like X-Flight the best and think it's the smoothest out of all three. I don't think I have heard hardly any complaints this year when people get off the ride (the peeps love X-Flight up here.) X-Flight seems to have more force than Batwing (which I have yet to figure out.) And the big difference for me is the inverted corkscrews on X-Flight and Batwing...it feels more like your body is twisting in one plane rather than Stealths where it feels like you're going up and down more.

As for the 3 Train issue:

From talking to the SFWoA mechanics (Yes, they hate Vecoma as much as we do), Until they get the trains reclining on the lift and inclining on the brake run it will not run three trains. They (SFWoA) have experienced people almost blacking out on the brake run when it's 90+ degrees on hot days while still reclined. According to them X-Flight is an intense ride and wild ride. Some peolple can't handle that. There mind gets messed up while riding it and to come in on their back and the sun in and on their face causes problems with them. They try to get them off the brake run ASAP during the summer.

As for why X-Flight and Batwing don't lower on the lift hill:

The SFWoA mechanics say it has to do with that turn right before the lift hill and into the lift hill. The seat sensors get all messed up. They say that if they could just add straight track from station to lift hill it wouldn't be a problem at all.

X-Flight has pulled off easily 2 trains this summer quite a bit. And they have managed to have the trains raising before they are totally into the station. I have ridden in 3 times in the last two years where it has succesfully lowered WHILE going up the lift hill. IT's not too much of a difference BUT the blood doesn't go to your head until the first dip and flip. compared to being lowered in the station. Fell free to ask anymore questions :)

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"The Future of Roller Coasters"
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I've ridden Batwing when they were reclining on the lift (at least last year they were) & it is a bit differnt with regards to the rush of blood you get when your'e reclined in the station.

As to why they can't get the trains to come up on the brake rune,who knows? but I don't think the ride was ever designed to operate like that in the first place.

There's no way straight track can be added between the station & lift,that would require the station to be re-positioned in a differeent area(right where the tunnel going into station#2 is at,also they can't up & change the S curve track if that's what's messing things up.

By doing that it makes the 2nd station totally useless.

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BATWING FAN SFA said:
There's no way straight track can be added between the station &...

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Never say there is no way to Coaster Engineers:

First you would take the part right after it does the S out of the station and make it take a VERY quick dip down and to the right. Straighten that out then make another right buy this time you are at ground level (roughly 15ft or more from where the track starts at the lift.) Then extend the lift all the way down to the ground and add about 20ft or so of straight track...thus allowing ample time for all the sensors to allign. ;) Hey, it could be done, but as anyone knows it's HIGHLY unlikely...that's just want the SFWoA mechanics wanted to do...if they ever had any spare time :)

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"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
Haunted Ohio Parks...you've been warned!!

I got in several rides on X-Flight only last week and it wasn't rough at all -- in fact I found it very comfortable and fun.

I came into SFWOA expecting nothing in that regard, as I'd ridden it before, and have since ridden the B&M version (Air at Alton Towers).

However I was very pleasantly suprised by X-Flight. Sure, the harnesses are not as nice as Air, but they're good enough that X-Flight is a fantastic coaster.

R

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