Big Dipper Trains (SFWoA)

Here's a question for anyone who can help (are you out there, Rideman?). Does the Big Dipper at SFWoA use modified NAD Century Flyer cars? They certainly look like those with most of the metal removed from the surface. It also seems like the park has added more padding. Aren't these trains supposed to be like the '57 Chevy of coaster trains? If so, I think a restoration needs to be in order because these don't ride like a classic car. I think the upstop and side wheels on this coaster are a good distance from the track as the trains slam down on the bottom of drops and seem to bounce around the turns at the middle and end of the ride. I guess it adds a neat experience to a great ride, and at least it's not uncomfortable roughness like another woodie on the other side of the park.

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It's a simple equation: CCI + CP = #1 Wooden Coaster!

Big Dipper's trains were built in-house by Geauga Lake, and are based on the NAD Century Flyer design. Since the trains were built in-house, I'm guessing they never had the stainless steel or the grillework, though they may use some of the DFH/NAD hardware.

(I don't know at what point Dayton Fun House became National Amusement Device).

I think they might be just a little shorter than a standard NAD car, but I can't be sure.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Amazing.

Where do you learn all this stuff?

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everything's better with a banjo

The used to have headlights on them. I think the trains need to be fixed because back-car rides are extremely painful while first car rides are awesome. I don't think they were in-house reproductions. They are actual NAD Flyers that have been modified.

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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT

The reason I ask is because I was just at SFWoA yesterday and Kennywood last week, and I noticed a few similarities between the Thunderbolt and Big Dipper trains. Like Rideman said, the Dipper cars may be shorter because I thought I remembered there being more leg room on the Thunderbolt. Dipper's trains almost look like a NAD & PTC hybrid.

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It's a simple equation: CCI + CP = #1 Wooden Coaster!

You want a NAD/PTC hybrid? I realize this could be a bit difficult at the moment, but if you ride the Screechin' Eagle at Americana, that train has a NAD chassis, but the seats and body panels and lap bars off of the Elitch Gardens (I) Wildcat, so it looks like a PTC train.

Getting back to Geauga...I remember some years ago there was a little nameplate on one of the trains (the yellow one, I think...) indicating the name of the park staffer who had built it. I think it was a matter of all new wood and upholstery, but the old NAD wheel carriers, lap bar assemblies, and other mechanical parts. By "some years ago" I mean pre-Premier, but still in the past decade. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Think they ever imagined the park being like this, not even ten years ago?

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Rollercoasters are the secret of life!

http://www.woodencoaster.com