Blocking and Timing

Well for those of you have it now, how do you like the blocks? And what's your strategy for blocking/timing?

Speaking as a "former" operator, I love it. No more of this two trains on the lift at once nonsense. Nor waiting until a full load or whatever. The real deal!

My blocking strategy: just build some extra block brakes in the main brake area that will functions as safet brakes. I don't use mid-course blocks usually, but if I did, this would prevent it from stopping mid course mostly.

Also, like many coasters, I use a dispatch timer. I mean, I set the min/max waiting time the same, and if you play with enough, you'll achieve the optimal dispatch time for your ride... usually when a train entering the final brakes is just clearing them and the train on the lift is nearing the top. Many coasters use a dispatch timer based on the same principle! I really enjoy this.

Another thing I like is that the trains will stop at the top of the lift. SFOG's coasters all have what is called a "safety zone" on the lift, which is where trains will automatically stop in event the other train experiences a problem (not making it back to the brakes).

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the member formerly known as MisterX

I too take what I call the "B&M approach," so there are always a couple of blocks in front of the station, allowing you to stack if necessary. You can't really tweak the min/max dispatch timing until you actually run the ride, because those settings have no effect in test mode. But yeah, the good thing is that "station brake failres" are a thing of the past.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

It's going to take some practice and getting used to for me. I have never had to think about the blocking system before so I am loving it! It's more true to life.

Will the trains actually stop on the blocks?

IE at the end of the ride near the station if you put brakes in will the train stop on them until the other train has left the station?

Chris, Yes they will. Just like any other real coaster..

What I DO hate about the blocks is that they all slow the train down to 4mph.. Why cant we set them like any other brake, but just to work if another block isnt cleared.

Haha. I use blocking on my Batman The Ride, but I hate how sometimes a train will stop at the top of the lift because the previous train hasn't cleared yet. :) Oh well, at least I won't be seeing anymore "Batman The Ride has crashed. 32 people have died."

I'm starting to warm up to the blocks. Unless you just need to kill the speed of the coaster, I wouldn't suggest using a mid-course, since it slows the coaster down to 4 mph whether it is clear or not.

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http://www.eastcoaster.com

It slows it down to 4 mph? That really sucks. Thats like what the vortex at PKI does. And I hate that ride but that is off topic. If you have a mid course and it slows it down to 4 the midcourse better have a good size hill after it to get it goin.

If you build the MCBR block brakes high up, you will lose very little speed. I've built long coasters that can run up to 7 trains, but max. capacity is only about 3-4 trains with smooth operation.

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Sean, who was asked for ID when buying RCT2.
Nitro, Gemini, Laser, Ice, Thunder...The American Gladiators!
The only Coasterbuzz member with Ridgeline Racer in their Track Record.

Oh MY GOD!!!!!!
Why is Chris Sawyer so stupid. The trains slow down to 4mph!!! What BS. It was better with out blocking. Hopefully, the people at Coaster Grotto
can find away to correct this.

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Shock Wave R.I.P. 1988-2002

Wow, back to reading class children... if there is a train in the NEXT BLOCK and a train entering the brakes at the front of the block, it will stop the train, and prevent a collision. It won't automatically slow it to 4 mph every time a train passes...

Your block blakes should be at slow points in the ride anyway. If a train is going 30mph through a brake then what is the chance it will finish the track if it has to stop? Think about it, this is just common sense.

Who cares if it slows it down to 4 MPH? If you use a MCBR you're supposed to make sure the train can make it through in the event of a complete stop on the MCBR anyways. No big deal, just have a big hill after it if possible.

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SFNE Central- Your one stop web destination for Six Flags New England!
http://sfne.licensetothrill.net

If the block is clear, it's like the block isn't even there.

Who's stupid again?

Oh right, not the programmer who has sold millions of games the last few years...

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

SLAM! :) Really, you guys need to mess around with it a little more before you start complaining.

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LocoBazooka--Sevendust, Nonpoint, Stereo Vent, Mushroomhead
Korn Tour (With no name)--Korn, Puddle of Mudd, Deadsy

Damn all you lucky ones, damn you, damn you, damn you!

That said, If I had the game, I would probably use a system similar to that on MF, because that seems pretty efficient.

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...says the idiot who actually ran into a glass sliding door.

Yeah. I like to pile up zones of safety brakes (blocks) in a final brake area rather than have it somewhere in the course... you get a hella long brake area, but it works well...

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the member formerly known as MisterX

One thing I noticed is that on some of the sample coasters (Nitro and Medusa at Great Adventure) have some issues with trains constantly stopping on the lift. Should have paid a little bit more attention to detail.

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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

What the hell does that have to do with this topic?

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...says the idiot who actually ran into a glass sliding door.

Hmmm lets see if its stoping on the lift hill it might be because of "Blocking and Timing" issue. Not sure if that has anything to do with the subject though. Yikes, just yikes.