B&M Track

I'm curious about the diagonal lines going across the B&M track. I notice these lines occur in B:TR and RB at SFGAm, not to mention every recent picture of B&M track I've seen (See picture-- I'm talking about the diagonal creases within the "box" part of the track)

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery5.htm?Picture=1

But these lines are not present in their first coaster Iron Wolf (see picture).

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery6.htm?Picture=2

Is there any reason why those lines are there, other than to look nice? It makes the track look really cool, I have to give them that!

Triangles are the strongest shape, maybe they can make the metal thinner that way.

It could also be the shading, look directly behind the train.

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*** This post was edited by SLUSHIE on 7/15/2002. ***

Where every tie is, there is almost a new section of spine. Its a box fot every 4ft. Each box plane has 2 triangles in it. Makes it very strong!

To me it looks like Iron Wolf has them too, and I think every B&M plus Flashback has that. I know it is for some kind of additional support, but I'm no engineer (yet!).

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My two favorite coasters are named Superman.

The triangles are there for the curvature of the track. Notice its only at the areas where the track is banked. By varying the angles of the triangles, they can control the banking.

Here's what I said regarding B&M track in this thread: http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=19771

The faceted look of B&M's track is called 'tesselation' and it's the only way to manufacture the track with prescision. When it's all welded together, a tesselated structure is quite strong, like a geodesic dome.

This 'faceted' look only occurs when the track is not straight...so pretty much in most turns and twists. I'll let you know all about after my tour of SOFCo in Cincy.

-seth

Hm. That's interesting.

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The first picture there of Iron Wolf also looks like the running rails are a lot closer to the central spine - looks like its just a 1st gen and a 2nd gen track design - those triangles are why B&Ms "roar" like they do - triangles allow thinner steel which is cheaper and allows more resonating room within the track. Does Iron Wolf roar like other B&Ms do?

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I don't believe it does, but I just noticed the tesselation on the top of the track with the running rails, but I've never seen it on the sides of the track on Iron Wolf...

I have been to Six Flags Great America twice this year, and have noticed that myself. Iron Wolf seems to not have any of those "creases" that you were talking about. Yes, Iron Wolf does have the B&M roar, but it isnt as noisy as Batman or Raging Bull, or at least it seems that way.

Looks like its for manufacturing purposes. They allow the angled spine to be created out of several flat pieces of steel instead of one large piece which is more expensive. Course could be it just looks cool.

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It seems to be most prominent where the track needs to make a sharp bend. It also seems to be used most on inverted coasters. But of course on an inverted coaster, to get an element that is the same size as on a sit down, the spine is bent more sharply in comparison.

It can be seen here:

http://home.arcor.de/coaster01/sistao/silverstar07.780x555.jpg

If it is in fact used where there are sharp turns it is probably because they use thinner steel which is easier to bend but less strong (hence the triangles)