Boardwalk Bullet

There were more test runs today. While I don't think it completed the course entirely without help...a train did arrive back at the station under it's own power after one of the tests. They are definitely getting closer.

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SFFTkid said:
I feel bad for the nightmare Kemah is going through.

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Honestly right now its not a nightmare. To me, I think the nightmare will come when a million people try to fit on 35 acres of land when it opens.

I was watching the video footage with the rollback.

Question: Is this the first time a wooden coaster after the train crests the lift hill, that the train does a 270 degree turn and goes through the original lift before dropping down?

I personally have never seen that before.

^ Answering Chitown's question.

The 1924 wooden coaster at Jacksonville Beach did a similar turn and dove under the lift. It was torn down after the 1949 season.
I recently obtained an aerial photo clearly showing that drop under the lift.

http://members.aol.com/classicwoodies/Jax_coaster_aerial.jpg

Actually, I found myself comparing the BB to the old Jax coaster more than once. Very compact twisters on a boardwalk, with first drops that go under the lift.

Over 8 successful test laps so far. They're cycling the ride right now as I type.

I am still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a Labor Day weekend opening.

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Fierce Pancake said:
Over 8 successful test laps so far. They're cycling the ride right now as I type.

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Actually, there were 8 total. They will be reworking some track tomorrow and if things go well retesting. Weather looks bad after Wednesday with over 50% chance of rain every day for a week.

The coaster is already almost at its target speed on the first drop so it will likely surpass their estimates!

I have a video at: http://www.theguruguys.com/BoardwalkBullet/08-13-2007/Boardwalk_Bullet_First_Complete_Runs_08-13-2007.wmv

Its the best I could do, this coaster is hard to film since it winds all throughout itself.

Those airtime hills aren't looking too exciting right now. I hope that thing picks up a lot of speed. *** Edited 8/14/2007 2:37:00 PM UTC by Acoustic Viscosity***

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Acoustic Viscosity said:
Those airtime fills aren't looking too exciting right now. I hope that thing picks up a lot of speed.

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Keep in mind this was a collage of the first three tests, the first test was the slowest of the three, barely making it over the top hill. Most of the video is from that first test. The coaster picked up 10MPH by the 8th test and after they rework some track and it breaks in more it will pick up even more.

They should be recording the speed at the top of the first big hill at 15MPH, we'll see what it hits when they test it today. I'm pretty sure its not there yet.

The verdict is still out, but I can't wait to ride.

-GG

Not sure how many test runs they ran today, but it was a bunch! Should continue tomorrow.

Here are several photos taken during testing today:

http://www.coasterphotos.com/maingallery/v/Kemah/2006/081807/

Does anyone know if it is opening this weekend 8/25?

No. It will not be open, they are still working on a section of track.

my dad talks to a lady at starbucks alot. He told me she said "that the ride has to be ran 48hrs strait, prior to open"

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biggiefish07 said:
my dad talks to a lady at starbucks alot. He told me she said "that the ride has to be ran 48hrs strait, prior to open"

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Not quite. The requirement is 100 hours of testing, and it doesn't have to be continuous. I don't think the people living across the street would appreciate a roller coaster running all night.

Humans rode Bullet for the first time today. There's a good chance if the break-in goes smooth it'll open to the public this weekend.

Labor Day weekend...just as I predicted! ;)

it's not labor day weekend yet.

If it opens, it opens. But a lot of things could prevent that.
Chuck

Right. Pancake said it might open this weekend. And if it does it would open on the weekend I predicted, which was merely a very lucky guess. But I never said it was a guaranteed to open this weekend.

That's what my sources said too. ;)

Boardwalk Bullet is now open.

http://kemahboardwalk.com/