Bunny Hops on The Beast

This is an interesting topic for certain, and I can see it both ways....

It's true, the long straight track is a great idea, and as already suggested, enclosing that section would be pretty unique as well.

What stinks, IMO, is that now you do get that 'out of control' feeling along that section, but the mags at the end make a noticeable reduction in speed.

I wonder if the mags were spread out along that section if the 'uncontrolled' feeling could still occur, but with a much more gradual decent in speed (one that isn't so obvious). Possible????

I rode the Beast during the pass holder day. The brake seemed to be off in the shed. I thought the ride was incredible. The way the train hit the second lift hill was quite violent. Now that was a treat. However, I understand the reason why they brake it there. I agree. I think the brake needs to be more gradual than now.

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janfrederick said:
Okay, so beasts don't "hop" through the woods...

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Ok, so rename it The Bunny. It can be considered a "re-imagination" of the ride...new marketing oportunities open up etc.

Seriously though, that brake shed straight is one of the reasons I stated in the other Beast thread that I didnt like the ride.

Remember, back in the day The Beast used to run 4 trains. With the lifts, final brakes, and station, another block was needed if they didn't want to stack or stop the lifts, hence the need for the mid-course shed.

Ah... I didn't realize the ride did four trains at one point. That makes a lot more sense.

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Woodyman said:
I rode the Beast during the pass holder day. The brake seemed to be off in the shed. I thought the ride was incredible. The way the train hit the second lift hill was quite violent. Now that was a treat. However, I understand the reason why they brake it there. I agree. I think the brake needs to be more gradual than now.

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If I remember right, Jeff S. at BeastBuzz said that the magnetic brakes were designed in such a way that no alterations would be needed during operation, unlike the old skid brakes. (I would assume this would be the same for all mag brakes.)

Since the type of magnetic brakes on Beast can't be "turned off," they would have had to have been removed for maintenance in order to experience a trimless ride. I do agree, though, that it would be nice if each of the trims throughout the ride could be more gradual. Of course, a ride without trims all together would be best.

They had lighter trims on the second hill until about Memorial Day. There are now six sets of brakes on that hill. Eariler in the year, only four were on. Call it "winter rules" I guess, the same way the Racer has two lifts for each side early in the season :)

Magnetic brakes such as those found on the Beast cannot be turned off. If the brakes were there, they affected the ride.

-Nate

Nate,

While it is true that the mag-brakes on The Beast are in a static positon, they can remove each set of brakes if needed as Scott pointed out. Also, I have heard that Intamin are now using adjustable mag-trims so they can control the speed "on the fly". I don't know how true that is but supposedly they do this at the end of Balder. Anyone want to verify this? I know it runs with brakes like those found on Collossus, but am not sure about the new brakes.

-Sean

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ShiveringTim said:
Remember, back in the day The Beast used to run 4 trains. With the lifts, final brakes, and station, another block was needed if they didn't want to stack or stop the lifts, hence the need for the mid-course shed.

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The Beast never ran four trains, NEVER.

It did however have four trains built for it originally and KI decided to just add a extra car to each of three trains. Two years later, All the four bench trains were gone they were replaced with three, three bench trains.

Chuck, who says FOF is also designed to run four trains but never has and never will. *** Edited 7/8/2004 6:40:48 PM UTC by Charles Nungester***

Perhaps I read his post wrong. Does "off" mean "turned off", or does "off" mean "literally not on the track"?

-Nate

Magetic brakes can't be "turned off" as in flipping a switch or losing power. "Off" with these types of brakes can only mean off the track completely.

My mistake. I always want to think it did run four at one time.

If four trains were built for it, it can be said that it was _designed_ to run with four then.

Exactly Tim :)

Chuck

Beast does not need massive hills to get airtime. With its speed, slight hops at the right angle like the one after the double down on Boss would produce pretty good air while not detracting from the "run thru the woods" feeling. If there were any affect on the overall speed, I am sure the breaks could be adjusted.

The brakes aren't there cause the coaster is too fast for guest, They simply cut down on maintenance as the coaster is too fast for the type of trains it has and angle of banking.

Chuck- I'll be suprised if I ever see FoF run THREE trains.

Did it ever actually run all three?

FOF did run three of the four trains for a couple years before they changed restraints. Loading is much slower now due to size restrictions that three trains doesn't make much (If any) difference. However I do know they do have all three on the track and rotate em a bit.

Chuck

Okay, how about enclosing the entire straight track section with a solid tunnel and throwing in a little trick track just for good measure? I think that would be really cool: a long straight away in a completely dark tunnel, then you finally make it out only to go through a curve and right back into another dark tunnel.

Like I said earlier, I absolutely love The Beast. It is my favorite wooden coaster and my second favorite overall. I just think a little imagination could do that section of track a lot of good. *** Edited 7/9/2004 12:29:06 AM UTC by Bakeman***

The beast could have some nice floaters without losing alot of speed. Most of the middle section sits 10 ft above the ground and thats all it would take. A couple like the one after the first drop on the comet at great escape would fit the bill.