CoasterDynamix Model Photos

Concerning signing up for a kit, we had a sign-up sheet at NCC, and those that signed up will be notified first of how to reserve a kit. After they have done so, we will give out a link for everyone to reserve their own on a first come first served basis.

We plan to have one or two layouts in the instructions to get one up to speed on the building methods. Then they can let their imaginations run wild. It's hard to say how long it takes to assemble, but everything just snaps together.

Overall, to keep up to speed with the progress, keep watching http://www.coasterdynamix.com once the site is up.

But Corey I'm a poor college student! $500 will buy a lot of Ramen Noodles. :) ;) :)

-Dustijn

Awesome! I have a few questions if you don't mind.

1) Did CD use to be CoasterTech? Sure looks like it - modular support systems, pegboard bases etc.

2) Is the track gauge one inch? Assuming the real thing is 48 inches & O gauge being 1:48?

3) Are the all the wheels actually ballraces?

4) How about using green instead of white material for the middle of the base? As it's an eyesore with heaps of white holes.

5) Will peeps be included? Then again the model train stores will have them.

6) How about a station?

Keep up the great work mates & look forward to the updates!

Swoosh, that is so funny! While in college, I lived on Ramen Noodles. Probably not the most healthy of foods, but life sustaining as well. Back on topic, the model looks great and I can't wait for the opportunity to get one. I was wondering if it is easier or more difficult to assemble than K'nex coasters?

Dragster,

From what I could tell at NCC, it is MUCH easier to assemble than K'nex. the supports are like standard B&M supports - no need to put 5000 pieces together just to build a hill. The track spine will flex, but not too much, so you don't have to worry about it kinking...It's sweet and like I (and others) said, "I'm saving my money now for this!"

So how much track comes with one kit? Is the one shown in the pictures from NCC just a single kit or is that multiple ones put together? Also, you say its easy to put together, is it possible to take back apart? Say you only have the money for one and make a model of Raptor, but later decide to ante up for another and try Dueling Dragons - is it possible to disassemble the Raptor one and redo it without losing structural integrity (unlike my Ikea furniture ... another staple of college life ... )

Taipan,

1) This is NOT Coastertech!

2) It is O gauge

3) The wheels are not ballraces. We use pin friction for better efficiency and reliability.

4) The production bases will be gray. They will be about 6x12 and will snap together. This base was machined out of a solid piece of plastic for the show.

5) For now, we will sell direct only. If sales go well we will sell through dealers (hobby shops) eventually.

6) A station is a good aftermarket addition. The kits may have a section of track that will serve as the station area with a mechanism to stop, then advance the train to the lift with a push button.

7) I would say that the structure is much easier to assemble and infinitely easier to modify than Knex. The train, however, is a lot harder to assemble since the Knex comes assembled! Our train has about 135 pieces.

The kit will come with around 35-40 feet of track. The model shown is one kit. We may modify it to include a cobra roll after the loop and move the Immelman under the first turn. We aren't sure. You can take it down as many times as you want without losing structural integrity. The spine and track come in 6 foot sections and have joints to connect them. You must remove the rails to modify the layout, but they snap on in a couple minutes. Trust me, it works like a dream.

Seems almost too good to be true! Thanks for the quick response. It'll take some moving of money, but I'm sure I can squeeze $500 out of my budget in the coming months ;)

Unlike Coastertech these guys actually have a working prototype! I assume Coastertech is belly up by now since we have not heard a peep from them in ages. Not to mention the website is long gone.

I am planning to buy one of these (if not 2) with either tax money or by working a few on call shifts so I can afford it. Thankfully $500 wont break me. *** Edited 1/22/2004 3:13:42 PM UTC by beast7369***

Ta for the answers. Re #5 I meant O scale peeps to ride the model!

But yeah, guys, buy as many as you can so that the price will come down & more manufactured than ever!

Actually I talked to one of the people on the CoasterTech project over the summer and he told me that the project had run out of money and they were looking at alternate funding for the project. He told me what the alternate revenue source was but I don't feel I am at liberty to discuss that.

I wish them luck. Until it comes out, I will have to "settle" :D for the Coaster Dynamix one. Aw shucks.

I would love to know the dynamics of this set. I would think that train would have to be quite heavy to make it through the circuit, if the scale used is proportionate to a real coaster that is.

The trains are actually pretty light Dante. Apparantly the trains with the kits will be even lighter in weight than the prototype train running at No Coaster Con.

We actually built the model using a prototype train to set the heights of our elements. The production train used at NCC was much lighter than the prototype.We thought we would have to lower the elements to compensate for the lesser mass, but because the production train's wheels were so efficient, the train actually flew through the circuit. Go figure.

I may be able to buy this with a summer job, but then again, I'll probably be spending the money else where. Im a musician(well, im 16, but i play), i have 5 guitars and all crap like that, so I'll probably blow all the money on a new guitar or more effects/ amps and and stuff. I may be able to save a few hundred and beg my parents for a few hundred too, because this thing does look sweet. I could have silver bullet in my bedroom!

Jack,
a few questions about materials...

It looks as if the spine is highly flexible. Have you done investigation of material properties as far as durability is concerned? I would worry about the spine "taking a set" if left in one layout for a long time, or potentially the degredation of flexibilty over time when either put in storage or exposed to different energy sources (sunlight, flourescent light, heat cycling, etc.).

In addition, the surface looks to be highly glossy. Will it accept paint? Or would you have to add a plasticizer like for automotive bumpers?

Thanks,
EV

Echovictor- The spine does take the shape of the layout , but is easily manipulated to conform to differing layouts, even over extended periods of time. It is not too flexible and not too rigid. (Heat makes the spine more flexible and cold makes it more rigid). We did, in fact, test degredation due to UV exposure and changed our rail material as a result. It would get brittle after about 18 months when exposed to direct sunlight. We have not seen any adverse effects on the other components, however exposure to direct sunlight is discouraged for most plastics. While I have not sprayed this particular spine, the prototype material (same plastic only harder durometer) took paint well. This is what I am basing my claims on.

One or two more minor questions from me (although I'm pretty much sold on it already)...

How many 'support mats' will come with an initial kit? Is it one giant fold out mat, or are they squared off into certain sizes? How much area does it cover, and do the supports stand well enough on their own without the mat?

Only reason I ask is, if I decided to make somethink akin to an out-n-back, would the mat that comes with the kit be flexible enough to handle its length or would you need to purchase more mats?

-Chris *** Edited 1/23/2004 4:41:08 AM UTC by Chris Rettig***

Depends entirely on how much you make I suppose!