Cobra Roll posts pictures of Vekoma tilt coaster

Wouldn't it be easier if they just had the coaster go up a normal lift and drop it down a vertical hill? Is it just supposed to be scarier this way? I don't understand any hype at all around it. I would ride it, but the "tilt" looks like a solution without a problem to me.

I suspect that it will have it's share of troubles, though. Especially picky computer/sensor control (rightly so) of the tilt mechanism.

A partial alignment drop shouldn't be disastrous, as the upstops would hold the train on the rails.

I wonder how the trains (especially linkages) will cope with the vertical push forces however, as forces of that linke aren't terribly common on coasters, and the stresses are different than those encountered in brakes.

I will say this. If I were inspecting it, I wouldn't let it pass without a redundant mechanical back-up, however. Pneumatics and electronics can fail. I'd much prefer my life in the hands of a trusty aluminum rod.
*** This post was edited by Wolf on 3/23/2001. ***

I just have to wonder, what's the point??? Can anyone tell me why this would even be considered innovative rather than a gimmick?

I can't agree with Koaster King more. What problem are we even solving here???

I think the tilt coaster could be a great innovatino in the future. The only problem I see with the one being built is that it isn't tall enough. The pullout starts about 15 feet below where the first train starts the dive. It seems like about a 75 foot drop. That's not enough to be truly frightening. Again, this is a stepping stone. Hopefully Vekoma or Giovanola will build one that's about 160-250 feet high, with a good layout after that. A tilt at that height would be extraordinarily frightening, and would make for a great first element on a coaster. Let's hope Vekoma actually continues to evolve this design.

I think the thing to remember with this particular version of the coaster is that *it's a start*. Once this gets up and operating for a season or two and posts a safe operation record then I think you'll see a SFMM or CP step up and consider buying a huge one that has a full (Mile plus in length) circuit instead of a simple looper layout. I think CP would be particularly likely to get one of these if they get popular since they don't have a "Super-Looper" like most of the major parks. (Vortex @ PKI, Viper @ SFMM, blah, blah, blah)

CD will get a Vekoma LSM Looping Coaster (Sitdown, with the same trains as the Boomerangs, only these trains are smooth.)

Why is it innovative? Because it hasn't been done before! Duh! When was the last time you were riding in a coaster, it looks like you're about to fly off an incomplete track, suddenly you stop and swivel and plunge straight down? Geez people...

SFGA2001 said - "Wow. That baby looks AWESOME! I don't care if it only has a loop and a corkscrew, that tilt will be sheer terror. Hmmm, who do I know in Japan that I need to vist..."

There's only one itty bitty problem with what you said. You'd be in the wrong place.....the coaster is being built in TAIWAN ;)

Geez people nothing, Fierce. I think the whole concept looks stupid, personally. I didn't say that before, but it's true. What is it ultimately going to take to give people the biggest thrills of their lives, before they finally say they've had enough? People - especially coaster buffs - get so worked up over height, and speed, and new gimmicks, and it is only because they are getting bored with what is already out there. Doesn't anyone remember a time before all these new concepts came out, and you couldn't wait to ride a regular sit-down double looper? People get bored way too easily these days, and don't appreciate that which they already have. When I was a kid, they didn't even HAVE any kind of looping coasters. But it was a scream for me to get to ride a wooden coaster that was only 60 feet high.
I don't mean to preach, but get a grip, people. All these fantasies about coasters that flip this way, and turn that way, and soar to 500+ feet at 150mph.....it's all nuts! What will it take for everyone to get their ultimate high?

JUST MY OPINION, okay? Don't go flogging me!

A lot of enthusiast seem to have one of three mind sets, or a combination of:

1. A coaster must implement a totally new concept to be good.
2. A coaster must be the biggest/fastest/tallest/smelliest/longest/shortest or whatever.
3. A coaster must be at their home park to be a winner.

Real life for the parks is that they need to install new rides to attract crowds, and do so with what they can spend (that's why Vekoma is almost building more rides this year than the rest of the manufacturers combined). They also need to attract a diverse audience because families spend more than individuals (i.e., Iron Dragon might "suck," but the kids love it). Finally, short rides like Hypersonic or this thing have great capacity, and offer something you might not otherwise feel. Why else would S&S towers be so popular?

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Like I always say, Variety is a spice! People complain about "gimmick" coasters, but it was a gimmick that got you the *rollercoaster* in the first place.





Two words I hate, "gimmick" and "clone". Most people couldn't even give you the definition of either.

Personally this coaster looks like it would be a blast to ride, just that tilt alone, and the frea that comes with it would be enough to get me on it. Also, some people said this is a stepping stone, which is true, if this coaster can maintain a clean record, for a few years other parks will be interested, and the reast of the layout after the lift will be improved. I say that I like what Vekoma is doing.

An intresting point is it pulls 4.5 G's after the loop. Which i belive is actually not that bad (I have no idea on G-Force Limits etc.)

The Back of the Train at Full Tilt is also 140ft from the floor which is taller than alot of coasters so it's not that small.

>I think this ride is a revolutionary in how it
>is the only rollercoaster that i know of where
>the track also moves along with the train cars.

Actually, the Ultra-Twister heartline coasters TOGO made do something like this. Since they can't make turns, when they get to the end of the track the whole track swivels at the end and drops the cars onto the lower track. Astroworld in Houston has one of these, no one's ever complained about this mechanism, it's never dropped a car in mid tilt. The Vekoma and Giovanola idea is quite a bit more dramatic than this, as Ultra-Twister isn't designed to give you the sensation you're going to fly off the track.

I think you folks complaining this is too gimmicky to be a fun ride are nincompoops. In the 70's a verticle loop was considered a gimmick. A single loop could terrify park guests, but most are desensitized to it now. That's the simple truth, the parks need to build new concepts to differentiate themselves and attract a more sophisticated generation of thrill seekers. Big parks don't build more small scale, run-of-the-mill attractions because they don't drive gate attendance like something big, new, unique and easy to advertise.

At one point isn't every new kind of coaster a "gimmick"?

:)"ahh upstop wheels, phoey!, that's just a gimmick, side friction is here to stay!":)

***Disclaimer***
The part between the :)'s is humor, I'm just ribbing those that think the tilt coaster is just a gimmick, just having a little fun, don't take it all personal or anything, it's just a joke, I am being flippant.)

Jim "Big Meany" W.
Wildfire is only 10 days and 47 miles away.