http://rcdb.com/installationdetail1870.htm
Well, whats its story? Why has it been SBNO for that long? What kept it from opening?
I've been looking and can not find a definante answer.
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It's in my wildest dreams that they would replace it with an Intamin creation. Perhaps even travelling a few hundred feet down the cliff instead of just skirting the edge.
The definite answer as to why it's not currently operating is the owner of the "park" (very loosely used term in this case), decided to look into building his own coaster for tourists (it's one of Sydney's major tourist destinations for the stunning views and various precariously positioned scenic rides). He found some people that were designing software to analyse the rides installed at Expo '88 in Brisbane (why you'd need to 'analyse' three pre-designed Vekoma coasters is beyond me... you already know they're gonna suck), so got their assistance. It turned out their software didn't actually analyse forces properly, so they had to write some more software.
They got the ride built by the early nineties. Problem after problem came and left, and some rusting and other things stemming from its stagnant state have meant many part replacements over the years.
When Phil Hammon built his nice new Doppelmayr cable toy (the Sceniscender - quite an interesting ride), he had to take out much of the lower track in its path.
Last year, he told me that once they've replaced the wheel hubs, they'll look at resuming testing again. The best part is that they haven't got the PLC programmed that operates the main drive, which was holding back the ride's certification and opening. Did I mention that the certification is to be done by their engineer responsible for the project, who has since retired? :)
I know, it sounds dubious however you tell the story, but it seems that given their original situation, they've done quite well for themselves to get this far. I'm sure if he'd had the money to do it 15 years ago, we'd probably see a Arrow Runaway Train in its position, with a layout not nearly as interesting or daring.
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I'm sure if it ever does open, there'll be significant costs to maintain the train, and the very tiny track guage won't exactly take the beating too nicely.
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Total Thrills Amusement Guide
Australia's Premier Source for Thrills!
*** This post was edited by auscoasterman 8/9/2003 8:32:01 AM ***
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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
I remember in rollercoaster magazine a few years ago, there was a story about this ride. I was always curious as to the status of it. They showed the trains in the article which resembled really long bobsleds with similar seating. Thanks for the update auscoasterman.
Wood - anything else is an imitation
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http://said.uc.edu/students/oakleysd/cp/CP.jpg
Now tell me Cedar Point is running out of space.
The name is unique and highly original - I'll give them that. :)
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Total Thrills Amusement Guide
Australia's Premier Source for Thrills!
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http://coasterplace.web1000.com
Edit: A Google Search on "Orphan Rock" brought up this very interesting page about the coaster.
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Alcohol and Coasterbuzz don't mix, don't drink and post.
*** This post was edited by MagnumForce 8/10/2003 11:43:22 AM ***
And thanks for the totally pointless post, cionsidereing you must have already knew exactly what was up with the ride before you asked it. :)
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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.
*** This post was edited by MagnumForce 8/10/2003 11:45:17 AM ***
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http://coasterplace.web1000.com
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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.
There is one 5 car train & each car takes 2 people all in single file. The person in the front of each car practically sits in the lap of the one behind. Like a steel chute toboggan & water park ones.
I always thought that those curves would be very hard to take on until I saw the train for myself. Each car is able to rock from side to side freely! There are inline axes on both ends of the cars to support the passenger modules from the chassis. The cars are very stiff to rock - to prevent prolonged swinging. I spoke to the owner & he said they came up with this idea as it eliminated having to work out Arrow style transitions, let alone today's compound curves! Very clever, must try it out for myself & see if it rocks or not! (Pun intended. ;))
I can't be sure, but think the rocking axis which lines up with the rider's heartlines is set high up off that of the track's. That means the cars will really tip to the side in curves, rocking or not. Should be fun!
Orphan Rocker is the only sit-down swinging coaster I know of in the world. A first in spite of its age!
Mark up another point to the name along with the rock feature it's named after.
I sent acm pics of the train, one of it tilted & am waiting for him to post them on his site. *taps fingers on table patiently, or not?* ;)
See:
http://www.totalthrills.com/scwgallery.php?page=orphanrocker18
http://www.totalthrills.com/scwgallery.php?page=orphanrocker19
In the first one, you see the tilting that Taipan mentioned. That would be seriously sweet in the some of the lower, faster curves. :)
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Total Thrills Amusement Guide
Australia's Premier Source for Thrills!
Taipan said:
Orphan Rocker is the only sit-down swinging coaster I know of in the world.
Actually, its kind of like an inverted Arrow suspended coaster in concept, wouldn't you say?
I remember seeing the coaster featured in RollerCoaster! years ago and wondered what ever happened to the thing... glad to see that its still around, despite the fact that it has been rather idle all of its life. Looking at the pictures on rcdb.com, I was actually quite surprised to see the coaster set in such a pretty park... the pictures in RC! didn't really do the place justice.
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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002
*** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 8/27/2003 2:06:45 PM ***
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