Dragster: Wheel meltdown?

Looking the animation (http://206.67.52.218/videos/Animation-Hi.mov), the speed of this thing will have to be enourmous. I do wonder how they're going to cool down the wheels and the wheel bearings to keep them from overheating or changing shape. I know that some of the current hypers already have problems with wheel meltdown, such as Goliath at SFMM.

TTD looks so unbelievable - and it's a first time anything of that size and speed has ever been installed: Superman at SFMM is a much less skinny structure, and while it doesn't even reach the same speeds, the wheels and axles are much more massive on the cars:
http://americacoasters.com/Photos/SFMM/superman1.jpg

I hope the calculations on TTD will work out.

*** This post was edited by superman on 1/10/2003. ***

My guess is that Dragster won't have conventional wheels and barings, but some kind of special compound that can handle a much higher temperature.

-----------------
Dutch Coastin' :: European coasters, thrills and theming!

I am sure that Cedar Point has "reinvented the wheel" for this one. I hope so because having the Raptor's wheel fall off during riding was enough fun for me this summer. I can't imagine it going at 120 and doing that!

Superman said: such as Goliath at SFMM.

Once again, another CP thread that SFMM gets brought in to. ;) I bet they have already thought of this before they spent $25 million on it.

--Ryan

Over on GTTP Jeff said gave some numbers that I extended out. Looks like each of the six trains could launch 120 times per day. THAT, is pretty amazing.

didn't you see those special wheels on the rear?

It's been in development for three years. I'm sure this has been thought of. Give them some credit. Sheesh.

The wheels on Millennium Force have been changed far less frequently in the last year or so, so I'm guessing they've found some kind of solution to deal with the problem.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

Wheel issues might be part of the reason they decided to go with 6 shorter trains. Each train will go fast for about 20 seconds out of every 4-5 minutes. This might help control wheel melting issues as compared to a ride like MF where the train is bookin' for a full minute every 4 minutes or so.

Also having more trains means that they can transfer one off for maintenance if they have to and not take such a hit on capacity.

-----------------
-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

MDOmnis, my thought exactly. You reduce wear by stretching out the amount of time it takes for one train to go full cycle.

-----------------
NoLimits Dev Team
http://www.nolimitscoaster.de

Legend_n_Raven said:

Superman said: such as Goliath at SFMM.
Once again, another CP thread that SFMM gets brought in to. I bet they have already thought of this before they spent $25 million on it.
--Ryan

Honestly, he was just making a comparison to something he is familiar with. Not every mention of SFMM or it's coasters is an automatic bash against CP.

CPLady who is a CP fan but knows the difference between a comment, opinion and a bash.

-----------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

CPLady understands me!

Actually, it might have a car race type pitstop track where the trains can be taken out of the circuit and put back in quickly :o)
Would fit nicely with the themeing..!

Jeez... now you might read even more cynicism into that one.
Hello... No CP bash intended, okay? Please!

*** This post was edited by superman on 1/10/2003. ***