GCII updates their Thunderhead page

Wow...I'm speachless. That design is amazing and a true work of art. Absolutely beautiful!!!!

Wood - anything else is an imitation

i spoke with several key ride operators last season at dollywood. they informed me that the maintenance budget for TT was astronomical and that dollywood was sinking way more into their arrow then they ever thought they would BUT were willing to do it based on the popularity of the ride.

this leads me to believe that they will take the same approach with TH.

dollywood's maintenance department is very impressive. not just with coasters but all over the park.

think about the mountain slidewinder. that ride is close to 15 years old and still looks fantastic or take a close look at any of the rides in the country fair or their motion simulator. all of their rides stay in top condition thanks to their maintenance department.

that being said, i'm so glad that this coaster with so much potential for years and years of entertainment is falling into the hands of dollywood.

Considering that between 1998 and 1999 Dollywood spent close to two million dollars overhauling the park's two steam locomotives, #70 & #192, I really don't think that Tennessee Tornado could seriously bother their wallet as far as that goes. ;)

It couldn't cost more to run than the Dollywood Express or The Slidewinder anyway...

The Station Fly through looks like it is going to be a great head-chopper! Those are some nice shots from the air as well.

*** Edited 2/4/2004 10:39:23 PM UTC by Dukeis#1***

I ordered my DollyWood season pass last night on line. It is a five hour trip but looks to be worth the drive. I can't wait.

Wow, neat engines DW has. Bigger than the ones we had at Opryland. Dukeis#1, your first link doesnt work (one extra 'http:/').

I love how the track on TH banks around right before the passthrough. Very cool.

Yep that turn is awesome looking!

Since the fly through station looks rather "skinny", is that second shed along the track going to be used for unloading riders, or will all loading and unloading take place in the fly through shed?

That's a good question. Since the track is only eight feet above the platform, and guests could jump up and touch it, I would not be surprised if there was loading and unloading on one side only. It would slow down hourly flow quite a bit, but if things stay consistant with TT, Thunderhead should have very short lines after the first year or so.

That is certainly going to be a nightmare for the ride ops hearing! :)

I'm pretty sure the ride will use both sides of the platform for a 'flush' loading system. The other building is the storage shed like on their other designs. Eight feet is pretty high, and you have to realize there will be attendents on the platform to prevent any 'foolishness' I'd hope. I'd be more worried about people throwing things at, or from the trains during the fly through.

Wood - anything else is an imitation

I would see Dollywood adding that small netting that is often used on roller coasters to prevent things being thrown or dropped. A lot of rides have it now, and it looks like the purpose it serves works really well.

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Thrillerman said:
Eight feet is pretty high...

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Are you crazy? Eight feet is high? Standing, I can easily touch eight feet. Jumping, I can get atleast ten. (No those are exadurations) No matter how much attention the ride ops pay to the track, there's nothing they could do to keep things from happening.

There's gotta be something else...

The 8' clearance is what made me think the other shed might be used for unloading. Maybe Coasterpunk can give us the details.

Darth Saambe, you don't look that tall in your profile photo! ;)

I only meant that at eight feet, only Herman Munster has to worry about ducking so not to bump his head. I'm sure there are some basketball player types who would come close and easily jump or reach that high (now were talkin' adults who should know better and I would imagine that there will be attendants around yelling at the idiots who try). I can see that netting and other prevention techniques being used to discourage the people with no common sense. Maybe I should 've phrased my original statement better though.

Wood - anything else is an imitation

It's going to be your basic flush loading. People entering (opposite the flythru) on one side and exiting the other (the side of the fly thru). The transfer shed is just the place to store the second train when it's not in use.

I'm sure Dollywood will make sure everyone is out of that side of the station by the time the train is near that part of the ride. Don't forget when running 2 trains on a GCI the one train will be on the brakes ready to enter the station before as the otehr train is leaving the station. That should give at least a minute to unload the train.

Tman, I agree that kids would not be able to reach it, but even more than kids, I'd be more worried about some stupid teenager doing something. Yes, I am a teen. And as I said I would not have any trouble getting with harms way of the track.

But, it looks like coasterpunk cleared it up for us. ;)