Herhseyparks new seat dividers––causing more trouble for the bigger guest?

Yesterday when I sat down in the HP Wildcat seat I noticed a huge seat divider that wasn't there back in May. I'd describe it as being like a square with a center cut out of it. I'm 5'8" and it comes up to about my hips or lower ribcage. I didn't find it got in the way of the ride, but I'm worried that someone else with a much bigger frame and/or waist than me is going to have troubles. They installed the same divider onto Comet as well.

Sorry if this has been brought up before. I don't recall seeing it discussed previously. Nothing came up in the search. *** Edited 9/24/2005 6:17:28 AM UTC by Intamin Fan***

It doesn't sound like it was there when I visited in late June, at least nothing with a center cut out. Are they thicker or just tall?

I've noticed many parks going to the thicker hard foam divider.

all I can say is.

THEY SUCK!

LOL why were you even riding Wildcat? Its the suckiest GCI coaster made. Even more rough then ROAR at SFA. Now if it was Lightning Racer, then I would be pissed. I love Lightning Racer with a passion. lol

I didn't have a problem them on Comet, didn't ride Wildcat. However, my wife has a problem with them at SFA, so if you have larger hips they could be an issue.

My guess is that the train went through a PTC rehab. The Racer (Kennywood) also came back from it's rehab this year with same dividers. *** Edited 9/24/2005 2:20:39 PM UTC by coasterfanatic***

I remember when they did that with GL's Raging Wolf Bobs after a rehab. Now it has Gerstlauer trains, which don't feel right on that track.

I remember it when I went in August. It wasn't that big of a deal for me but I guess it could be for larger people.

Keep in mind that they probably had no choice in the matter. I understand that when old trains go through PTC's shop for a rehab, they are required by their underwriter to send them back meeting the new requirements.

I don't understand that new divider. Well, I do, sort of. It's similar to the one PTC came up with for the Texas Tornado train, and if it is effective as a seat divider, it's probably an improvement over the old solid ones because the opening in the middle leaves room for the rider to spread out a little.

What I don't understand is why the new dividers are so @#$! wide! PTC's older dividers are only about 1-1/2"-2" wide; the new ones on the Racer I swear are 4" wide! Why are they even rectangular in profile? I don't know what is under that foam, but why don't they use 3/4" or 1" round steel tubing and frost that with the foam, leaving a much narrower divider to allow for more space for the people?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Sounds like the same ones on use on Kennywood's new Racer trains. Don't like them, myself, either. (But, at least they still use the single 'buzz bars'!!!)

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Dutchman said:
Keep in mind that they probably had no choice in the matter. I understand that when old trains go through PTC's shop for a rehab, they are required by their underwriter to send them back meeting the new requirements.

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then why do the new trains come with the standard 2 inch divider?

Because thats the rule, hopefully with time the divider will be softened; or wildcat gets MF trains (that coaster would shoot up into everyones top 5 again if this did happen).

We can all dream cant we ;)

That ride needs more than new trains to become ridable again.

I rode Wildcat yesterday and found it to be running pretty well. Aside from two spots where the train hammered through transitions, the ride was filled with speed and air.

Yeah, those new seat dividers suck. They're too wide and they force your legs to the side at an awkward angle... an angle completely opposite from the one that the ratcheting lap bars force your legs into. With buzz bars, the same dividers don't seem to cause any problems on the Comet, whose dreaded trim brake wasn't on nearly as hard as it has been in recent years.