How did El Toro happen?

hambone said:

You lose. (Partly.)

(For white pine, along the grain, tensile strength is 11300 psi and compression strength is 4800 psi. Perpendicular to grain, compression strength is greater, but I think we're mostly talking about the vertical members of the bents.)

So then the coaster structure has less stress on it during a negative g event that a positive g event of the same magnitude. Interesting.

Watched most of an updated YouTube video about this a few hours ago. Apparently the park was able to identify the location on the track where one of the wheel sets derailed. At that location the track gauge was found to be well within acceptable tolerances. But when they stressed the rail section with a hydraulic jack with forces comparable to those applied by a fully loaded train, the rail deflected outward far enough to allow the upstop wheel to clear the overhang. The State gave their +approval to the findings, and the park worked with the manufacturer to devise a solution: Mean Streak-style steel track ties added between the existing track ties in areas on the ride with significant -Gz loading. Apparently the State has +approved the fix, +recertified the ride, and it has re-opened (Really? Great Adventure is open already?). Or at least it’s ready to re-open.

—Dave Althoff, Jr.

Interesting, thanks.

Great Adventure opened yesterday, as did Luna Park at Coney Island (a week earlier than usual, I think - Deno's opens next week on Palm Sunday as usual). Decent weather yesterday but I'd have no desire to be riding the Cyclone today.

The video I referred to:

—Dave Althoff, Jr.

Great Adventure opened for the season this weekend. Hershey did as well.

Rode El Toro on Thursday, April 14. It is tracking perfectly. Granted, it's been a few years since I've ridden it and I remember liking it, but right now it may be the best coaster I've ever ridden.