Hydra 8-09-04, Lift hill goes vertical

Didn't see anything on that one vater.

I'm pretty sure I came up with asshat and everyone else in the world is copying me. Get your own insults, jerks.

We should all just look on our animated 3D diagrams to see if there is a pre-lift inversion. Being new doesn't excuse your rediculous question. . .

Asshat has been around for AT LEAST three or four years, I know I first heard it from some URC friends...who are themselves asshats...;)

No updates today, Doesn't look like anything has gone on since the last update, Just the catwalks were installed to go higher up. Guess the next one will be tomorrow if anything does happen.

Just saw the fully erected lift over at xtremecoasters and it **looks** like (note this isn't official news) its not gonna have a pre-drop like most of B&M coasters. If that is true then it would be the forth coaster by B&M (not including clones) that doesnt include a pre-drop.

Now when you say a "pre-drop"...do you mean a drop before the lift hill? Or those little drops before the big 1st drop? I'm confused as to which "pre" you're referring to here ;)

I think he meant the dip off the lift hill into the first drop.

Yea, The dip to release the whole train off the lift and give it some more speed going over the drop.

Agreed, if there is a B&M dip here, its going to be the biggest B&M dip in the world. Looks good, will the first drop be completely straight? It looks like it from here but obviously, I'm not one of the ones in the know at the moment.

Isnt the B&M dip really there so that it relieves stress on the chain caused by the train going fast off of it?

Looks like this guy is gonna be the shortest (as in height) floorless coaster in the states! WOO! Although, looking at some of the smaller ones out there (crazy flying coaster/deamonen), its possible it could still pack a pretty intense punch.

Yeah, short doesn't always mean bad. Look at Talon for example. I know it's a little taller (and I'm not trying to start a controversy here) but it's probably the best invert I've ever ridden. Just proves that height/speed isn't everything....

Word up-I'm sure it'll be an intense ride...the only thing I'll miss on it is the big air on the first drop. (i.e. S:KC or Medusa..) *** Edited 8/21/2004 7:54:46 PM UTC by slowmotion***

I too agree that height doesn't determine how good a ride will be, but with a lift hill this short, I'm not sure this midget will be able to much in terms of forces. Boy do I hope it shuts me up though by proving me wrong. On another note, the only way this badboy will be able to gain any speed, is by using the side of the hill that Hercules dropped down. Footers are being poured on the hillside near SF according to people over at dorneyonline. Here's hoping for the best............Oh ya I love the Amercian flag they have at the top of the lift. The contractors must be American. I'v seen this before during other coaster constructions (a flag at the top of the lift). This raises a good question (or maybe a dumb one). When an American amusement park builds a B+M, which is obviously a European product, does B+M supply a contractor/builder or does the park that is building the ride hire a company from their area? *** Edited 8/21/2004 8:15:13 PM UTC by DorneyDante***

Eh-they way I understand it is that B&M is only responsible for the execution and manufacturing of the design itself...I believe the park is repsonsible for taking care of everything else.

Wow, bashing the ride before it's even half-way finished, and nothing has been announced. it might be really good! besides, for me a coaster doesn't need to almost knock me out to be a lot of fun. just my opinion.

-danny

Danny, no one is bashing Hydra. We are questioning whether a ride with such an extremely short lift hill will be able to deliver. Like I said, boy do I hope that I get shut up. BTW, my estimate for the height is 85ft. Looks shorter than Herc's lift (95ft). *** Edited 8/21/2004 8:44:11 PM UTC by DorneyDante***

I think I'm wrong on this, so someone please clarify. I believe that they took out some footers in the lake (but I'm not too positive). But I know (I saw them there a few weeks ago) that they left some there. Can someone tell me why they did that (because I thought this thing was definitely not going down near the lake). Thanks!

http://xtremecoasters.com/index.php?act=construction/dorney

New update today, There is a wall for a trench or tunnel that is being built. Construction has paused, probably because the crazy thunder storms they had today.

Anyway, I think hydra is going to be an awesome ride. Probably better then most other floorless coasters. Its going to be unique.

Just some observations, But it seems that now-a-day the lifts on beemers are sporting less and less supports.

Oh yeah and for some folks that still **believe** that its gonna be a pre lift inversion I think this picture shows that its gonna be impossible, unless you dont mind eating a little dirt on the way down!

http://www.xtremecoasters.com/photo_gallery/displayimage.php?album=37&pos=9

Link directly to the picture, That pictures shows somthing totally different.

Anyway, I am a strong believer in a Pre-lift inversion. I was there today and it definatly looks like a possobility. Plus the twisted track laying on the ground. Here is a pic of both supports, I think its a very good chance of having a prelift inversion.

http://www.xtremecoasters.com/photo_gallery/albums/hydra8-21-04/DSCN2877.JPG *** Edited 8/21/2004 11:45:09 PM UTC by Big D***