Great photos, thanks! I noticed there were two pictures of the Gerstlauer lap bars and it looks like they added a little piece of foam to the side bars. What a joke! That will not help my legs from getting bruises on them from this terrible design. I know that there was extra padding taped to the Villian's trains later in the year and that didn't help. The PTC trains lap bar design on SOB is excellent, which really saves that coaster from being to rough. There was a rumor that Six Flags would not build anymore CCI coasters until they ended there contract with Gerstlauer supplying the trains. I wouldn't doubt that for a minute.
The lap bars are also a little wider, because the outside is flat, not a tube. I tried it and I find them to be very comfortable. Then again, I never had a problem with them in the first place, and I like them better than the PTC's.
Regarding which trains are used, that's entirely up to the customer. The customer can have Gerstlauer or PTC, it's their choice. I don't think CCI cares either way. The Gerstlauers apparently are a little less expensive.
Great photos Jeff! In fact, great coverage all around! Thanks for giving us something to drool over and talk about in the off-season.
Ain't it cool when these things look all brand new. Just a thought... SFMM is said to be getting new cars for the Revolution. The new cars for Astroworld look pretty familiar....And comfortable.
Those are some wicked lloking flat rides from Zamperla! I would have liked to see some shots of them not in motion though. Are these already in use in some parks? I'd love to ride them.
-JJ
I've seen a couple of Zamperla's rides in use at Camp Snoopy when I went up a couple of weeks ago. Kite Flier, and the tumbler
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Randy Hutchinson
You build it, I'll ride it
The Power Surge can be found at Knoebels, which replaced their Zamperla Axis. There is also another Power Surge at a boardwalk park in New Jersey. Zamperla isn't shy about putting their logo on everything including the seats, so keep your eyes open.
The picture of the arrow restraints look like they could be joaker themed. (purple and green)
perhaps it could be heading to a six flags park?
Zamperla's logo is also on the front of the OTSRs on Aero 360 at Kennywood. First time I sat down on the ride and the person across from me pulled down the restraint, there it was, in all its glory.
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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.
Yes, Kennywood's Aero360 is a Zamperla Hawk. I asked if they had a portable model, but they said it was too heavy to transport.
I did shoot video of Powere Surge in motion, and I'll digitize it and post it when I get back to Cleveland. That was by far one of the best "flat" rides I've been on.
I also have some images of the Fabbri Mega Tower to post sometime tonight, which is an amazing free fall ride for a portable. It's similar technologically to the Intamin Giant Drops, only plungers at the top forcefully push it when it is released. Can't tell you how weird it was riding that thing in a football stadium.
By the way, that Slingshot ride shoots within ten or fifteen feet of the roof of the dome. Creepy! I couldn't bring myself to get on it.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Sweet! When I hit PA next year for my coaster trip, I'll be able to hit both the Power Surge and the Aero 360. I'm not much of a flat ride person, but those were some wickedly cool looking rides.
I can't wait to see the video, Jeff. Thanks. :-)
-JJ
Strange. The robot looks like wing Zero from the animae show "Gundum Wing".
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Everybody calm down, the coasters do not open for another fifteen minutes.
If you care, JJFang, Aero is the best flat ride I've ever been on. Hardly any competition.
The Power Surge looks incredible. Does Zamperla make Chaos, too?
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How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.
Oh I do care, Lynch. I have heard nothing but rave reviews of Aero. :-)
-JJ
When you look at the "Arrow Restraint" Photo, notice that the two seats have different "Leg-seperaters" one curls back and one continues straight out. Could these possibly be for the different versions of the ride? (I.e. The Extreme and Family versions?) Anyone who knows please get back!
The Chaos is made be Chance Lynch. I have be on portable models of Chaos and power surge both are amonge the best flat rides every but the zipper lives on.