If a second & successful S&S 4D were to be built. Would CF, Busch or Paramount buy one?

Correct. S&S talked quite a bit about it at that show with no official reference to park, just saying "Japan 06". But, with construction going on at Fuji-Q and signs up all over the place as teasers for their new coaster, it doesn't take too much brainpower to figure out where the 4D is.

Kraxaxelrida, you can try to insult me all you want calling me that, but you're still not the authority on who can ask what here. If it was such a bad question to ask, a Mod would have closed it. And since you aren't one...

He wasn't starting some 'conspiracy theory' thread, he was asking a question. As usual, you come in with some rude response like you own the boards here. He doesn't need your permission to ask a question, and can ask whatever he wants.

Not only that, but he got more than enough responses to inform him. You're just an idiot.

A FAR more interesting question (at least to me) is when are we going to see a Vekoma X-car coaster in North America?

X is a fun ride, if you can stand the huge wait and low capacity... but, I mean the thing is SO over engineered and expensive, I just can't see anyone doing another one... (Japan notwithstanding). But X is not the most innovative, nor even the most fun of the "new coaster designs" that have come out in the last four or five years.

Heck, give me a Mack Spinner / Vekoma X-car / Intiman Rocket (NOT like TTD, like Kannonen) over a 4D any day...

-Esch

What is a Vekoma X-Car?

I believe he means the Mauer Shoene X-Car.

Ah, okay.

DOH! Yup, sorry, got my Vekoma and Mauer Schone mixed up again... Blame Jeff for posting that dang UK opens a new Vekoma Booster and Mauer Schone X-Car coaster article... :-)

Or just blame me for being a n00b. Either way...

-Esch

X was over engineered lol lmao, the only coasters/company I think of when I hear that is B&M

Wouldn't B&M be better to compare to over engineering since their coasters are known though out the world as having pretty much 100% uptime and for providing one the smoothest rides out there.

X on the other hand is know for horrible long periods of downtime, a mecanhics nightmare, low capacity, and from enthuisast point of view the ride varies from smooth.......to it beat the hell outta me. So imo wouldn't X be consider under engineered?

Anyways I love X even with all the problems it's one hell of a ride. I just hope S&S Arrow has perfected the train design alot more and this coaster type works well for the park in Japan thats getting it. Hopefully if everthing goes right parks here in the states will give the 4d another chance.

If you had a medium-sized park with a lot of money, then I could see them building an X-Car coaster in the states...but seeing as how it's supposed to be low capacity, and the only parks that could really afford it are the large ones...not sure how well that could/would work.

I guess I have a different conception of over-engineered than you do... What I mean is LOOK AT THE SUPPORTS! The sheer infrastructure of the ride is enormous. Yeah, technically, it's been a dismal failure - no question it's under engineered from that standpoint.

Perhaps what I should have said is "bulky." And with the earthquake codes in Japan, I can't even imagine what the supports are going to look like if they are indeed building an Arrow 4D over there... (not that California's codes are much less I suppose).

Does make for some dang pretty rides though... I think White Cyclone is about the prettiest Wooden coaster ever built.

-Esch

That's what I've said about X from day 1 - thing's ugly as can be... way too many supports. Even from an engineering prespective, I mean, I guess it's all in your "design style" but if it were me, I'd give it LESS structure in an earthquake-prone area, less pieces to break, less joints to fail, and more movement naturally allowed.

And by the way, put me in the "it beat the hell out of me and gave me no reason to travel back to California in the last two years, even though I've had multiple opportunities"

Well... other than the color, I actually kinda LIKE the way too many support look of it... But I'd have picked different colors for the track and supports. Maybe a navy blue and silver... or purple track to go with the gold supports.

Actually, I don't think it's over-engineered. I mean look at the trains; each train is probably twice the weight of a normal train. More weight will add a lot more force that needs to be restrained some how. I think Arrow knew what they were doing when they were designing X. Look at the other Arrow's at Tragic Mountain; they don't look over-engineered for earthquakes. I think it's the train's weight that resulted in the bulky supports, not faulty engineering.

I for one, hope that the new X style coaster succeeds and will bring interest back to the U.S. Cedar Point is as good as any to install it at. Especially since it seems they have an excellent mechanical staff.