Italian Jobs Trains at PKI

The mini-coopers have arrived at PKI....

http://multimedia.pki.com/images/news/minis%202.JPG

I thought they got burned in a fire?

Me? I'm dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they're going to do something incredibly... stupid.

It might be the one train that made it out alive. They're not quite what I imagined they would be (of course, few things are). I'll have to show it to a Mini-Cooper owner I know tommorow night and get his take on them.

If you read the update, Paramount had announced that the trains wern't damaged in the fire. For the rest of the IJ construction pics, follow the links below. I didn't realize just how far along the ride is. Seems it will be very hard to get a good full view of this entire ride from anywhere on ground level:

http://www.pki.com/News/photo_gallery.cfm?item_id=135

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

Wow, they got a lot done. It looks like it's going to be an incredible ride! And to my surprise, it is shaping up to look almost exactly like the concept art/movie.

^^post above^^

All photos are listed here (we've missed a few updates I think)...
http://www.pki.com/News/list.cfm?mc_id=59

I'm surprised, those appear to be actual shipping containers in some cases, not just facades. I really can't wait. Looks like fun!

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

I don't see door seams.

Separate load and unload stations, I presume? Or did the doors get cut in favor of Flight of Fear-style loading, as suggested by the Gerstlauer-style grab handles?

Vertical reaction fins for the motors? That actually makes sense...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I have been waiting forever to see a layout for the ride. I guess I might have to wait 'till opening day when someone can take a pic from the tower :(

Yes, Dave, there are separate load and unload stations. And it will launch directly out of the station, ala Xcelerator, FYI.

Joe "that's some hardcore themeing for a non-central FL park" C.

OMG I have a new sig!!!

If the cars were still using the red-white-blue scheme, then the fire would give at least one explanation for the two red cars. Either that, or the white cars just haven't arrived just yet.

Dexter,

By looking at the PKI photos and comparing them to the PCWo photos, you may be able to get a good sense of the actual layout as I think both sets of pictures have most of the layout pictured, with the exception of a couple of areas that are being hidden on purpose.

-Sean(who shouldn't be guessing anything at this hour) *** Edited 3/16/2005 9:37:02 AM UTC by Sean Flaharty***

I am REALLY looking forward to this ride. Media Day should be a blast! No pun intended. :-)

-Tina

I'm surprised, those appear to be actual shipping containers in some cases, not just facades.

I'm not so sure on that. According to PCWs progress thus far, it LOOKS like it's just a facade because from this photo, it appears that they're still assembling one.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/pcw_-_italian_job_1.htm

dexter said:
I have been waiting forever to see a layout for the ride. I guess I might have to wait 'till opening day when someone can take a pic from the tower

By looking at the prints, about 30% of the ride will be underground. Even with photos, people will not be able to see the complete layout.

There is a recreation of IJST using RCT3 somewhere. All I know so far is that the coaster is not very tall but many turns and drops.

This will get me to take a trip from Texas. It looks awesome. I have been wanting to check out parks in that area and this will give me a reason too!

It looks like it is going to be really unique! You guys have all the fun!

Question for any of Those Who Know...

Is the track going to remain black, or are they going to paint it? In the promo video, the track was yellow, but for both PCW & PKI, the track is black.

Usually in most circumstances, it comes pre-painted, but there are just a few coasters that are painted afterwards... is this one of them?

During the Italian Job construction tour in January, I believe, Jeff Siebert stated that the track will remain its current color. It was painted that gray shade so the track wouldn't stand out too much, taking away from the total experience. Great idea! *** Edited 3/16/2005 2:44:36 PM UTC by OHIcOaster***

The construction tour video I downloaded a while ago indicated that the decision was made to change the colour.

I develop Superior Solitaire when not riding coasters.

Stays black... or dark grey whichever it currently is.

PPD&E made the decision to not paint the track a highly visible color as to not distract riders from the theming elements along the course. They also saw it as more of a "match" to the paved areas beneath it.

Bottom line, they wanted the track to "blend in" rahter than "stand out."

Shaggy

This could be the most interesting attraction this season besides Powderkeg. Can't wait until Spring Break.

There's nothing like a woodie...

Coaster Lover said:
If you read the update, Paramount had announced that the trains wern't damaged in the fire.

Can you provide a link to this update?