Jump the Track

Could a roller coster jump the track and land on other track?

Yes, it could be done. No, it could not be done safely. At least that's my very much non-expert opinion.

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ATTENTION!!...This is the Alter Ego of Goliath Rocks; If he said something stupid, we're sorry, it's the "G"s talking...

They had a ride called "Leap the Gap" (not quite sure if this is the right name) a long time ago and it had a gap in the track. The ride op would weigh everyone so the train would be the right weight and speed when it went over the gaps. It was to dangerous so it was taken out.
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Jack, who can't wait for Opening Day 2001...

Either leap the gap or leap the dips. I think that it's leap the dip, but I'm not sure.

I seem to remember from an Iaapa '99(?) photo of a japanese coaster that did this, sort of. It flew into the air, but landed safely b/c of bungie cords.

I think that a jump like "Leap the Gap" could be done safely, but the restrictions and run-off time that the jump would require would probably take away from the thrill of the jump, making it useless.

But the bungie cords could make for an interesting end to a ride. :)

Leap the Dips is a real coaster existing today if I am correct wasn't it restored not that long ago.
I don't think it ever included a jump.

But on the topic of a coaster wich could jump. If engineered correctly i believe it could be done. However i do not think it will be done for safety reasons.

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#1 Steel-Incredible Hulk
#1 Wood--Timber Wolf

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sfga2001 said:
The ride op would weigh everyone so the train would be the right weight and speed when it went over the gaps.
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Thank god the ride operator weighed them and they did not take it on word of mouth, we all know women don't usally tell the truth about there weight, just a joke I don't need NOW down my throat.
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Army rangers lead the way

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I read about a coaster that actually did this back around the 1920's. I believe it is in Robert Cartmel's book "The Incredible Scream Machine: A history of the Roller Coaster". If I remember right, it was of side friction design. The tried it for a little while, and it couldn't pull it off right, so they filled in the gap that the train jumped and ran it normally.

Unfortunately, I don't have the book with me. Anyone else read about this coaster?

-Peabody

I have an aunt that told me she saw this coaster once. It is the reason she was convinced that all coasters are dangerous.

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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air we're gonna sleep like babies"
Phoenix-A great town and a great coaster

Leap the Dips was restored in 1999 at Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA. It's the only remaining side friction coaster in the United States. At one time there were over 1500 of these across the country! It's also the world's oldest roller coaster built in 1902!

It is the most thrilling ride but it is a fun ride. The biggest drop is only around 10 feet and the top speed is less than 15 mph. There are no restraints just big padded seats and a stationary bar to hold on. Its my favorite stop when I'm going to Kennywood.

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

It could be called a "Daredevil Jump" that would be cool.

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What is life without geniuses?

Forgive my ignorance, but what is meant by "side friction" roller coaster?

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ATTENTION!!...This is the Alter Ego of Goliath Rocks; If he said something stupid, we're sorry, it's the "G"s talking...

It doesn't have any upstop wheels. The cars run on a track and it has side rails along the outside of the track. The cars kinda travel in a square trough. The wheels are on the side of the cars to help around the turns instead of on a wheel assembly like a typica coaster. The cars sorta shimmy along the course.

Hope that helps you understand.
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

OK; I get it. Thanks, dude!

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ATTENTION!!...This is the Alter Ego of Goliath Rocks; If he said something stupid, we're sorry, it's the "G"s talking...

I think Crystal Beach once considered putting a "jumping" ride in, but it was too dangerous. I don't remember if any guests actually made the jump; it could be the one you're talking about, Peabody. But I don't remember the details either. I don't think a jump would be worth it because the landing at the other side would be very rough no matter what.

I would think that if such a ride ever existed Jeff would know something about it, so...Do you know of one, Jeff? Thanx

Here are some photos of Leap-the-Dips. You can see the side-friction design.
http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery243.htm

That Leap the Gap farce was in Coney Island in the 1920's. The 'big car' was able to simulate a jump, from one reason or another over a section of the ride which did not have a full track.

However, the testing was only partially good. When they loaded it with weight, it didn't make it. Nobody ever rode it this way. The then constructed a 'circus cannon' motif in the loading station, and it was renamed the 'Cannon Coaster'. Survived for about 30 years I am told.