K-Nex Roller Coaster Gets Publicity in NE Ohio

My friend and I have been working on this ride since October and it is finally coming close to completion. It has been built for the use of a physics class to do calculations and demos on.

I have three sections of press that will be uploaded to the link below. The first is from the Canton Repository, a major county newspaper. Later on, the Louisville Herald and pictures that I took myself will be added. Hope you like it!

K-Nex Coaster

So it was Justin's idea to do it and you sort of got caught up in too? At least that is what the article made it sound like.

Looks great!

Interesting. Will there be open house for the public to view? You're right near my neck of the woods!

Yes, Justin started it and I came in right after to give him my insight and roller coaster knowledge. From there, the project just kind of took off and I let my imagination run wild. It really turned out great. I can't wait to get back monday and get everyone some more pictures.

jkpark - I'm not sure if there will be an open house or not. I have received quite a bit of feedback from a lot people though and it will definately be brought up to our teacher. I'll let you know.

Article 2 has just been added to the bottom of the page.

Wow, good job! It seems like a very education and interesting project as well as a fun project.

I am jealous. I only teach 6th grade and our budget is quite limted. Every year for our annual "Open House" my class demonstrates our Knex projects including: Ball towers, coasters, hyperspace training towers, simple machines, marble runs and this year bridges.

If you are willing to, I am seriously offering to trade some parts for a copy of your completed blueprints. (I can't pay you for them as the parts mostly belong to the school).

My little guys and gals aren't ready to construct their own designs, but I would love an advanced group undertake their own hassle.

Very Impressive!

Love that name too!

Haha you get points for the name alone, constructing something that large sure seems like a big hassle.

Great stuff, congrats!
I wish I would have had a K-Nex set as large as that when I was younger and still had the time for activities like that.
I always used Mattel's "Hot Wheels" for my coaster models, but the cars regularly just fell off the track if the speed became to high.

Is your coaster safe enough so that you could attach a little (cheap) digicam to the car for a POV on-ride video?
That would be sooooo cool!

Greetings
jo

*** Edited 1/26/2006 11:22:13 AM UTC by superman***

superman - I'm not sure lol. I don't know where we would get one either. But if we could, I guarantee we would. I would love to see what it looks like on the second half of the ride. (You'll know what I mean when I post the pictures tommorow.) But I do have a digital video camera and I may take some video of it in action if enough people want to see it.

Richie - We actually didn't have any blue prints whatsoever. We started with the original kit design with the hill, loop, and then helix and were satisfied with it for about an hour. It just wasn't enough. 3 months later, the only thing remaining from that ride is the helix and about 1/3 of the first lift hill. We could take a lot of detailed and close up pictures for you though and you could try to build off of that if you would like.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm really happy that I can come somewhere like here to people who have such a great respect and appreciation for something like this. :)

Corey, You may want to get an artistic buddy to document your ride. In other words, create a blueprint for you. This will help you if you miscalculate something and have to go back to a certain point.

The classic K'nex coasters are not nearly as forgiving as the Screamin' Serpant or Rippin' Rocket sets. Those I feel, are much easier to customize and experiemnt on. The classic coaster though draws more ooohs and ahhhs from our parents because I don't use the motor. It's more fun for the visitors to pull the little car up the lift with the handle. I do the same for the classic ball tower.

I would welcome anything you can provide in terms of photos. I also am very interested in how to properly bend the track to get the desired curves.

I know I said this before, but I'm VERY IMPRESSED!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the pictures have now been uploaded and there are some great shots. The second chain should be in tommorow and everything will be done for the current layout. We are still making some changes though to the ride and debating the possibility of adding on to it. Up until then, I would love to chat with you about it and answer any questions.

Enjoy the pictures, and i'll try to get some more as well as possibly a video!

K-Nex Coaster

Thanks for the photos. After seeing your layout, I'm thinking that maybe the high-school physics students can work in some capacity with my elementary school students. I will discuss this with my administration. Keep building and remember to accuratley document your steps.

I will Richie. I'll definately keep everyone posted on the progress as well.

hey-ho
way to go
O-Hi-O!

CoastinCory, I was just wondering if the room in the picture is part of the expansion of the high school? I live in Louisville but graduated way before that was built on.

Your coaster is really great! I think I remember seeing the article in the Herald.

Sarah - No, that is one of the original rooms in the old wing. Good thing too, because we wouldn't have room for it in the new addition because of the lab stations in the back.