Kumba

LostKause said:
I'm the opposite, AV. The reason I like Griffon is the holding brake.

A small technical detail that you may already know...there is no holding brake on the Sheikra or Griffon.

It's actually a short slow moving lift chain. The train has chain dogs facing the opposite direction and the chain never actually stops once the train engages. It merely speeds up to send you on your merry way.

If you already knew this, my apologies.

I haven't done either of the drop coasters in the US, but Oblivion's holding brake/chain at Alton is superb.

In the early days as you stopped a loud booming voice would warn you "DON'T LOOK DOWN" and then you'd be released into the pit.

Like I said, I haven't done the US rides - but I think perhaps the fact you can't see the track at the bottom of the drop on Oblivion would perhaps use the brief pause to greater effect.

http://www.rcdb.com/777.htm?p=13792

Oblivion may have been the least impressive vertical-drop *coaster*, but it was easily the most impressive ride experience.

Ooooh, deep. :)

haiderodes said:

If you already knew this, my apologies.

No apology necessary. First of all, I didn't know that, or I did once but forgot, and second of all, learning about and discussing coasters is what I think CoasterBuzz is all about. You have my gratitude.

But now I must ask, is it now still appropriate for me to call it a holding brake? :)

^Ha! The term "holding brake" gets the job done and sounds better than "holding chain" and "small lift chain that slows the train to a crawl at the top of the drop"