Line length/theme for Top Thrill Dragster?

Yeah it does, But they probobly just animated one in like with computer graphics

I believe they do not use a long train to try to keep the speed equalized when going over the top hat.

*** This post was edited by GoliathKills on 1/9/2003. ***

Didn't they say that was a computer animated drawing anyways, plus that doesn't show the elevator shaft so it isn't a real photo. That most likely is just an animated train.

aliensk8ter said:

is it just me or does it look like a train is at the top of the tower in this picture???
http://www.cedarpoint.com/images/homepageshow/composite.jpg
or they could have edited that picture, i dunno
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Yes there is a train on that picture, but it is pretty obviously computer enhanced

alien, the white track is used to simulate a dragsrtip. Ever see a drag race on tv? The section at the beginning of the track where they burn thier tires to heat them up is white stripes painted in the Blacktop.

And that image is highly computer geneerated. It even has the tree lights running up the tower...

The alternating colors of track probably are there to enhance the feeling of speed as you accelerate.

I suspect that the lines will be long. Certainly people haven't stayed away for 300 feet for MF.

One of the videos showed actual drag racing and in the middle between two lanes was red and white stripes.

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The same video shows a McDonald's team Drag racing car ;)

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I would think that 6 trains won't make the lines shorter, but simply keep the line moving constantly. At least one train should be loading at all times, meaning that the line (ideally) always will be moving. And I don't care how long a line is, it always seems faster when you're moving rather than standing still.

'Moosh, the thing to remember about a coaster control system is that you don't have to keep track of any of the trains...you just need to keep track of the status of each of the ride blocks. It isn't necessary to track the progress of each train, or to know which train is where, you only need to know whether the block is clear or not. And that's pretty easy to manage.

As for the use of shorter trains...
Remember that launches are different from using plain gravity. If you drop a train from 420 feet, it will go about 110 MPH no matter how much it weighs, because gravitational attraction scales with mass. But with a launch, the amount of force required to achieve a particular speed is dependent on vehicle mass. This thing needs to have enough reserve power to get a fully loaded vehicle up to at least 112 MPH in order for it to clear the top of the tower...but needs to be controlled to keep an empty train from going TOO fast. My guess is that rather than weighing and calculating, they can simply put a governor of some kind on the launch motor...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Think they will use parachutes as part of the braking system.

Rideman says:

"...the thing to remember about a coaster control system is that you don't have to keep track of any of the trains...you just need to keep track of the status of each of the ride blocks. It isn't necessary to track the progress of each train, or to know which train is where, you only need to know whether the block is clear or not. And that's pretty easy to manage."

Easy to manage...except, apparently, for Xcelerator's ccs.

Moosh - hoping the ccs get's an overhaul in the next few weeks when Xcelerator goes down for biannual maintenance.

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I would think it would be quicker to load and unload 16 passenger trains anyway.

Mamoosh said:

Moosh - hoping the ccs get's an overhaul in the next few weeks when Xcelerator goes down for biannual maintenance.
...or conversely, they *could* just permanently install a ladder from the side of the track right where the *other unload station* sits...;)

'Gator - the park did install a walkway along the curve before the station to make unloading stranded passengers easier.

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While roller coasters are extremely safe, I'm a little wary on this particular model. 6 trains on 2,500 ft. of track?! There's a LOT of room for crash and burn here.

If all things go well (and I'm praying they do), lines will not be a problem. The fact the ride is an estimated 15 seconds and the fact they'll be running 6 trains at once. People will be running in and out. We could probably get a lot of laps on this one in it's first year alone!

'Moosh, true enough, but the ops have to tote that ladder back and forth so frequently, they should get movers' uniforms instead of the standard issue ride-op gear...;)

bill, still saying that IF the *ccs* isn't VASTLY improved, CP may not be as pleased with TTD as they are right now...and that we need more acronyms!

Ultimate Coaster said:

Do you work at CP or something? I'm just wondering not insulting...

Yes I do..

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rollergator said:

'Moosh, true enough, but the ops have to tote that ladder back and forth so frequently, they should get movers' uniforms instead of the standard issue ride-op gear...

Um, I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about. Its not a ladder, its a walkway on the side of that turnaround. http://www.westcoaster.net/photo.php?img=102102/101902-kbf003-lrg.jpg

First off - I'm just wondering... As Mantis has two trains (one unused), who's to say that all 6 will be on the track at the same time. Maybe CP has an extra or two in case of severe wear?

Just grabbing at flies here. Six trains doesn't seem like it'll happen because on ALL other coasters (w/ more than 2 trains), there's always ONE waiting in the blocks behind the station while one's loading/unloading, and the third is on the track.

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