New Balder video
------------------
Dutch Coastin' :: European coasters, thrills and theming!
The video is taking forever to buffer for me, and I'm on a T1 line. It may be that lots of people are trying to download it, so the server's swamped. I hope it's worth it.
Oh, it's a 9 meg video, folks, so it may take a while.
------------------
I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!
------------------
-Vater
'These pretzels are making me thirsty.'
Take a ride...
This coaster blooks incredible! Great air, very intense speed over the tops of the hills, and CRAZY headchoppers!! When will we get one of these in the US?
-Matt
Couple of things interesting here, as mentioned above and elsewhere - the rolling stock and the "new Intamin track." Both completely intriuge me: the stock because I've never seen any wooden stock like it (looks like a cross between an old arrow hyper tub-train with cut down sides and Intamin new hyper restraints), and the track, well, I suppose it doesn't look *that* different from regular wooden track, but somehow it looks not real.
Anybody have any links to the technical details about either of the above?
I sure wish a park in the states (*cough* in Ohio *cough*) would get one of these. I have a feeling they're going to be something special.
The cars are more or less like the Intamin Mega/Giga rolling stock. Apart from being quite ugly, they rock!
You have three rows of stadium seating with the original garden-chair design. They could use a little more legroom, though. They run on polyurethane wheels, but the wheel assembly is woody-style, with the guiding wheels on the inside.
Another innovation, which was added after they toyed with trimbrakes on Colossos: The trimbraking is now executed by the wheel axis itself! This means, when the train surpasses its speed, the train brakes down to maximum/optimum speed. This is very good for maintenance and you hardly feel it while you are on the ride. Its a big advantage to usual trimbrakes.
I explained the track- technique in another thread, but since I am trying to eliminate the wrong term "plug n play coaster", i will gladly write it again.;-)
I know that many purists are opposed to the new Stengel-track, calling it not real wood etc.
Sure, Colossos is missing the shake and roll (its slowly beginning to shuffle a bit, so you won´t be fooled riding a steel coaster while you ride with eyes shut.)
The track is laser-cut by computerized machines out of a SOLID WOODEN BEAM. While building the support structure, the needed data is transferred to the cutting plant, by the carpenters on-site. This way, you will have a nearly perfect fitting, three dimensional wooden rail for either side of the track.
Advantages are plenty: The shuffling from left to right is minimized, cause the tracks are fitting on the supports and there is no alteration in width and height.
The rails last longer because the laminated wood on traditional coasters tends to split and adding new layers of wood is never so precise. If a new piece of track is needed, the park just calls a wood supplier (with the necessary equipment) and gives them the data of the needed track. The new track could be ready in no-time.
Actually, the new Intamin track is PUREST wood, cause its made out of a solid block. The only steel is used for the running rails (as normal) and a specially designed steel bolt is connecting two pieces of track.
There are as well some differences in the design of the support structure. COLOSSOS looks very delicate for a wooden structure of this hight (compare to SOB, which I think is NOT in an earthquake zone).
There is as well an innovation where the supports hit the ground: Its somehow elevated so that the wood will not rot so fast. The guarantied lifetime is at least 20 years!
This track.technique allows more extreme manouvers, such as 70° drop (on BALDER) and extremely banked curves. I wouldn´t be surprised if we see some new inversions on woodies (if they can manage the supports).
It is questionable, however if there is a need for a wooden coaster that can perform tricks like a steel ride. But, hey you still have the smell and the optic of a woodie. And IMO the rides are extremely enjoyable, thrilling and funny.
------------------
i was a teenage rollercoaster designer
------------------
People complain about clones, yet can't even come up with original conversation, which is ten times worse.
------------------
-Keith "Badnitrus" McVeen
tricktrack said:
They run on polyurethane wheels
No wonder it didn't sound like a real wooden coaster. I'm all for making advances in wood, but not making them into steel coasters. I think this ride has a great layout, but it doesn't seem to have that classic wooden "feel" to it.
------------------
Am I really that shy?
*** This post was edited by Pink Floyd Fanatic 3/25/2003 12:04:10 AM ***
------------------
On the Titan at SFOT last week, I saw a bird coming torward me on the first drop and i thought to myself, "Crap, I'm gonna pull a Fabio."
You know, this might just be the kind of woodie that SFMM could take good care of, (hint, hint). ;)
------------------
The Trip: CP, SFWoA, PKI, KW, HW, IB, SFGAm, MiA and LeSourdsville too.
8 Days- 10 parks. May 2003
Pink Floyd Fanatic said:
Hey tricktrack are there any drawbacks to the new track technology besides price? Also how did you type in the degree symbol? I can not find it on my keyboard.
*** This post was edited by Pink Floyd Fanatic 3/25/2003 12:04:10 AM ***
Time will tell. I think a big drawback is the negative attitude most woody purists seem to have against it.
Thats why I always object and type until my fingers are bleeding that the term PLUG AND PLAY is completely wrong for this technique.
The price is a difficult question. IF the positive aspects hold true over a longer operation period, the maintenance costs should make up for a higher price tag.
I am not too familiar how long a ride like SHIVERING TIMBERS or SOB took to erect. I think "C" was up quite quick. So you would save on workers (but this is my speculation. I am gladly learning different views).
When "C" was opened it was already announced that a similar ride was to be built in th US (california was mentioned), but this appears to be canceled.
Its strange though, SF parks who tend to let their woodies fall in a state of neglect, could use low maintenace woodies. But I really thinlk they fear the wood purists (who only exist on the US).
Now for the "°" question: I am typing on a german manual. This has lots of °^äüö and stuff. But the ° sign should be on all manuals. Its the key left to the "1". Press shift . I have no idea where you could find it if its not on your manual.
------------------
i was a teenage rollercoaster designer
If you're writing in HTML, you can use the ° tag. :)
------------------
Dutch Coastin' :: European coasters, thrills and theming!
You must be logged in to post
