New footer markings all over SFOG - discuss

While waiting to ride Scorcher last Friday I stuck up a conversation with a ride op -- an older gentleman who's name I can't remember -- and when he heard that I and others in my group were from out of town he volunteered that we'd want to return next year as the park would be opening "a big steel coaster that would travel all over the park."

On the exit ramp I noticed survey flags under Scorcher's final brake run and approach to the station. On the walkway in front of Scorcher were pink spray painted footer markings -- pictures as proof will follow as soon as I get them from the member of our party who took them. As the day progressed we discovered pink footer markings and survey flags all over the USA section and even -- as seen from the sky ride -- behind Monster Plantation...and we continued to discover more and more, including a slew on the grassy area across from the entrance plaza.

They are quite obviously markings for footers ad they are labeled with numbers the "R" and "L" indicating right and left supports -- C56R and C56L for example -- exactly as seen on the pavement at SFMM when they were building Scream.

So...B&M hyper for 2006? That's my best guess. Anyone know anything?

mOOSH [trip reports to follow soon]

*** Edited 6/6/2005 2:45:58 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

Nice! A hyper would round out their collection for sure. And given their relationship with Intamin and their (allthough IMO, better) hypers, I'd say a B&M is likely. And of course, if it is B&M, we can't expect any kind of record breaker, likely, but a nice, solid ride :)

Yes, I know of at least a couple that know *something*, but they ain't talking:(.

Maybe I'll push SFoG back to next year? Heck, I'll be down there this year, 2 in a row won't hurt.

Glad your back, Moosh. Sorry I didn't meet ya at PCar, but I'll explain later;). How'd ya like Top Gun?

Hmm, I loooove the idea of a Hyper, but markers right near GA Scorcher isn't that cool, because Scorcher makes such a visual presence there, I'd hate to see it ruined.

I do think I'd forgive it though if it ventured out over the entranceway though, that sounds really cool

P - There were pink spray painted marks all around Gasp's queue...I'd say it would be a good idea for people to ride it this year as I'm betting it's removed to make way for the new ride. From the looks of the markings I'd say the looping swing ship will also be given the axe.

It was tough to distinguish a pattern as they were all over the boundaries of the USA section -- mostly along the edges of the area -- but as far as I could tell the only straight line that would indicate a lift extended from Great Gasp to Scorcher.

Should be interesting to see if these markings are indeed for a new coaster.

Wish SFSTL would get a new coaster.....SFOG just got a Beamer! *** Edited 6/6/2005 5:38:10 AM UTC by Geewhzz***

Just got a Beemer? Yeah, 3 years ago. Why? Because they have the attendance to justify it.

SFoG management have been wanting a hyper for a LONG time. That and a flat ride package but SF corporate wouldn't greenlight either.

Guess their time has finally come. Gives me a reason to make the trek to Atlanta, and drag some of my Atlanta area friends to the park.

Hope y'all had a great trip in the South, Moosh and Company - sorry I missed you guys but real life circumstances killed any possibility of meeting y'all. Hopefully see you in Cali in October since I'll be over in Anaheim for a few days 2nd or 3rd weekend.

George

No worries, G...we were in and out of Wild Adventures in less than 4 hours so its a good thing you couldn't make it.

Well if there were L&R markings at every place. My guess would be a Intamin Woodie.

Chuck, who says that at least most Steel coasters have single supports in many places.

B&M use L and R marking for most of their supports since they have those inverted V shaped supports.

Deal is how far apart were the L and R markings - that would really indicate what we're looking at both heightwise and design. Farther apart - usually a fairly tall B&M structure. Heck if you could map em against a park map it'd show a potential layout.

Chuck - I didn't say ALL the markings had L&R indications, just some of them. Trust me...from the locations and spacing of the footer markings this would NOT - I repeat NOT - be a wooden coaster.

I suggest you check out some pics of B&M and Intamin coasters again...you'll see many paired supports, especially on curved sections.

Ok Moosie, Will do.

Chuck, who by the description in your earlier post just felt a description of woodie. Thats all.

Generally, I follow this rule: "L/R footers close together = low section of track, L/R footers further apart = higher section of track."

But I can't imagine that this *fairly mammoth* coaster won't have some height near the Interstate to draw attention to itself...

Either way, I'm glad I got my rides on Great Gasp....not enough Parachute drops left, so hopefully they'll move the ride elsewhere....

Sounds exciting. I've always felt that SFOG's coaster collection was as solid and diverse as any other Six Flags out there, but the park could definately gain from having that one, large, unique steel coaster that could really serve as a signature attraction.

Whatever it is they build, I hope it's a people-sucker with 3 trains.. they need the high-capacity.. If they actually can get the crew to run it that way.

What is great gasp?

Intamin Parachute Drop, one of two left in the US [the other being at SFGAdv].

Is the Texas Chute out not an Intamin, or did you just forget about that one?

It's good to see that ride-ops are giving out good info these days. ;-)

Congrats to SFOG!