New lap-bar only trains on Vekoma Boomerang

The Vekoma Boomerang at Viennas Prater has switched to a new train with lap-bars only!

Pictures here:
http://freizeitparkweb.de/dcf/DCForumID4/6847.html#7
(scroll down to see all pictures)

The trains are made by a company called "SAT" which seems to be a new configuration of "Schäfer Amusement Technologies"
http://www.schaefer-freizeittechnik.de/eng/home.html

Alledgedly it rides very good and not as painful as it looks.
Anyway, I would not like to stall in this contraption.

*** Edited 8/5/2007 6:15:51 PM UTC by tricktrack***

Now if only the could keep your head from smacking the headrest.

Looks like those lap-bars could use some padding on them. I am sure that it would help the head banging that goes on in the sidewinder element. I agree tricktrack I wouldn't want to get stuck inverted in those at all.

Anyone know if this was the company Ghost Town was getting their new trains from for Cliffhanger?

That looks sweet!! The OTSR's are usually overrated and unnecessary...I mean, we all can do the math on the physics here!! I say good for this park!

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!

Geez, I think so many usually horrible Vekoma and Arrow rides would be GREAT with these new trains or just the lap bars!

Kudos to Premier for starting this, kinda...

From the pictures, it also looks like the wheels may actually grip the track. No more bouncing coaster cars. *** Edited 8/5/2007 9:12:49 PM UTC by J7G3***

I agree with coasterfantom2 they could use some padding. Looks neat. The OTSR's on Sidewinder in Hershey never bothered me, maybe its me lol.

Looks a little softer than the current OTSR.

I'd imagine that it would be EXTREMELY painful if a train stalled and you were stuck in a position in which your body weight was all pressed against the restraint (which Boomerangs have been known to do).

^How can a train stall? And you say they are known for it? Which ones and where? It may sound stupid to those of you that have been informed on this subject, but I know nothing and would like to. Stories, explanation and examples would be greatly appreciated.

Did anyone else notice that under the picture the word brutal was surrounded by " ". Maybe these trains could be worse but these trains look nice and probably would do wonders for and Vekoma coaster.

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rcd said:
I agree with coasterfantom2 they could use some padding. Looks neat. The OTSR's on Sidewinder in Hershey never bothered me, maybe its me lol.

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I think the extra padding around the neck, helps make Sidewinder not that bad. I think Sea Serpent at Morey's is smoother though.

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Gary B said:
How can a train stall? And you say they are known for it? Which ones and where? It may sound stupid to those of you that have been informed on this subject, but I know nothing and would like to. Stories, explanation and examples would be greatly appreciated.

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Vekoma Boomerangs are known to stall or valley between the two boomerang elements. This is why many Boomerangs have been retrofitted with evacuation platforms and a spiral staircase.

I don't see what would be so bad with a lap bar on this ride. Were in the heck can this stall where it would painful? It might stall on the lift hills, and get stuck in the cobra roll, but what's wrong with that. It's not like you are stuck upside down. That's the only problem I see.

What happens if you get stuck in the loop? Now, what are the chances of that? It's not like that doesn't happen.

I agree, I think lap bars would be a good thing.

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Gary B said:
Stories, explanation and examples would be greatly appreciated.

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http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/august99/stories/082699_02.shtml

I know there have been others but that was the first one I found.

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Rob Ascough said:Vekoma Boomerangs are known to stall or valley between the two boomerang elements. This is why many Boomerangs have been retrofitted with evacuation platforms and a spiral staircase.

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It's also why I'm confused as to why people are worried about the lapbars...it's a more enjoyable ride experience with virtually no downside...

Can we get either new or retrofitted trains on one here in the States so we can check it out? :)

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J7G3 said:

Kudos to Premier for starting this, kinda...

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I'm not sure Premier should be kudos'ed here. Schwarzkopf sent us through loops with lap bars long before that. But you knew that.

More current with what I think you meant - the Paramount LIM coasters got lap bars after Paramount asked Premier to change them. Paramount got the idea from the lap bars on the Premier Son of Beast trains, and said something like "we have so many complaints about the Outer Limits restraints, could we try something like this?" Premier did the work, but it was not their idea. It was done at Paramount's request.

If we're gonna play 'fact captain' here...

FOF wasn't originally designed for OTSRs at all. They were never supposed to be there.

-CO

You Rock Playa!!! Way to be the 'fact captain.' :)