Powder Keg Announced - CoasterBuzz

As far as I understand it'll do a little like the impulse coasters, small launch backwards and the full launch forward. Not sure if they'll modify the lifthill or if it'll be a conventional chain lift.
I could be wrong though...

You load into the train. The track then moves to the left and then you get launched backwards up a spike then launched forwards. I guess this is to take the intensity out of launch, to make it more family friendly. It is still a little aloof to me.

Thanks for the explanation, Swoosh! And now to delete my post in the news section asking for that very explanation ;)

Badnitrus said:
I am sure they were way overcharged for that video :).

I dunno about that Keith, I just think that *professional* guy who does those AMAZING renderings, I think he charges WAY too little....I think I even TALKED with him about that before.

And, timing of the world being the way it is, I was discussing this VERY same issue with a few of my *techie* friends, and they agree with me, "Keefington's World of Amazing Video for Way Too Cheap", that place has got to close up shop and open up with a new name and new pricing schedule....:)

You SAW what happened when that CCI place didn't charge enough for THEIR product, right? ;)

edit: Just to be CLEAR, Badnitrus is more like B&M than CCI, and when you are THE industry standard, you get to call the shots...;)

P.S.S. Ya'll can ignore *my* news section question as well now, hehe....:)
*** Edited 11/8/2004 3:06:50 PM UTC by rollergator***

Swoosh,

Thank you for your ride updates and pictures they are very nice and have made me more excited than the actual stuff on the Silver Dollar City page.

I was looking at this artist rendering of Powder Keg on rcdb:
http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery1903.htm?Picture=6
and read the discription that they have on the ride and just have some questions that you might be able to answer.

It looks like you will leave the station loading area and be placed on the transfer track (which is outside the station building) then be moved into the side of the launch building. Do you think this is what happens, or is everthing contained under one roof?

The ride description says nothing of a backwards launch, but describes the launch as this "amid jars of nitroglycerine that rock and tip. As the nitro "explodes," the cars blast out of the building and special effects of fire and smoke shoot through the roof of the powder mill load station". My question is this: Have you been told that the ride basts backwards first, or was that an assumption based on the fact there is that spike of track out the back of the "load" station? Could that extra track just be part of the theming?

It would be cool though if it blasted you backwards and then you had to go back through the burning building.

Anyhow, looks to be a fun ride that my whole family will enjoy and can't wait to ride.

Let the good times roll - Zingo

I have been told both ways and to be honest I am not sure anymore. There is track sticking out the back as seen in the artist rendering (funny I just uploaded that picture today myself), and whether that is to be used is still in question. IF it is only for themeing purposes, I think that is quite a waste of money as there is really no need for it. The piece is REAL track that is in place at SDC and I will have pictures of it next week.

My suggestion is to just hold on for the ride as not everything has been released yet.

Regardless, I'm glad that I get my explosion themeing in the building! Man, when I do get to ride this, I doubt it will soon enough. It looks amazing, I like Launch, now if only the midwest wasn't so far away, and a trip to Japan so close...

Mamoosh said:
Animation shows cars moving horizontally to launch track, which matched the layout from First Drop...cool

Last night I looked through the last three issues of First Drop and I didn't find the layout for Powder Keg. Which issue is it in?

Last year's IAAPA recap, Jeffrey.

Swoosh,

I know this might sound incredibly stupid. But could that back spike track be a safety device for rollback purposes?

I'm not to familiar with S&S thrust air coasters, but what kind of break system do they have to prevent roll backs?

Anyhow, just a thought...

Let the good times roll - Zingo

That was my thought too, Zingo.

Hypersonic has rollback brakes on the front side of the tower and between the launch and station. That does look like it could be a rollback, that's what I thought too.

The breaks on Hypersonic slow down, but don't stop, a rollback.

The only coaster I know that launches backwards is Mummy, but its not much of a launch...its more of a nudge to get the car rolling. A launch of any great strength could potentially result in neck injuries.

Intamin impulse coasters feature backward launches, as do Arrow shuttles. Plus, is falling backward (ala Deja Vu and Mr. Freeze) really that different from launching backward?

-Nate
*** Edited 11/10/2004 7:32:42 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

OK, so I obviously overlooked a few ;) However the key words in my post were "launch of any great strength." None of the examples you site have that in a backwards direction.

coasterdude318 said:
Intamin impulse coasters feature backward launches, as do Arrow shuttles. Plus, is falling backward (ala Deja Vu and Mr. Freeze) really that different from launching backward?
-Nate
*** Edited 11/10/2004 7:32:42 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

Yes, it's different, you are falling with the train and naturall accelerating with it, while a launch backwards takes you from standing still to instant speed with no back and neck support. Would you ride TTD without the large seats, and instead something like Gemini? I don't think so.

Who says it has to be a backward launch of any great strength? I'm not suggesting anything with forces near those of TTD or Hypersonic.

When you drop backward on Mr. Freeze or Deja Vu, it's essentially the same thing as a backward launch. You claim that a launch backward takes you from standstill to instant speed. What, exactly, does a backward drop do? You start at a standstill, drop 180-so feet, and end at top speed. Without any back or neck support.

No, it would not be a good idea to launch backward at rates like TTD or Hypersonic. But the Premier shuttles and Intamin Impulses accelerate gradually enough that it shouldn't be a problem.

-Nate

Not to argue with you Nate -

But on the Arrow, and Intamin coasters you have OTS restraints that basically hold you in a position that would be tolerable for a backwards launch, even from a stationary position.

The Premier coasters backward launches, are in a vertical position that also keeps your body from a compromising position.

The only reason I question a backwards launch for this ride is that in all the promotional information for the ride there is no mention of it. Most of the time, parks mention the main portions of the ride trying to build excitement - I would consider a backwards launch as a significant element to the ride, therefore worth mentioning in all the ride information.

I'm not saying this ride doesn't launch backwards. I am just putting a question out there and trying to make justification for it. What ever this ride ends up doing I'm sure will be a ......blast!

Let the good times roll - Zingo

Who says it has to be a backward launch of any great strength?

That was my original point, Nate: that if there was a backwards launch it would have to be within acceptible limits so as not to cause injury. It seems we're arguing the same point.