Premier Support system

Just got back from SFGAdv. Looking at the Chiller's track, I noticed that the support system for Robin's cobra roll was incredibly more complex than B&M cobra rolls' supports and Batman's top hat's supports were a lot more complex than Xcelerators. Is Premier track just not as strong or does Premier have different tolerances or are the trains going through the elements faster than B&M's or what? The trains on chiller are much lighter than Medusa's (I would imagine, carrying 2/3 the people) and the same as Xcelerators, so it's not train weight.

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You must be this dumb to ride Viper. -SFGAdv.

Intamin box track and B&M track are extremely strong. Look at some of their coasters. They've got huge sections of track without supports. Millennium Force has a few spots on it where the entire length of the train goes over track without being supported. B&M is the same. They've got a very strong track style. And I would imagine that the supports on the Premier top hats are also there for looks as well as support.

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I don't think too many roller coasters put up supports for looks. I mean, you could get much better theming for much cheaper if you just used plastic and wood.

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You must be this dumb to ride Viper. -SFGAdv.

I agree with haux...

B&M need less supports because the track spine is a lot stronger. They tend to change the size of the spine so they wont need so many supports i.e. the big spine on Oblivion.

Premier did this once on Speed:The Ride...its the section that comes out of the tunnel and dives underground. It only has two angled supports (to let people walk underneath) and the spine is really thick.

Come to think about it...Vekoma does that also but it places two spines next to each other.

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"ok everyone go ahead and pull down on your shoulder restraint so you feel nice and stuck!"

Giovanola track is exactly the same as B&M, and look at the supports they use...

Not that many IMO...

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Formerly known as CoasterCrazyOne

To understand why the supports vary, you have to look at the whole picture.

First of all, you have too look at the goal of the track, and the supports. The goal of the track: control the train's course, and transfer the force from the wheels to the supports. The goal of the supports: support the track, and forces apply from it's own weight, the train, and any outside forces such as the weather. For the coaster to work safely, the track and supports have to do their job. Also they have to flex enough to prevent damage, yet stiff enough to hold itself in the same relitive position for other safety reasons.

Secondly, the track and supports have to be desinged. The goal of the design is to make the most sound structure, using the least amount of materials. Different companys go about this different ways. Intamin and B&M use much thicker steel, making for less supports. Just about every other compay goes for thinner steel, but using more supports.

Finaly, the outside factors can be a major part of how much steel is used. The weather may be cause for more support, as well as local regulations. SD2K is one of the most *overbuilt* coasters out there. Japan has the need for the extra support due to the earthquakes and typhoons in that region.

The track and support has the same job, no matter what the situation. The variables are the conditons the coaster faces, as well as the way the company goes about it.

Um. Last I checked, Medusa and Chiller have pretty similar weather conditions and local regulations.

You answered everything but my question, which is: why does premier use more supports spaced closer together(which seems more expensive), while B&M and Intamin use less supports spaced further apart. I'm inclined to believe that it's track strength related but you'd think that premier would adopt a new track style if it would allow cheaper coasters.

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You must be this dumb to ride Viper. -SFGAdv.

I think he explained it pretty well when he said

"Secondly, the track and supports have to be desinged. The goal of the design is to make the most sound structure, using the least amount of materials. Different companys go about this different ways. Intamin and B&M use much thicker steel, making for less supports. Just about every other compay goes for thinner steel, but using more supports."

The track structure is tiny on Arrow, Premier,Vekoma etc. track compared to B and M or Intamin.

Also look how many more supports are on Intamin flat track as compared to box or triangular track.

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