PTC Cars - CoasterBuzz

What are PTC cars? I heard there were some at SFMM.

I believe they are the standard coaster trains that CCI uses on their coasters. I don't know where there is a good pic...anyone?

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-Glitchey
Indiana Beach 2001 - Pictures, Reviews, CornBall Express exclusive information - coming Spring 2001!

PTC trains are probably what you've been in on 90% of the woodies out there. There are some variations in the way they've been built over the years (other people know far more than I do), but most look similar.

The only real alternatives in recent history are those from Gerstlauer ( http://www.coasterbuzz.com/features/iaapa2000/gallery/img.asp?img=ia00gerst.jpg ) and GCI's Millennium Flyer ( http://www.greatcoasters.com/ ).

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

PTC=Philadelphia Toboggen Company. They don't make many coasters, they just make the trains. I think B&M made the trains to Pysclone, but Collosus probably has them.
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YVAN EHT NIOJ -The Simpsons

Ghostrider, Shivering Timbers, Raven, Texas Giant, The Beast, and many many many more all use PTC trains.

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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
*** This post was edited by ShiveringTim on 2/27/2001. ***

Colossus uses Morgan trains, probably the most horrid things ever built for wood coasters (although they work pretty well on the SCBB Giant Dipper). Yes, I know I'm leaving this one wide open :)

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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

So are there PTC cars at SFMM?
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YVAN EHT NIOJ -The Simpsons

At SFMM? I don't beleive so. Colossus uses Morgans and Psyclone uses B&M (which look inspired by PTC).

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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

ShiveringTim said:
"Colossus uses Morgan trains, probably the most horrid things ever built for wood coasters (although they work pretty well on the SCBB Giant Dipper"

I know exaclly what you mean. The SCBB Dipper SHOCKED me last October! I rode Colossus 3 days before The Big Dipper, and Grizzly the day before. Colossus and Grizzly rode like they had square wheels, and were "one time" rides. The Big Dipper rode like it was brand new.

So here's a question: I really don't remember how my rides on Le Monstre's Morgans were, and I hated the "coffin cars" on the Texas Cyclone. Why do 4 or the 5 Morgan equiped coasters I have ridden deliver TERRIBLE rides compared to the SCDBB Big Dipper. Are the trains different, or is it simply a maintainence issue?

On a side note. Anyone remember how great Colossus and Texas Cyclone were when they had PTCs?

- Peabody

I think it's maintenance issue. What's the one big thing you notice about the SCBB Giant Dipper when you first sit in the station? The overwhelming smell of fresh grease coming from that tunnel. Personally, I think any wood coaster will run like it were brand new if properly lubricated (basically part of the ever popular 'How to fix Mean Streak' theory).

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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
*** This post was edited by ShiveringTim on 2/28/2001. ***

At Paramount`s Kings Island the only coaster that doesn`t have PTC trains is Son of Beast and that uses premier rides designed trains.

Colossus used to use PTC cars when they ran one side backwards. The Morgan cars can't hack it. Now does someone know who built the cars for SFMW's Roar? They should put those on ALL woodies.

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

Actually, back when it opened in 77, Colossus used to use PTC trains on both sides if I remember correctly. It was EXTREME, and 100 times the ride it is now. However there was an accident in 1979, and I believe someone died. As a result it was significantly tamed down. I can't remember exactly when they changed the trains. Was it during that reprofiling in 79?

Also, does anyone know when they took the PTCs off the Texas Cyclone?

Oh, the trains on Roar west are made by Mike Boodley and the wonderful folks at GCI.

-Peabody

I think they changed trains because of the airtime.

PTC was at one time the most prolific builder of roller coasters in the world. They built coasters designed by Miller,Schmeck,Hoover and of course John Allen. When John Allen retired the company decided to concentrate on rolling stock. A number of designers had come onto the scene by that time, and the new management felt this was a more prudent course to take.