queston about the Great Bear?

The difference between styles comes down to the size of the box spine (they are different based on the ride, as well as the height of the spine now at various parts of the ride), the weight of the train, the type of wheels being used, and the surroundings (trees vs. concrete, for example).

All of those factors change the acoustics.

I had to do some research on the question of water and acoustics. I had based my "assumptions" on my experience living on the Chesapeake Bay. Turns out I was partly-right...and partly-wrong. If the water is flat and calm, the temperature difference between water and air will tend to make sound travel faster and farther as it travels over the top of the water. Rougher water will disrupt some of that sound "waves", and actually can impede the listener from being able to hear sounds made above/on/near the water.

The part I had wrong dealt more with the specifics of the LOCATIONS of the sound-generating object and the listener...