Realistic working model

I certainly will take a preorder on this if it is even half as good as it sounds! CYA at No Coaster Con!!!!!

HI Jack,

Just wondering if your any closer to pictures and/or a website?

All of our efforts have been in the preparation of the model for display at Nocoastercon this weekend. I believe there will be many pictures and a small frenzy surrounding this model. My partner and I spent the last two days building the prototype display model and even though we knew what to expect, we were blown away by the finished product. Our company name is Coasterdynamix. We are Jack Rimer and Michael Graham (yes, THAT Mike Graham). See you in Chicago!

I would love to see someone make a plastic model kit in HO or O scale of a wooden coaster. In addition to being a coaster enthusiast,I am also a model railroader.I model in N,HO,On30,and G scale. I model mostly steam/early diesel era and a wood coaster would be most appropriate for a model railroad set in this time frame.

While an operating model would be a plus,I would be content with a static model,especially if it keeps the cost down. I think that a wood coaster model kit would be very popular with both model railroaders and coaster enthusiast alike.

As far as an operating model,being as gravity does not scale down,why not power it like an electric model train? I would put a flywheel on the motor so that the train operation is more realistic. Also,as pointed out by someone above,the voltage could varied to different sections of track to further add to the realism.If I had the resources($$$)I would develop such a model myself.

This may be food for thought for your next model,Jack R,provided this one is a financial success. *** Edited 1/16/2004 4:46:20 PM UTC by Ronald S. Anderson***

Wow, ok I was just really intrested before.....now I can't wait.

Jack did you have a web site up a few years ago with some rough drawings of your concept?

Jack, Mike, I hope I'm still on the list! LOL. Just tell me how much and where to send it.......I unfortunately can't attend the event due to about 1,082 other things going on this weekend. :)

i can say that when used properly knex can be very good. the problem is you have to put a lot of supports on the coaster that wouldnt be on the real thing. but you can make a pretty realistic layout like on my ninja i am working on. you can see some of the models i made at my site: http://knexcoasters.iwarp.com/knexcoastershowcase.htm. some of them are custom and some are recreations. my earlier ones arent as good since i had less pieces and was getting the hang of it, but my magnum xl-200 is probably the best and my ninja will be the best once it is finished.

If I only had some cash....guess I'll just have to settle with making 'em on Inventor.

I just got home from NoCoasterCon and let me tell you,

THIS MODEL SYSTEM IS FREAKING SWEET!!!

Photos from NCC *** Edited 1/18/2004 5:13:48 AM UTC by redman822***

Isn't it though, redman? :) I couldn't make the event, but I will say how impressed I am with what I've seen and heard, building up to the debut. And if you ask me, a very fair price considering the realism, scale, and flexibility. The track spine alone is something special, and will allow for so much variety in building.

I really hope to see a lot of serious modelers and non-modelers alike buying this kit. It will teach a lot to those who can't understand why a proportionately scale Raptor loses momentum after the first loop! Just like the Screamin Serpent, this set will offer a larger model than something like, oh, the FALLER Big Dipper, while retaining model-like characteristics. You'll still have to save as much energy as you can, but it is a far better representation of a modern coaster, and more pleasing to the eye than your typical homemade LEGO or KNEX toys.

What a fantastic Christmas gift this will make for thousands of coaster lovers. With that said, GO COLTS!

Just a thought... How about a payment plan for those of us that can't put all the money up front?

Good to finally see it be "real." I got to see some photos of the prototype parts and such and knew it was going to be something special. Very cool to see it now. Of course, if you remember "The Black Plague," certainly it's no surprise that the same guy is behind it.

This model looks incredible.

I dont know about everyone else but I've got my $500 ready.

Saw the pics over in the No Coaster Con thread and am blown away! Phenomenal! Santa can you hear me?

wow!!!

(starts saving money... for real)

Thanks for all the kind comments. The Nocoastercon event was incredible! The people were great and the parks really seem to care about the enthusiasts. We were thrilled at the response to our kit, to say the least. It was the first opportunity to run the model continuously for a length of time. I'm happy to say we logged about 3 hours of total operation without any major hitches. That was tough considering we had to move the model multiple times throughout the weekend. We are now working on the website which will have pictures and video we took at the event. Unfortunately, pictures don't do justice to the model in my opinion. Again, thanks for the enthusiastic response and I will continue to update you all on the progress and try to answer any questions you might have.

Sorry if this has already been answered, but is everything metal or is there a combination of metal/plastic?

I believe the spine is a extruded rubber, the track ties and track are plastic. The supports are tubular plastic that are joined by "hinged" solid plastic pieces which allow you to make complex angles and lock them in with set screws.

The trains are plastic with steel wheel bearings that spin VERY freely. They stated that the base, if I remember correctly, will be in 6"x12" sections that can be put together in any shape or configuration by locking clips on them.

I also was extremely impressed with the model. I can hardly wait for the "wood" model that they hinted they might do in the future. It was simply amazing at how well this model maintained it's speed throughout the layout they had for No Coaster Con.

The model is all plastic except for the wheels, lift components, and fasteners. By using a variety of plastics that exhibit different characteristics of flexibility we are able to achieve a rigid yet pliable structure. The ultimate success of the model is in the very efficient wheel system. This allows us to incorporate multiple inversions at scale size over long lengths of track.