Reason for seating fewer?

I just saw a signature that said "4 seats are better than 2" (sorry - forgot who it was), and I couldn't help but wonder what the justification is for having trains that are only 2 seats wide (especially inverted trains). Does anyone have a scoop for us? I would have much more respect for Vek-, errr...certain companies if someone could tell me if they have a good reason for doing this.

2 seats wide has the obvious advantage that every seat is an outside seat. 4 wide would really hurt the effect on the Intamin hyper trains where feeling exposed is a big part of the thrill. From an engineering stand point a 2 wide train puts less strain on the running gear and track. This is particularly important on hypers which are noted for destroying wheels even when 2 wide. Of course there are a few 4 wide hypers such as those from B&M.

The big advantage of 4 wide seating is it allows the train to be shorter for the same capacity. A short train is a real advantage on inverts because it keeps the sensation similar no matter what row you sit in.

Two more things about 4 seaters are that:

You can sit next to your friends easier.

Not being able to see might add to the thrill.

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What is life without SFA?

Every seat being an outside one is a good point, but here's a question: would having the thinner train (consequently lighter) allow sharper turns and all? That might be an added bonus for excitement. Let's not forget too that steel coasters (Magnum, Millenium Force, etc) are traditionally only 2-wide, so what's the difference?

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I like 2 seats...it gives the trains a sleeker/faster look. Besides, it's more traditional.

So what if the ride is more generic from all points for a shorter train? I like being able to get a substantially different ride depending on where I sit.

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

I have absoluetely ZERO statistics to back this up,but is seems to me that 4-across seating results in more empty seats on coasters. I dont know, but when I watch parks like SFGAm, I seem to recall many more free seats on Raging Bull and Batman than say Shockwave and American Eagle. I's like people are more likely to pair up with a stranger on a two seater, but rarely fill that four seat in a row occupied by three friends.
just an observation,
jeremy

Four seats are twice as many as two, so you still have an even number. A group of three on a two-wide coaster still may produce an empty seat.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Yes Jeff I know that, but what I'm saying is, I have seen many instances where on a 2 across coaster (e.g. ROAR) where the third leg of two separate groups of three will pair up simply because they dont want to "ride alone", resulting in three groups of two. But rarely have I ever seen two groups of three break up into a group of four and a group of two, and that is very understandable, why ride with strangers if you an ride with friends. It seems to me that people are much more comfortable riding with ONE stranger rather than riding with THREE strangers. Of course, it is my opinion that all 4-across coasters should have a "single riders" line.
jeremy
--who reiterates that there is no scientific proof for his claim..

I've seen a lot of cases on the Vortex at PGA where two people will get on and a group of two won't fill the two seats. Then again, the line is usually pretty tame.

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

The idea of having a single-riders line is a good one, if you'd not mind wherever you sit. I know some ride ops (especially on really busy days) will try to fill all the empty seats by asking for single riders, and that would be a really good way for you to get on quicker as well as fill in all the trains.

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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
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I am all for that! Someone was telling me that they did many laps on Apollo's Chariot with that line.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

The single-rider line is a great idea that I can't figure out why more parks have not caught on to. There are a few empty seats on each train on the Bull at SFGAm, but usually not too many -- 4 or 5 at the most. Still, those seats could easily be filled. When I'm in line and see a seat or two open on a ride it frustrates me that I can't be up there to take it.

And ride-ops that call for single riders and groups rock. (All ride-ops out there, please take note.)

2Hostyl said:
"Yes Jeff I know that, but what I'm saying is, I have seen many instances where on a 2 across coaster (e.g. ROAR) where the third leg of two separate groups of three will pair up simply because they dont want to "ride alone", resulting in three groups of two. But rarely have I ever seen two groups of three break up into a group of four and a group of two, and that is very understandable, why ride with strangers if you an ride with friends. It seems to me that people are much more comfortable riding with ONE stranger rather than riding with THREE strangers. Of course, it is my opinion that all 4-across coasters should have a "single riders" line.
jeremy
--who reiterates that there is no scientific proof for his claim.."

You're 100% correct. While op'ing Bull, groups of three will not split up to fill in all the empties, they want to ride with their friends. It's almost mean to even ask them to split up. But while op'ing Viper, if there's a group of three, two sit in one row, and if there's an empty somewhere else on the train, you can bet your bottom dollar that the single rider will fill in that seat because they want to ride as soon as they can with their friends. Riding on the same train is about as close as you can get. :) That's why you rarely ever see empty seats on Viper, whereas on other 4-across coasters you'll average two to three empties per cycle.

Then stand-up fan wrote: And ride-ops that call for single riders and groups rock. (All ride-ops out there, please take note.)

Thanks. ;) Trust me, I want to see a full train more than anyone! They just look so much cooler when they're travelling the course with every single seat filled.

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"Yes if by crestfallen you mean KILL US!" -- Homer J. Simpson

That is why I get to ride coasters many more times on my own than if I was in a group. :)

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Home Park - Wonderland Sydney, Australia, featuring;
1) The Demon - 1988 Vekoma Boomerang
2) The Bush Beast - 1985 KEC Woodie (Clone of PKD's Grizzly)
3) Beastie - 1985 KEC Junior Woodie
4) More steel coasters please!!! Preferably a B&M Masterpiece!

CrystalKat said:
I know some ride ops (especially on really busy days) will try to fill all the empty seats by asking for single riders

Brings back memories of working Disaster Transport...
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CP Ride Host
*2000 - Cedar Downs, Demon Drop, Disaster Transport, Iron Dragon, Magnum, WildCat...
*2001 - Cedar Downs Assistant Team Leader