Rocky Mountain Construction

I was watching a new POV video for Iron Rattler, and the speed this thing goes on POV looks absolutely insane. I'm kind of curious about this company. Do they design their own trains to go with that unusual metal track? The NTG trains looked like nothing I've ever seen before, almost like each vehicle moves independently of others while still all being connected, if that makes any sense. The restraints also look kind of minimal, and the plexiglass shields on each side look like a headache waiting to happen. Still, these coaster designs look like the stuff of dreams, and I'm very intrigued. What can anyone tell me about NTG, RMC, the trains, etc.? How do you feel about these designs? Do we have another powerhouse coaster firm, or do you feel it is too soon to predict their longevity?

Gerstlauer provided the trains for New Texas Giant and Iron Rattler. RMC developed their own trains for Outlaw Run.

I didn't even know RMC had anything to do with Toro, and I didn't know any back story on other coasters they've helped with or added to for maintenance reasons. Looking at a list of rides they've worked on, it is interesting to me that some have such great reputations (so far NTG being one), while other rides are known for such extreme roughness and just craptacular experience (Predator comes to mind). I DID discover they've been around for 12 years or so, their one guy is an Arrow/S&S veteran, and although they're only being credited fully for three coasters, they've retracked or topped track on a bunch of wooden coasters out there. Still, I'm wondering what everyone thinks about them being a long haul company for coaster design? Wooden coasters with inversions? Re-doing old woodies with steel track? How many coasters will get this treatment, and how many parks will honestly be interested in a looping wooden coaster after the Sonny epic fail and knowing the intensive maintenance required for wooden coasters? I'm all for innovation, and I'm just curious as to everyone's thoughts.

Here's what they have worked on. I was surprised to see they have worked on so much. They have also built wave pools, lazy rivers and airport hangars.

Your list is why I'm so surprised they're getting as big as they are. There are only two coasters on there that they worked on that are well-liked until the re-doing of NTG and IR. To me, it seems as though they are learning in leaps and bounds what makes a good coaster, so I'm optimistic about their future, but I'm also a skeptic, if that makes any sense. I'm just not quite at picturing them on a huge scale. However, if you look at some of the early works of GCI, no one could have predicted some of the awesomeness that they have built, so I'm anxious to see what the future holds for RMC.

As I understand it, RMC started as the contracting construction company that *built* the CCI-designed Grizz...er...Timber Terror and Tremors at Silverwood. It seems a fairly natural progression from building coasters to maintaining coasters to renovating coasters to designing coasters.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I know there is no official rule book, but I've been wondering if their coasters are considered wooden roller coasters or steel coasters with wooden supports? I-Box tracking is almost certainly a steel hybrid. But what about their Topper Track?

Steel coasters for sure, and if you ask me I'd put NTAG over Bizarro at SFNE. It just never let up through the entire ride and only got better and better. I like how RMC isn't just focusing on a couple hills with serious airtime but instead constant hills throughout a coaster that deliver strong, but not extreme, airtime. NTAG was just pure fun, and I have high hopes for RMC's future.

I don't know why cyclone at sfne isn't on their list, but it made the ride so much better that you can actually ride the back of the train and enjoy it!

Outlaw Run is wooden. Texas Giant and Rattler are steel. Georgia Cyclone is finally enjoyable.

Outlaw Run could be a legitimate "hybrid," but definitely closer to a wood coaster.

blasterboy6500 said:

I like how RMC isn't just focusing on a couple hills with serious airtime but instead constant hills throughout a coaster that deliver strong, but not extreme, airtime.

I'll vote for that type of airtime. With the extreme uplift forces on the recent Intamin coasters, you MUST be stapled to the seat, and that's no fun.

This is why we can't have nice things, Billy. ;-)

Stupid people ruin it for others :(

gamerguy said:
I don't know why cyclone at sfne isn't on their list, but it made the ride so much better that you can actually ride the back of the train and enjoy it!

We have a running joke here - the IT guy is ALWAYS the last to know....websites get updated pretty quickly and easily, once the webmaster is informed.

As far as SFNE Cyclone - that was a REALLY sweet ride after the upgrade. GA Cyclone's first 1/3rd of the ride feels like that too, and I can't wait for them to finish the remainder of the ride.

The hype for this ride is ridiculous right now. Some claimed for it to be better than El Toro AND The Voyage. How about that...

I would love to ride Voyage and some of RMC's creations and put that statement to the test.

You haven't lived if you haven't ridden voyage. It's my favorite coaster!

Damn. 40 years on this planet and I've been dead the whole time.

I dunno. I rode Voyage a couple of times in a row during ERT at Fall Affair a few years back and I felt like I was going to die.

I must be doing it wrong.

(The) Voyage is the coaster equivalent of a 3-minute session of P90X...if you don't want a workout, there's a treadmill or stationary bike just up the hill on the right...

edited: Proper article added for Paula...it's the least I could do since I no longer have to use the counter-intuitive "Pilgrims Plunge." ;~)