Rollbacks overrated??

Hey guys, I made the trek up to Cedar Point last year from Florida for the first time. So let it be said that with or without Dragster I had been wanting to go for years.

It fortunately was open. However, after waiting about 30 minutes for my dad to go to the car to get my video camera, and the additional wait for the front row, I ended up on the last launched train before the June 19ish - July 4th downtime of last year. I did get launched though, and rolled back. We got about 80% of the way up the tower, after looking at the footage.

What I do remember is, even with the obviously insufficient launch, it was still mindblowingly fast. Therefore the *real* one must be even better! Also, beginning the climb I do recall feeling as though we didn't have enough speed, but I have read everyone noticeably feels the train losing quite a bit of speed (as to be expected).

Also, I had thought in such a situation that I would be nervous about the rollback mechanisms being in the ready position and safely slowing us, but there's no time to even consider that.

Basically, the point here is, my front-row rollback was nothing much at all, except for the launch. No other noticeable sensation or uniqueness was present.

Anybody else have a TTD rollback or other interesting rollback story?

-Kenny

I will get back to you on that once I get one. ;-)

I have *seen* quite a few rollbacks though.

-Tina

Does anyone have/know of any video footage of a roll back?

Best,

B

Isn't a rollback on TTD essentially a ride on S:TE?

No ... Dragster makes it to the top before rolling back. :)

*** Edited 5/19/2004 5:35:44 PM UTC by Gemini***

Haha. Yeah, basically.

I have the footage of my rollback on TTD. I don't have much e-mail space or any webhosting though. Perhaps I can get it under a couple MBs though. Give me your email if you want me to send it. I'll try to create the file tonight.

-Kenny

Be aware of two things with my video, though. 1) My dad is the worst director ever. 2) He doesn't notice that the car isn't going to clear the hill (it is in frame though). And 3) after he finally notices we rolled back, he says "Ohh, what a *****!"

Oops, that was 3 things. :)

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Gemini said:
No ... Dragster makes it to the top before rolling back.

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Insert rim shot here.

Oh, explatives are blocked on here. Didn't know. It's the female dog word.

As far as being nervous about the rollback mechanisms, couldn't someone be just as nervous about the normal brakes?

There's a rollback video over @ http://www.xtremecoasters.com/

~Corey

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janfrederick said:
As far as being nervous about the rollback mechanisms, couldn't someone be just as nervous about the normal brakes?

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Well the regular brakes/magnets are always raised. The rollback brakes/magnets are dependent upon being raised after the launch to be effective. Follow?

Actually... the launch track magnets are dependant upon being lowered for launch. Raised (active position) is their neutral state.

I'm more worried about the brakes not lowering for launch. I've seen a few sets of fins not drop before launches before but I've never seen them fail to raise.

My first rollback experience was on Mr. Freeze at SFStL back in 98.....we did a half launch up the top hat, stalled for a bit, and then rolled back into the staition. After that, they made no big deal about it, and re-launched it, and it made it safely.

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I am Jack's Coaster said:

Well the regular brakes/magnets are always raised. The rollback brakes/magnets are dependent upon being raised after the launch to be effective. Follow?

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Not even to release the train from the brake?

Not lowered, I don't think. Could be wrong though.

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I am Jack's Coaster said:

Basically, the point here is, my front-row rollback was nothing much at all, except for the launch. No other noticeable sensation or uniqueness was present.

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Wow, that's exactly what I thought of my complete Dragster ride!

-Nate

Oooh, snap (as the kids say).

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Lord Gonchar said:
Isn't a rollback on TTD essentially a ride on S:TE?

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Or an Impulse?

Except does S:TE go from 0-120 in less than four seconds? Hmmm last time I checked it didn't even go over 100.... ;) Ok now no flaming wars now. Everybody play nice.