Sheikra's New Trains

Yeah, the whole floorless concept makes it hard to convert SheiKra's trains, but Griffon's trains also have 10 people per row: two more than SheiKra's. They would have to be much wider.

Seems to me that SheiKra would be FINE for another 5-7 years until the trains currently ON the ride have depreciated somewhat...seems like BGA bought the new car and is turning it back to the dealership with about a thousand miles on it...

Considering what coaster trains cost, seems exceptionally wasteful to me...use the money for new trains on the coaster that NEEDS new trains... any guesses as to which one I'm referring to? :)

Another thought....maybe B&M has *another* dive machine in the works that those (SLIGHTLY used) SheiKra trains could be used for... ;)

The Mantis thing was a joke, hence the ;)

Hmm, I didn't realize that Griffon's trains hold 10 instead of 8 per row. Does that mean the track gauge is bigger than that of Sheikra? It's hard to tell just looking at pictures.

I don't know enough to state whether they could have a 30 passenger train on the same track gauge or not, but if they did could, would Sheikra's station handle a wider train? Would they up the capacity from 24 to 30 per train?

If it is different track, then Sheikra's new trains are all the more expensive since they would be custom (as opposed to just clones of Griffon's).

Busch is a damn good B&M customer, anyone ever think the floorless Sheikra trains were the original plan and now that the floorless dive coaster trains are available, Beemer is retrofitting the current ones at no additional cost?

This seems totally plausible to me. Although I highly doubt that entirely new trains will be involved. If you look at the current trains, its pretty obvious that they are basically floorless trains with a floor. I'm guessing the problem that B&M hadnt worked out yet for Sheikra was the mechanics of the floorless loading platform. Removing the floors from the existing Sheikra trains, and installing a floorless loading platform definitely seems do-able to me.

And by the way - wasn't this discussed to death a month or so ago? *** Edited 12/21/2006 8:49:49 PM UTC by 40belowbeef***

When you look at it technical stand point those cars have more miles on them than any coaster at cedar point had in 1 year and plus they are subjected to more terrible wheater conditions so maybe they needed to be replaced.

Once I was there and the top was struck by lightning like three trains wouldn't run and they weren't even clost to the spot that was struck.

You honestly think brand new trains need replaced in 2 years time? Come on man.... Plus, the rest doesn't stand up....CP coasters get struck by lighting many, MANY times per year, plus they have cold weather, etc.

p.s. - Spell check is your friend. *** Edited 12/22/2006 1:47:08 AM UTC by Peabody***

Who's to say this isn't just a (relatively) simple retrofit?

-Nate

If true, that sure seems like the plausible explanation. (I believe someone mentioned that as a possibility above). Not that trains have worn out in 2 years...

I say its that Sheikra was supposed to be floorless like sobody else said.

Not that this is the issue, but could it be (similar to PKI SOB) that the floorless trains might weigh less and therefore run better?

Well that makes a lot of sense.

The only thing lighter trains would do would be to reduce stress on the track and supports which were designed for the "added weight" of non-floorless trains.

No, it doesn't necessarily make sense. SFOG is right on track.....as good of engineers as B&M are, they would not design a ride for rolling stock of one weight and then use rolling stock with substantially different weight. Besides, the floors of those trains likely make up an insignificant percentage of the overall weight,less then the difference between empty trains and full trains. A majority of the weight is found elsewhere, likely. *** Edited 12/22/2006 7:15:58 AM UTC by Peabody***

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rollergator said:
Considering what coaster trains cost, seems exceptionally wasteful to me...use the money for new trains on the coaster that NEEDS new trains... any guesses as to which one I'm referring to?

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Cheetah Chase! ;)

Seriously though, I have to agree....I would much rather see Gwazi get new trains first. I think I'm one of the few people that actually loves Gwazi (I haven't had a bad ride on two separate visits) but I would still love to try it with the Millennium Flyers.

I'm a little surprised at the new trains for Sheikra so soon. I haven't ridden it yet, but as someone else pointed out, it seems like the current trains are practically floorless anyways.

- Aaron K

I suspect that BGA bought a floorless dive machine, but B&Ms R&D was delayed on the new trains so B&M decided to offer to open the ride as is, and retrofit the ride once the new trains were ready to roll.

I noticed that the sheikra station seemed alot wider than it needed to be, and the station was also built out of mostly wood.

Floor or no floor Sheikra is a great ride

Ya but SheiKra sure would be more fun if it was floorless

It's not like your feet can touch the floor right now anyway.

SheiKra would be more fun if they'd RELAX the stupid braking on top of the second drop...floors or no, THAT'S the real buzz-kill on the ride.

Or have I mentioned that already? ;)

Roller Gator no offense but are you stupid if they take away those away then it will go into the water too fast then end up going into the station to fast. HEY KIDS CAN ANYONE SAY SABOTAGE.