Shivering Timbers supports

If the case was it is 125' then why does it have much more wupports than SoB standing 214'? I think Matt is right on this one.

SOB has the advantage of the curve after the lift, therefore gaining added support from the curve. ST does not have that advantage.

Are they ever gonna fix that place up?

It may be partially aesthetic, but it is very close to Lake Michigan in an area that gets all the storms off of the lake before they calm down. If the wind is hitting straight across there needs to be a good amount of support to hold that 125' up.

Douglas Fir is easier to get (cheaper) the further west you go.

I'm looking at my Great Lakes region design load wind charts, and the area around MA isn't in any special wind zone. In fact, it's in the same zone as Cedar Point, which calls for a 90mph design wind load.

The other thing to think about is a typical wood coaster self braces. That is, a design which curves around upon itself is going to lend bracing support to the lifthill. Shivering Timbers is a very tall out and back, so there's no additional track structure to brace the hill...it must be braced on it's own. A good way to think about this is to take a playing card and try to stand it on it's long edge...it tips over because it has no bracing. Now bend the card so it curves a bit and try to stand it on it's long edge. Viola...it stand up without any additional bracing.

-seth