SOB's layout - CoasterBuzz

I watched the Son of Beast video on the Discovery Channel’s website. I noticed the strange approach to the lift hill- the train goes through a massive wooden structure, with the signature loop perfectly framed in the background. Do you think this was intentionally laid out like this, as if PKI is saying to first time riders, “This ain’t no ordinary wooden rollercoaster”?

No, it was purely by chance that they managed to start the ride with a 60' drop out of the station. No planning at all whatsoever went into that ride; they just kind of threw it together. That they used the view as you come out from under that crossover as the ride's logo is also mere coincidence. :)

(sorry, I couldn't resist...)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Seems I'm not the only one feeling a little sarcastic and evil today. Must be the stupid Ohio weather!

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Ok, who forgot to give Dave his prozac this morning?

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There's nothing like a woodie...

Gosh Jeff hasn't the weather really been strange? I mean it's 48* one day, and 65* the next. It's like "Make up your friggin' mind already!" Anyways, I aslo wanted to know the layout of the ride. Also, is there any bunny hops going through a wooded area and does it have the same mysterious fell of its daddy? Like racing through woods and stuff?

It definately doesn't have the same mysterious feel of its daddy. The ride consists mostly of helices, but there are several drops worth mention. I didn't feel too much airtime when I rode last summer, but the first hill is indeed pretty sweet. I also enjoy the drop into the loop. The few hills towards the end always look better than they are IMO. You see them coming and expect some sweet air, but I never seem to get any. Maybe I need to find a different seat.

Drop, lift, big drop, helix, loop, helix, drop, turn, done.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

yea. near youngstown its hot, but theres cold rain. i dotn get it.the layout is simple 60" ft drop turn to lift, photo on lift, at the crest of the hill, you dip down bout 2 feet, turnaround drop, double helix, loop, double helix to double helix, then back into the station.but since i rode it a year ago, my memory has partially faded. but i still love sonny. and to your question, no and no.

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mmm, roller coaster
(Homer Simpson)

Don't worry guys...I'm bringing sun and mid-80's weather with me from LA for my 12 day SRM trip thru Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvannia beginning May 30th...the good weather is on its way!

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 5/24/2002. ***

I just moved back to Ohio after a three year hiatus in Oregon. My wife complains about Oregon's weather being wet and cold, which it can be. But here we are stuck in this crap, man if it weren't for the coasters I think I would go nuts. I'm glad I didn't decide to go camping this weekend, the outlook isn't the best.

12 days, Moosh? Time it right and you can cover Stark Raven Mad, CoasterMania, BuzzCon...but just miss Timbers Fest...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Rideman - we did CP, SFWoA, and PKI last year so we're skipping those parks this year, so no CoasterMania or BuzzCon. We're hitting HW [2 days for SRM], IB [2 days], MIA, Americana, Kennywood, Waldameer, Conneaut, Del Grosso's, Lakemont, Idlewild, Wyandott, and the Indy Zoo. I've been to HW, IB, and Kennywood...the rest are new to me.

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

The Rollo Coaster at Idlewild is a treat. It's got some surprises. Coaster-wise, you're set for a fantastic trip! Too bad you can't squeeze in Knoebels and Hershey. I can't get Twister out of my mind.
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-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden -- #1 Shivering Timbers
Just say no to Gerstlauer!

Matt - I do Knoebels each year at PPP and I hit Hershey last year. I try not to repeat most parks every year. The only exceptions are HW for SRM, Knoebels for PPP, Astroland for Cyclone, and my home parks here in LA.

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

'Moosh, are you gonna join us for any of the CCXXV celebration?

Oh, and I think SoB would've been better with an O-n-B layout, but I'm NEVER satisfied....can't get me no.....

ACE Con? No, I'm not going. I can visit those parks anytime I want, I just had ERT on all the KBF coasters but Xcelerator and I had virtual-ERT conditions on X during preview. I have a limited amount of vacation time each year and since I'm taking 8 days for SRM I can't take off more days for Con.

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

ahhhh, the joys of "state employment".....virtually limitless vacation.....;)

rollergator said:

but I'm NEVER satisfied....can't get me no.....

"Uh no,no, no...Uh, hey, hey, hey...That's what I say."

You guys have some really great trips planned. If I could come up with the funds to match the amount of vacation/personal time I have, I'd be right there with you.

Back to the topic: I happen to be one of the people that wouldn't change SOB's layout, particulary the "eye of the hurricane," the loop. The trains could go far away, but I think the layout is cool.

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"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"

Someday there will be something here.

*** This post was edited by chris on 5/24/2002. ***

I personally got to work one SoB the last two summers, the ride has speed, and the loop is awsome. I too think the layout sucks but you have to remember its the tallest wooden coaster and that takes a lot of length from your layout and PKI didn't want make it longer than the Beast so they had to do what they did. I got to watch SoB transform from woods to concrete pilers to what you see now. And I really miss working at PKI

If you like what you ride now, just wait until its my time to Design!!

Alright guys, you've cornered me....what would I do if given the task of designing the offspring of the world's "...EST" wooden coaster, at the park that is *almost* inarguably the US's wooden coaster nirvana?

Here goes: First, the LOOP...gotta have it, I swear we thought it was "our idea" until we saw the signs at PKI a few summers ago....so I'll keep that. Why not enter it right off as most steelies do...perhaps a *tad* predicatble. So I like the loop on the second pass through, a real "keeper". But at top speed, you don't want your wooden coaster having to corner TOO much...so, I'm sicking with a standard out-n-back for the first section, then the loop. After that, I think I'd have a helix, but I'd go clockwise, opposing "dad". Sure it's Freudian, bu it IS the Son of Beast after all...;). Also, I like the idea of an *imminent head-on collision* now and then between Top Gun and a train of SoB riders disoriented from a high-speed run through the through the woods followed by a vertical loop, on a woodie no less. Did I mention the one thing I feel is noticeably missing from Papa's layout.....the TREES. I do notice on OLD Beast pics that the tree cover was relatively absent, but I thought PKI could have done a better job of leaving a few trees standing....esp. if the coaster ran out (and back) into the woods between Beast and the campground....

now if only the folks in Charlotte would let me decide what PGA needs in terms of some decent wood....;)