Son Of Beast to Re-open 2007

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CoastersNSich said:
http://photos.pkicentral.com/thumbnails.php?album=177

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1. What's up with the temporary tunnel-age near the end of SOB? I assume it's for mantinence but I don't recall ever seeing anything like that on a coaster before.

2. God do I hate the idea of X-Flight being in that land clearing. So much of KI is still so beautiful and well designed and self-contained, I really fear the ride just being plopped down there, RCT style. The park would gain so much from a single, world-class, high profile steel coaster and this isn't going to do it, I fear. I mean if that actually is what's going on, of course. I fear the park deserves better is I guess what I'm saying. Meh.

I've heard that the pictures were taken on December 3 - so the status of the Son of Beast loop is actually still up in the air. The "tunnel" has to be maintenance - looks too low to be a real tunnel.

Yea,

The tunnel is for maintenance, it was there last year as well.

As for the loop being taken out, it would be a good idea because they could then add new rolling stock and make it a semi enjoyable ride.

Tarps are used in the winter so guys aren't working in the freezing cold of the elements, Normally a salamander heater is placed under the structure and the heat rises and keeps the area under the tarp warm. Wood also don't bend easily in the cold.

As for X flight in that area? WHY NOT? it was a bare field behind FOF. Im still not convinced thats what its for. I had heard it was for the 2008 ride.

Chuck

I looked at the photos and wondered if that was enough of a clearing for X-Flight to fit into. I haven't ridden it since the first year it opened, so my memory may be off.

PKI putting in Xflight would just make it easy for them to not make another custom coaster for 2-3 years. I think that's lame.

Wait a minute....didn't the loop come down about 4 years ago for a couple of weeks?

Seems like this discussion is giving me Deja Vu' more and more (the feeling of being here before...not the ride)....

CONFIRMED! The loop is leaving!

http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8699

From the desk of Maureen Kaiser:

Son of Beast Statement
12.13.06

The State of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture released today its final report detailing the outcome of the extensive Son of Beast inspection. The report reaffirms initial indications that the incident was an unforeseen single event failure.

We will now focus our energies on the appropriate and necessary changes needed to reopen the ride in 2007. In addition to reinforcing the physical structure of the ride, we plan to remove the loop. Taking this extra step enables us to use lighter trains, which will reduce the load and lead to a more comfortable ride experience.

We are making good progress on Son of Beast and are fully committed to reopening the ride in 2007.
*** Edited 12/13/2006 6:07:04 PM UTC by zosobeast***

Taking this extra step enables us to use lighter trains, which will reduce the load and lead to a more comfortable ride experience

So they'll be replacing those godawful trains?

I may just be convinced to give SoB another chance.

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SVLFever said:
Wait a minute....didn't the loop come down about 4 years ago for a couple of weeks?

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Nope.

Here's a Cincinnati Enquirer Article on the subject - crazy stuff!

Go figure that on the first successful looping wooden coaster, the loop worked fine and the wood didn't.

I'm actually kind of surprised that they're going through this much effort to save it (new trains, removing loop) rather than just getting rid of the dang thing. The loop was half the gimmick. Unless those new, lighter trains are going to actually give the ride some airtime, it seems like it's going to be an extremely big, boring ride.

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Olsor said:
Go figure that on the first successful looping wooden coaster, the loop worked fine and the wood didn't.

I'm actually kind of surprised that they're going through this much effort to save it (new trains, removing loop) rather than just getting rid of the dang thing. The loop was half the gimmick. Unless those new, lighter trains are going to actually give the ride some airtime, it seems like it's going to be an extremely big, boring ride.

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I agree here. The layout itself was definitely centered around the loop.

Im curious as to what other parts of the ride will get slight reprofiling. Does anyone know off the top of their heads what the consequences of making the trains less massive will be?

Im sure somewhere along the layout other changes will be required. Ill definitely give the ride another chance now, however.

I can see the Press release now.... "Come ride Son of Beast, the world's only ex-looping wooden rollercoaster"... ;)

Honestly, if this really does mean MFlyers, then it becomes a matter of getting the track-bed and running rails "set", and less a matter of retracking huge sections at the end of *each and every season*....although this would prove the ULTIMATE test for the trains generally accepted as "the gold standard"....

The question on everyone's mind:

Will you count it again?

*** Edited 12/13/2006 7:53:38 PM UTC by ApolloAndy***

Obviously there we be a lot of realignement of track between the midcourse and the second helix. Great opportunity to add something there. Honestly, the ride will be as exciting if not more so then his Daddy. Daddy frankly sucks anymore.

I for one love the rosebowl when riding in the right seat. Maybe now the ride will actually have some other redeeming qualities.

While the loop was my favorite loop on any ride bar none it simply was a gimmick.

If losing the loop means receiving some MFlyers then by all means lose the damn loop.

The question however becomes, can GCI make a train with the bigger road wheels and wider gauge required of Sonny?

I surely hope we are not looking at some other poorly designed bastardized train.

And Andy, I was thinking it, but didn't ask it.

There is no new track ala PR just a track removal.

Therfore no new credit for me, but...if they added a couple of bunny hops in there it may be a different story ;) *** Edited 12/13/2006 8:00:16 PM UTC by MagnumsRevenge***

Wow... I guess I don't quite understand why the loop has to go. I never found that section to be uncomfortable or rough- the rest of the layout, however.

I will definately give Son of Beast a second chnce with new trains. Remember, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COASTER IN THE WORLD THAT HAD A LOOP. Yes, one of the better ones, but loops to me don't add too much to a ride experience. I do believe that this coaster can run how it was intended.

The loop has to go because they are putting on new trains. The trains Sonny had were specially designed for the loop which made them horribly uncomfortable.

Get rid of the loop and you then have the opportunity to add something much closer to a standard wooden train.

Scuttlebutt is that GCI is in on this, GCI makes the amzing Millenium Flyer trains that are found on Thunderhead, Lightning Racer and the new woody at Valleyfair. These trains have loads of padding and track like a dream.

Hopefully that makes thigns a little clearer.

They aren't removing the loop cause it was bad, they are removing it so they can fix the rest of the ride.

AJFelice, it wasn't the only coaster with a loop, but the first successful looping wooden coaster.