Superman Ride of Wood - Now Open+Pictures!

I've posted here a few times in the past about my backyard coaster. No it's not as good as Jeremy Reid's or the Blue Flash but it IS working and it's fun as heck.

Here's some pictures. Last year I had it loosely themed to Top Thrill Dragster Jr. but this year I decided to call it Superman Ride of Wood. I'm still going to put the S logo on the car and do all the 'finishing touches'

The ride is working, not AS smooth as last year but the car is much sturdier, and there have been zero accidents after 50-60+ rides so far this season.

Here's the pics:

http://community.webshots.com/user/backyardcoaster

In my webshots galleries you can see pics from last year, like the construction, as well as this year.

The ride operation itself is simple.

1. Loading - After the 'line' riders sit down in the seat. The lapbar has a similar design to the Superman ROS lapbars, with a pnuematic instead of hydraulic piston to lock the lapbars. The lapbar still has a little 'give' to it so there are also to seat belts that connect directly to the lapbar.

2. Clear! - I'll pull the car as fast as I can down the hill, it probably goes about 12 mph or so. It goes up the hill and falls back down.

3. Again! - I bring the car back up, and launch it again, this time when it rolls up I hold it at the top for a few seconds and then push it down.

4. Back to the station - I bring the car up to the station, unlock the lapbar, and let the rider off.

It's a manual system but it works. The kids have fun with it and it is ridable without the push. I have been playing the Superman theme song which is mixed with the rules from Top Thrill Dragster, found on corporatedropoff.com.

I know that it's a copyrighted name but I'm making zero money off of it and it's not a commercial thing so I think it's fine.

Thanks for checking it out! *** Edited 5/24/2005 7:31:49 PM UTC by Ride of Steel***

BTW I have some movies of the ride, but don't have a host. If anyone would want to host the video files on their site I'll email them to you.

Congratulations on being able to construct the ride! It takes a lot of concentration and skill to pull it off.

hey i built a back yard coaster as well. Just curious as to how old you are cause that looks pretty good. mine is made of PVC pipe and is pretty simple as well it has a 7 foot drop, straight away then a right banked turn. mine has had only one ridder though.

Why don't you click on his name and look at his birthdate. That always helps. ;)

All I can say is WICKED AWESOME! lol I wish I could build my own backyard coaster.

Hey, and you made Absolutely Reliable!

What?

Go here: http://absolutelyreliable.com/

Look to the bylines on the left, you're FAMOUS! :)

Lol that's great :)

My property devalued? Right down the street today in a middle class-upper class neighborhood a lady was just shot in the arm and the police are about 1500 feet from my house trying to get the guy to come out.

No rollercoaster riding today because at first they thought the guy was 'on the run' like Michael Myers in Haddonwfield, today but I'm sure their land will be worth alot less after what happened than mine with the coaster ;) Just imagine "Teen shot while riding backyard coaster" all over the news.

(The most excitement my town has seen in years.) *** Edited 5/26/2005 12:47:16 AM UTC by Ride of Steel*** *** Edited 5/26/2005 12:48:41 AM UTC by Ride of Steel***

I cannot picture a superman coaster being painted red. it would all peal not to long after that. I like superman steel coasters better

I'd like it to be red track too but it draws enough attention as it is, that I just stuck with the blue and red car.