The Bat original brake configuration

When The Bat at PKI first opened the brake fins were located on the bottoms of the cars as opposed to the tops as they now are on Arrow suspendeds. I see how this was a major problem and was one of the reasons for major modifications.

One thing I don't know anything about, though, is how the brake fins got lined up to go through the calipers. Were there friction wheels that slowed the train down just enough to let it stop swinging before hitting the brakes, or was there just a hope that the fins were lined up when speeding into the brake runs?

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- John
Dag, yo
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well i may be wrong but i belive they used it the same way they keep them from swinging on the lift and in the brek run nowadays. i think this is the ebst way to exlain it.

On LIMs they have the little things that stick out or the motor to guide the trains peice of magnet through right so it isnt off, sort of like a funnel. i think thats now they got them to the right postion, they put something liek this down

| | this being the brake

/\ this being a guide that car took into the brake. the train comes rollnig into the triangle thing and lines up wht the brake like that.

geez i hope im nto worg cuz that was har dot explain.

Dragon's got it. There were two strips of metal that formed a funnel type pattern to guide the brake fins which were sticking down from the bottom of the car. That stopped the swinging (don't some of today's suspended coasters use the same method to stop swinging in the station?) and then came the brakes.

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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com

Iron Dragon uses the same method as you say to stop swaying as it enters the station. Also uses it at the bottom of lift #2.

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82
Technical Services - 2002
Frightzone Screamster - 2002

I fully understand how the modern suspendeds stop car sway. But remember, when The Bat first opened, the brake fins were mounted on the bottom of the cars where the guide wheels are mounted today. Hitting one of the guide rails with the brake fin would likely have snapped them off.

I'd expect that even with all the problems The Bat had, this would have been one they would have had planned for. But, alas, I never even saw the ride in person. I hadn't even ridden my first coaster by the time it had closed.

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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!