The End of Chain Lifts?

Is California Screamin the only coasterto have this?
it seems that it works well for the ride, meaning that it is very quiet and won't disturb the neighbors...
So, do you think that chain lifts will eventually be replaced by the new technology of LIM's.
I for one like the noise and feel of a traditional lift hill, but think that LIMs will be considered more often now for future rides.

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"Clear, Dispatch"

Don't forget cable lifts. They're probably less expensive than LIMs, not to mention more reliable.

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Joshua Wilcox
The following statement is true.
The preceding statement is false.

LIMs are way too complex and unreliable to replace normal chain lifts. It's simply unneeded and would be overkill. You wouldn't build a coaster with a single solid steel support under the entire length of the track would you? Some things are better left unchanged...

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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com

I'm sure we will still be seeing pleanty of chain lifts in the future. But if they switch to anything, it would probably be cables or elevator type lifts (like MF's).

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Thank you for not feeding the trolls and enjoy the rest of your day, here at CoasterBuzz.com. CLEAR!

Wooden coasters 'll always have chain lifts. Cable lifts will be increasingly more used though.

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PCW needs something taller than a boomerang

I think that the electricity used by these LIMs/LSMs might be to high to have on EVERY coaster.

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"Villain-Once You Drop, The Fun Don't Stop!"~SFWoA Rules In 2001~X Marks The Spot In 2001(SFWoA)~With SFWoA ANYTHING Is Possible!

All are excellent points. My 2¢; chain lifts are the cheapest way of elevating trains. The problem with them is the higher the coaster, the heavier they are which is why SD2K has two end-to-end. They also require constant maintenance, a bit more than cable lifts & probably more than LIM/LSMs as there are no moving parts.

Incredible Hulk dosen't use lift hills too.

Sorry if I'm being thick Taipan but could you just explain the "the highter they get the heavier they are?" I don't see how a car could get heavier just by changing altitude?
Surely it gets lighter (f=G1g1M1m2/r^2) but by such an infintescimal amount it doesn't make too much difference.

Sorry, I just don't get it.

Lol, I meant the chain gets heavier the longer it is which is proportional to the height of the coaster. Also the longer it is, the more energy required to work against the friction in the guide channel. I think the chain for a 140ft lift hill weighs eight tons or more. There is a limit into how much weight they can support.

While I'm sure we'll see plenty of new coasters with different lifts and so forth, for smaller coasters I think we'll always have chains. They're the most well known, easiest technology, and probably (at least for now) the least expensive. Why change what works? Larger coasters may use other methods, like Taipan was saying about the weight, but smaller ones are doing just fine.

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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/

What makes the chain lifts so loud is the anti roll backs, but newer desighns like Perilous plunge is the quetest lifts ever

I doubt we will see the chain disappear for good. That is, unless someone can find another method that is as cheap to run, but costs less to maintain. If you look at the newest technologies being picked up by companies they usually have something to do with reducing maintenance costs. This includes things like magnetic brakes and anti-rollbacks that make no contact unless needed. Intamin may have pioneered some of these ideas, but other companies are picking them up more and more.

Reducing costs is a goal of companies in just about every industry. People go to school to get Industrial Engineering degrees just to specialize in solving this problem.

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James Draeger
http://draegs.tripod.com/
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"

There is something to be said for old chainlifts. After riding Millie,
Things you'll miss
The click click click sound of climbing.
The slow cresting of the hill, the moment of hesitation before the drop.
these are lost on the cable system. Newer is not always better.
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Roller coaster of Love ~ ooi ~ ooi ~ ooi

I agree with Dennis!I love the clicking noise of the chain-kinda lulls me and gives me that total crazed anticipation for whats ahead!!
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TITAN CRAZED!!

Go Cable Lifts! LOL :)

The chain is not what makes the clicking noise, it's the anti-rollbacks. M-Force does have them, although they do not come into contact with the train unless needed.

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"Villain-Once You Drop, The Fun Don't Stop!"~SFWoA Rules In 2001~X Marks The Spot In 2001(SFWoA)~With SFWoA ANYTHING Is Possible!

Someone already said that if you read the post above.

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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com

No
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www.geocities.com/urbanaindiana
Your Guide to Indiana beach

I kinda like the Hulks lift system. I like how it uses the tires instead of the chain. And you can make the tires go at any speed also.

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CP in 2002, get to the point