The Gravity Group unveils new trains

Yeah, well, on paper the Gerstlauer looks like a better train.

I remember that when one well-known park President was asked why he went with a Gerstlauer train for his second ride, he responded that the Gerstlauer train was recommended by CCI, the ride was to be built for the Gerstlauer train, and there were "unresolved problems" with the PTC train on the park's other coaster.

Of course then there turned out to be different unresolved problems with the Gerstlauer trains, but that doesn't change the fact that for some reason Cedar Fair seems to be impressed with them...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

RideMan said:So, having not dealt with either train, which option do you pick, Mr. Park CEO?

Honestly, that's a very fair question. I guess to a degree we have to go with "what was known at the time of the decision." If there was a couple of years' use of G-trains, I think I'd ask experienced riders and experienced maintenance personnel. Judging from one (coastercat) in a way-too-small sample of one person who worked closely with both trains and their performance - I might look into costs and benefits. But we could also ask some Geauga employees how they felt about the various trains on their rides. Now, we could even ask Hershey employees about difference between MFlyers and PTCs. But given what was known at the time, I can't blame parks for going with the manufacturer's recommendations. (Doesn't mean I wouldn't have preferred to ride Boss, or TTwins, or Hurricane Cat 5, with PTCs....hehe).

So weren't the new TTG trains supposed to be on display for IAAPA? Did anyone get a good look at them or get any pictures? I think we're all curious as to what they are going to offer.

No, they didn't have a train there. I don't think they exist yet outside of some individual components.

PTC had their single-bench train at IAAPA again. Still fugly, tho...

This is both the blessing and the curse of CAD rendering.

The blessing is that you can make and test an accurate model of a device in the computer. You even get to work out the assembly problems so that you don't invent a device that can't be fabricated.

The curse is that while you get really nice renderings, you end up without an actual object to show off on the trade show floor.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I hate to pull this back up but I guess after talk of these trains being fabbed up for testing in the january podcast has anyone heard anything about the real trains?

Acoustic Viscosity said:I'd like to believe that, but in my opinion the PTC's less graceful tracking is what makes for the more intense "out of control" ride, which at the same time is what "eats" the track up. It's a trade-off. But I want to believe. :)

The only reason you get a more out of control feeling is the whip effect a multiple row car delivers. A car on a MF train follows directly behind the one in front of you. While a PTC has push-pull whip action. The third row of a three bench will always give more air than rows 1 or two on a drop but rows 1 and two will get more air on a crest.I've always thought the best rows for airtime were 1-2 or 1-3 as its more a float than a ejection pull over.GCII could shock the hell out of you and their trains could handling and still wouldn't beat the track to bits like the PTC's do (Told to me by two structural engineers of wood coaster companies)Thing is, will they ever be willing to do it? Solid rides, Great fun but wheres the OH BLEEP Moments?