The X-Story

Is anyone else totally fascinated and intrigued by the whole X situation? I find it one of the most interesting current event topics in the coaster world. I dont exactly know why but I think it has to do with the magnitude and impression the ride had when it was open, that Arrow is no longer in buisness as far as production is concerned, and the shroud of secrecy placed on the whole affair. All this along with the excellent possibility no more will ever be built and the chance this model will never run as it was designed makes for a curious story. I can't wait until I see more news on the ride everytime. Its almost like waiting for screenshots from RCT2.

Well, as of the 15th, Arrow's fate will be decided. Lets hope Six Flags doesn't chew them up that much, even though I have this feeling Arrow is going to lose the case and go bankrupt.

I just think it is interesting how such a great and giant ride (yet such a small thing in life) can cause such a controversy, and eventually cause people to lose their jobs and companies to go out of business.

If that is the case, I might be a little happy, because my favorite company, Arrow Dynamics, might have a 2nd life thanks to S&S.

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The ice age killed the dinosaurs, we killed ourselves.

*** This post was edited by CobraRoller on 8/7/2002. ***

I am with you! I am following it as closely as I can.

I find it to captivating mostly because I rode X in May. It was the most exciting ride I have ever been on. It's amazing to see the ground comming at you on the first drop.

I really want the coaster to be a success so more like it can be designed. I am also anxious for a resolution because at it's price tag if it turns out inoperable it will have a major impact on Six Flags new coaster installations. I want Six Flags to be able to continue to install coasters in parks with the same reguarlarity as they have in the past.

Should the X thing turn out to be a permanent disaster they will have to make up that loss somehow and the quickest way is to cut back new coaster installations.

It's hard enough to get a new coaster at my home park SFAW without the 20 million loss.

So each and every day I check the threads hoping soon to see that X is alive again.

Wishing you luck MM!

*** This post was edited by Markieb on 8/7/2002. ***

Arrow has been through bankruptcy before and they have managed to get out of it. If it is true that X is closed simply because the cars are not running smoothly, I myself see no reason why this has stirred so much controversy. But, by the same token, I am sure that SFMM is not happy about spending the money they did to get a coaster that has been SBNO almost all year, especially since it is such a 'grounbreaking' ride. I may be one of the few people that does not care for Arrow but I do have to admit that X looks pretty sweet. Arrow has laid the groundwork throughout time so more stable companies like B&M and Intamin should be able to pick up where Arrow left off if it does go under. As far as the S&S acquisition, anything new on this subject?

S&S seems to be buying up alot of people right now, they just picked up Denise Dinn, and if we see a launched woodie I am going to cry and set up an assasination for them. Also, if they acquire Arrow I don't think they will be able to design the great rides like they did before. I'm sure S&S would give them limitations.

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(Former Signature replaced due to bad joke with accident) The Beast at night-Two peas in a pod?

I don't think there's any possibility that X will be torn down or that it will never run "properly". The ride was incredibly expensive and something like the trains are a small fraction of that cost. If the trains are the problem, as has been suggested, you can bet that Six Flags is trying their best and won't stop at rebuilding the entire trains to get their $25m ride back up.

I still think that SFMM made a mistake by going to Arrow for the coaster. Even if Arrow offered, I still think SF should have turned them down. Arrow was already flirting with bankruptcy and had already had some coasters with not so great pasts...*cough cough* Drachen Fire. If I were to spend 25 million on a coaster, I would have gone with a solid company of the times like Intamin or B&M. If one of them could not have done it, I would have waited until they could. But the park had to boast about being a roller coaster king that they might have jumped into things a little too hastily.

*** This post was edited by Vipper on 8/7/2002. ***

If Im Six Flags, Im going Arrow heres a couple of Million dollars for the Plans, Rights etc for X. Once its settled, I sell/franchise the design to Intamin, B&M etc to make a better X or commission them to fix the one Ive got (SFMM).

Six Flags know they have a winner. If they didnt then there would be no problem in letting Arrow die a horrible death $25M out of pocket or not. However they are entitled to some compensation regardless of the state of Arrow. Hence the fight for the design. Arrow needs X to become a viable company again. SF needs to get that ride going. Neither can do without the other at the moment. It will be good to get the decision/direction come the 15th.

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If Lifes a Rollercoaster, I want a Flawless

I live in San Diego, so I have been following this very closely. X wasn't closed just because the trains weren't running smoothly. Since the trains are so big and wide, it causes alot of vibration and puts unwanted stress on part of the rotating mechanism. A piece of that rotating mechanism was made for Arrow by a 3rd party vendor and it is that piece that would crack from the vibration. That's why they were constantly welding the trains. (At least that's how I understand it). There really hasn't been to much news since it passed the CAL-OSHA inspection. What I think they're trying to do is get at least 2 cars running before they open it up again, which I think is very smart. There is no doubt in my mind that this ride will be fixed. Some people have already dug a grave for X, but I don't see it like that. They put so much money into this ride, if it's just the rotating mechanism, they will fix it. If you've never ridden X, I'm sorry. There is nothing that even comes close to it. That first drop alone made X my favorite coaster by far. When X finally re-opens (for good), and shows that it can stay up and running, this will pave the way for other 4D coasters at other parks. Knowing CP's reputation, they will probably build a bigger and better version of X once they see it works properly. That would be pretty damn cool!

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Coasters and Chronic
What a Combo!

Although, the big question should be, how long do they put up with this? How much do they spend to get it working properly and for more than a few weeks? Where do they draw the line?

I've never been a big fan of Arrow, but I liked some of their stuff and I too hate to see X and Arrow both doing so badly. In my opinion S&S buying them wouldn't be much better as far as reliability goes. But if that's what it takes to keep Arrow around and give the 4-D a fighting chance to appear at other parks I'm all for it.

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PLEASE READ: This post wasn't meant to offend or anger anyone; I apologize in advance if it does. So please don't post a reply just to rant about it. :)

In so many ways X is reminding me of "The Bat's" situation at PKI in that 1)X is designed by Arrow, 2) Its a prototype, and 3)Lots of down time, but the one differance I see is that it will not get dismantled at all because SFMM I don't believe wants to let this baby go. But then again, I also believe that if SFMM felt that they were digging themselves in a hole, then they wouldnt want to be in that position and never would have invested in X. I believe that SFMM will have X running again and hopefully will not be in this situation in the nearby future. Just give them time and hopefully all will be good. But the deal with Arrow i have no clue! I mean I like the company and all (though some of there rides dont age well), but this may be close to the end if X isnt fixed. Hopefully not. Oh and what piss me off is that this has been my fav coaster since riding it in December and I really need my X fix!

SF and Arrow know they built something that shook the entire amusement industry. When X opened, it was broadcasted on almost every newsbulletin worldwide. Even here in Holland, where most of the people don't give a damn what happens in the US! Knowing you have something that important up your sleeve, i wouldn't give it up that easily.

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I'm proud of ALL my mayor malfunctions!

Well I would think it would be a good story....if I rode it. It was closed when I was there 2 weeks ago, as was Xcelerator at Knotts. Since there's gunna prolly be a better rocket at Cp, I'm hoping that some place here on the east gets a (B&M) 4d.....

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You know, the word on the street (and yeah, this is from People Who Know(TM)) that SFMM has had the new parts that needed to be replaced, they just haven't had the time to do the work. The problem was apparently the hitch and that "fork" structure, which were made by a third party but not to spec. I don't know why that part of the story never comes out.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

If things go the way that there going, SF is going to end up spending the same amount (if not more) just fixing the trains than they spent on the whole ride itself. I for one have not ridden X yet, but from what i've heard it is one incredible ride (besides the fact that its too short). I hopfully plan to ride it sometime in the near future. But yes X has caused a very big contraversy and i think they should change the name to "X-The Contraversy"!

yeah, I never heard about that "third party" not manufacturing to spec.

maybe not in this case, but that could get someone killed if the wrong parts are not to spec...

Ouch

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Teenage Ninja said:
S&S seems to be buying up alot of people right now, they just picked up Denise Dinn, and if we see a launched woodie I am going to cry and set up an assasination for them. Also, if they acquire Arrow I don't think they will be able to design the great rides like they did before. I'm sure S&S would give them limitations.

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(Former Signature replaced due to bad joke with accident) The Beast at night-Two peas in a pod?

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S&S didn't really buy CCI. They just hired the former owner. S&S is well ready to buy Arrow if they are going for it.

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Chris Knight
Whoa I'm the 88984594th Vistor to Coasterbuzz. I wonder what I have won.

Makes sense, they're both in Utah. Employees wouldn't even have to move very far.

I just really hope, more than anything, that Arrow keeps their name. The name Arrow, as I'm sure many of you will agree, is more than just a company name or a trademark. It is a symbol of the past 43 years - the rise of the steel coaster. Arrow coasters not sporting the proud Arrow name would be I think, a terrible mistake.

Just seeing the little plaque on the bottom of the back of each car, makes me feel good. I don't think the same effect could be had if each time I looked down, I saw an S&S badge.

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So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?