TOP GUN K.I. QUESTION

I think I saw somewhere an Arrow suspended coster that had half the train running backwords. Does anyone know where this was and do you think they could or would ever do this to Top Gun at Kings Island ?

That was XLR-8 at Astroworld. They did that during Fright Fest.

I'm not so sure I'd want that done on Top Gun... That might be pretty uncomfortable.

Ya, this was done on AstroWorld's XLR-8.

The reason they were able to pull it off was because that ride was considerably slow and featured a layout that lacked much dynamics. It was like a space-age suspended monorail.

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The reason they were able to pull it off was because that ride was considerably slow and featured a layout that lacked much dynamics. It was like a space-age suspended monorail.

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So what youre saying is that it could be done on Iron Dragon at Cedar Point?

they could do it on any ride they want, as long as all the essential vehicle issues line up the same way. (backwards Maverick! YEAAHHHHH!) But seriously, they won't. My observations tell me that CP's safety nuts aren't big fans of running anything backwards, they never did have a backwards coaster until Wicked Twister. And I think Iron Dragon has a few more dynamic moments than XLR8 ever did, though some will argue with me on that.

It's hard for me to imagine anything on Iron Dragon being considered dynamic. That said, I agree; CP doesn't seem like the type of place that would ever try to pull this off. It would be fun, though, to have a Halloween tradition like this on a certain ride.

They could do it on Mean Streak. It goes about 20 mph now.

I don't think CP is afraid of letting a coaster go backwards. I've gone backwards on three of their coasters.

^Other than the racing woodies at the paramount parks, or roll backs, what might you be talking about. *** Edited 10/24/2007 3:17:13 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

Rollbacks, ha! :)

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Seahawk & the Wave said:
And I think Iron Dragon has a few more dynamic moments than XLR8 ever did, though some will argue with me on that.

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I'll agree with you on this. Compared to XLR-8, Iron Dragon did have some decent ride sections where there were actual drops and bursts of speed in certain sections. But it's definitely no where close to being a Ninja or Big Bad Wolf.

However, I would not even put Iron Dragon (no matter how slow or boring it might be) in the same category as XLR-8. The AstroWorld ride was literally a bunch of flat track sections with big slow turns. Kind of like a stretched out suspended wild mouse.

http://rcdb.com/ig134.htm?picture=15

^ THAT'S why it was able to run in reverse. :)

This too. Look at those drops! lol

I will actually defend XLR-8. I thought it was fun. It would've been a nice addition at SFA which would have had plenty of room for it. Not everything has to be a scream machine.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they switch XLR-8 to backwards operation on a permanent basis for the last season?

XLR8 ran a few cars backwards for the last few seasons, IIRC. We were there in...July '04? and rode backwards. Still WAY tamer than any other suspended, Draggin' Iron included.

I don't think you can really run the cars backwards on the others because of the cars and restraints....something more like the newer Vekoma restraints on the SLC, however...LOL! ;)

I don't know why everyone is so hard on Iron Dragon. Again, I ask why everything has to be hardcore? Yes, Top Gun at King's Island set a great standard, but it's also very short.

^ Nobody said that everything has to be hardcore.

For example, Big Bad Wolf and Ninja are not terrorizing scream machines. They're just very good suspended coasters, unlike Iron Dragon and XLR-8.

Been on BBW (years ago!), Ninja, CW Vortex, KI Top Gun and they're NOTHING compared to the king of suspended coasters... Eagle Fortress at Everland in South Korea.

Imagine a huge lift and it gets crazy right off the bat as the little turn at the bottom of the lift has the cars swinging madly! Awesome first drop with no brakes and what follow is the longest suspended coaster with insane banking, great airtime and the best setting.. Nothing like a huge mountain with a forest on it. Its so good that I'm going back to South Korea next week for it, Lotte World and the new Intamin Plug n Play at Everland.

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I don't know why everyone is so hard on Iron Dragon.

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I actually personally love it. It, along with Mine Ride, are two of the "top 2" medium intensity coasters out there. They are high quality, run well, and provide just enough pop to make them fun for everyone without scaring too many people away.

Big Bad Wolf is in a whole different category, IMO. I was always under the impression that ID was intentionally designed to be on the medium side. Perhaps I am mistaken.

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Seahawk & the Wave said:
My observations tell me that CP's safety nuts aren't big fans of running anything backwards, they never did have a backwards coaster until Wicked Twister.

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It's not really a safety thing. At the 1997 CoasterMania someone asked if they ever considered running one side of Gemini backwards.

The first answer was no, because the hardware on Gemini can't be simply flipped around like that easily (it's the brake fins, right?). The second answer, I believe, was no, because the folks running the park thought the idea was somewhat gimmicky.

Of course if running one side of Gemini is backwards is gimmicky I have no idea what the word for running ID backwards would be.

Hmm, now that I think of it, The Bat would have been one intense ride backwards, seeing as how it was already intense going forwards the two times I had the good fortune to ride it! Of course, the damn thing would probably have fallen to pieces but what a rush! :)

Tom

Yeah!
I think the quote is/was "We're not into Gimmicks!" or very close to that.

Kinda funny huh!? High Heel Dragqueen, Mantis, hmmm... anyway :)