train capacity question

What's the deal with "newer" steel coasters having only 2-across seating? Like most coaster fans I hate long lines, and I don't understand why designers don't maximize train capacity given most parks won't put a train in motion before its predecessor has already returned. It's especially egregious with "boomerang" coasters that can't load a train while another is operating. The cost differential looks minimal.

A intamin hyper train has the same about of seats then the B&M hyper train...

9 cars times 4 seats per car= 36 aka Nitro

9 cars, 4 seats per car = 35 aka MF

So sometimes it doesnt matter if its 2 or 4 across....

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NITRO ~ The most EXPLOSIVE coaster on the planet!
Im not opinionated, im just always RIGHT!

B&M trains (which seat four across) hold between 28 and 36. Trains that seat two across (Arrow, Giovanola, Morgan, Vekoma, Intamin, Premier, etc) seat between 20 and 36. Unless some company starts making four-across trains with two or three rows per car, seating four across is going to give the same capacity as two across.

-Nate

*** This post was edited by coasterdude318 on 8/13/2002. ***

speed, the more aerodynamic the faster the speed at the bottom of drops. 2 wide has less drag than 4 wide.

So you're saying two-across trains are typically twice as long? Why even design a 20-seat capacity train? If the coaster's any good, you've almost halved your passengers/hour, and it would be nice if parks at least appeared to care about how long the lines are.

bitbug said:
So you're saying two-across trains are typically twice as long? Why even design a 20-seat capacity train? If the coaster's any good, you've almost halved your passengers/hour, and it would be nice if parks at least appeared to care about how long the lines are.

I think that the 20 seat trains (Premier) are necessary on the launched coasters to keep the forces on the body reasonable, in any seat you are in. I am not completely sure on this though, so someone correct me if I am wrong.

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Dave Bonnetti

Yeah, realize the 20 seat trains are pretty rare (only four coasters have them). Most two-across trains seat about the same as the four-across trains meaning that, yes, two-across trains are typically longer. However, they're not twice as long because B&M trains seat one row per car while the others are two or three rows per car.

-Nate

They're not necessarily 'twice as long, since each car has two rows of two seats. B&M's coasters also have a little more room between each car.

They could make the trains like an Intamin hyper but with 4 across and no extra space like on B&M's.

I think as coasters get taller and longer they should build the trains longer. Since theres room for more cars on the train and the size of the train won't be like kiddie or family coasters (A Zierer Tivoli for example) where the front of the train is at the bottom of the drop while the back is still at the top.

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Six Flags, the only chain of parks that can manage to have stacking with a one train operation.

It's an advantage to having trains shorter to give each rider the same experience regardelss of row and to keep the forces high enough to be something to everyone yet not get too extreme at the ends of the train. This is probably the largest difference. Second largest difference is the presence on inside seats on 4 acrosses. Enthusiasts prefer outside seats, but some GP may prefer inside. Also, 4 across trains are probably a bit heavier and more expensive per seat.

Capacity is probably effected as much by the speed of the crew and how much trouble the public has figuring out the restraints than it is by the number of seats in most cases.

A Hyper or a Giga should only be two across. You would loose too much of the thrill of being two to three hundred feet in the air if you were stuck in the middle seats.

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The worst day at Cedar Point is better than the best day at work.

But I have know of people who actually *fight* over the chance to sit in the middle seats. Stop going to parks with "enthusiasts" for a while and bring a 'GP' (I HATE that term) along. See if they dont 'request' the inside seats.

I've actually had to cajole some into riding on the outsides.

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"To get inside this head of mine, would take a monkey-wrench, and a lot of wine" Res How I Do

bitbug said:
What's the deal with "newer" steel coasters having only 2-across seating?

What are you talking about? Before 1990 almost all coasters were 2 across. It wa only until B&M came out that 4 across became popular. At least halfr of the coasters built now are 4 across.

The trains of each model are about the same cost, it's the track that costs more, but probably about the same as Intamin box track (4 sides). When Xcelerator was announced, many thought it would be 4 across cause of the concept art and the T-Shirts w/ pictures of nitro on them.

The only pluses of 4 across coasters is being with your whole party and the novelty. 2 across is more thrilling and allows for stadium seating as well as increased capacity by not having to bend over to pull restraints.

You bring up an excellent point, Jeremy. I remember many visits to parks with friends who wanted to ride the larger coasters, but were nervous to do so. 99% of the time it came down to them having to sit in one of the middle seats to feel comfortable about riding.

A tip for some of you...there really are some benefits to going to a park with someone who doesnt know a B&M ride from an Intamin ride and who still thinks a ride like Magnum is one of the largest in the world.

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James Draeger
-Proud co-founder of the Coasterbuzz street team