Wheels-- Spacing
I was thinking about this for awhile. If a ride goes straight down, would the wheels need to be right up against the rails? And since that would mean no gapping on the understops, that means that the wheels would be against the rails at all time, so would th under stops and side-wheels would this work? And if it does would it provide a smooth ride?
Another question. I've heard people say that the side-wheels on the inside are old. But when I go to SFMM, Revolution is the first looping coaster and the side-wheels are outside. Same with Montezooma's Revenge. I'm just guessing here but I guess that the outside wheels on the side a coming back? And yes one more question. If there are bigger gaps on the understops and side-wheels does that mean a rougher ride?
Someone probably knows way more on this than I and will set me straight. Thank You All Who Respond
*** This post was edited by Mr. X on 7/18/2001. ***
Another question. I've heard people say that the side-wheels on the inside are old. But when I go to SFMM, Revolution is the first looping coaster and the side-wheels are outside. Same with Montezooma's Revenge. I'm just guessing here but I guess that the outside wheels on the side a coming back? And yes one more question. If there are bigger gaps on the understops and side-wheels does that mean a rougher ride?
Someone probably knows way more on this than I and will set me straight. Thank You All Who Respond
*** This post was edited by Mr. X on 7/18/2001. ***
I haven't seen a good reason for inside or outside guide wheels being better than the other.
Regarding wheel tolerances on a vertical drop, you might have noticed that Arrow's X wheels are the same on both sides, since the road wheels and upstops actually exchange responsibilities during the ride. I'm guessing that because of this they'll have to be spring loaded and touch the track at all times. I don't see any reason why a ride making a vertical drop wouldn't do the same.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Regarding wheel tolerances on a vertical drop, you might have noticed that Arrow's X wheels are the same on both sides, since the road wheels and upstops actually exchange responsibilities during the ride. I'm guessing that because of this they'll have to be spring loaded and touch the track at all times. I don't see any reason why a ride making a vertical drop wouldn't do the same.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Personally, I think the inside guide wheels are an inherently safer design because the track wraps around the train...so if a wheel carrier is lost, the train won't derail.
Mechanically, the action of inside wheel sets and outside wheel sets should be identical, albeit reversed.
Structurally, if you are Arrow Dynamics and building track ties out of square tube, it is mechanically simpler to build the track for outside guide wheels. If you are Chance-Morgan and building track ties out of solid plate steel, it doesn't make any difference, except that the track ties are a little narrower if the guide wheels are on the outside.
Chance-Morgan, probably because of its Arrow roots, generally puts the guide wheels inside...but put them outside for Steel Dragon 2000. I suspect this may be because the guide wheels are very large. Assuming that like the road wheels, the guide wheels are 18" in diameter, putting the guide wheels inboard would take up 36" of the real estate beneath the car, where the track is typically a 48" gauge...that doesn't leave much space for the chain clutches, safety dogs, and brake calipers.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Mechanically, the action of inside wheel sets and outside wheel sets should be identical, albeit reversed.
Structurally, if you are Arrow Dynamics and building track ties out of square tube, it is mechanically simpler to build the track for outside guide wheels. If you are Chance-Morgan and building track ties out of solid plate steel, it doesn't make any difference, except that the track ties are a little narrower if the guide wheels are on the outside.
Chance-Morgan, probably because of its Arrow roots, generally puts the guide wheels inside...but put them outside for Steel Dragon 2000. I suspect this may be because the guide wheels are very large. Assuming that like the road wheels, the guide wheels are 18" in diameter, putting the guide wheels inboard would take up 36" of the real estate beneath the car, where the track is typically a 48" gauge...that doesn't leave much space for the chain clutches, safety dogs, and brake calipers.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
You must be logged in to post
