Wood Coasters - A Thing of the Past?

It seems that all of the new rollercoasters today are made out of steel. Are there any plans for exciting new wooden coasters, or have they become a thing of the past?

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I AM THE CRAB MASTER

I think with Intamin's Plug and Play woodies, wooden rollercoasters will become more popular as they are able to go higher and faster without getting rougher. I think steel will always be built more than new wooden coasters because you can do more things with steel and it is more marketable.

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You know, this question has been asked every five years or so, ever since Arrow developed the corkscrew.

But, somehow, they always manage to stay around so that it can be asked again, five years later.

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I hear America screaming...

The short answer is no. Multiple woodies are built every year. In 2000 CCI built 7 woodies. This year three or 4 will be built (2 are announced.)

Wood is here to stay.

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

There always looking for ways to make woodies different and more exciting, take a look at Gawzi and Lightning Racer for instance.

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Emerging from the ashes of Eric 013...

Wood coasters are still being built, just not at the rate of Steele coasters.

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So you believe that you are studying us, then kindly explain why you are the ones trapped in your seats.

i wish there were more wodden coaster around. They make a park look great and they have a personality which adds to the ride.

I think alot of it is that the general public prefers steel. When I went to Hershey when Lightning Racer was brand new, I came off with some friends, and they started talking about how "It would have been better if it had loops and was steel like the Great Bear". Wood just doesn't have the same effect on the GP like steel does.

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Emerging from the ashes of Eric 013...

i think wood has more of a ride than steel. i dont know about anyone else but goin upside down doesnt thrill that much anymore. Rickedy old rides that beat you up offer so much more than steel.

dont get me wrong , steel coaster are awesome. its just a "been there , done that" thing that makes me want to ride wodden coaster more.

I think there will always be a passion and park need for wooden rollercoasters. Steel coasters are not so much "more popular" as they are "easy to clone". The proliferation of steel coasters easily dimishes if we were to look at new designs (steel) versus new designs (wood). I am beginning to see a trend in parks whereby new seel coasters are introduced to make a profit but new wood introduced to make a statement.

The other indication that wood coasters will continue to be produced is longevity. Although steel is easier to maintain, steel appeal does not show longevity. Wood Coasters are each unique to themselves and it seems they never lose their appeal. A look at the Internet Wood & Steel Polls to some degree bears this out. The top 25 or even fifty has a wide variety of coaster spanning decades in creation dates. The top 25 steel are always "the newest" - always the "record breakers". You don't see many early steel coasters cracking into anyone's top 10 lists.

Finally, even amongst the most strident coasters fans you will sometimes here people call for or at least consider the removal of a steel coaster. That just doesn't happen with wooden coasters. I think there tends to be more respect and reverence for wood coaster design and preservation - perhaps it is the lives of the trees sacrificed or perhaps it is recognition that a "good" or, especially, "great" woodie ride is a engineering feat to be celebrated.

Or, maybe I'm just completely full of @#%!&$*!

What R the plug and play coasters?

Ya know, I was just gonna post a thread like this the other day. I think wood is becoming a thing of the past kinda. Doesn't seem like anyone is talking much about em anymore. What new exciting things can they do to woodies? I think they've explored every aspect, or maybe not? Steel? Theres worlds and worlds yet to be explored.

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"You know its a good ride when you come into the final break run wiping tears from your eyes"-me

Ride Legend, Raven, Timbers, Phoenix, or Twister, then say that wood is going. ;>)

--Ryan

A wood coaster is a vital addition to a young, growing park. It is a staple and tradition in every major park and lower cost to construct.

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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com

Derrick Whitsett said:
What R the plug and play coasters?

If you mean what are the plug and play coasters (see TOS), they're the Intamin woodies including Colossos at Heide and Balder at Liseberg. They're manufactured off site and assembled on site (just like a steel coaster) so they ride incredibly smoothly. The also run a modified version of the Intamin Hyper trains.

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
You must be this dumb to ride Viper. -SFGAdv.

Only the track is assembled offsite. It is just engineered lumber with your normal Steel straps attached.

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Da Poodle

Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!

Actually, S&S is either talking about, or in the test phase of a launched woodie. You wanted innovation concerning wood? That's what you get...you should be ashamed! j/k ;)

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It's still me, here from the beginning back in 1999. Add 1500+ posts to the number I have in the info section if you care about such things.

How come no one ever mentions The Ozark Wildcat when people ask "what exciting woodies will be built this year"?????

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"I often thought of becoming a golf club"

I am guessing it is just the *overlook* factor, we know GCI's coasters are for the most part *Money*, and with Intamin's new design, and S&S"s new woodie division people might just be overlooking OW in this thread. I am sure this will be a great ride and don't worry it will get plenty of appreciation.
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Don't forget "The Gravity Group" is lurking out there.....

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