Xcelerators Launch - CoasterBuzz

Does anyone know where I can find out how Xcelerator launches, or tell me? I live out here on the east coast, no hydrolic coaster-yet! :)

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Do not be afraid of death, be afraid of your unridden coasters.

Use the search feature. All the details of the launch are there.

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- Peabody

Here's the correct spelling, it may help your search.

Hydraulic. Good luck.

And to give you a head start, the catapult mechanism does not involve any kind of electromagnetic propulsion (LIM, LSM). ;)

I've got a question. What happens with the launch mechinisim after the train detaches from it? And what prevents the train from hitting it on the way back from a roll-back?

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Last 2002 public ride on MF's front row

To prevent a rollback, magnetic brakes fly up as the trains goes over.

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I prefer the pears in the heavy syrup. They're just good.

I'm not talking about what stops the train, but what keeps the train from hitting the launch mechinism during a rollback.

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Last 2002 public ride on MF's front row

What launch mechanim? You mean the sled that pulls the train when it launches?

What happens is that the sled is reeled back into the station after each launch automatically. Think of it as a very VERY fast version of Millennium Force's cable-lift on flat launch track. So if a train were to roll-back, nothing would happen.

*** This post was edited by kRaXLeRidAh on 11/16/2002. ***

Oh ok, I've just never seen it go back to the station, but I have seen videos of it launch the train.

The launch mechinism is a general term for all the parts included by the launch. All the parts in the launch would be affected if the train rolled back, if the launch mechinism didn't return to it's neutral position.

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Last 2002 public ride on MF's front row

I've ridden Xcellerator and the sled doesn't seem to come back fast enough for the train to not hit it (I'm not completely sure tho, my minds a bit rusty). My guess is that after the sled launches the train, it keeps going through the part where the track curves upward. Therefore its not in the way of the coaster in case of a rollback. If you look at this picture it might help you understand what i'm talking about:

http://www.twistedrails.com/kbf/may04-07.shtml

As for how it launches, I'm not completely sure. I was looking at this section at howstuffworks.com to see if i could figure it out or if this even has anything to do with xcelerators launch.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/hydraulic1.htm

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