The Model Cyclone Racer

by **hillflyer** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 4:35 pm

Hi Everyone.

I am so happy and thrilled to report that last night I obtained my crowdfund through AIM/Hatchfund minimum goal of $3000. As of this writing I have $3037.25 guaranteed! Soon I will be able to go all out on building a 1/54 scale model of the Cyclone Racer.

This campaign has proven that my work is not in vein. It has also demonstrated my strong will to want to build this thing that I have the drive to do what it takes to get there. 52 people made contributions, none of them came from TPR naturally, but I suppose more people would be interested if I did point-and-click art.

With my success comes a 30 day extension to try and reach my stretch goal $5000. There is no pressure for me to do this and the outcome has no ill effect on the current status of my grant.

After filling out some paper work, I should start getting something soon! Anyone who selected a perk will receive them shortly thereafter.

Watch for updates!

by **CoasterB** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:25 pm

So chuffed you reached your goal! so excited for the rest of the project, i'v watch a few videos on youtube from the model looking forward to seeing more. And if you get a train to run on the track then my mind will be blown!

by **hillflyer** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 1:30 pm

Hi everyone. I already got my Christmas present as far as I'm concerned! I couldn't be more happy that I can continue with building the Model Cyclone Racer in earnest.

The campaign is not over! While I will be the successful recipient of at least $3137, I still have the opportunity to raise enough to meet my maximum of $5000 (63% there) by the end of the year. There are no repercussions if I don't make it and I will still receive all money donated until the end of the month. I love that I don't have to be so aggressive in trying to raise the rest of it.

So! I've updated the sign in the back of my car and now parking in prime high-traffic parking spots.

These past few nights I've been trying to develop an efficient routine for making 20 trellis for the station house. I'll probably make 30 of these and pick the best ones.

I also threw in some photos of my mechanical drawings for building a new and improved working brake release system.

by **COASTER FREAK 11** » Tue Dec 20, 2016 4:00 pm

Great to see that you have the funding! Can't wait ti see this thing fly!

by **hillflyer** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 5:09 pm

Hi everyone.

I was waiting for one of those inspiring moments that sort of fill in this puzzle I'm putting together...not in so much this roller coaster model per se, but in my head - the reason, the purpose, all kinds of questions have to be answered before I could feel like I had a good excuse to forge forward with this project.

For example, I've been busting my A$$ trying to make a workable station house. One the trains can actually roll through and a brake system that works. On paper, I have a design that will allow the transfer tables to shift trains.

One mistake I made, is I pre-cut too many carefully measured pieces that, when all connected together, don't fit the way I planned. So I have a new way of approaching that and I'm still working getting the skid brakes to operate - basically don't get too ahead of myself.

Last night I think I figured something out. In the back of my mind I know this model will not actually operate. So I’ve been struggling with trying so hard to make it so that station house works, I mean, if the coaster might not operate, than why work so hard on the station?

Then I realized I could at least make a working SECTION of the model that I can use to help Larry Osterhoudt rebuild the actual coaster. I think it might be fun to have the trains race out of the station to the lift hill (don’t ask me yet if they will climb partially, I don’t know.) The rest will come later.

So the promo piece will be the station, the 180 degree horseshoe turn above and half of each of the two lift hills.
Read the descriptions in the photos below. LOOK FOR THE HIDDEN TRIVIA QUESTION. The first person to answer the question will get a free Cyclone Racer pen!

by **Zingoman** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:44 pm

FINALLY! A new entry! I believe you said the track acts like a sponge due to the layering and seams in the wood, which unfortunately causes the rails to rot from the inside.

Is the entire project planned to stop with the station/lift/curve section or were you planning to actually complete the entire coaster in the end? I had always assumed you would construct the entire ride.

by **hillflyer** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:25 pm

Zingoman wrote:FINALLY! A new entry! I believe you said the track acts like a sponge due to the layering and seams in the wood, which unfortunately causes the rails to rot from the inside.

Is the entire project planned to stop with the station/lift/curve section or were you planning to actually complete the entire coaster in the end? I had always assumed you would construct the entire ride.

Still working it out, but bottom line, I hope to make the whole thing. The piece pictured above I want to showcase while I build the rest of it.

I was going to enter the Airplane in the County Fair in June, but I'd have to build a case and cover for it and that would be SOOOOOO cost prohibitive.

Just right now, you gave me the idea to possibly enter this proposed "Cyclone Racer" section in the fair instead. It'd be MUCH cheaper to make a case for a 4' rectangle. Also I had planned for that part to be done by July 1 so if I step it up a little bit.

Oops, and your answer was incorrect.

by **Zingoman** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:12 am

The track acted like a spring

by **hillflyer** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:59 pm

Hi fans,
I just love to bounce back and forth between the drafting board and the coffee shop.

I am SO fortunate I have a job that affords me a little time to work on drawings during slow times.

The following series of pictures is dedicated to the now-closed Hillcrest version of the Filter coffee house where I’ve spent many hundreds of hours working on the Airplane model.