Fireball - Happy Valley Shanghai, China

I suspect that there is some consideration for earthquakes in this design, which would explain the amount of wood and that "grid" thing. This looks like it'll be a great ride.

In this picture, I'm guessing that right hand turn in the distance is the final turn into the brake---at least it appears to be. It looks like it will be taken at a relatively high speed, making for a nice finish.

Eric

I love watching ride construction and Im certainly keeping my eye on this one, hope to ride this in the future.

The ride plans (on the first page) look's like a winner coaster, it's got everything to make the best (in my opinion) it's just got it all.

Thanks for sharing the pics Robb!!!

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http://uk.youtube.com/user/ThorpeParkNewCoaster

Does anyone know what the relative costs of a hybrid structure vs a full wooden structure at that sort of height are? I've been kinda curious about that for a while.

Also I agree with the other posts that this could be a real disaster if it isn't kept up properly. Hopefully it will go well because I would love to see more wooden coasters around the world.

That sucker looks marvelous.

I hope I get to ride that someday. Does the park have an opening date?

If only SFMM was getting that instead of Terminator. I just saw the renderings on the first page, and I must say that thing looks incredible.

In true TGG fashion the design looks to have changed a bit since that render. The ending brake run and bunny hills before it are now very close to parallel while the rendering shows quite an angle. But TGG is known to change the design all the way up till the very last moment when plans have to be mailed out for the next zone to be worked on. So I wouldnt expect that render to be too close to the final result.

Here are some recent construction photos in from M&V with the following note from them:

You can see that the first drop is almost completed.

 

We are ahead schedule for the installation and the Customer is very impress by the size of the lift hill, don't forget that it is the first Wood Coaster in China.

This is the most recent photo taken yesterday afternoon - 11/15/08

In that last photo it looks like the potential of the drop is going to be ruined because it looks as if it's pulling out WAY to early. And is there an animated POV of this anywhere, or a layout photo?

^ I really think it's a bit harsh to say something is going to be "ruined" based on a photo of bents being put up.

Thats only like half the drop you can see. It might even dip back down, who knows.

And is there an animated POV of this anywhere, or a layout photo?

http://www.rcdb.com/ig4150.htm

I think that looks like a quality woody

And is there an animated POV of this anywhere, or a layout photo?

C'mon guys it's posted on the FIRST PAGE OF THIS THREAD!!! The very first post!!! Not to mention that someone mentioned the rendering on the first page just 3 posts above yours!

Please READ the thread before you ask questions that are already answered...

Thank you!

--Robb "That's not too much to ask, is it?" Alvey

I don't see what the problem is,

it looks great so far!

The layout looks really neat! I'm looking forward to the first reviews of this to hear what the airtime is like!

This coaster also gets 10 bonus points for having a Canadian flag flying at the top!

^I guess that'll be the for Martin & Vleminckx connection.

Or maybe the ride's being themed to the Great Daylight Fireball of 1972, then I'm very much mistaken.

Looks quite a good ride in progress. Hopefully it'll be kept running well by the time I've got myself over there to ride it.

^ You're right because there's also a Quebec flag on the lift a little farther down. It nearly loses points for flying that flag in conjunction with the Canadian flag...but the Canadian flag is higher up the lift so I won't make the deduction.

I'm just curious to know how many Chinese have NEVER seen a wood coaster before. This is definately a great big introduction for them. This ride looks great!

Thanks for posting Robb!

Damn! I cant believe they have the lift hill up already and are laying the first descent! Fireball is really looking sharp.

Congrats to China for getting such an awesome looking coaster. I love watching construction of wooden coasters. It just amazes me how wooden coasters look while they are constructed. I just can't get enough! I'm looking forward to viewing more progress.

I apologize Robb I didn't read the thread, and looking at the layout it looks like it turns at the bottom of the drop so maybe that's why it's pulling out so it can turn.

Anyways, this ride looks pretty wicked sweet.

Can't wait!

I love watching construction of wooden coasters.

Dido!

Wooden coasters are so much more than..

bolt support, position track, bolt track.

BORING!

It's amazing that this is their first wooden coaster... Hopefully more will follow for China...

-James Dillaman

I couldn't think of a better company to build the first wooden coaster in China. The GCI coasters are the perfect fit for introducing a wood to a new culture. They provide thrilling rides while remaining incredibly smooth. Gravity Group rides would probably be too intense for them to start off with.