Invertalon

Fastlane merge is in the station.

Also, even given the colder temps... I believe there are "wheel warmers" under the station. You can feel the heat radiating from the space between the cars. Side note, MCBR does not even touch the train. Hauls right thru! I can't imagine the ride going even faster than it already does... After another two rides, I will have to say that element duo above the lift is my favorite part. The roll, turn and zero-g stall combo is incredible!

Two rides on it so far and already my thighs are sore from all the ejector airtime! As you would expect, super smooth and you are out of your seat more than you are in it. Absolutely love the second outside bank turn and the second half is a blast. Solid ride start to finish!

Man, it's going to suck to see this thing and not be able to ride it this weekend. We just may have to take a flight to Texas (never been to Fiesta Texas...) to ride this later in the year instead and visit a new park some weekend. This one looks better though, for sure, with all the theming in place. Will add a lot to the experience, no doubt.

Or the park representatives discovered how crappy the vest restraints are and went with the best train for the style of ride... I really dislike them on Dive Coasters, they don't exactly compliment that style of ride experience IMO. They feel more open, sure, but are more restrictive at the same time in some ways. Banshee is fine with them, but B&M went weird with the transitions and such on that ride so it's hard to gauge how they would be on a normal ride. If I ever bought a Dive Coaster though, I would demand the classic OTSR's (or hell, even lapbars!). A.J... the park has the choice unless the manufacturer has "obsoleted" the type of restraint. It is an option for the park if multiple variants are available. I know for a fact with one park they had tested a B&M clam-shell lapbar on a looping model but the park ultimately decided against it (due to management decision at said park). Not exactly the same, but goes to show the park can even "downgrade" what could be an epic change to improve the ride experience.

Watched season 1 and thought it was a good show, but nothing crazy IMO. Need to rewatch though and get on season 2, because I don't remember anything at this point honestly. I had to google the monsters from season 1 because I didn't even remember anything "scary", and when this house was announced I was a bit confused. But I can see them doing something really cool with it all.

No doubt that this ride will be phenomenal! I do find it interesting the slight right turn at the bottom of the first drop to the right. Wonder if that was required given the structure alignment of Mean Streak or was just an added feature for some laterals. Night rides on this thing should be madness, especially in that structure. Wonder how it will be lit (or not).

Bummer! I pushed back our trip a few weeks to the area to give a little cushion on the opening of this ride, thinking they wanted it ready by opening day... But I guess my month cushion may not be enough. Oh well! This trip wasn't really focused on the parks anyway, but I was looking forward to riding this one since we would be in the area. May have to fly to Texas some weekend to visit SFFT (have not been there yet).

Any word on Rail Blazer lately? We will be at the park around April 14/15 or possibly the week after, hoping it might open in time for our trip... But no real updates lately on this one like SFFT (given they are closed, I know).

Well, of course they won't just go out and torch without having done their homework first. I am strictly talking based on my experience that adding holes in structural member’s (such as track) does not do all THAT much to do ability of the structure to take the vibration/shock/loading as you would expect, again, to an extent. You do get stress concentrations with holes/slots/cutouts, so there is design work that has to be done. So of course the holes or modifications would matter, but in this case I think it would matter much less than you think it would. I have not done the FEA or analysis on this (obviously), but I do have experience with design and shock/vibe testing work in the aerospace industry as well as large fabrication design for air heating industries. Which in that case, were basically giant thin steel ducts (think 15ft diameter plus, 25ft in length or more) on supporting legs with a coaster-like track in the middle to allow for our air heating system that would sit in the middle of the duct to ride on when it would expand/contract due to heating. Very much looked like a coaster track in a way (i-beam style) and I had to analyze the loading and deflection on those support pieces, from both vertical and lateral loading. You would be surprised with how minimal of a design you can get away with, in terms of size vs. strength. Trims are designed, usually, into the layouts. You are correct, but it is not always the case. Just remember, this is a new design for RMC. The friction factors and other design characteristics may vary slightly from their prototype or calculated design for whatever reason. If adjustment can’t be made to reach target speeds (who knows if this is or is not at target at this point) with wheel adjustments, you best believe they will add trims. I personally don’t believe trims will be added, as wheel compounds can do a lot to the speed outcome of the train and these are only first tests, but my point is… RMC likely has thought about their plans if the ride did not reach target design criteria and if modification was required, they had thought about that already and how it would be done safely. That’s my entire point.

I'll have to locate a picture close up of the brake design tomorrow. Interested in why the access inside the track unless hydraulic/pneumatic. I can't tell from that pic at least. But really, even if they had to torch that material out I don't expect any significant strength reduction in the track, within reason. Honestly, was just thinking there needs to be the fins that can be welded to a bracket on top of the track. Have not seen any good detailed images of the brake assemblies, I was assuming they were like, say, Intamin's design. But my main point was as far as the hole thing goes, side or top, it won't matter much. Gaps/holes can be fine, just look at Intamin's old school box or triangle track. Or a little bit of a different example, the updated arrow 4D train that look like swiss cheese now to reduce weight while maintaining design properties. Mass doesn't dictate strength, material properties and careful design/engineering do.

It actually is as easy as it sounds. Holes would do very little in this case, as most of the strength comes from the moment of inertia (height or "depth" to resist bending). While yeah, putting too large of a hole may do something, it likely is a moot point as long as you leave enough web thickness near the edges and whatnot. Putting a trim would be not be any issue for them to do, if need be. Having done a bit of structural design engineering myself, you would be surprised at how much you could hack something like that and maintain most of it's strength (within reason). I bet you if they needed to, they could load that track with holes top and bottom.. But it would just waste time/money to cut the material that way and wouldn't save the customer any money, as the scrap would be useless to RMC. So no real point in doing so. Doesn't matter how small the track is, it's carrying a much lighter load than say a full Intamin/B&M train. That is why they can make it so small. They know what they are doing (RMC), and I am sure they have thought about the potential for trims if need be and how they would add them.

Interesting you say strict, because not once (been on hundreds of times), I have never been so much as asked about my height on the ride (I am 6'6", so I would be a prime candidate). The only ride I have ever been checked at CP has been Gatekeeper that I can ever remember (6'6" limit)... One time they made me remove my shoes to ride, just to be safe Unfortunately, it was in the rain after a monsoon so then I had wet sock. Very inconvenient! ha. But yeah, Gatekeeper they ask me nearly every time...

I bet they utilize some slower wheel compounds by the time this thing opens. Companies tend to use the hardest wheels at first to reduce the risk of valley. Looks awkwardly quick at it's current pace! haha

I will say this, it REALLY depends how your weight is carried. For example, I am 6’5” and 248lbs… I wear 38/40 pants. I can ride everything at CP, with Wicked Twister being the only real struggle given my height due to my shoulders. Otherwise, I can ride everything at CP without issue. I just get bothered by the Gatekeeper ops constantly about my height (even though another B&M in the park is far more dangerous for my long limbs, based on personal experience and it scared the crap out of me… lol). No issue at all on Millennium Force, Dragster, etc… I can pull 1-2” of slack on those rides. No problem either for any of the RMC’s I have ridden, those trains are perfectly fine/comfy. I never recall any struggle at all to get those belts buckled. Not worried at all for Steel Vengeance unless they decide to shorten the belts for whatever reason compared to the other RMC’s. But yeah, really depends on your chest size (for OTSR’s) or your thigh/waist size for lapbars and belts.

Mechanical Engineer at an aerospace company who's primary client is NASA, but we also do work for other companies as well.

I remember riding this (or something very similiar) as a kid somewhere... In an arcade like that, I remember it going up the four floors of the arcade or something. Wonder if it is the same thing... Where these ever in the US? If I had to guess, it was somewhere in Ohio (Columbus, perhaps?). Or just a spinoff of some sort. I have to ask my parents about it and see what the place was. Looked just like those photos, though.

While a little late, just finished and uploaded my HHN27 photos. Some below, and just over 200 on my flickr page: Here! So I thought this year's event was one of the strongest that I can remember... Been going since about 2004 and have only missed maybe three years in that time frame? Loved the zones and house lineup this year! We spent five nights at the event this year, going through the houses many times with the help of express two nights and the stay-and-scream advantage to hit up the houses without lines in the first hour or so. If I had to guess, 6-10 times through each of the houses throughout those five nights. You really need to go through each a few times sometimes for the house to grow on you... Thankfully, this year all were quite solid (perhaps Shining was my least favorite, along with Saw). But overall, can't complain one bit! Zones were awesome this year. Purge is always fun, but Trick R' Treat was amazing. Spent many hours just sitting and enjoying the zone throughout the few nights. It just felt like Halloween all around, along with the beautiful cool weather that final week around Halloween down in Orlando. The most comfortable it's even been (70's as a high, yes please!) for HHN, wish it was like that every year! Usually pouring sweat open till' close... lol Anyway, keeping the text short... Just wanted to show photos of the event (better late than never!). Enjoy! 1B5A3098.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2173.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2151.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2166.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2161.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2144.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3343.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3307.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3273.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3264.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3239.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3079.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A3001.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2973.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2882.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2862.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2833.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2830.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2806.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2790.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2801.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2788.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2743.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2730.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2717.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2697.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2684.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2660.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2644.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2641.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2636.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2634.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2629.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2618.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2606.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2602.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2560.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2550.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2576.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2506.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2456.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2368.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2345.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2239.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2197.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2128.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr 1B5A2082.jpg by invertalon, on Flickr

^ About sums it up, though... While the houses have some potential, the terrible "scaractors" completely ruin it. I find the ones in the scare zones *can* be excellent, as they tend to be a more passionate bunch.

Expect it to be hellish busy, honestly. Sunny and 78 right now in the forecast, on a HalloWeekends Saturday... Yeah, wouldn't even attempt the place, personally. Expect to sit in a 45min wait on the causeway just to park, 2hr waits for all the big coasters and don't even think about leaving at close (hint: leave early). I absolutely just refuse going any Saturday's during HW by rule. Friday's and Sunday's, fine... Never Saturday !

People were most likely on the train since the ride was open when the incident occurred, they're fine. What are you talking about? It was just an (extreme) example based on your statement that because the ride is popular that the park would not take it down. It was just a counterpoint that that statement is silly. If something bad did occur, they won't keep the ride around just because it was popular - That was my only point. In this case, obviously it's not that. The original post was simply speculation (I was not aware riders were on at the time of incident) and without any details it was simply just discussion. Nothing more. Back on topic, this reminds me a bit of the incident that occurred at Geauga Lake with Steel Venom where the fins on the train chassis mis-aligned during testing, crashing into the LIM's and brake components one morning when we showed up to the ride to open it one morning. Then it was down the rest of the year (and sent off to Dorney the next year I believe). Curious how the catch car jumped out, if that is what did occur. Doesn't the catch car have wheels on each side to keep it in the "track"? Perhaps fatigue failure on the axle allowing it to escape out of the trough.

Double post.

All i'm saying is if a ride has a potential incident that could risk the lives of people on the attraction that the park may have enough justification to remove an attraction, regardless of its popularity... Kind of a business moral thing, you know? We only have this picture and no real news/facts, so I am just guesstimating. It didn't happen this time obviously, but all it takes is a fatal accident and it doesn't matter how popular your ride is. Your saying if, in theory, the cable snapped and decapitated a bunch of people on the train that the park would keep the ride around just because its popular? Get real... This time it looks like non-issue, but that is still a lot of damage and the risk to the riders has to be a factor in what will happen in terms of repair or whatnot, for sure. Again, being extreme with the example... But stuff like this is not taken lightly and if this issue is beyond just a "cable snap" you never know. That is all i'm saying.

Wow... If true, makes me wonder how much longer this ride really has. I mean, what if people were on this ride when this occurred? I can't imagine the outcome would be any good. That has to cost a pretty penny for repair. Or perhaps it looks worse than it really was? Not sure...

So I wonder, watching the animation further (along with the Planet Coaster model as well), that at the bottom of the first drop, there is a faint "S-bend"... Wonder if that is real, or just a coincidence between both models. So it makes me wonder if the lift/drop/airtime hill are all in a straight line when viewed from a top view, or if there will be a slight "wiggle" in the tracking as noted in both of these models (more-so the actual animation...)