RCoasterny

The trough is taking shape! http://www.knoebels.com/update.htm It says that they will use 3 layers of southern yellow pine, topped with cypress when the trough is finished. I'm curious how they will connect each section, because the strips are almost lined up in the picture. The trough they're building now is probably a test build, and will not be used in the actual coaster, as they probably will build the actual troughs once the bents are in place. RC!

There is no picture of the layout. Knoebels will release a artist conception of the ride when it is time. I'm sure Robb will do a POV, or there might be about 1000 other people doing it. As for , I don't think there will be any. The flying turns is the classic version of the modern Mack Bobsled.

It looks like they've built a prototype section of the Flying Turns track! Also, the steel bents that functions as the backbone of the track are being built! Here's the update: http://www.flyingturnsproject.com/FT_Photos.html

Sounds like a hydraulic line ruptured. The operator E-Stopped the ride, and caused it to stop suddenly. Hence, the bumper car like action with the swings banging into each other.

I hate it when people ask me where the restroom is when they're standing right next to one.

There isn't a launch sled on any LIM/LSM launched coasters. There are magnets on the bottom of the train that recieve the magnetic force. When a mag passes over/thru a set of Electromagnets, the power up, pulling the magnet (and train) forward. As the magnet passes over the electromagnet, it switches polarity and instead pushes it forward and resets for the next magnet (i.e. the next car on the train) and it's all controlled by sensors. And this is all done in the blink of an eye! From the looks of it, I'd say about 4 or 5 seconds. Actually, RnR is an Vekoma product. Vekoma's version of their LSM system is using a launch sled below the train, and the sled interacts with the LSM system for a launch. The train merely "piggybacks" on the launch sled and goes for a ride down the launch track. The train itself is just a regular vekoma train with specialized attachment points to connect to the launch sled. RC!

While the Asterix is faster, but I think the Flying Turns' curves were much more tighter, probably like a wild mouse turn. Looking at the old pictures, there were a lot of direction changes, one tight turn after another that would highten the thrill factor. The only bobsled-style ride that I've ridden was CP's Disaster Transport, and for a first time experience, I was impressed. I'm sure the KFT will be much more fun than CP's Disaster Transport and will have that true nostalgic feel to it. I'm looking forward to it as well!

Looks like Knoebels has a dedicated page for their Flying Turns project. Here's the link: http://www.flyingturnsproject.com Interesting to note that Steve Okamoto is the designer for the trains and Larson International is the builder for the trains.

Personally I don't consider it anywhere near "just a credit". I loved my rides on it and I didn't find it very rough at all back in 2003. In fact since i'll be passing the area in early july i'm going to stop by again just to ride Dragon Mountain a dozon or so times. With what happened with Sky Sceamer I doubt it will be open even if the park's target date is this year, but it will be fun to get on Sky Screamer since it wasn't open finished when I went. That was the year when I rode it, and found it very smooth, with minimal headbanging in the back seat. It has gotten worse over the year, basically due to worn out guide wheels. Also be prepared to lose 10 pounds just walking up the hill to get to Sky Screamer! If it's a hot and humid day, be sure to buy 3 water bottles before starting your trek up, and don't ride it once. Do a marathon ride on Sky Screamer until you have statisfied your S&S Power Combo Tower craving before heading back down the mountain.

No, that's not what I meant. I've seen POVs as well as lots of pictures, and it just looks like a boring, tame, useless ride to me. I have a thing against Arrow looping coasters, probably because I'm too tall for the restraints and it every ride on one results in pain. I'll be up at PCW/Marineland/MFI/SFDL again this summer for a quick trip, and maybe I'll be proven wrong, but for now my judgement stays that it's another Arrow piece of crap. Right now it's a piece of crap due to poor maintennance. If they would replace the guide wheels, it would be a better ride. I rode it a few years ago before Sky Screamer and it was a great ride, now it shuffles like there's no tomorrow.

Actually, it won't open until the 2008 season. And when they finally finish the thing, it will run the most shortest program- Ring goes up, then down. No topple. (Wonders when they will open the restrooms and the restaurant next to Sky Screamer.. it's been under construction since 2004!).

John Fetterman has posted a statement on rec.roller-coaster as to what's going on with Knoebel's Flying Turns, or KFT for short: There you have it.. The picture of Riverview's Flying Turns is what Knoebels will base their Flying Turns from..

Let's see here: Kennywood- 3 classic wooden coasters, a hyper, a bunch of classic rides, and, free parking! Hersheypark- 2 GCI's, one with the Millenium Flyer trains, a nice classic woodie (with trims, BOO!!), A Swartzkopf, a B&M, a Intamin Rocket Coaster, an insane mouse, and a nice collection of flats It's up to you. While I like Kennywood, and would love to go back again, I like Hersheypark better for it's diverse coaster collection and the atmosphere.

^-yup. Large flat area surrounded by trees = Whirlwind/Jetstar's old spot. In one shot you can see the Kearney Cottage in the background (2 floor cottage with red trim- Knoebels held their Christmas party for their employees there, and provides it as lodging for the performers at the band shell). In another shot you can see the roof of the Moonshine Shooting Gallery and the old fence from the Whirlwind coaster. It looks like they have already dismantled the Looper ride and will set it up somewhere else in the park.

I used to scream on the Pioneer Train at Knoebels...at the right moment, of course...

The flying turns is going to be the old-school one, orginally developed by Norman Bartlett and John Miller in the 1930's. The only issue they are facing is the trains. They're talking to PTC about recreating them, since PTC was the company that built the trains. Here's a drawing of what Knoebel's is aiming for: http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/early_1900/roar20_3.shtml sffv_1_0_0.sv6

Knoebels has posted on their website some stuff that's new for 2006. The Flying Turns is listed, and two new stuff as well. One is a game called "Dog Pounder" and seems to be a spin off from the Whac-A-Mole game. The third thing is the "XD Theater" which looks like a 3D theater with motion seats, similar to the 4D theaters found at Paramount parks. Check it out here: http://www.knoebels.com/whatsnew.htm (edit) Found out that XD Theater is made by a company called Triotech Amusement Inc. Thier webpage is here: http://www.trio-tech.com/index.html RC!

Talon at Dorney Park, and Twister at Knoebels.

What captions? I just look at the pictures...

Voted! So, how do you narrow it down to the best 3? What I did was watch all the videos with the sound off, and picked out the ones that were visually captivating, then watched the narrowed down list with the sound on to see how well they tied in the video with the sound and if the music was a good choice for a coaster video, and how the scenes tied in with the music. After narrowing it down a bit, I then looked at creativity for the final score. RC!

I personally thought the Twister at Knoebels was better than the Phoenix during the 2005 season!

Go to this website, Star Wreck and download their latest movie, "Star Wreck: In The Pirkinning"! It's in Finnish with english subtitles. I will have to warn you though, the movie weighs in a hefty 347 MB, so it's not for the dial-up users! It's quite a hilarious spoof of Star Trek and Babylon with a good plot line! Go download it today! RC!

I had a mild whiplash from Knoebel's Skooters after a bunch of us seniors decided to bash each other silly while on a senior trip back in 1990. My neck was sore for the whole summer! That was the best bumper car ride ever!

Oh don't worry, we'll stop critizing you as soon as you grow up.

WOW! :o How many K'nex coasters made up the whole thing? What will you call this year's model, and will you do inversions this year? Maybe a snap roll or two..