Evan1127

If you remember back in January, Adam and I reported on our intern site that a camera crew from The Discovery Channel was at our shop. The episode that was being filmed will be broadcast starting July 10. Here are the details: "Build It Bigger Episode 6 Danny Forster launches headlong into scream engineering --- building, designing and riding some of the greatest roller coasters on the planet. Danny works with two construction teams who create every exacting detail to make the ride both scary and safe." I won't give any of the details of the contents of the show, but it should be good! Here are the known broadcast times: July 10, 10:00 PM July 11, 2:00 AM July 12, 7:00 PM July 14, 11:00 AM The Discovery Channel's online teaser

You're right on the concept of the trailered train. I'm not quite sure what you're asking with the image, but your first row would be standard two-bench PTC trains, your second row would be a two-bench trailered train (in steel, this would be like an intamin hyper/giga), and your third row has a single-bench trailered train (like the Millennium Flyers) and a B&M floorless (it's the same for standup, dive machine, inverted, etc). So I guess... you're right(?)

Griffon Mystery Mine El Toro Maverick Tatsu Kingda Ka (Homepark: SFNE - Superman, Batman, Poison Ivy, Flashback, Pandemonium)

Behind Nightwing/Superman is swampland (with an actual creek running through it) and then the Picnic Grove. Not much can be done there. For reference, here is a satellite image. The band of trees running through is the swampy area. Superman's last curve into the brakes is often swampy, as well.

On the Supermans, with the tiered seating, it used to be that the seatbelts in the front of the car were 11 inches longer than in the back. Because they redid the rest of the restraints, I assume this changed in May 04, but based on the fact that you said Intamin seatbelts, I'm not sure anymore (since I know the New England Superman doesn't use Intamin seatbelts anymore). But this 11-inches-longer thing was also found to be one of the factors in the accident in 2004, so I am going to assume they're all (supposed to be) the same.

I was going to remain neutral and not respond, but now I'm going to remain neutral and play Devil's Advocate... Perhaps you're glorifying a particularly bad day to make it seem as though the crews are always slow at every ride there? I know many people can claim that it has been like this every time they visit, but I just know that I've been to at least a dozen parks that are worse. It does stink that you didn't enjoy your day, though.

We've just posted some new photos of the ride on the intern site: www.greatcoastersinterns.com

Photo for your viewing pleasure. Edit: Contrary to the photo caption, this was taken in 2005 after a "side safety strap" was removed. In its place is an electronic system to detect if the lapbar is down far enough. It used to be a short buckle extending from the grab bar on the lapbar to the side of the seat. Superman's restraints as of May 29, 2004

At the Coastermania Q and A, they said they were planning to open it before July 4.

At Dorney a couple weeks ago, a child of about 10 or so went to the bathroom on the ride platform of Talon approximately 3 feet behind the entrance attendant. What could I do but laugh?

It is actually GCI's tallest to date at about 110 feet tall. And to respond to philobat, GCI's Thunderhead also flies through the station, but it is still a pretty unique (and awesome) element. Awesome videos posted, by the way. I can't wait to go and ride this. I'm pretty jealous of everyone that is heading that way soon.

Twenty minutes ago, Troy made its first successful run with another one planned for a little bit later. I will have updates on the intern site soon enough.

Objectively speaking, the photos don't do them justice. Just wait to see them in person

Technically Thunderhead is themed. It's not as elaborate, but it's there.

...and they're up! Go see them!

Awesome photos. I love seeing the bent for the station in the air like that.

I was working (at SFNE) at the time. It was so crazy (understandably so). All ride operators trying to call operations base at the same time because no one knew what was going on. Everyone thought it was just their ride. Besides rides going down, think of everything else operationally. The primary radio channels used are on repeaters (which also went out), so we had to move to backup channels, etc. Just a lot of confusion. Objectively speaking, the park and staff handled it well and we didn't have rides in any difficult places. I think the irritated guests calmed down when they realized it was most of the Northeast and beyond.

Nice report. I love that park. As far as the Trapeze goes, there was a sign there for a while (it may still be there) saying that it was awaiting parts from the manufacturer. Perhaps they came in, so crews were getting the ride ready.

It's just something rattling - normal for the MFs; you can just hear it better with the camera close to the axles.

The "highest" that the lapbar can be is where there is no gap between the lapbar and the seatside. So it is a safety thing. Sorry it is causing problems, though...

They were left open for human riders.

First of all, Chris sent along some awesome photos that are now on the intern site (here). Regarding Troy, though this isn't the proper thread to have a discussion on it, we need to hold off on posting photos of it for now until we have approval from the park. Since it is such an elaborate design, we don't want to ruin anything for them. I promise some photos if/when we are able to post them.

No, unfortunately, I stayed behind in PA to continue work on the Troy trains. I'll be heading out there later this summer, though.

Haha, I guess everything in my post above went unnoticed...

This is true. Renegade made its first successful run today just before 5:00 (local time) and has since made 15 runs. Chris called to tell me that he had just ridden it, as well, and it's going to be an amazing ride.