GuruGuys

Any know what kind of winds the Boardwalk Bullet is built to withstand? -GG

No kidding, wow. I wasn't expecting it to be this bad really and now I just got my power restored after a few hours. It feels like a war going off out there with the constant thunder shaking the apartment. Yeah, I imagine these weather systems are going to delay it quite a bit, I'd be willing to bet late next week is an optimistic target, and then we have another Hurricane that should be arriving about that time somewhere around the Texas Coast so who knows... -GG

Nothing new today. Everyone working hard on the final touches to get it ready for final testing and inspection. About the Beast, apparently they run it rain or shine and as long as the depression doesn't hit us (it won't) it will be running tomorrow according to the crew "Our Captain is crazy" I think was the quote. I was getting wet just standing on the boardwalk! The boat was docked and bouncing everywhere. Two people had ridden and sat in the front (the supposed dry spot) were 100% soaked! -GG

They have changed the forecast to 100% chance of rain tomorrow but down to 40% on Friday. Looks like things might get delayed again An of course Tropical Storm Dean is lined up to be in the Gulf next Monday, but who knows where that will hit at this point once it get there. Well, at least Texcoaster and I can go ride the Boardwalk Bullet, with some serious waves this time -GG

http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm5/projectedpath_large.html Lets hope it stays well south of us as projected!!!!! -GG

Texcoaster was responsible for getting me there and it was the nice folks at Kemah who took the time to allow it. Sure it is great free publicity for them, but they are very busy these days, his phone rang several times while showing us around, I felt very honored that he allowed us his time and the privilege. I'm sure our timing of being there right after the first successful runs was helpful, but that was just blind luck. I signed up with ACE last night, it is quite a thrill to start of my roller coaster riding 'career' with this entire experience of watching the coaster being built, getting to meet some of the main people involved in its design and construction, and meet a lot of local coaster enthusiast friends in the process. I'll definitely be attending Lone Star Coasterthon in September as my first ACE event! Thanks for the praise on the video, the audio was really hard to sync up, I had to fake the first 15 seconds, and I had no tripod, a digital camera, and limited view. I am happy with the results... but much better is to come. As far as praising people, I'd give most the credit to Jason, ie Coasterphoto, hes been working his hiney off since before they started tearing up ground! He has invested way more time and money than any of us to keep everyone up to date. If any 'Coaster Fan' at this point deserves one of the first rides on BB, it is Coasterphoto, and I hope he gets it. -GG

Right now everything is just speculative on my part. I know they are working very hard to get it testing and inspected ASAP. They have to train staff to operate the ride, finish up cosmetics and other functional necessities, etc. Weather and many other factors come into play. That being said, I think they will open it as soon as they can regardless of the day or time and follow with a Grand Opening event. We will probably have the most accurate estimates of when it will open by Saturday. Until then we should sit back and let them finish up what they need to do. Right now I just want the rain to stay away! We are getting really close. -GG

Things are progressing well in the continuing 102+ degree heat. Track is being fine tuned and intense testing and inspections should begin this weekend. I am hoping the weather stays clear as chances of rain have dropped for the next week but still remain 50-70% according to weather.com. I'd say that if things go really well we could see it open to the public by late next week. Those of you planing labor day visits should feel pretty safe! -GG

I LOVE the last shot in your video of the coaster towering over the house! Awesome! -GG

OK, just edited the video! This was taken from the first 3 complete runs of the Bullet from three different locations. One location was inside the Saltgrass Steakhouse so forgive the window pane on the right as well as the white balance being all messed up from that angle (shooting through tinted window didn't help). I did my very best to include the complete ride and have visible train at all times but it was VERY hard because the way this coaster winds within itself. Please forgive the video quality issues, I was using a digital camera NOT camcorder to get the video. EDIT: 08-18-2007 I have updated the video, it is now double bitrate and new coverage. The location has changed to: http://www.theguruguys.com/BoardwalkBullet/Boardwalk_Bullet_First_Test_Runs.wmv -GG

Whoops, just edited previous post, forgot to put all the pics in there!

New Pics from day of first successful test run. View of Bay from Station - This pic REALLY doesn't give it justice, I hope Jason can get one with his better equipment soon, it was beautiful! This will be full of anxious people soon! The train zooms by after the first drop right under and to the left of this ramp! Very Nice View of Drop from Station Test Train on Brake Pads Station Work In Progress

They were off by about 6 inches in one spot, replaced about 30 feet of track if I'm not mistaken. They still have about 15 feet of track to tune if I remember correctly. Some wood was sanded down as well, apparently the wheels were rubbing on some wood at one part. Almost done with my video. VERY VERY tough to edit this coaster, only three places to stand and tape from really, and this thing winds inside itself so much, VERY had to get video of every part. -GG

I had to get this one out first. Thanks to all the hard work that the crew has put out who have battled over 113 degrees with the heat index these past few weeks. Think of all the smiling faces and joy you'll bring to the millions of riders throughout the years! Congratulations to a Very Happy Crew! A Very Happy Crew! After The Boardwalk Bullet completed it first three unassisted circuits!

Past the link into internet explorer and it will work, I couldn't get it to work with FireFox. -GG

Hey Jason! It was very nice meeting you out there. Thanks for all your hard work and excellent pictures. Ill be working on editing something to put up on my video as well as a few new pictures, alas, my equipment is not near as good as Jason's so don't expect the same quality! -GG

What timing I had!!!! I drove up, as I parked Bullet was going up and made the first run!!!! It followed with 2 more runs, the third being almost twice as fast over the first main hill!!! I have video and pics of the third run for posting later. They will be testing it remainder of day!! 9n vcar computer pleasse excuse typos and stuff.

Did they have metal rail back on the track by the bay yet? They seem to be doing a considerable amount of work there. Is it not possible they have an extra/spare cart? -GG

Maybe the phone is in the process of melting due to the heat?

They are still mainly working on the same area. The rail is still off the track and they were carrying a lot of wood to that area. Workers are also about 20 feet down from there and also around the bank just down from that. I seriously dont think we will see a test today, probably not tomorrow either. -GG

I'm about to have a late lunch at one of the restaurants there. Ill post what I find out when I'm done. -GG

Here are a couple of pictures I took today, some of the merchandise. High Resolution versions of the pictures I took today (including these) can be downloaded at: www.theguruguys.com/BoardwalkBullet in about an hour (they are uploading now). A shot I took from the Top of the Boardwalk Tower ride. You can see the back hill where the train stopped today pretty clearly in this picture. Its the hill by that tree on the back left. New Tee Shirts and other Boardwalk Bullet Merchandise. Tee Shirts Read: "Fastest Bullet in the West" "8 Seconds? You're gonna have to hold on longer than that!" This is the area they have been working on the most the past few days. After the test run today they started reworking this area again. That guy ALWAYS has a cigarette in his mouth

On both occasions I spoke with Kemah employees I was approached by them when they saw me taking pictures. They were happy to talk. Just dont bother the busy workers!

Thanks for the update! They did another test between noon and 2pm. I was not there but talking to some witnesses I have gathered that the train stalled somewhere around the back. They were able to push the train over several small hills and the construction crew clapped when they realized it would make it back to the bay. Currently both trains are back at the bay- They are currently working on the track at the same place that I showed in the pic yesterday. Sorry I dont have more info, Im currently posting from my car computer so Im unable to post pics of the areas mentioned...

BTW, My sister is a big girl, but she really wants to ride this. Any idea what the weight/size limits on these typs of coasters are?