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Ohhhhh, ye of little faith...LOL

Just to let y'all know, I've been forwarding some of your comments to my coworkers at RMC. We're very proud that Irat, and Outlaw, are the coasters nearly everyone is talking about. Anything less than a #1 and #2 best new coaster vote this year for these two masterpieces, would be a crime. We are anxiously awaiting the 1st test runs as well, and the day is drawing near.........PLEASE STAY TUNED!!!!!!

Didn't I warn you about the view from up there?

I consider it designed in the 1940's, but built in the 1980's. I'm not completed versed in wood relocations, but my understanding is only a percentage of the original structure ends up in the new place. I'm not sure that they could have used a new wood structure because they didn't have the Rocket's blueprints when they relocated it. Didn't they number all of the boards and ship them to Elysburg on a bunch of trucks? Now, granted, they had to come up with some way to create new footers, so I could be wrong. But I'm pretty sure that the Phoenix's wooden support structure is original. I should have phrased my comment differently. I remember listening to John Fetterman speak at an event a few years ago and I recall him saying all the vertical supports can be reused in a relocation but all the track has to be new. If you go by the news article that was posted in the San Antonio Express News, about the sale and move of The Rocket in 1985, it states that "every piece of the track and support structure, was dismantled and labeled, then loaded onto flatbed trailers and shipped to Elysburg, PA". I remember seeing pictures of the trucks that were loaded, and there were track sections on some of them. They may have replaced the steel on the rails, though. I guess its just splitting hairs, really. I rode it in 1973 the first time, at the age of 6. It was my first coaster, and I've been waiting for the day when I can get to Knoebel's and ride it again. Hell, we could probably start a whole new thread just pertaining to this, and other coaster relocations.

Technically, The Phoenix is circa 1947, just relocated in 1984-1985. I think it still counts as pre-80's....JMO

I think it comes down to a personal preference between pay at once, or payments, if all else is equal. Different strokes.......and so on. I've always had regular season passes, never the Gold, so I wasnt aware of the benefits of the Gold pass over the Reg. Does the price come out about the same? $108 + tax?

1977, Greezed Lightnin' - SFAW....still remember the first ride like it was yesterday. STILL dont know if my initial apprehension was the loop, or the launch, remember, I was only 10. Had my eyes closed through the loop the first time, but on the return, I "peeked", and it was all over but the cryin after that. Made my Mom ride it 5 more times that day with me.

It's meant for people who aren't able to pay the full price all at once, it just spreads out the payments. You have to have it for 12 months otherwise people would use it when the park is open and then cancel it. It also includes things that a season pass wouldnt cover, like ERT events, VIP entry, Bring-a-Friend free days, etc. Total price comes out near the same, but to me, the perks are worth it. Wife and I are switching to Memberships this season for sure

If I told ya, I'd have to....n/m

Its just a slanted, "shed" roof, both sides are to be open, but it does run from about 20' below the cliff top, almost the entire length of the belly of the 1st drop.

yeah, i was thinkin the same thing as I was watching them set it up the other day...any earth-tone color would have been more suited to the section themeing...brown, tan, yellow, etc. How about RUST? XD

let's see....well, ToP didnt say the coaster had to still be running, soooo....for woodies, I'm gonna go The Rocket (1947) @ Playland Park (now The Phoenix) and Texas Cyclone (1976) @ SFAW (gbnf). For steel, Shockwave (1978) at SFOT

Three things I remember from NTaG Bash 2011........NTaG was awesome, Robb in the Chicken Coup, and thousands (or so it seemed) of teenagers bouncing B-balls all day, everywhere you went. UGH

Y'all already got one of S.A.'s coasters...wanna steal another one?> LMAO

I have been asked by RMC and SFFT to not post anymore "insider" pix. They want to be the ones releasing pix from here on out. But I stand by my previous statement that none of these pix do this ride justice. Insane may be a mild word to describe iRat. Standing at the top of the lift hill, and looking out over the ride, it's just........just............WOW

ugh...damn taggers

well, first off, if you wanna be technical, the layouts are totally different, so no comparison there..........iRat is taller, steeper, and faster, plus the inversion, AND more overbanks.....however, NTaG is the ORIGINAL RMC I-box coaster, which makes it the benchmark for all that follow......But it really seems like apples and oranges to me.

I've been working at the bottom of this massive drop for the past few days, and I can assure y'all, it NEVER EVER EVER gets old looking up to the top and just......................OMFG WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK TPR, I got the go-ahead from my boss to post these pics, hope you enjoy them........also, as much as I hate to say it, I havent seen any pictures that do this ride justice. You cant capture the pure massiveness of this coaster, unless you're standing right next to it. It's truly amazing!!! Even the guys on the crew comment almost daily about how awesome this thing is gonna be. Coming from people that actually build these rides, as a career, that HAS to tell you something. from top of the cliff, under the final drop into tunnel dont need to tell you this location...haha ...from barrel roll at left, this is what replaces the helix ...and so on... ...and so on... ...and so on... even though this pic doesnt how much detail, its one of my faves

Actually, PS usually runs 3 minimum, and 4 quite often during the hotter months, although they're not full loads. I STILL say move Pandemonium to one side at least (its not like its a hard ride to move, and you'll have oodles of space to play with. Why they put that coaster right in the middle, I have no idea. Something tells me it'll be a couple of seasons before SFFT thinks about another major ride though.

You should see it standing right next to it. Even the crew is going, "Holy *&^$%". My crew was workin in the old helix area, and I got some shots while the crane was puttin them in place......but i gotta clear the shots w/ the boss b4 I can post it....sry. But now u have an idea what 81* looks like.

I take it you've never had a bad day...LOL

I'm with you, there is much potential in that SW corner. With proper planning, a medium-sized woodie and a good flat could fit, and would do well back there. Right now, Pandemonium is the only reason to venture back into that corner. As far as removing Power Surge, I'm hoping they dont, cuz its a quick cool down which is very much needed for those who dont wanna deal with all White Water Bay hassle, and the other water rides dont offer as much "splash". Besides, A coaster could go over part of Power Surge without need for removing it.

Yeah, Jakizle...A boardwalk setting just HAS to have a woodie in it, I agree. How about a semi-re-creation of The Rocket, which was the original woodie in San Antonio. I dont think Knoebel's is going to let us have it back ...LMAO. The room is certainly there, in that back corner, and if you wanted a little more room back there, Pandemonium is easy enough to move to another area of the park; It could go where Boomerang is......HINT HINT. We've got enough wood sitting around right now to start one tomorrow. LOL.

...and tomorrow, I'll be up on top if that huge bump...LOL. First day went really well. As suspected, these RMC guys are a cool group and very enjoyable to work with. I am being trained to install the track (welding, aligning, etc.). Of course, I was given the speech today by the boss about what I am allowed to discuss publicly, and what pix I can and cannot post. Needless to say, it was stressed to speak "in general". RMC is very protective of their designs and methods, and rightfully so. I now have a new appreciation for what goes into a project such as this. If the weather holds out as it has, should see good progress the next couple of weeks.