josephcissell

After seeing the outlaw run POV, I'd love to see SFoG do a large project with RMC - either something totally new or something like the RMC treatment to scream machine. You know, that sounds exciting and all, but I would not like to see them change the Scream Machine like that. It would be smooth, fast and an all round better ride experience, but the thing is is that it's been around for so long. It's different from other woodies that have been around for 10 years or so and now need the Rocky Mountain Treatment to make it a hit again. The Sream Machine is part of the park's early history; it was one of the first attractions to be built outside of the railroad. It's one of those coasters built during the age when new innovations in ride design were coming up all over the place. It was the highlight of the coaster world when it first opened, being the tallest and fastest. (Probably didn't last for long) It's kind of like putting all steel horses on the Rigerview Carousel. Sure the new horses could be more comfortable and would certainly last longer, but the carousel is part of history, unlike modern day carousels that can be changed to go faster, ect. That's all right because those aren't significant in history. Now sure, steel horses are probably not going to outfitted on any carousel, I was just trying to get m point across. I couldn't agree more. The Scream Machine is very much a part of the park's history and has major classic woodie appeal. Plus the ride really has been running well for its age, and it sounds like it also got some new wood for the 2013 season as well. So while a RMC overhaul would make the ride smooth and exciting, I just don't see it happening to such a classic ride. Even though Outlaw Run looks amazing, and presumably IRAT will be amazing as well, I personally don't want to see an overhaul of the Scream Machine. I agree. It does look awkward there, at least in photos.

^ I agree that this would be an interesting space for a compact GCI woodie, but perhaps the park is holding out for something bigger. The 50 year anniversary of the park is just 4 years away now...

I second that wish! I get that in some ways the Ninja checks off the park's need for a reasonably big multi-inversion coaster, but when I've been at the park recently, ridership has been consistently VERY low and I just don't see it improving. Among the GP I know, the ride has unsurprisingly garnered an awful reputation for a painfully unpleasant ride experience and it seems that with every year the ride is getting progressively worse... I'm not one to just bash a ride, but this ride has kind of earned it over the years. Here's to hoping there are plans somewhere for possible replacements.

^ Last time I was at the park in early September I noticed a distinct and very jarring bump about there on the lift hill on two consecutive rides. It felt as though the train had just run over a small animal or something and the lift actually slowed to a near stop for a second, but then resumed. At the time I dismissed it as nothing, but looking at that photo, I guess there was some kind of issue.

^ Well that's good. I would agree that it hasn't been re-rideable for quite some time, but it sounds like there has been enough progress to make it fairly enjoyable and re-rideable again, which is big for me. I'm happy to see this ride getting some of the TLC it definitely needs.

Ugh. The lower leg restraints don't look comfortable to me.

^ That looks encouraging! Is enough of the ride smooth to make up for the really rough parts or are there too many rough sections to make the ride reasonably pleasant overall?

I certainly think so. They really seem to be in bad shape to me. Also, the fact that the Georgia Cyclone takes its turns so slowly really kills most of the improvement from the partial addition of Topper Track in my opinion.

Definitely agreed. I wouldn't go so far as to say that new trains could be marketed as a new experience, but they would certainly breathe a lot of new life into older rides that actually could be very good.

^ Interesting that B&M did this.. It certainly does leave you wondering if they have plans to make replacement trains for other non B&M coasters as you mentioned. I would love to see B&M trains on Magnum XL-200 at CP or Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood. The resulting B&M train definitely looks great! I'm sure it rides way better than those old Morgan trains too.

I completely agree. Any type of structure to obscure what otherwise looks somewhat imposing is a plus. First impressions of the entrance area in my opinion form a considerable part of whether the overall experience of the park was welcoming and pleasant or not.

^ Glad to hear that! Thanks for the updates and looking forward to photos. Any new paint on coasters?

^ Sorry for the ambiguity. I was referring to this comment from a month and a half ago. I was unaware that there are plans to add Topper Track to the entire ride in the long term though, so I'm glad to hear that comments have been made affirming this. Hopefully there has been progress in the off season.

Looking forward to the update on Sky Screamer. For those of you that made it out to opening day, is there any sign that those markings sighted on or near GA Cyclone a month ago led to any changes? My fingers are still crossed for more Topper Track...