kcurry11

In theory its easily possible. As a mechanical Engineering major, I have been working on designing a new train style that has the lap bars only, however are just retrofired from the old OTSR. Basically they are bars that extend up and around from the old sockets. If a Freshman Engineer can design something like this, I'm sure the engineers at B&M can.

Ladies and Gentlemen, a quote all theme park execs need to learn!

I agree. The ride is very good right now. However, the GP does not like the roughness, and we all know, whatever the GP wants, the GP will get, unfortunately.

The shoulder harnesses have nothing to do with the fact that it's a launched coaster. It's the seat's tall backrest that keeps you in place during a launch - there are plenty of launched coasters all over the world with only lap bars but tall backrests for your body to be pushed back onto (Top Thrill Dragster, Xcelerator, Verboten, et al). B&M sitting coaster trains just don't have a place to anchor the restraint in front of the riders because the cars are so much closer together, so they use shoulder harnesses. You can have a clamshell-style restraint in the form of a shoulder harness, just look at Banshee and the wing coasters. That is a good point. They might be adding the vests later if this is true. I just could not see them taking the route of the lap bar because of the fact you pointed out that it takes a considerable more amount of room. That being said, I would love to see lap bar only, just to see how the forces change throughout the ride, specifically in the zero-g-roll.

That's what I thought too, however the launch on Hulk is not too intense. I mean TTD's launch is way more intense, and that only has lap bars. I still can not see them switching to lap bars however, that is just what I have heard.

One can only hope...

What do you give a park that has "almost" every thing when it comes to roller coasters? One of three coasters of that type in the United states, with I am assuming, its own unique layout not found yet.

Back! Airtime or Inversions?

What's up? I'm kcurry11 from the boring state of Wisconsin, right on the lakeshore, around Green Bay. Avid roller coaster enthusiast, DJ, athlete,and student. Attending UW-Madison in the fall for a Mechanical Engineering Degree, minor in Structural in hopes of one day designing amusement park rides and roller coasters!

It honestly looks amazing. I'm usually one to ride a flatride once, then never ride it again (with a few exceptions i.e. Giant Frisbees.) This has some re-ridability I think, at least for myself.

I know that they are replacing the launch motors, however this is rumored to be after peak season, but no one really knows when exactly. I'd assume you would be fine those days. Also, has anyone hear the rumors of replacing the launch system and trains to LIM with new trains with different restraints? ^I only heard that the launch motors were being replaced. I don't know why they would change the the trains and have new restraints. What new trains and what new restraints? Where did you hear this? I've heard listening to the In the Loop podcast that there was a new train spotted in the maintenance shop with Clam shell restraints. I know there has been a lot of talk of a massive change coming to the ride, and it is due for an upgrade. Now that B&M is doing launches, people have been tossing around the idea of them replacing the launch system over the next year. Just what I've heard, mostly rumors so definitely don't quote me on that.

I know that they are replacing the launch motors, however this is rumored to be after peak season, but no one really knows when exactly. I'd assume you would be fine those days. Also, has anyone hear the rumors of replacing the launch system and trains to LIM with new trains with different restraints?

Alright, stick with me on this one (because it is about to sound like a massive gimmick.) I saw there was a post for a launched B&M Hyper, and that's around what I was thinking. However, I love launches, and I love airtime. Start with the frame of a Intamin, using the same launch system as TTD, however only going to a 92 mph benchmark, and sending the coaster into a 254 ft airtime hill, straight into a lowish over-bank, around the 125 foot mark. Then it makes a twisting style airtime hill, like those found on the Mega-Lites, up and around the first hill, followed by a series of Fury like flowing low overbanks under, around, and over the station, making for some awesome flyby effects. Then a airtime hill or two, followed by a turn, into a tighter version of the MF pretzel looking section, into more airtime hills, into a couple more tight turns, into the brake run. An idea that will never happen I know, however it would be my perfect coaster, probably.

^^ Well you might be getting your wish granted with the recent rumors of the JLBFM coming, and I really hope it does. I love all the coasters, however having an experience like that would make my 3 hour drive that much more worth it.