Well, I'm new here and decided I would post this neat concept I have been making in a simulator that hasn't been mentioned here. I'm used to explaining coasters to the ones who use RoR, and not RoR to roller coaster enthusiasts, so if I left out some information, tell me. I figured you can give me support/suggestions from a different point of view.
About RoR (concisely):
Rigs of Rods is an open-source, free physics simulator that has excellent versatility due to how the soft-body/moving objects are built. Objects that are not stationary are built with nodes and beams. Beams are connecting rods with no mass, and nodes are connecting points for them. Beams can rotate freely without friction on nodes, so the scaffolding structure on a roller coaster is actually a good way to visualize the physics; triangular features are stronger. These "vehicles" are placed on a terrain either when the terrain loads or when a user "spawns" the vehicle. Solid non-moving objects are placed on a terrain also, and vehicles can interact with them. Solid objects are created in a 3D modeling program (I use Blender) and placed on the terrain. Vehicles can also have visual, and even deforming 3D meshes placed on them.
About the coaster concept:
The coaster currently displayed is my third layout, and my second successful one, but my first one that behaves somewhat like a roller coaster.
The track is a solid object placed on a terrain, and was created in Blender by deforming straight track along a curve. The physics, of course, are not accurate or optimal, but it's close enough. Visual accessories, such as a station and track supports will be added.
The train is a vehicle that moves freely around the track. The train was based loosely on the trains of Arrow Dynamics, and the wheel patterns reflect that. However, due to RoR's rolling resistance with wheels, it uses low-friction skids that simulate the solid wheels of a roller coaster. The braking/lift system is planned to consist of a large wheel in the center of one car that hits a plane between the rails of the track when acceleration/deceleration is needed. The wheel will pull it up the lift, be braked, and use its rolling resistance to slow the coaster when necessary. The propulsion and braking will be controlled by two rails on each side of where the center plane would be.
Videos:
The structure that "defines" the physics of the train
The train as of 10/12/15
The track *thinks of the pain*
Interior
