Jon Sabo

Does anyone know what the downtime on TTD was when their cable system broke (assuming KK has same issue)?

Unless I did not search hard enough, but does someone have a video posted of that ride (Anaconda)? It does have nice theming. I'm curious of Nemesis was built before this ride or perhaps theme-concepts came from this ride and Nemesis just took it an extra step. I specifically enjoy the photo of the train transversing around that rock-formation...coolio!

I think we all wish it was going to be a B&M flyer (as rumored here and on Screamscape), but based on the current evidence so far, it really is hard to believe CP is getting a B&M now. This is based on two criteria: 1. Look at those footers (and locations). The B&M footers tend to be retangular or square-type footers. 2. The pictures of the track segment(s) under those tarps....did B&M decided to switch track designs overnite?..lol 3. A B&M flyer (Mr. Kinzel's going away present) would surely look quite small in stature considering the footers in place already. So, NO we cannot make the assumption of a B&M at this point in time

That was a classic video. Hey? that looked like Red Skelton walking with the peeps..lol I love the way that skyride went over the ocean. We sure don't see that anymore. I was curious though...wasn't there a huge skyride/lift somewhere in Japan or China that went up the mountain?

Nice photo's. I'm ashamed to say I haven't even followed this coaster at all..lol Perhaps with all of the hoopla surrounding HW and other new rides, it just slipped my mind. It sure looks like a fun woodie.

Nice photo's indeed. I have never been to PCW, but next trip abroad I'll be sure to make a trip there now. It looks clean and 'well-dressed'...the park I mean..lol That chick looks like she's going to a strip club of some sort. I'll have to admit that was the first thing I noticed in the pic. What the heck is she wearing? Who is her fashion consultant? I mean come on....HIGH HEELS at an amusement park? And whats the deal with that white skirt/shorts with (looks like) black spandex...lol Ok...enough...lol Someone give her a gift card to "THE GAP"

Awesome job and creativity. I thought I enjoyed my own design work and you should be proud of yours as well. I think you have a real talent in this field. I hope you plan on design work/architecture to pursue as a career. I will have to find the number, but if you would be interested in working for Lucas Arts (George Lucas-Star Wars) I could give you a contact # and see if they could recruit you under an apprenticeship program. Keep your dream alive!

Mr. Stengel did MANY designs throughout the years. Here is the link to the company website: http://www.rcstengel.com/ Also, he has over 465 coasters designed worldwide including Aplengiest, and Apollo's Chariot for BGE.

It more than likely could be done, but why would CP make the investment to even do such a thing. In terms of track fabrication, installation, testing, more testing, and so on, it would be a financial disaster. My guess would project a cost of at least $2-4 million EASILY. That money could be spent on any modifications to its current state. The only thing I would (possibly) invest in is perhaps a new air-launched system.

Check out the ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) site. There were a couple of older publications on coasters (Harry Traver-book I have). Also, do a search in your browser. There are a few good links to find out more information you specifically look for. I dont have the links off the top of my head. If your a technical guru, you can order a book from Amercian Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM). I have several of those books when I was working for BG-parks. They include some of the standards in maintenance, design and so on related to coasters and amusement rides. Also try the DIN/TUV books (get ENGLISH versions..lol).

If any of these issues are related to TTD, I can only imagine the coaster race may be slowing down for a couple of years (aka-CP vs. 6Flags). This is in reference to speed/height records and so on. Park maintenance costs (in general) are skyrocketing and keeping these scream machines running in top form are taking more and more hours to keep them up to snuff. It really sucks when these technological issues arise, but thats part of the process. I'm sure 6F will have Intamin engineers at the park soon (if not already) and work the problem(s) out. We hope. What we don't need is any backlashing with the media (in general) or anyone spreading any mis-informed rumors until the park releases an official word on the incident (if there is one). We have to look at it from the perspective of the parks view in that they are trying to get the ride back up in the safest possible manner. Safety has to be priority 1. I've worked in maintenance for BEC parks and operations and it sure can be stressful. In reference to the noise, as I posted earlier, there also could be an effect with acoustic shockwave(s). If the cable DID snap, it could have 'bounced' within the trough and created the 'bang' noise. The person with the posting of the 6Flags website confirmed that KK is "Temporarily Closed" so that may be a sign the ride may have experienced a serious technical problem. I'm personally glad no one was on the ride for sure.

I am quite curious now.... Is PDB now an official member of ACE? Does he/she contribute to TPR artricles? and most importantly......DID PDB get a COASTER CREDIT???!

I wish there was a way to change that system to an air-launch..lol I am also curious if the loud bang was caused by a mis-alingment along the track during the launch (if the cable lifted out of the channel slightly) and the loud bang noise was cause by acoustic vibrations along the track (inner-tubing shockwaves). When I worked at BGE maintenance on BBW we had a similar problem for about 1 yrs (notice now the trim brake b4 the 1st lift). The noise would echo throughout Germany/Oktoberfest section and we asked ride ops to E-stop the ride and inspect it...apparently it is quite common on Arrow coasters (aka-Demon..lol).. Another idea could be the hydraulic pumps having an issue in the launch-control room. The cable may have snapped similar to TTD, but does anyone have a timeline (hours or months) when that happen? If KK has snapped a cable and it was around same time as TTD perhaps the cable-life expectancy is much lower than they imagined. I'm also curious if the water is playing a part/cause in perhaps weakening the cable because of the heat/cool down/heat/cool down periods is causing the cable to become weaker (not sure if corrosion could also have some effect).

If the interview was correctly heard "We are striving for 1-mil guests" I am quite certain they will break that mark this season for sure! Now a new thread will be started on what is fav woodie now?..lol HW will now have 3 world-class woodies for sure. With this success, I cannot see them building a steelie anytime soon.

I have a couple of questions here. 1. I have never been to CP, but is that location in the "western-section"? The sign(s) and area has that western-type feel, so that would be an indication they will use the 'Maverick' name for this attraction. 2. While I am curious on the type of "Intamin" ride now, could it be the aquatrax coaster as others have mentioned earlier, BUT A HYPER-VERSION? lol (I know that sounds funny, but I can tell you if anyone did a ride like this it more than likely be CP now). I still thinking of a coaster (of some sort). I was a little 'iffy' on it being a water-coaster because the photo's showing their other water-ride in the background, but hey? perhaps if the signs (we are going in a different direction) is any indication, then it could be convincing in regards to a water-coaster ride.....but I would even pose a question....How about an aquatrax coaster in the format of wing-coaster (combination)?..lol ok..ok...enough..lol

Although that comment/post could be misleading, but I would ALSO venture a guess and say that CP could be building -2- coasters (together). Side by side? perhaps. But that last photo sure indicated it was an Intamin track configuration. I would wonder now on the type.

^lol@last post. (sorry)

Here comes another media blitz again. Those of you that posted comments on another thread that Rob started regarding the media will surely agree. I have read a posting (I will research the source and post a link) that the family of the victim is suing Disney for roughly $2 million. Seems like another lawyers dream to get into the action of **#)@)@))@ lawsuits which will, in turn, raise insurance costs for the park (again) and oh "how are we going to increase our bottom line (fiscal reports P&L)?" Ahhh lets just charge our guests more entry fees.

I've said this once before on an earlier post and I think I'll say it again. This ride is going to surprise alot of peeps. Not only is the ride beyond sensory-overload, but I venture to guess this could "POSSIBLY" overtake the throne to *cough*Nemisis*cough. That may be stretching it a bit far, but once the ride opens, I can almost have complete confidence that people will NO DOUBT compare this along with Nemesis. Could these (Nemesis and Black Mamba) be the best 2 B&M's ever built?

I loved that one Rob posted on the backyard coaster...lol hey? Would that count as a credit? I have made many rollercoaster models, but never a backyard one. I had several roomates that were formal naval-engineers and one had a dad that specialized in metal/machinery/pipe-bending. We were very close to making one (aka-Blue Flash), but damn if the cost of materials were fairly high (including combining the scrap pieces..lol). Although its not a coaster, I did make a demented version of the wave swinger, and this version WENT IN REVERSE TOO!>>LOL

I have not ridden TTD personally, but after watching many video variations I think I would ride it just to say "I've survived the Most-over-rated ride"..lol I personally LOVED Xcelerator @KBF. It's not the tallest nor the fastest, but an overall good quality ride. I would be curious to add a hypothetical ponder that TTD should convert towards the air-compressed launche variation (ala-S&S) and see if people would change their perception then (as well as TTD have less down time..lol)

This is a fun topic. I love the way (in my opinion) how Disney has pioneered the term "themepark" and they still are able to do it almost better than anyone else. Sure, there is other (Florida*park*cough) parks that copy on that trend, but Walt was the all-time visionary by any doubt! I have several items of interest to add: IOA-Jurassic park section and I am being biased here having worked for them 14+yrs, but I would add BGE. The theming in some parts are very nice, but damn if (too this very day..lol) that I can hum the music to EACH %$U*$#*((# country in that park. I recall sometimes working the graveyard shift on LNM/DF/BBW that I would go home and actually STILL hum that music...(Please let the insantity stoppppppp).

^I knew about Raven and Legend, but shhhhh your going to spoil the opening of its newest birth into coasterdom..lol

OK! I've got it! My after-life self has risen from the dead and found that B&M &&&& Intamin has married once again and created a whole new track design. Its now a hybrid-Floorless Flyer coaster design that incorporates the "X"-style 4D version along with a set of cup-holders on each side for "our" guests. The contents also incorporate an MP3 player unit as so you can program your own ride while listening to your favorite Cyndi Lauper (lol) song. Oooh, and the best part? (per someone else's earlier suggestion) they incorporate a DM into the mix as it "SPlaaaaaaaaashes" down into a man-made lagoon. Did that cover all bases?

KINGDA (KA) WHO? Forget Kingda Ka! HW has its own version.....WOODIE-STYLE Its Woodie time in Holiday-land(World)! I think I have watched the video around 6-8 times now and can't get enough of it for some reason..lol Perhaps too much Maui Sun. There appears to be no rough spots anywhere and the speed that thing attains is perhaps (new discussion forum now?.lol) the ONLY coaster I have witnessed (or even ridden) to-date where it (speed) is constant throught...from beginning to end... HW has a winner on its hands now~!