BrigCastle1980

Thanks CoasterGuy, Thanks for the info! A gap - spanning @ least seven seasons - would probably explain how I managed to miss the replacement of the remaining Vekoma-body train. Have a good night.

This topic may have already been discussed, but just in case… Has anyone else noticed the trains, in particular the chassis/wheels; wherein how the size of the tires seems to differ between the two trains? I noticed this myself after taking my first ride this summer (which was amazing, BTW). The upgrade to the newer style Vekoma train w/ OTS -vests replacing the vintage “horse collars” is obvious- but is it me or did the park retain the chassis’s from: Train A - original 1989 Vekoma body style train w/ Arrow chassis- TIRES standard size / diameter Train B. 1995 - 1996 Arrow body & chassis train- TIRES LARGER size / diameter. SFOG took possession of the “BLUE-SPIRIT” train from the GASM/Great Adventure after the ride closed in 2010. * This train, or at least the chassis, was not the 1989 original. Great Adventure opted to replace/update the coaster’s 3 existing circa.1989 trains sometime during the mid-1990’s. I am not 100% here- but I think the upgrade took place for either the 1995 or 1996 season(s). I know with certainty that the “new” or ”updated” rolling stock ditched the “lighting effect” that was a feature in the original trains; however, each of the coaster’s 3 trains now came equipped w/ Arrow’s updated tires, which were much larger in size / overall diameter) compared to the those seen/used in the past. The change is obvious if you look at photos of the trains- the increase in the size of the tires is obvious between 1989 and the mid 1990’s thru the 2000’s. Now that I’ve bored y’all to tears, does anyone know if SFOG opted to keep the chassis’s from the existing rolling stock - and just build the newer Vekoma body style trains on top of them? Am I nuts here?

Thanks, all! I appreciate the feedback… I several view seed I do recall myself having read an article about Magic Mountain and it’s desire to have spare trains at the ready in the event that they were needed. If memory serves me correctly, I remember specifically viper and ninja both been mentioned as having 4 trains total ; yet, both coasters We’re capable of only running a maximum of three trains at any given time due to the lack system in place. ShockWave did in fact open with four trains; the 1991 issue of ACE’s “Guide to Ride” publication backing-up this data. If I’m not mistaken, one of the “red”trains from ShockWave was shipped-off to Great Adventure - for use on the Scream Machine for the 1989 season. In hindsight, relocating the spare to a park that would immediately benefit from its presence , was an more efficient use of resources. Back to Viper, I have a photograph taken a few seasons ago, when the coaster was getting repainted. If you look closely at the transfer tracks, you can see four trains. At first glance, there may only seem to be three… but, upon closer inspection, what appears to be only ONE train unbelievably long train - is instead TWO individual trains. (photo courtesy of Baynum Painting) -CJM

Happy Holidays, everyone! If my instincts are correct, I am sure that one of the wonderful people will have an answer to my query, lol! While the coaster was designed to operate with a max. of 3 trains; Am I mistaken my belief that the right have a manufactured with a total of 4 trains? I believe I read somewhere… Unfortunately, I cannot recall the stores that provided me with this information… Nevertheless, but viper as well as ninja have spare trees that were the actors back up in the event that won’t have to be taken out of service for any reason. I have aerial photograph of Viper taken during the mid to 2000’s We can clearly seen that there are a total of four trains- 3 resting on the storage tracks; and one on the actual transfer track itself. While I’m fully aware the color schemes change over time, if I recall… the color schemes for the trains were as follows: 1: Green with a yellow pinstripe 2. Green with an orange pinstripe 3. Green with a red pinstripe 4. Green with a gold pinstripe This is a silly question I’m sure… But I need help is appreciated… Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday all! CJM