The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[ebl]

With all of the possible problems with electronics, I can see why Intamin took a step "backwards" and returned to a mechanical cable launch on its rocket coasters. As Tmcdllr pointed out a ways back, if in fact the new cars are significantly lighter in weight, that could play a role in getting the speed back up without burning out electrical components.

 

Eric

[Tmcdllr]

Lighter cars and a faster computer that can handle rapidly switching the LSMs plus maybe a little reprogramming should increase the launch and put less stress on the electrical components. That seems to make sense. Because the car is lighter its possible to achieve a faster launch while using the same or slightly less power as the load on the electrical system should be less. The less work a motor has to do, the less current is has to draw which means it can run more efficiently and cooler and the launch system is basically just one giant motor with the stator unrolled and laid out along the track and the magnets on the car acting as the rotor

 

I don't work for Intamin but its reasonable to assume one of the reasons they use the hydraulic cable launch is that it is much cheaper to run. Imagine if they had an LSM or LIM launch on TTD, if it could work, it would consume an enormous amount of energy on every launch. In comparison, the current launch system uses much less power and yet provides a more powerful launch. Reliability aside, the cable launch is better overall, more powerful and costs less per launch.

Edited September 19, 2010 by Tmcdllr

[Top Thrill Dragster]

 

 

No way is that 10 feet from the top.

[Tmcdllr]

Oooh that's spooky!

[Calicoasters]

I really like what I saw in that video! Yeah, lets make all of that happen!

[aceospades1250]

Here's another of those Australian news stories...

 

I love the title...

 

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/theme-park-battle-heats-up/x50hxeq

 

Action starts at 1:12

[coasterfreak101]

That didn't look any higher than before...hopefully SFMM doesn't follow suit.

[kf2010]

That didn't look any higher than before...hopefully SFMM doesn't follow suit.

 

I agree. It looks like the car barely made it halfway up the tower.

 

I believe Dreamworlds conversion was a quick fix over a period of a month or two, with a new car on the track and a longer tunnel. Magic Mountain's won't be ready until the Spring--hopefully they're using that time to fix the launch and to make the ride run the way it was originally intended.

[coasterfreak101]

^I was thinking that while I was at work, and I was dying to get back and say it! Dreamworld's went quick, which makes me wonder why SFMM is taking the next ten months to redo theirs - hopefully it's for the rewiring/reprogramming of the LSMs (...Superman is LSM, right?) to get a faster launch!

[Tmcdllr]

MM could be taking longer simply because they have two tracks to deal with instead of one, that on top of everything else they might be doing and probably painting too.

[John Knotts]

^ Two tracks, plus if X2 and Terminator are any indication, this will be more of a ride "re-launch" as oppose to simply a backwards launch. SFMM will want to market the ride as a completely new experience like X2. I just hope at least one side features a tunnel.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

I wonder how abouts the marketing department will handle this. X had alot of buzz behind it before the overhaul and was arguably the parks most popular coaster going into 2007. So taking a ride that was on the bottom of the totum pole in terms of popularity and seeing if it could get to the top again is going to take alot of work. Engineering and remodeling can only do so much, so I'm anxious to see how this remodel will be introduced to the average park-goer.

[Tmcdllr]

Wasn't Tatsu 2007 and X2 2008?

[atem122]

^Tatsu was 06, and X closed down in 07, while X2 opened in 08.

[Tmcdllr]

Wasn't Tatsu 2006 and X2 2008?

 

Corrected!

[Magic Alumni]

Here is some press video of Tower of Terror II with onride footage...looks great!

 

[ANJLOVER14]

^ 2:29 - "Oh man, that is SO much more intense than the last one!"

 

They just turned the car around, what does he mean by "Last One"?

[mr. cockblock]

Judging from the reactions in the video, it looks like it is going to be success!

 

I am very curious to see what SFMM does with Superman. Whatever the outcome is, I am getting really excited to ride it.

[Tmcdllr]

^ 2:29 - "Oh man, that is SO much more intense than the last one!"

 

They just turned the car around, what does he mean by "Last One"?

 

That probably means that is is so much more intense than the cars going forward.

 

Why were they wearing those yellow suits?

[kf2010]

"10 feet from the top."

 

LOL

[Guy T. Koepp]

Why were they wearing those yellow suits?

 

 

They were DEVO?!

[snoflake15]

Adding a tunnel plus effects would really add something to the ride. I suspect they may make do with just reversing the cars though.

 

Wasn't the '10 foot' quote '10 foot from the brakes' by the way?

[Tmcdllr]

Why were they wearing those yellow suits?

 

 

They were DEVO?!

 

LOL

[kf2010]

Wasn't the '10 foot' quote '10 foot from the brakes' by the way?

 

Either way its not even close

 

It would be AMAZING if SF added the tunnel with the lights and fog, I think the coolest part being you don't know when you're going to start going up the tower. Going back into the tunnel through the fog would be cool too!

[Gav]

I had a go at TOT2 today so I guess I can clear up some questions.

 

-No, the backwards launch does not have any impact on your neck or any comfort issues.

 

-In fact the backwards launch was probably the best improvement, though I think that was mostly due to the tunnel and lights. It felt like it went on forever. Hopefully SFMM will do this.

 

-The face first drop was pretty cool, but not a massive improvement on the experience overall IMO.

 

-In terms of how high it goes up the tower, well pretty much as high as before actually. Definitley not 3.3m (10ft) from the top.

On my visit it was reaching the O in "TOWER OF TERROR"

See these pics for what I mean:

http://www.rcdb.com/m/1127.htm?p=3025

http://www.rcdb.com/m/1127.htm?p=3023

 

In plain English, about halfway between the top of the curve to vertical and the top of the tower. (Hehe, you guys measure launch heights by structural levels, we do it by the letters on the side)

 

-The ride runs a bit quieter now.

 

-The harnesses have a thing I've never seen before. The seatbelt buckle has a little electronic thing on it that physically prevents it being unbuckled until the main harness is released at the end of the ride. Guess its comforting to have that extra level of safety.