coasterbill Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 For all we know, this is very likely fine (we’re not coaster engineers) but Coasters receiving additional bracing after opening is a ridiculously common occurance (wood or steel). Hell, the Knoebels Twister got it THIS YEAR after being open for decades, Lost Gravity got it, Wicked Twister got it, this happens all the time and isn’t a big deal. Edit: Hey, that rhymes...
Coaster19 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 For all we know, this is very likely fine (we’re not coaster engineers) but Coasters receiving additional bracing after opening is a ridiculously common occurance (wood or steel). Hell, the Knoebels Twister got it THIS YEAR after being open for decades, Lost Gravity got it, Wicked Twister got it, this happens all the time and isn’t a big deal. Edit: Hey, that rhymes... CoasterBill this is why I enjoy your posts. I get tired of people jumping to extreme conclusions (just like the train issue) and thinking they have engineering degrees. Like you said, all we know it is fine and like you said it is not uncommon to see additional supports after it opens. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
AndrewA86 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 Yeah it’s most likely fine, They wouldn’t have opened it if it wasn’t. But I think it’s certainly something to be aware of. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ape Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 Hopefully this evening I will get my first ride on SV. Brews and BBQ bought for tomorrow and looking forward to the weekend at the park. Hopefully the storms stay away.
RCjunkie Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 Yeah it’s most likely fine, They wouldn’t have opened it if it wasn’t. But I think it’s certainly something to be aware of. Exactly. It is open and running this morning. If something was structurally wrong or there was a potential safety issue CP would not be running it.
Invertalon Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 I’m not a structural engineering (mechanical) but I bet on paper the structure was designed properly, using properties for that type of wood (southern yellow pine?) which has all the design properties you would expect from steel… Modulus of elasticity, yield strengths, density, etc… All things taken into consideration when designing structures for deflection and load stresses. However, this is a retrofit. The wood that was used on much of the existing structure is 27 years old. Weathered, in use for many years. Likely, the structural properties of that wood has changed from the “norm”. Unless they pulled out wood in use and had it tested to reinforce their calculations, they could only estimate per-say the properties given the material. So again, while on paper this structure may have been acceptable and all deflection was taken into account… If that wood is less stiff than theoretical, now the structure begins to flex a bit more. The train may got a little faster than anticipated per design as well, adding additional loading as well on the structure. Overbuilding is expensive and often unnecessary. Now that (at least it is assumed) the structure is deflecting more than anticipated, they will find ways to reinforce it from causing damage long-term, or worse, critical failure. As mentioned previously, this happens. Structural medications occur even with new rides, let alone retrofits which are likely far more difficult in this case. Just my .02 though, correct or not I have no clue. Just an educated guess.
PKI Jizzman Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 I'm not sure which advice is more valuable this year: Get FL+ Plan your visit later in the season
Cj1990 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 All this talk of the structure being looked at is making me nervous. I always thought that wood structure was supposed to have some give in it? We are supposed to be going again on Monday, and I am just hoping this coaster is open. I'd like to get a few more rides in.
AndrewA86 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 ^ I wouldn’t worry. I was worried yesterday that it wouldn’t open and it did, eventually. And apparently today it’s open. If there was anything wrong at all it would not be open. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jonskinny12 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 I wouldn't really say that the structure sways but it definitely gives a bit in some areas when a train comes through. But none of us know whether or not that was anticipated or what is acceptable. I wouldn't be worried about it at all.
CP Maverick Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 The turn between the first two inversions has the most movement on the ride. But it's also quite isolated from the connecting points, so the movement at the connection is minimal. Unless the ride was causing things to come loose or fracture, there isn't very much to be concerned about.
prozach626 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 ^Don't try to put this conversation to bed. It's too entertaining.
BiggestBear Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 Do any of you guys know if row 5 on Millennium Force is the best row? I found a documentary on youtube and this guy said so. Usually I'm a back row guy.
cal1br3tto Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 ^Didn't watch the video, but I do like hearing about unexpected recommended rows, so I might keep that in mind. For what it's worth, I've also seen praise for row 9 (5-1).
clem2754 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 Do any of you guys know if row 5 on Millennium Force is the best row? I found a documentary on youtube and this guy said so. Usually I'm a back row guy. I got 15 rides on the 3 days I visited in May. I must say that I perferred the back row the best. 2 of the rides were front row. I did about half to slightly over half in the back 2-3 rows and I found the back row to be the most enjoyable ride. But then again I thought the back row was the best for SV and Maverick as well. I like one of the back 3 rows for Magnum. I like the front row for TTD and Gatekeeper front what it is worth.
BiggestBear Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 ^Didn't watch the video, but I do like hearing about unexpected recommended rows, so I might keep that in mind. For what it's worth, I've also seen praise for row 9 (5-1). He did say 5-1 in the video. I interpreted it as row 5, but 5th car first row makes sense since it would be closer to the middle than row 5. I guess I will have to try many seats. Thanks for the responses.
bert425 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 re: MF It's fantastic in the back row.. but the "sweet seat" recommended to me, by TBPony, and she's absolutely correct: 2nd to last row, bay-side perfection in that row. Once I tried it? it's the only seat I rode in for the rest of my visit
CP Maverick Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 re: MF It's fantastic in the back row.. but the "sweet seat" recommended to me, by TBPony, and she's absolutely correct: 2nd to last row, bay-side perfection in that row. Once I tried it? it's the only seat I rode in for the rest of my visit Okay but if you keep telling people that, I won't be able to sneak in behind the 8-2 people who basically block the 9-2 line so no one ever waits for 9-1.
bert425 Posted June 8, 2018 Posted June 8, 2018 re: MF It's fantastic in the back row.. but the "sweet seat" recommended to me, by TBPony, and she's absolutely correct: 2nd to last row, bay-side perfection in that row. Once I tried it? it's the only seat I rode in for the rest of my visit Okay but if you keep telling people that, I won't be able to sneak in behind the 8-2 people who basically block the 9-2 line so no one ever waits for 9-1. LOL. . so I take it you agree?
zach8870 Posted June 9, 2018 Posted June 9, 2018 I was at the park all day and Steel Vengeance was operating all day with the exception of a 20 minute hiccup when the chain stopped. Awesome ride! The MCBR was either off or minimally trimming the ride. Made no difference and I couldn't feel any slowing. As for that swaying, I noticed it as well. Most noticeable on the first inversion and the turnaround after it. I wouldn't say it's a problem because swaying is supposed to be normal. It was also operating with both trains so obviously there is no immediate hazard. But, whatever happens, happens. Also some funny GP comments I overheard on the line: "Wow I think this just opened this year so it has to be awesome!" "The line is 15 minutes right?" "Look at the trains... there are no restraints and it goes upside down!" "Yeah it's running three trains right now." "Goliath at SFGA only has seatbelts and no lap bars so it's quite different from Steel Vengeance."
zach8870 Posted June 9, 2018 Posted June 9, 2018 (edited) EDIT: Double Post Edited June 9, 2018 by zach8870
ZeroGravity55 Posted June 9, 2018 Posted June 9, 2018 ^What time did you ride? I got a couple of trimless rides in the morning on Tuesday and Wednesday, but when I went back in the afternoon when it had warmed up outside and the ride had been running for several hours, the trim was definitely grabbing.
DBru Posted June 9, 2018 Posted June 9, 2018 You don’t have to be an armchair engineer to know that planks of wood literally falling off a coaster’s structure is not supposed to happen. Just saying. And I’m a total 9-1 advocate, but there really is something to that 5-1 rumor on a warm summer night...
LiftThrill Posted June 9, 2018 Posted June 9, 2018 5-1 is the Arrow looper seat. For MF, my favorite seats were front, second row, and I think 7-1? Can't remember where I sat most of the nighttime rides on my visit
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now