Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

[Mrlittle]

^ I want to know NOW

[A113]

Looks like an entrance sign... maybe?

[chadster]

huh.....

Keep checking back throughout the weekend to find out what's to be unveiled....

[simaticable]

Looks like the pre-drop into the first drop.

[webgoof]

Looks like the pre-drop into the first drop.

I agree. With the curve that swings next to the drop in the lower foreground.

[bottom_feeder_13]

I think it's testing since there seems to be a train-like blur on the top of the lift.

[rolercstrluvr]

I think it's testing since there seems to be a train-like blur on the top of the lift.

 

I think you may be right, can't wait to see the fully un-blurred picture.

[DougMJr]

Hmmm, not sure if that is a train or not. Either way, cannot wait for the unblurred photo.

[LawlessBagel]

Man, I'm so glad i'm going to be riding this beast next august!

[chadster]

Well now......

Last clue before we unveil whats in store for Monday later tonight!

[KCForce]

Looks like Reindeer on the lower section of track...

[chadster]

I have to admit, the second round of guesses were indeed very good. And now...

 

 

You've seen the view from the top of the drop...

...now it's time to see the rest of the ride. Coming Monday, October 29 an exclusive look of one of the most anticipated new rides for 2013, Outlaw Run!

[XYZ]

Wow! What a drop. The back seat will be like going on a Eurofighter with lap bars!

[jray21]

The drop does look very impressive from that view!

[chadster]

Howdy Folks! Construction Foreman Chadster here bringing you a TPR exclusive behind the scenes look at Silver Dollar City's new for 2013 coaster, Outlaw Run!

 

First off I would like to thank Brad Thomas, VP and General Manager as well as the entire Publicity Department for hosting me. Rain had started to fall just as we started our tour and within an hour the temperature had dropped to near 55 and of course I was soaking wet. The SDC Publicity team found me a dry shirt, went and got me a sweat shirt, and hooked me up with a Poncho so I could ride WildFire before I left! Thanks so much guys, you ROCK!!!

 

I have a ton of stuff in store for everyone over the next 6 weeks or so including an exclusive opportunity for ClubTPR members, details to be posted in the ClubTPR forum later this week.

 

So what do you say guys, ready to ride a train?!?!?! Oh.Wait. No need for that this time! Let's go!

Ahhh, fall at the city.

Nature really is amazing.

So beautiful.

And pleasing to the eye.

 

Know what else is pleasing to the eye?

THIS!!!!!

 

TPR was invited to an exclusive behind the scenes look at this engineering marvel!! So what on earth are we waiting for! Let's do it!

The amazing photo from the top of the drop was taken by a RMC construction worker the morning of my visit.

 

Just as we started the tour it started to lightly rain making some sections of the site a little slippery so I elected not to climb down to the bottom of the lift But you can still see the amazing drop, I'm so ready.

After the drop the train speeds down at 68MPH and heads for the Outside Overbanked Turn.

Up we go!

And down we come!

For me this is my most anticipated element.

I know some of you are worried about clearance during this masterpiece element, but I can assure you there is a 60inch ride envelope.

Weeeeeeeeee

For those of you keeping track at home this would be a reverse view of the train as it travels out of the Outside Overbanked Turn

What? You want another shot from a different angle of the drop heading into the Outside Overbanked turn? Ok. Your wish is my command.

Once you come out of the OOB, you float down into this turn.

This is some serious banking. I love it.

 

Notice what look like white diagonal lines. That is where the welders have welded the pieces of running steel together and have ground it smooth. The welders were on a one week break after working 6 straight weeks and will be back this week to finish.

This is the view I have from the train...

And this is the view when not on the train as you continue the turn over to the double down.

And off to the double down we go...but first we will pause to be nerds.

Each ledger has a number. And each number was laser cut after it was put in place.

And of course there are bolts. Lots and lots of glorious bolts. How many you ask? Do we really care?

Although the track is complete the crew is busy torquing the bolts and painting their stripes.

They are also busy adding in the remaining supports. The metal bars you see along the bottom tie the footers together. This way the entire structure moves preventing the ride from tearing itself apart just in case a footer should become loose.

The crew is also busy adding in these cross beams to further strengthen the structure.

 

From the "Did you Know" category....The bolts from the structure to the footers were not completely tightened until after all of the track was in place.

Speaking of footers. Although pre-cast, once put in their respective holes they were also encased in concrete. In addition, not all of the footers were pre-cast. For instance, the lift contains your traditional hole in the ground filled with concrete. Why? Wind. RMC didn't want the footers popping out of the ground in strong wind, alas, deep concrete footers.

 

The lift also does not contain the metal cross bars. Why? Because it has all of that extra bracing.

Meanwhile we look up the skirt of the OOB turn.

Where we find a worker...

...who is working...or taking a nap. You decide.

 

Now once all of the welding has been completed, bolts torqued, and support structure is in place, they will pump the track with grout and work on the track will be complete.

But for now it's time to leave all that behind and continue on towards the double down.

So off we go. And in the next foto...

...we get a view from the other side!

And now we are dipping down.

And down

No, this isn't the beginning of a David Guetta song. But we are headed down some more before we head to the double up.

and up!

And after we've gone up it's time to get set up for....90 DEGREES! not once...but TWICE!

This is also known at the 'Twist and Turn"

I must admit, I really thought based on the footer layout the track would go over the lift, but I am really happy that it takes a sharp twist and dive right under the lift.

Pretty awesome looking indeed.

So now we have twisted and coming under the lift.

Down we come where the ride now flips over...

...and goes 90 DEGREES the other way!

You really are straight up and down. Note: This is called the wave.

Coming out of the wave

And directly into some low float

low float the sets you up for...

Oh yeah baby!

It's the DOUBLE BARREL ROLL!!

Were you roll...

...and roll again.

OMFG AMAZING!

The barrel roll was designed so that your head always stays straight. This prevents head banging. The more you know.

But all good rolls come to end which then lead to the brake run.

Speaking of brake run. I understand our friends at DynaBrake are back for some smooth stoppage.

So you come off the roll....

And hit the brakes.

 

Now we get nerdy again. All of the electrical, plumbing, painting, the ride station, the wood you see on the transfer station, and all of the mechanicals were installed by Silver Dollar City personnel or their trusted contractors and not RMC.

Inside the maintenance shed. Notice the rails. Much like B&M's, these trains will not have their running gear sitting on the rails rather they will sit on small steel wheels and roll in/out.

Yup. Nerd stuff.

Like really nerdy.

Nothing much has changed in the station, which was built by SDC, since media day except for the installation of these cool light fixtures.

Perfectly fitting the theme.

Notice there are no air gates yet. Those will be installed soon enough. BUT you will NEVER guess where those air gates are coming from. SOOOO I'm going to tell you. The air gates are coming from Wildcat. Collective sigh.

I know what you are probably asking, hey chad, what's the control panel look like?!?!

Well....it looks like the one from Wildcat....in part because it is! Of course it will be re-wired, new buttons and what not put on. And like the electrical, drive motors, etc, the ride system and sensors are being put in by SDC crew.

How about we go out into the rain?

 

So about now you are asking yourself why is SDC putting all of the goods on and not a turnkey operation?

Simple, the people who put it in will be able to quickly identify and repair any issues long term. Plus they have the maintenance staff who know what they are doing and can do it.

So now of course you are asking, hey, where's the chain?!? The chain should be onsite now and will be installed by SDC maintenance after the Christmas makeover to the park is complete. So, soon my friends, soon.

So now let's ride on around front.

Bye guys

Out front crews are busy welding together a structure above the queue.

The queue will be covered with a chuck wagon style material.

While waiting in line you will also get prime viewing of the end of the ride. As crews were busy welding it wasn't safe to get closer. Maybe next time.

Concrete work and what not is also going in. Funny thing happened. The SDC crew is also doing the staining and concrete stamping. After completing the stamping, the crew came back the next day to find horse shoes in the concrete. True story.

 

I'm also sure you are asking, where are the trains? Well, they are not yet on site. Soon, but not yet.

Of course we can't leave without having some food!!

 

Again, many thanks to Martha for setting everything up, Courtney for sticking it out in the rain with me while Richard provided us with our tour and to Erin and Lisa for all the cool swag and sweets! You guys are the best!

 

This concludes our tour, I hope you've had a great time. And if you have, please show your appreciation by posting a comment or two. If you have any questions, please post them here. I'll try to answer them the best I can, and if I can't I'll try to get the answer for you.

 

ClubTPR members should keep an eye out on the Club Forum this week for a neat opportunity. Until next time....see ya!

[RollerCoasterSmi]

That looks more messed up than I could ever have imagined... THANK YOU

[A.J.]

Poor Wildcat...

[Ed Farmer]

Wow, talk about an all encompassing update. It almost feels like I've ridden the ride after that.

 

Wow! What a drop. The back seat will be like going on a Eurofighter with lap bars!

 

And who knows, maybe it'll even be good too.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Ed Farmer

[milndog]

Wow! This looks incredible!

[cfc]

So, Wildcat's air gates will live on.

 

This ride looks incredible--may have to rethink the TPR Texas/Midwest Trip.

[SoCalCoasters]

The New Age of Wooden Coasters has arrived.

[KDcoasterMAN]

The "Wave" looks photo-shopped. The ride is going to be crazy!

[SharkTums]

Don't forget, we'll be hitting up this amazing new ride (with ERT and more!) on the TPR Texas/Midwest Trip 2013! Details coming soon! Start saving up!

[almightyfire]

I have never seen anything like this. OMG! Just think if The Voyage was restructed some to do this. I would pee my pants. I just LOVE terrain wood coasters the best.

[KBrylczyk]

I want to meet the team that designed this ride. I want to meet them and get blood samples. Then I want a full blood test.

 

Only then can we know for sure what kind of alien-created drugs these guys were on.