Vekoma Fan Boy Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Yes! PTC has introduced it's own version of Millennium Flyers. This is not speculation, it was announced on the 20th by PTC, the article also says that they are to be rolled out on Ravine Flyer 2. Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters introduces new single-bench train (JUNE 20, 2007) Amusement Today has learned that Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, the world’s leading supplier of wooden roller coaster trains, is introducing a revolutionary new single-bench train system to its range of rolling stock and other coaster-related products. The rollout customer for the new train will be Pennsylvania’s Waldameer Park and its highly anticipated Ravine Flyer II, which is being designed and built by The Gravity Group for the 2008 season. PTC president Tom Rebbie is quick to point out that his company’s new train will not be a conventional trailer-style set-up. Instead, each of the twelve cars will seat two riders and feature four weight-bearing road wheels per coach. While Waldameer’s new coaster will be the first to use the new trains, PTC is actively marketing this attractive rolling stock for new wooden coaster projects as well as replacement trains for existing rides. Due to the ultra flexible nature of these trains, they are especially suited for radical twister-style coasters, which are extremely prevalent and popular in today’s amusement parks. I haven't found any pictures, but i am very curious to see what they look like. And on another note, let them be put on Voyage!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medusa1861 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Does this mean that Roar at Six Flags America can get these without a retracking? Unfortunately these trains might not "take off" if only GCI creates Wooden twisters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vekoma Fan Boy Posted June 29, 2007 Author Share Posted June 29, 2007 True, but just look at some of the stuff the gravity group is putting out, I think they will have a reasonable amount of use in coming days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 The best part of the story on amusement today... Rebbie was inspired to create these new trains after research into PTC’s extensive archives revealed that the company's engineers had toyed with the idea of a single-bench train many years ago when PTC was still active in roller coaster design and construction. Yup. The Millenium Flyers had nothing to do with "inspiring" him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easytoremember Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Does anyone know the reason that the cars are not trailered, but instead have 4 load-bearing wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Oh God, I hope Gwazi gets Millennium Flyers instead of these newfangled PTC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'm only surprised it took this long for someone to ripoff the Millennium Flyers. In this day and age this is how businesses work. Someone has a good idea so a bunch of people copy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadmos Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Does anyone know the reason that the cars are not trailered, but instead have 4 load-bearing wheels? Take a look at the results of their last efforts on making trailered trains.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric_Smith Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 The Millennium Flyer trains had nothing to do with this....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Typical Tom Rebbie... "I did it all by myself and nobody helped me." Yeah, right. I hope Voyage gets these soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niiicolaaah Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Interesting. Now, I know nothing about technical stuff, so could somebody please explain what a "trailered" train is, what having "four weight-bearing wheels" means, and what the difference is between the two?? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Clear Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I don't think it seems like all that great an idea. "Here, let's put TWO axels right under your butt." Robbie "Let's not muck around with the Voyage, hm?" Crockett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've ridden on the "Millennium Flyer" trains at Hersheypark and found them to be very comfortable. As for PTC's version, time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgodsey Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Trailered cars mean just as it sounds. The cars are connected in a way similar to trailers on the back of trucks. The trailered car has only half the wheels the normal cars do. It relies on the car its attached to for balance. Cars with 4 load bearing wheels are just typical PTC coaster cars. GCI's MF trains are trailered. Trailered cars allow for more quicker change in direction and high banking in VERY small spaces (i.e. Any GCI coaster). If The Voyage had trailered coaster trains, it could maneuver those 90 degree turns effortlessly with less stress on the trains and track. It could also make the transition to 90 degrees in MUCH less track. Clear as mud right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Clear Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've been on a few Millennium Flyers myself and I like them fine, except for their tendency to staple at the bottom of drops and on curves. They're way better for the super-twisty GCI designs, for sure. I'm looking forward to giving Hershey's Wildcat another try now that it's got 'em. All in all, though, my train of preference is the 2-bench PTC with no headrest like the ones at Holiday World. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterFanatic Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 But ... we all know why PTC didn't make them trailered (COUGH ... PREDATOR ... COUGH). I don't think it seems like all that great an idea. "Here, let's put TWO axels right under your butt." My thinking exactly. Yay! Now every seat is a wheel seat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N'at Man Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 To answer Nicole's question, here's a link (but it's pretty technical and may confuse you even more). http://capital2.capital.edu/admin-staff/dalthoff/coastercar.html This will be interesting because all of the single bench trains I can think of are single axle trailered trains. With each individual bench of these new PTC trains there will be a front and rear axle and I have to wonder if it will make each row feel like a typical PTC "wheel seat." I agree that the GCI trains are comfortable to sit in (lapbar aside) but they also run on pretty smooth coasters to begin with. I rode Roar West recently and that was rough. I have to wonder with these PTC single bench trains if the track is rough will each bench feel like a wheel seat or will each bench feel a little less rough than a wheel seat. Either way there will be no escape to a "non wheel seat" like you can find on 2-3 bench PTCs today. But overall I'd have to imagine that if the single bench trains were put on a ride like the Voyage that it would help ease track wear. I think it sounds like that would be the advantage as the cars would be able to traverse the track a bit better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadmos Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Wouldn't its performance on curvy bits still be hampered a bit because it still used 2 axles per car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've been on a few Millennium Flyers myself and I like them fine, except for their tendency to staple at the bottom of drops and on curves. I've never heard of that happening. I'm excited to see some concept art for this or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 ^ You'll know it when you feel it. I still have the imprint of Wildcat's lapbar on my internal organs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoosh Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 ^Oooh a free souvenir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dailey Enterprizes Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I'll let you guys know how they ride when I ride RF2 next year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 ^^ Shhhhh. They may start charging for it, like an onride photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niiicolaaah Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 ^You crack me up. To answer Nicole's question, here's a link (but it's pretty technical and may confuse you even more). http://capital2.capital.edu/admin-staff/dalthoff/coastercar.html Thanks Tim! Yes that was a little confusing, but I skimmed and I think I get the gist of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Sounds like a good move. Their 2-bench trains can't do the job on some of the twistier coasters. Too bad GCI were about 7 years ahead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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