Angry_Gumball Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 (edited) ^I betcha we (our group) can drown them out! So yesterday was a first real solid visit to CGA and the first visit when pretty much the whole gang was there. I got a bit concerned at first because suddenly 2 large buses appear and event goers come out of the woodworks like the zombie apocalypse. The group consisted of JeffyJosephNorcal, Rolercstrluver, BlueFireGuy, Robman, Flagg O' Dimm, RJVader, my cousin, neighbor, and myself. Naturally, we kick off the day with the Flying Eagles as there was no line for it. Traditionally we've done Flight Deck but due to the flyer's low capacity (you can easily wait 30 minutes for this) it's best to hit that first. Amazing warmup rides, that's when we spotted Flagg O'Dimm, and RJVader and a couple of us decide to go for a second round. After yet another fun ride, it was time to let the birds rest and head to the back. Psycho Mouse had a minimal line so we took advantage and hopped on that, followed by a quick session on Drop Tower. Grizzly had then just opened so again, more taking advantage before the lines would get potentially long. Even a station wait can be 15-20 minutes easily...let's take 3.5 - 4 minute dispatch times, plus let's say you're waiting 5 trains/5 pairs of people to board/10 people ahead of you...you get the idea... Upon completion of our first round, Demon had a minimal line/next train wait but instead we opted to ride White Water Falls...surprisingly not as soaking as anticipated. Amazing lapbar-less airtime though! Still haven't ridden Flight Deck, it was time to ride some B&M so Vortex was it. I decided to try an outside seat in the middle of the train and it was a little rougher but really not all that bad! So we eventually made it to Flight Deck almost 2 hours later and the line was pretty minimal, maybe 5 minutes at most. The day was much lighter than opening weekend and getting on rides was much easier. Maybe it was the threat of rain (which hadn't arrived until night time on my way home. I feel like I got even more out of this visit than my opening weekend visits...light crowds. Gold Striker tidbits: I didn't actually take that many photos as not much has changed/the coaster looks pretty much complete from our vantage points. No need to repost what was posted Some highlights of the rather nice day: -Riding Flyers 5 different times, the 5th ride just making it (We literally booked it as soon as we got off FD, only having less than 5 minutes to get in line before they closed it off) -Finally riding Firefall this season...it is rather slippy on the final maneuver over the fire pond...but that fire was nice and toasty! -Watching park management serve some line jumpers/rail hoppers and embarrassing them quite good ...let that be a lesson learned, kiddies! -Still being able to enjoy Vortex even further back -More line jumpers at Flight Deck...2 kids meet with their group ahead of us after passing us by (as we shake our heads in disgust)...followed by me hearing them tell the rest of their x amount of friends and family to come up there...glad I can understand some foreign language Luckily they didn't come up there as instructed as I would have notified staff at the soonest possible point. And we just had to try this classic electrical chair known as "The Screamer." It sounds worse than it really is though. Yay here well before the parking lots open...some people coordinated quite well today Gold Striker sure is lookin' purdy! Meanwhile in line...let's mess with the Nintendo 3DS and it's "Face Merge" feature...creepy, no? (Blue Fire Guy and I's faces merged) Meanwhile inside the park...someone stole the sign NERD! Wait, what's this? I spy some queue theming! Lone worker on top of the scream box No trains yet... Wild 94.9 was at CGA today but the area pretty much looked like this all day. Meanwhile, over to Flyers...Flagg, RJVader...are you guys tall enough to ride? Heading toward Psycho Mouse before it became Psycho Queue Drop Tower fun... Wheee! Over to Grizzly before lines get insane Slowly cruising to the lift... Ok, we got our Grizzly ride in for the day! In line for Rue Le Wrist-Snapper Over to Happy Feet since BFG hasn't gotten his Happy Feet credit yet...why does he look evil? It's so peaceful back here! *visions a launched coaster running along former train track bed* Meanwhile, my cousin decides to ride the Rapids...one should never trust leaving anyone in our group behind. We've got our spotter in place... Getting the quarter ready She's coming, she's coming!!! All clear, dispatch!!! *Psssssshhhhhfffftttt* Reason why the rest of us opted out on riding. Aftermath.. The old train bridge...I can totally see a coaster zooming down this path and across the bridge Flyers, we aren't done with you yet! Wheee! After riding the flyers, it was time to ride the other flyers. The 3 stooges... Sorry BFG, I don't think you'll be striking any gold here! I don't think we will either So in turn, the tiki gets the FALCON PUNCH!!! and the FALCON KICK!!! treatment. And a final visit on the flyers, in gusty winds...provides some interesting, challenging rides! And when I say interesting rides, I really mean it! (Wind gust plus a nice swoop turned me backwards for a brief moment) Alright, I guess good things must come to an end as much as we weren't quite ready to finish the day off... Edited April 11, 2013 by Angry_Gumball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flagg O'Dim Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Great trip report, you captured the epic and "YOLO" moments of the day. And yes, it's a vibrator! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Great trip report! Now here is an update from the company that is installing the magnetic brakes on Gold Striker! Pictures were taken from the company's facebook which cab be found, here. A different look at the first drop! Mag brakes powered by Irvine Ondrey Engineering air and electrical boxes. Close up look at one of the boxes. A shot of the station. Will end this mini update with a shot of the lift! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 So much for being the world's first brakeless coaster This is full of awesome coaster porn! This was also shared on that page: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IOE Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I'm glad you like our pictures! We are planning on posting more as construction and testing continues, but we also look forward to any questions you might have. Specifically what Irvine Ondrey Engineering does is designs and builds the control systems for the rides, so although we can't take credit for providing the magnetic brakes, it's our job to make sure they operate properly. I am the ride programmer and electrical system designer and I'm a big geek about it, so I'll answer whatever I can! -Brian Ondrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I'm glad you like our pictures! We are planning on posting more as construction and testing continues, but we also look forward to any questions you might have. Specifically what Irvine Ondrey Engineering does is designs and builds the control systems for the rides, so although we can't take credit for providing the magnetic brakes, it's our job to make sure they operate properly. I am the ride programmer and electrical system designer and I'm a big geek about it, so I'll answer whatever I can! -Brian Ondrey Thanks for clarifying that, really excited to see more pictures as it progresses. I do have one question that im not sure if your're able to answer, when can we expect Gold Striker to start making test runs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Wow! Awesome pictures! It looks awesome and once the trains arrive almost ready for testing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 ^Trains are already at the park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IOE Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 The most I can say about test runs is soon -Brian Ondrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 The most I can say about test runs is soon -Brian Ondrey I had a feeling you were going to say that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanic Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I like soon a lot better than not soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolercstrluvr Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 How complicated would you say the whole ride system is for Gold Striker/ magnetic brakes included? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 A new pov of Gold Striker has been posted, this time it includes the "Mine Shaft". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvQyvt1mfmQ Edit: GCI also posted more pictures on their facebook page! View of the back half of the ride. The second train is now on site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Yes, this should definitely beat the hell out of Grizzly--very nice looking ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Awesome stuff! I noticed the rendering doesn't have the underside filled in. Maybe it will have ventilation/somewhere for abnoxious shrieking to escape rather than deafen us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillgeek Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Awesome stuff! I noticed the rendering doesn't have the underside filled in. Maybe it will have ventilation/somewhere for abnoxious shrieking to escape rather than deafen us. I was thinking the same thing!! It sucks that you don't really get a true view from the top of the lift because of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Even more pictures have been posted now! Looking down at the entrance to the queue. Another shot of the queue heading to the Station. Installing the roof on the First Drop tunnel. Working on various stairways outside the Station. More progress on the Transfer building. An overall view of the First Drop. One more view of the new roof on the First Drop tunnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacoaster09 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I wonder how the queue will get up the station. The station footprint is relatively small. Just curious where the stairwell will go. In one of the pictures it looks like there is another themed hallway in the making that goes under the station. Maybe the stairwell will go in the front side of the station between the station fly-by and the front of the station. The other thing I noticed from the picture is it looks that the station may have the issue of front row riders blocking the path of others to get to different rows. The station just looks narrow. I assume the unload side of the station which faces the park will have the ADA ramp. Looks like I might have been right! Also, from the new POV rendering, It does not show the underside of the tunnel being filled in... but I thought in the PR they said all sides would be covered. This defeats the advertised purpose of a tunnel because its not going to be truely dark.... makes it seems like it was in reality, indeed, a scream shield/barrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I'm not going to be bummed if the tunnel is not fully enclosed. The light will allow you to see and feel like your dropping down a mine shaft. If you want it totaly dark, go at night. It will give you two different experiences. The bottom not being covered will allow for better ventilation too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I'm not going to be bummed if the tunnel is not fully enclosed. The light will allow you to see and feel like your dropping down a mine shaft. If you want it totaly dark, go at night. It will give you two different experiences. The bottom not being covered will allow for better ventilation too. That's the problem. Most of the time NorCal parks pretty much close just as it gets dark, even in summer. I remember when Great America was advertising late hours a few years ago, which was great, but they cut the promotion short the second summer if I remember correctly. You pretty much only have Halloween season to try to ride at night. I agree though, a little bit of light and ventilation might make this more enjoyable. Depends how far they go in decking out this mine shaft. Either way I'm so happy my home park is finally getting what appears to be a good coaster! The new pictures look great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Also, from the new POV rendering, It does not show the underside of the tunnel being filled in... but I thought in the PR they said all sides would be covered. This defeats the advertised purpose of a tunnel because its not going to be truely dark.... makes it seems like it was in reality, indeed, a scream shield/barrier. Its just a rendering, not the exact ride. It could simply have been overlooked when they made it, or simply decided to not bother with it...cause its only a rendering... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laqueefa Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Lets all remember that the only light source in a mine shaft were from lanterns or the train itself. I'm excited to see how they do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacoaster09 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 So hopefully they will indeed close in the bottom... supposed to be in-fill underneath the tracks... what is "in-fill"? Again the PR on the website says Thursday, February 21st, 2013 Gold Striker’s 174-Foot Tunnel Is The Longest Initial Descent Tunnel On A Wooden Coaster SANTA CLARA, CA – The newest roller coaster at California’s Great America, Gold Striker, will now include the world’s longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster. Adding intrigue to the record setting feature, Gold Striker’s 174-foot tunnel will be enclosed by wood on both sides, corrugated metal on top and in-fill underneath the tracks, to replicate a true gold mine feel. The only visible light on Gold Striker’s initial descent, which will hurl riders down a 50 degree slope at almost 54 miles per hour, will be following the first turn, creating a nearly pitch black visual. “This fully-enclosed, twisting tunnel truly is a special element among wooden roller coasters,” California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg said. “Gold Striker riders will experience the unique sensation of rapid acceleration in almost complete darkness.” https://www.cagreatamerica.com/article/media-center/GOLD-STRIKER-COASTER-NOW-INCLUDES-RECORD-TUNNEL It says the only visible light will be following the first turn. Thus I conclude the tunnel is not finished... despite the rendering. Second, the queue line will pass under the station is looks... so it will like be another themed cave like when it passes through the back of the retail shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Wow Goldy Porn overload! Great to see all the engineering aspects as well regarding the electrical and magnetic brake systems! So it looks like the queue will go under the station and then up the stairs; from tunnels to covered stations and pathways, this is the most shade I've ever seen on a ride at CGA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IOE Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 How complicated would you say the whole ride system is for Gold Striker/ magnetic brakes included? Our goal is to make it as straight forward as possible so I would say it's not overly complicated. Then again, that's from someone who has been doing this for many years. We use a safety processor so there's only one set of code that needs written. There's also only 3 motors total, 7 air brakes, and 3 moveable magnetic brakes. Compare that to a B&M that can have 40-50 motors and 20-30 brakes, and I'd say for a roller-coaster it's not too bad. -Brian Ondrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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