silvercrew1 Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for that pic! The webcam isn't working for me. Was this morning but of course not when they install the last piece.
robbalvey Posted January 26, 2009 Author Posted January 26, 2009 This just in from Kings Island: KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – Workmen finished installing track on the new Diamondback roller coaster at Kings Island on Monday. Track piece number 129 was the final piece of track installed on the 5,282 foot-long $22 million steel coaster. Diamondback stands 230 feet at its highest point with a first drop of 215 feet at a 74-degree angle. The ride features 10 vertical drops overall, including drops of 193, 131, 129, 110 and 106 feet; two helixes and a splashdown ending. Riders will travel at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. Designed by Bolliger and Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, Diamondback is the tallest, fastest and meanest roller coaster to ever strike Kings Island. Diamondback opens to the public April 18.
carolinacaniac Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 This coaster really is pretty awesome looking! Especially from the top of the lifthill. I am still jelous of my co-worker who is doing the KI/CP combo visit. -Gary T.
SFOGdude25 Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 So nice to see that last piece of track put in place after sitting there for the past several weeks. Bring on the trains!
BuschSchoe Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Its going to be interesting to see when testing will begin... especially since there is a splashdown. Now I know that most parks usually do not test their coasters for the first time in the snow... but Diamondback is supposed to open in April, so I'm guessing that there will be at least some snow during testing.
silvercrew1 Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Its going to be interesting to see when testing will begin... especially since there is a splashdown.Now I know that most parks usually do not test their coasters for the first time in the snow... but Diamondback is supposed to open in April, so I'm guessing that there will be at least some snow during testing. Yeah you bring up a good point with the splash down. We are supposed to have a storm linger for the next couple of days with some snow. But after that no one can tell you the weather with Ohio's unpredictable, ever changing forecast.
Speeddeamon128 Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Yay Diamondback completed Now I have to try & ride it in July if my parents let me drive from South NJ to KI. I've got some convincing to do.
DiSab Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 One step closer to testing and opening day. Can't wait to see this thing start running.
PKI Jizzman Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 I'll be going to the walkback on Saturday, and I'm charging up the Nikon D40!
Carnage Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Its going to be interesting to see when testing will begin... especially since there is a splashdown.Now I know that most parks usually do not test their coasters for the first time in the snow... but Diamondback is supposed to open in April, so I'm guessing that there will be at least some snow during testing. Well there's still alot of work to be done before the ride can cycle. Lots of electrical work, etc to do. Also, unless I'm mistaken they don't even have the trains yet. I'd guess it doesn't cycle until March.
pyrocoasterkid Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Some aerial pix over at KIExtreme.com.... Definately check them out (hope this is allowed). http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=368 Looks absolutely amazing.
themeparkman25 Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 I cant wait!!! It looks so floaty, and smooth and awesome
PKIDelirium Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 All the pics are here: http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=368 Here's some highlights! It was pretty gray and snowy out, in case you didn't notice.
alpengeist04 Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Is that 90 degrees before the splashdown? If so, 90 degrees!!!!
CoasterLover Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Its going to be interesting to see when testing will begin... especially since there is a splashdown.Now I know that most parks usually do not test their coasters for the first time in the snow... but Diamondback is supposed to open in April, so I'm guessing that there will be at least some snow during testing. Most B&Ms with splash downs do a lot of their initial testing with no water at all so the cold weather shouldn't be much of a factor. Besides, those first few test runs the trains will be running at their slowest, no need to hamper that slow speed any more by running them through the splashdown.
themeparkman25 Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Ok, I have a question. Im confused to whether they would test with the water or not. The splashdown definitely slows the trains down to a more appropriate speed into the brake run and if theyre testing it, wouldnt they want it to be testing real conditions? Or is initial testing ok to run at those higher speeds?
Turtle Wax Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 The speeds aren't going to be that higher initially. It's going to be friggen cold outside. That's going to do enough to slow it down. After testing goes on for awhile and it warms up I figure they'll fill the splashdown pond and run it through that.
CreditCrazy Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 Looks like a bit of straight track at the bottom of the drop. I wish they would add a tunnel or some other kind of effect to make it more exciting. That'd definately help
CPmaverick Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 ^ Its not a straight section of track. It is more of a banked slight turn. Its just an illusion in those pictures.
whakojacko Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 It looks like they still need to install the stairs for the MCBR? http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/albums/jan09flyover-dfdb/IMG_9286.jpg
coolhandluke Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 ^Yes, but probably not where you are looking, as evidenced by Behemoth. I believe those stairs that lead to nothing are for easier access for maintenance guys, as they can just drive a cherry picker up and walk just a couple steps instead of marching the whole way up. Does anyone know for sure to confirm/correct that? From Coasterforce.com...Behemoth has the spiral staircase, but on the left side you can see the same couple stairs leading to nothing.
Carnage Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 ^ If you're talking about that small flight of stairs at the end of the break run, it's there for easier access to the train when stopped on the brake run.
silvercrew1 Posted January 28, 2009 Posted January 28, 2009 I thought they were talking about the spiral staircase because that is still not installed either.
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