chadster Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 In regards to Road Runner Express, it's receiving an extensive overhaul, think Shockwave at SFOT when they did the multi-year rehab on it. In other words, new, new, and even more new pieces and parts. It's all infrastructure work, work that you never really notice or see, but always highly needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbatboy Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 The water dummies DO look a bit creepy all piled up like that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberdyne-systems Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 In regards to Road Runner Express, it's receiving an extensive overhaul, think Shockwave at SFOT when they did the multi-year rehab on it. In other words, new, new, and even more new pieces and parts. It's all infrastructure work, work that you never really notice or see, but always highly needed. This is good news indeed. Road Runner Express is in desperate need of this! It would also be nice if they brought back the coyote animatronics (were they animatronics or just statues?) that used to be scattered about the attraction, but this is still very good to hear. Thank you for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFFTfan Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The only one I recall was the rock statue used to have Coyote trying to pry it. The rock would move and it would make noises. On the ground inside the helix, the Coyote was sitting on a rocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberdyne-systems Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Batman testing is about to begin folks! The chassis for the first BTR vehicle has been placed on the transfer track and is awaiting assembly!! Photo from SFFT's Twitter page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducky dude Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 TRAINS!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillseeker4552 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I feel like this is going to be one of the additions that is over-looked this year. It seems to be in the shadow of Twisted Colossus, Wicked Cyclone, Cannibal, Fury 325, and Thunderbird. From what I can tell, this will be MUCH better than the Intamin ZacSpins (which I more or less enjoy, but they have their painful moments). I hope these S&S versions start popping up around the US, because they seem to be fairly compact and provide a LOT of thrill. Doesn't S&S have an even larger version with a MCBR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek_Zoolander Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Trains look nice, very reminiscent of wing rider restraints. I'm not big on spinning but I'll definitely be headed down to SFFT to try this out during the summer. OMG and Iron Rattler! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriolat Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I really like the look of this car, very sleek! By the way, was anybody expecting a transfer track for this model? After seeing how the Intamin version has all the trains cycling at any time, I thought that the S&S would be the same. I guess if there's a problem with one of the trains, they won't have to close the coaster until they fix the faulty train but just take it off the main track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Just thought I'd share that after the construction tour today I was treated to being the first non park employee to ride Road Runner Express for the season. Oh, and it's also now open Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 The trains look amazing!!! Can't wait to try out this ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandallDuell Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Just thought I'd share that after the construction tour today I was treated to being the first non park employee to ride Road Runner Express for the season. Oh, and it's also now open Congrats on that, make sure that works it's way on to your resume'! SFFT has certainly turned into one of he more underrated parks, no? Between Superman and Iron Rattler and Batman, the coasters are great....and the park itself has always been fantastic. Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeycirlos Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Just thought I'd share that after the construction tour today I was treated to being the first non park employee to ride Road Runner Express for the season. Oh, and it's also now open Congrats on that, make sure that works it's way on to your resume'! SFFT has certainly turned into one of he more underrated parks, no? Between Superman and Iron Rattler and Batman, the coasters are great....and the park itself has always been fantastic. Looking great! is the road runner now open Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glouthan Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 ^ Oh, and it's also now open Yes. BTW, welcome to the forums! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Just thought I'd share that after the construction tour today I was treated to being the first non park employee to ride Road Runner Express for the season. Oh, and it's also now open Congrats on that, make sure that works it's way on to your resume'! SFFT has certainly turned into one of he more underrated parks, no? Between Superman and Iron Rattler and Batman, the coasters are great....and the park itself has always been fantastic. Looking great! you're leaving off Poltergeist and Goliath. . both definitely worth a ride when in the park. (the only two that are OK to skip are the Boomerang and Pandemonium (horrible long loading times on that anyways)). I really wish they hadn't pulled out Wagon Wheel and Chaos. . no good spinning flats now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Just thought I'd share that after the construction tour today I was treated to being the first non park employee to ride Road Runner Express for the season. Oh, and it's also now open Congrats on that, make sure that works it's way on to your resume'! SFFT has certainly turned into one of he more underrated parks, no? Between Superman and Iron Rattler and Batman, the coasters are great....and the park itself has always been fantastic. Looking great! It's at the top of the list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 (edited) Howdy-do folks! Today I'm bringing you a TPR Exclusive! Wait, what? Yes, that's right, yesterday TPR was the first media outlet invited out to tour the Batman construction site and get up close and personal with the worlds first 4D Free Spinning coaster! First off I want to say that the park looks great, its clean, vibrant, and the staff friendly. At park opening Neal was out and about greeting visitors as they entered. And much like you might see at Disney, when lines to get in got long, they instantly opened additional entry points to get people in and enjoying iRat, Superman, and their smash hit new show #iPop. iRat had a queue spilling into the overflow but that didn't scare me, the crew was humping and the line seemed to never stop moving. Within 30 minutes I was enjoying a thrilling ride in the back seat. Kudos to all. Now if that doesn't make you want to visit the park, well, Batman will. Construction is moving right along, on track (get it, haha), and ready to thrill season pass holders mid May and the public over Memorial Day. So, here are a few bullet point items out of our visit * Batman's Ride Control System is in place, wired, and ready for action * Ride vehicle assembly has begun, 1 down, 4 to go! * Lift tray installation was being completed while I was on site, the roller chain will be installed very soon * Last to be installed on the track are the fins the cars will pass through that will induce spinning (but not spewing, more on that in the photos) * Testing will begin shortly after the two items above are completed * I would recommend the BBQ Pork Deluxe at Old Blues BBQ (thanks Jeff!) And finally....drum roll please....Fright Fest will be even bigger this year with extended hours! Okie Dokie Smokies, lets hit up Batman! (And maybe some Superman, iRat, Road Runner Express, Scream....) Someone needs to call the landscaper, somehow a giant yellow weed has sprouted in the middle of the park. Wait. That's no weed, that's Batman! Hey look out!! There's a giant new roller coaster there! Don't fly into it! Batman is quite literally the center of attention. It's one of those rides you will be able to see from most anywhere while walking the perimeter of the park and will entice you to come and find the entrance. Workers were busy finishing the installation of the chain tray Adjustments were also being made to the magnetic trims that are located on each of the raven drops. These will not stop the ride, but will bring the speeds to a safe point if need be. Basically once you come off the lift, you won't stop until your ride is complete. Trade secrets folks. The area that I am standing in here is right below the gas pumps and will become an overflow queue. I would imagine it will be getting some good use this summer. Hey baby, you've got a nice chassis. Can I touch it? Fun fact, the roller chain was made in Germany. Like Dare Devil Dive at SFOG, the chain will engage the car and carry it to the top, not the other way around. Load Station! Two cars will be loaded at a time. One will then take off, and the second staged. Then the two cars that have finished their runs will move forward from this area. Rinse and repeat. You know you like it. And here is the final drop that takes you into the station. Don't worry control nerds, I have thought of you too! These mechanisms are kind of important. They make sure the vehicle remains upright and locked into place after the ride. Nerd fact, just before the car drops down to the station the vehicle will have a chance to right it self making the experience much more pleasurable. Each vehicle has 4 spoons Each spoon has two seats. This is a spoon Each spoon spins independently. But how does it do that, and how do you know you will spin at least 6 times? Well, I'll show you. But first I'll show you some behind the scenes action with Marketing Direction Jeffery Siebert taking photos to update the parks facebook and twitter feeds. So each spoon has one of these. Its a circular magnet. Soon metal fins will be installed on the track. The vehicle will pass through the fins causing the vehicle to flip. These plates are fully adjustable so that the spinning is controlled at the point you pass through the fin so as not to jerk you around and cause whiplash. There is also another device at the bottom of the two magnets that acts as a safety ensure that you don't spin violently. Nerd shot. While these aren't the fins that will control the vehicles spinning, they do ensure that the ride isn't traveling too fast. If needed an additional pneumatic fin is installed at each of the raven drops. (Think King da Ka) More of that. And more of that. Yawn. And here we are now in the ride control building located under the lift. Well not directly, but close enough. For the panel enthusiats. Notice how simple it is. See what they did there? Serial Number '360' Because everyone needs a splice in their life Ohhh lala, what is this and where does it go? Does it go here? No. Does it go here? Yes! (Hey you didn't think I was going to give away the spoils of the interactive queue just yet did you?) The best part, the queue will be air conditioned! After the tour and an awesome lunch (mmm, pulled pork), it was time to head out in the park and see what was going on. Hi Road Runner, I'm coming. But not before some iRat action. Such a fun ride. And the wall drop, OMG amazing. Superman is once again a proud man! Looks great! And rides as good as it looks! (Give it up for three train operations!) Those guys were getting their exercise keeping things moving and grooving. Speaking of moving and grooving, it was time to move and groove on Road Runner Express! One of the best mine trains anywhere! But now it's time to move and groove on outta here. Special thank to Jeff and Cole for having us out and allowing us to the be the first to christen the media hard hat to get up close and personal with Batman. Season Pass Previews start May 16th! All nice and comfy! Edited April 6, 2015 by chadster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Monte Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Absolutely awesome report. Thank you! SFFT is overall my favorite SF park, and I can't wait to get back there to ride Batman plus more rides on Rattler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 I'm looking forward to visiting this park for the first time this summer. I've always been intrigued by it unique setting, not to mention Iron Rattler and Batman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking86 Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Great pictures! I'm very curious to see how Batman will run in terms of speed and rotations. Definately one of the most intriguing rides being built this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Just added the video to Chadster's update: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Thanks for posting, Chad! Batman looks like it's going to be a very fun ride...I am looking very forward to visiting this unique park in the near future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyRush Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 I personally think the ride looks amazing. Some people think it is weird but it is truly a visual work of beauty to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanTPM Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Great pictures, thankyou for the report. Will the station be enclosed or left outdoors as it is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Interesting info in the video about the brake fins and operations. I really liked Insane at Grona Lund, and I'm looking forward to seeing how S&S does with a similar concept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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