Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[GayCoasterGuy]

It looks awesome but just really really strange

 

Strange is good. It would suck if everything looked like a B&M.

[glouthan]

This coaster is looking better and better. Love how this piece turns impossibly over the vertical tower - it seems like it could fall (just makes this coaster more intimidating!)

[DanTheBooker]

Second time's the charm?

[rcjp]

^Now that's starting to look properly tall.

[VF15]

Is Goliath still going to be ready by May 31st? Given the amount of work still left to be done, I find it hard to believe that it will be ready on time.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Is the lift finally taller than the overbank? The perspective from that shot is akward.

[GoBears]

Is the lift finally taller than the overbank? The perspective from that shot is akward.

 

It's about 30 feet taller than the overbank turn right now.

 

EDIT: Whoops, I was referring to the drop structure. The lift right now is a little lower than the overbank turn, but it won't be for long! The drop structure though is around 150 feet at the moment, I think. I'm not great with estimates but I'm comparing the steel structure from the webcam based on the renderings.

[glouthan]

Now they seem to be securing the section into place with even more bolts.

[Guy T. Koepp]

You can never have enough bolts.

[Password121]

Is the lift finally taller than the overbank? The perspective from that shot is akward.

 

It's about 30 feet taller than the overbank turn right now.

 

EDIT: Whoops, I was referring to the drop structure. The lift right now is a little lower than the overbank turn, but it won't be for long! The drop structure though is around 150 feet at the moment, I think. I'm not great with estimates but I'm comparing the steel structure from the webcam based on the renderings.

Keep in mind that the lift will only be 165 feet, if I recall correctly. I don't know the exact height of the overbank or the current height of the incomplete lift structure, but I'm sure it has at least another 15 feet to go, if not closer to 30.

[GoBears]

Is the lift finally taller than the overbank? The perspective from that shot is akward.

 

It's about 30 feet taller than the overbank turn right now.

 

EDIT: Whoops, I was referring to the drop structure. The lift right now is a little lower than the overbank turn, but it won't be for long! The drop structure though is around 150 feet at the moment, I think. I'm not great with estimates but I'm comparing the steel structure from the webcam based on the renderings.

Keep in mind that the lift will only be 165 feet, if I recall correctly. I don't know the exact height of the overbank or the current height of the incomplete lift structure, but I'm sure it has at least another 15 feet to go, if not closer to 30.

 

The overbank is about 120-125 feet. Basically it's the same height as X-Flight.

[GoBears]

Timeline of Goliath.

 

Late September and the webcam goes online.

 

 

First batch of footers going into the ground in early November.

 

 

First set of bents going up in early December.

 

 

First pieces of track go into place right before Christmas.

 

 

Twist & shout progress in early February.

 

 

More twist & shout, floater hill, and brake run progress.

 

 

Lots of progress made on the overbank turn and the start of the dive loop has begun in mid March.

 

 

Dive loop structure is nearly finished and the start of zero-G stall has begun.

 

 

First section of the lift is up in mid April.

 

 

And not quite a month later brings us to present day...

 

[glouthan]

^Thanks for that timeline. Nice to see how our coaster has progressed over the winter/spring.

I was thinking that the crew would install the lift in two more pieces. I thought that because there are ten more "sections" to be installed (the spaces between the vertical beams that separate the segments of the lift structure - right now there are five above the arch) Ten sections would be a be a very large segment, so I think they would break it up into two segments. The largest segment they have installed was the arch, (seven sections) and that segment seemed very large. Also, they would probably break it up so they can "top off the lift" with the tallest segment and make a ceremony of it - perhaps they would do that on Saturday in front of the crowds at the park?

 

P.S. sorry if this is very confusing. I did my best to explain it well.

Edited May 14, 2014 by glouthan

[Goooose]

I imagine that they'll attach one or two more lift pieces, and leave them suspended from a tall crane while they weld the pieces on and leave them supported by the crane until finally they add the absolute top out and join the structures together so that it can support itself. As for that wider piece they added to the structure today where they attached the old with the new, I imagine that that piece will be cut off eventually and it is perhaps there to reduce stress on the bolts that are supporting the bent piece of the drop until the structure is complete and stabilized. Just a guess!

[willthegolfer]

Thank you to Rob Sfgam over at SfGam World.

[willthegolfer]

Here's one that the park posted on instagram.

[glouthan]

Nice! That gives perspective on how steep the drop will be and how tall the lift is (in contrast to the airtime hill, which looks like it will deliver!)

[CPSFMMCW]

Wow! That's incredible!

[GreatAmerican2234]

Could someone maybe photoshop the rest of the lift on to the instagram photo? For a good perspective on what the complete lift will look like?

[LogBur]

Nice! That gives perspective on how steep the drop will be and how tall the lift is (in contrast to the airtime hill, which looks like it will deliver!)

 

The airtime hill is the second-coming of Magnum's third hill in terms of proportion to lift height and assured sustained airtime. Albeit this time engineered on computers instead of a drafting table... This is most definitely a good thing as Magnum's third hill is one of the most OMGWTFBBQ airtime moments in existence. Doesn't get mentioned nearly enough.

 

Looks stunning.

[glouthan]

Magnum does have some pretty sweet airtime - my legs get sore from riding it!

[NAMTABSFGAm]

Could someone maybe photoshop the rest of the lift on to the instagram photo? For a good perspective on what the complete lift will look like?

The photo is taken from too close up, you would not be able to see the top of the lift hill from that picture.

[marcusleshock]

Hey everybody! This is Marcus Leshock with the WGN Morning News in Chicago. Tomorrow morning I have a construction update on Goliath. We got to take a look at the train and some of the other final touches on the ride before the big scheduled unveiling on the 29th.

 

Set your alarm clocks and your DVRs for 4AM! The segment will air on the early WGN Morning News between 4-6am.....and the 4am hour (central time) airs across the country on WGN America!

 

See you bright and early. And I look forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming media day.

[CPSFMMCW]

^ I don't live in the area, but If you could post the segment to your website I'd love to see it.

[glouthan]

^For the last segment that aired in January, WGN posted it on their website - I would be shocked if it wasn't on there this time.

Anyways, I am very excited for the segment! But I probably won't get up at 4AM to see it. (I have a recording set)

Edited May 14, 2014 by glouthan