Should B&M ever make a launch coaster

[BDG]

^You're right, I forgot that it's already moving when the launch kicks in but I didn't know about the 88 km/h.

RCDB says otherwise

Looking at those stats, the height is wrong too.

While the tower that encloses the ride might be 40m, the ride itself is much lower. I'll contact Duane to fix this.

[rcjp]

To finish what I was saying a while ago, I have the feeling that it will be quite a while before a company manages to build an LSM launched coaster with, let's say a kinga ka like launch (in terms of acceleration) with decent sized trains (at least 5 cars) without a ridiculous power consumption. I would quite like to see this happening as LSMs seem the system with the most potential in the future (also more reliable than hydraulic ones) but I just don't see it happening as not only do they rarely exceed 70 mph but also they seem to work better with smaller trains.

[Coasterdude54]

Intamin used LIMs on Volcano at Kings Dominion which is generally the same concept of using magnets to propel the train forward and it has one of the most powerful launches of any coaster that I've been on. So I definitely think it is possible to use LSMs to launch a coaster at a high rate of acceleration and speed. It's most likely just easier for Intamin because their trains weigh much less than those of B&M, but as stated above, it really only matters how much power the park is willing to put into just one coaster.

[_koppen]

for those who have tried a few LSM launched coasters (because I haven't), was there any whose acceleration came close to those of hydraulic launched coasters?

 

In my experience no. No magnetic launch has been close to that of a hydraulic launch, regardless of who manufactured it. Stealth is so far the most powerful launch I've been on, and I can only imagine how Dodonpa would feel.

 

The rolling launches from Gerstlauer do provide some really good forces, but as already stated the speed it comes into the launch helps a lot by eliminating the most power consuming part of the launch.

 

Also the most annoying part with the magnetic launches are that they are most powerful in the start, they drop a lot toward the end of the launch.

[Rickrollercoaster]

I didn't see the Hydraulic Launch part when I was on my phone. Oops.

[Midgetman82]

I think they should leave Hydraulic launches to the super-fast machines. I haven't been on a lot of LSM coasters, but I thought Maverick got to a pretty good amount of speed and worked pretty well for the initial uphill climb and tunnel launch. Also while Wicked Twister's initial launch isn't super fast, I thought its LIM system had an impressive kick to it as well. Same for Volcano at KD.

 

^^The thought of Dodonpa's launch scares me a little.

[livinandrockin]

^I wish I could go back in time and re-ride XLC. That launch was bonkers.

[gerstlaueringvar]

Actually when I thought about B&M launch coaster, I was thinking about drive tire launch. Not only because Hulk uses it

 

I really wish Thunderbird's launch could be forceful enough to break the "B&M stereotype".

[rcjp]

^Yes but it won't really be, I suppose. I won't blame them given the size and weight of the trains and also the fact that this is their first one. I would quite like to see them one day doing a kingda ka like launch

[The49er]

I know at some point someone is going to say,

B&M only build tried and true coasters, something that has been proven to work already

 

I thought about that for awhile, and though B&M does stick with usually tried designs; the invert, the flying, the floorless and the drop machine were all untried before they were introduced and all of those turned out to be successful.

 

Vekoma and CGA's Stealth would like to have a word with you

[Midgetman82]

^True, but they did sorta perfect it: riders exit the station face-down, more comfortable and quicker loading/unloading restraint system.

[KBrylczyk]

riders exit the station face-down, more comfortable

 

Oh dear sweet jesus god no

[Midgetman82]

I never thought lying flat on my back staring straight into the sun was comfortable either, but I guess neither position works for everyone.

[gerstlaueringvar]

I just think flying coasters are generally not comfortable. Regular seat arrangement coasters are the best. They don't have that much limit on designs, most of them they don't cause any discomfort and their capacity can go extremely high. Guess I'm just a too traditional.

[flotus]

Since B&M will only build a launched coaster if they can make the technology reliable, they absolutely should build one.

I think there is lots of potential for improvements and new ideas. Like a combination of systems like wheels + LSM.

[alpengeist04]

^I wish I could go back in time and re-ride XLC. That launch was bonkers.

 

It's still the best launch I've ever experienced. Unfortunately, after the top hat the rest of the ride was ....

[saweetdude05]

I just think flying coasters are generally not comfortable. Regular seat arrangement coasters are the best. They don't have that much limit on designs, most of them they don't cause any discomfort and their capacity can go extremely high. Guess I'm just a too traditional.

 

I think if Vekoma had actually gotten down the reclining of the seats on the lift and raising them back to the seated position like they were trying to do with X-Flight at SFWoA, they would have had the edge as it would have prevented riders from being in an uncomfortable position, either facing the sun or hanging on the restraints. It most likely would have helped capacity too, as the trains could just dispatch the station instead of going through the lengthy recline/raise process.

[tarheel1231]

Do you think that B&M should ever make a Hydraulic launch coaster that can rocket riders from 0- 80mph+ in seconds?

No.

[DoinItForTheFame]

I do not think that B&M will NEVER be on the same level as Intamin. Which is completely okay! I see NO need for B&M to make a Hydraulic launch coaster. Let Intamin stick to the Hydraulic launch's and B&M can stick to the LSM launches.