Iron Horse wish list

[texcoaster]

OK, so let's go with the assumption that the TxGiant "Iron Horse" makeover is able to take a once-great coaster that became a brutal pile of unridability on prime real estate and convert it into a huge success for the park, a hit with enthusiasts as well as GP, and turns SFOT into a destination park for the next few years. In other words, success on all fronts and they get their investment back quickly.

 

Now.... who's next? What wood coasters out there would you like to see reworked into Iron Horse steelies? (For the purposes of this thread, assume that ONLY the track and trains are replaced, but the layout remains exactly as it was in the wooden version with no changes to steepness, banking, etc)

 

The obvious candidates, of course, are Son of Beast, Mean Streak, Predator. Too rough now and honestly not good enough as a woodie that I'd care if they became steelies.

Other possibilities: Boardwalk Bullet (although I'd rather see them give a shot at Timberliners first), Ghost Rider.

 

One that seems really obvious, but I'd hate to see it: The Beast. Yes, they could finally remove all those brakes and let it run full-tilt... but since the layout really doesn't do anything, the "thrill" comes from the way the train shakes and rattles and gives the feeling that it could just come apart at any moment. Roll it on ultra-smooth rails and you've lost all of that. I think it would feel more like a convertible on the freeway... fun, but no thrill.

[John Peck]

I haven't been on it yet, but Predator now runs articulated trains as opposed to the trailered trains from last year and beyond. That should have fixed the problem.

 

Mean Steak might get it, but I'm hoping that Son of Beast is too far gone and will get removed. Maybe the Hurlers.

 

I'll agree with you on Ghostrider and even go as far as Rattler or even HellCat... I hear that's a rough one, but I doubt that park can afford a multi-million Dollar makeover.

 

Problem with many of the CCI rides was that they were built to be very intense, but were also meant to be thoroughly maintained which just didn't happen. The Myrtle Beach Hurricane was awful due to that.

 

The Beast can stay the way God Intended it.

[the ghost]

Screcape says possibly Colosus.

[CorkscrewFoley]

Actually, I'd like to see SoB get it, returning the vertical loop too, it could be the first hybrid coaster with a loop...

Mean Streak is an obvious choice, and it's too bad Hurt YourKnees couldn't get this either...

[djbrcace1234]

With all the negative remarks from SoB, I would like to see that. It could be a better investment for the park I think.

[texcoaster]

re: Rattler

 

I didn't include that one because of the statement I made in the OP about not reprofiling it.

HOWEVER, if it were to go back to its original profile with that insane get-steeper-and-twist-in-the-middle first drop almost all the way to the ground then I'd say HELL YEAH, sign that thing up for a makeover! Without brakes all over the first third, the helix might even be fun. I'd want to be there to watch them try to get those steel track beams into that curved tunnel!

[robbalvey]

Ghostrider.

 

I cannot think of a better coaster to have it return to it's "top 5 woodie in the world" form by use of some other method than this one.

 

--Robb

[phantomfan93]

I would love it to happen to Ghostrider or Mean Streak.

[texcoaster]

I think Ghostrider is another coaster (Like Boardwalk Bullet) that could probably do well with Timberliners rather than a steel makeover.

 

The main advantage to the Iron Horse transformation is that it allows the very large wood coasters to run with a lot less upkeep costs and a lot more comfort. Smaller rides like Ghostrider, Predator, and Bullet certainly need to be made less brutal, but Iron Horse may not be the most practical solution. Ghostrider and Bullet both have a LOT of track buried inside the structure and would most likely require a great deal of tear down/rebuilding to get that to that track in the lower levels. Hell, Bullet would probably need to go all the way down to the footings!

 

(Side note: recent trackwork has Bullet running really well lately)

 

As for Mean Streak and SoB... like a friend of mine said the other day, "Sure, you could do that to Son of Beast, but it would still be boring." I think Mean Streak would be the same. I rode it during its opening season and thought it was meh.

[hyyyper]

Ghostrider.

 

I cannot think of a better coaster to have it return to it's "top 5 woodie in the world" form by use of some other method than this one.

 

--Robb

 

I can, let GCI re-track it like they did with Boulder Dash.

[robbalvey]

Ghostrider.

 

I cannot think of a better coaster to have it return to it's "top 5 woodie in the world" form by use of some other method than this one.

 

--Robb

 

I can, let GCI re-track it like they did with Boulder Dash.

The thing is - they have. GCI actually have done work on Ghostrider but you have to remember that Lake Compounce and Knott's Berry Farm are not equals. Lake Compounce has the crew needed to give Boulder Dash the care it needs. Knott's on the other hand would probably benefit from a lower-maintenance hybrid woodie option.

 

--Robb "I agree...I would prefer the GCI retracking option...but I can't imagine it would last that long..." Alvey

Edited July 11, 2010 by robbalvey

[socalMAN123]

I agree, bring Ghostrider back to it's amazing opening year form. That ride was insane. Now it's just insanely painful.

---Brent

[Midgetman82]

What about Gwazi, the ride seems pretty rough now even with padded seats. I rode it a couple of days ago and it was a pretty crazy ride in the second car. I think the ride might feel weird if it had steel tracks but I also think it would still be fun because of how twisty the ride is.

[robbalvey]

I'm guessing that a ride like Gwazi is probably better suited for a complete GCI overhaul and a new set of trains.

[Band-Aid]

William's Grove Cyclone...or maybe I'm just being a dreamer again

 

But seriously, as you all know, Mean Streak desperately needs it. If you've seen a POV of the ride without the trims and when smoother, it's obvious that the ride has the potential to be amazing.

[BelizeIt]

Is this why Disney doesn't seem to like to build Wooden Coasters, because over time they can deteriorate into rough rides?

 

I would love to see Ghost Rider have this procedure. I've always enjoyed the track layout of Ghost Rider, and I remember when it wasn't as jarring as it is now. (But jarring or not, whenever I visit Knotts It often one of my first rides of the day)

[robbalvey]

Is this why Disney doesn't seem to like to build Wooden Coasters, because over time they can deteriorate into rough rides?

If your question was:

 

"Is this why Disney doesn't seem to like to build Wooden Coasters, because over time they can deteriorate into rough rides without a dedicated wood coaster maintenance team?"

 

Then I think you'd be 100% correct.

 

If you look at the parks that have build "world class woodies" and have been able to maintain them over the years, usually those parks DO NOT have lots of other big rides to maintain and/or they have several woodies and a maintenance team dedicated to wood coasters.

 

Disney parks contain a *LOT* of rides that need daily maintenance work. And not even just rides, but lots of shows and attractions, animatronics, effects, etc, that probably require more maintenance that most other parks.

 

Building a wood coaster would be not only adding a unique type of attraction, but would really require a unique skill set and probably a dedicated team just for that one ride.

 

My guess is that if Disney ever did build a wooden coaster, you'd probably see something like an Intamin woodie or one of these hybrid steel coasters where the maintenance department can be more of your traditional ride crew rather than a carpentry team with a specialized skill set in rides.

 

That's at least how I understand it...I could be wrong though....

[KDcoasterMAN]

So... From what I gather here... here's ya'lls list in order of need and expectations of coaster rejuvenation.

 

1) Ghostrider

2) Mean Streak

3) Colossus

4) Rattler

5) Cyclone @ SFNE

[djbrcace1234]

I think the issue with Ghostrider is the bank turns are not done well. Even just reprofiling the turns would help out I think.

[Band-Aid]

Also, another one would be Cheetah at Wild Adventures. I love this ride (I even went on it 42 times in a row on a slow day), but it is so rough. Either the steel tracks (making it an almost all steel coaster), or a major reprofile would be great.

[Mantaeus]

Personally, I don't think Predator needs it anymore. The old Voyage trains have improved the ride significantly.

[Mechanic]

I'll add myself to the list of those supporting Ghostrider getting the love it needs to return to its former glory. I never experienced it in its early form, but have experienced it in conditions ranging from very nearly unrideable to a marginally acceptable level of pain. Even on the worst rides, it has moments of pure awesomeness. I can only imagine how great it would be if the ride were completely pain free.

 

I'd support the change for Colossus as well, providing that it could be reprofiled to at least somewhere near its original configuration. Seeing Colossus once again become popular enough to warrant operating it routinely as the racer that it is would be great. Being able to experience it in its racing form during WCB this spring was really an eye opener as to how much the element of racing adds to the fun of what I had to come to consider as something of an easily skippable filler ride.

 

I'm all for parks breathing new life into old rides any way they can.

[rcg19]

Deleted by user

Edited December 29, 2010 by rcg19

[B-RadG]

One other note - I would be incredibly upset if the Beast was re-tracked to be steel.

Totally 100% agree. Beast is an amazing ride (sans the trims) and as long as you don't sit in a wheel seat it's awesome. It's a classic. All wooden coasters are rough to an extent, and Beast is by no means rough for a wooden coaster.

 

I honestly don't wish for any coaster to get Iron Horse'd yet because none of us know how Texas Giant is going to be. The ride experience may absolutely suck. If it's good, then go right ahead and give it to Mean Streak.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Personally, I don't think Predator needs it anymore. The old Voyage trains have improved the ride significantly.

 

I have to agree. I had some insane rides on Predator this year.