[NL] Top Thrill Dragster Recreation

[christianscoasters]

I just started learning how to use Newton2 for NoLimits. I'm still getting the hang of it and I am really struggling with the multi-zone forces, but I managed to make a recreation of Top Thrill Dragster along the way. The top hat, in my opinion is just a little too narrow. I didn't really think about this until I was almost done with the supports for the ride, so I said "screw it." Haha. The top of the top hat was a bit too circular rather than parabolic, so I just did that by hand. Anywho, this is my FIRST complete Newton2 coaster.

 

It is able to run 4 trains. Also, it will occasionally roll back. Unfortunately, the game won't get the train up to speed to get over the hill if this happens. Through all of the tests I've done, it rolls back about 1/10 of the time.

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TTD2.nltrack

Finally, the coaster!

[A.J.]

Making the transport segment to a single segment, setting the speed to 112mph and the acceleration to 1.37G will guarantee a full circuit. Top Thrill Dragster's actual launch acceleration is 1.368G.

 

The way you have it set up, the train will consistently try and launch back up again when it rolls back. A launch should be entirely a brake section to ensure that a train that rolls back can come to a safe and complete stop.

Edited April 20, 2012 by A.J.

[christianscoasters]

^I had the launch split up because if it was ONE section, then I couldn't get the colors right. So you're saying that if I make the transport section a brake segment instead, it will relaunch?

[A.J.]

A launched coaster's launch actually does two things; launch the train and stop the train. The entire thing acts as a big block segment. When a train launches and clears its top hat or whatever, it's safe for the next train to move and prepare to launch. If a launch fails and a train rolls back onto the launch section, the brakes bring it to a complete stop so it can be reset and launched again.

 

Because NoLimits is a simulation program, it will usually get the launch right, and your coaster will always make it over, as long as the numbers are entered correctly.

 

Yours weren't; all of your transport segments were clocked at 3G of acceleration, which is close to astronaut-level. This meant that the train would roll back and brake so harshly that people would be slammed into their seats with 3Gs of acceleration. Plus, your set speed wasn't high enough for the train to make it over.

 

Switching to one brake segment for the launch lets you adjust the deceleration so the train gets its complete stop near the beginning of the segment, so it can launch again with the full length of the segment.

Edited April 20, 2012 by A.J.

[christianscoasters]

Is this version better? Unfortunately, the paint scheme is messed up now, but the acceleration isn't as high. I also added a "cable" in the middle of the track to simulate the real thing.

TTD23.nltrack

[A.J.]

That's totally better. The only thing wrong with the launch now is that the train stops in between the transport and brake sections. All you need to do is adjust the trigger so that the train is entirely on the brake section.

 

Other than that (and possibly block timing), your coaster is pretty good. You'll definitely want to experiment more with Newton, I certainly learn new things about the program every time I use it.