coasterbill Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I never understood why the lift was red but it's nice to see it getting some new paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Turbo Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 ^ Me neither, it is very red and in really stands out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillseeker4552 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I think the ride would look much better if the lift was the same color as the rest of the track. In a way I'm kind of disappointed they didn't take this opportunity to re-paint the lift hill to the yellow/red/silver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Force! Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I'm all for re-paints and sprucing up the park, but if I had a choice I'd start with the one ride which truly needs it most; Xcelerator. Then, I'd go from there. However, what a difference that paint adds. Looks nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigaG Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Exactly. One train operation on Xcelerator and Silver Bullet are brutal when it is crowded at KBF. They shouldn't get a free pass when we ripped on SFMM for not buying a spare for YOLOCoaster... It doesn't even seem that Xcelerator could run with two trains. Here is why. You have the mag brake (not a block, it can't stop the train entirely), a main brake that seems to hold one train, and a station. If the train launches with one train on the main brake, and the brakes don't release, the trains will collide. If you release the train from the main brake and the ride doesn't launch, the trains will collide. It seems impossible to run 2 trains. Just my 2 cents. Can anybody produce a video of the ride running with 2 trains showing the cycle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSum1_55 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I have seen it run two trains. It runs exactly like any other coaster would with two trains. The only difference is a slight delay of the train on the block advancing into the station, because the train on the block remains on the block until the previous train clears the top hat. Other than that, the ride runs two trains as any other coaster would. Edit: And, during stacking, the final block is actually the u turn before the station. That is where the trains wait. There is plenty of space to slow down before the curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerstlaueringvar Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Exactly. One train operation on Xcelerator and Silver Bullet are brutal when it is crowded at KBF. They shouldn't get a free pass when we ripped on SFMM for not buying a spare for YOLOCoaster... It doesn't even seem that Xcelerator could run with two trains. Here is why. You have the mag brake (not a block, it can't stop the train entirely), a main brake that seems to hold one train, and a station. If the train launches with one train on the main brake, and the brakes don't release, the trains will collide. If you release the train from the main brake and the ride doesn't launch, the trains will collide. It seems impossible to run 2 trains. Just my 2 cents. Can anybody produce a video of the ride running with 2 trains showing the cycle? Xcelerator use friction wheels as blocks just like most of the newer Intamins. I think Expedition GeForce's train also wait in the turn before entering the station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) Exactly. One train operation on Xcelerator and Silver Bullet are brutal when it is crowded at KBF. They shouldn't get a free pass when we ripped on SFMM for not buying a spare for YOLOCoaster... It doesn't even seem that Xcelerator could run with two trains. Here is why. You have the mag brake (not a block, it can't stop the train entirely), a main brake that seems to hold one train, and a station. If the train launches with one train on the main brake, and the brakes don't release, the trains will collide. If you release the train from the main brake and the ride doesn't launch, the trains will collide. It seems impossible to run 2 trains. Just my 2 cents. Can anybody produce a video of the ride running with 2 trains showing the cycle? Xcelerator has run two trains on a fairly consistent basis since it opened. When stacked, the second train sits outside the station on the "U" portion of track behind it. It moves into the station only after the other train has cleared the launch. It would take multiple catastrophic failures for there to be a collision in that zone: the retractable magnetic brakes would had to have to have somehow gotten stuck down (their default position is up---power goes out or any fault comes up and they go up by default) AND a train would have to not move out of the "U" portion of track behind the station. Edited January 21, 2014 by Jew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 ^Correct. As someone who operated the ride for 5 years, I'll chime in here. XC can and does run 2 trains on a pretty consistent basis, barring either train being out for inspection/rehab. Knott's mechanics do what's called a "set-up" test every morning on all the coasters with multiple trains including XC. Whole premise behind the "setup" test is to verify that the rides safety system is functioning as intended. The mechanics will leave a train in the "Waiting block" and then launch the train in the station. In the picture below you will see a set of 2 proximity sensors just in front of the train. Once that train flags those sensors, the PLC will allow the operators in the station to press the "Station Ready" buttons and then it will automatically advance the train into the station from the waiting block. For the purpose of the "Set-up" test, the mechanics will not advance the train in the waiting block on purpose to verify that the train that has been launched stops at the end of the "Brake block." The rides PLC knows the difference between a loaded train and an empty train based on 1: How much power was needed to get the train up to the required 79.5 MPH needed to clear the Top Hat and 2: How fast it enters the brake block. If the waiting block is occupied, an empty train will advance to the end of the brake block but a loaded train will stop a little ways out as an added safety precaution. Little hard to explain so if you need further clarification please feel free to PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks for the explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disney4me2001 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 ^^That was really informative! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyinpeace Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 ^To be fair, so was your comment. And to be fair yet again, so is this comment . ^^^Anyways, Nice explanation. I always like it when a photo is used for explanation. Gives me something to stare at for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterkyle Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 ^Correct. As someone who operated the ride for 5 years, I'll chime in here. XC can and does run 2 trains on a pretty consistent basis, barring either train being out for inspection/rehab. Knott's mechanics do what's called a "set-up" test every morning on all the coasters with multiple trains including XC. Whole premise behind the "setup" test is to verify that the rides safety system is functioning as intended. The mechanics will leave a train in the "Waiting block" and then launch the train in the station. In the picture below you will see a set of 2 proximity sensors just in front of the train. Once that train flags those sensors, the PLC will allow the operators in the station to press the "Station Ready" buttons and then it will automatically advance the train into the station from the waiting block. For the purpose of the "Set-up" test, the mechanics will not advance the train in the waiting block on purpose to verify that the train that has been launched stops at the end of the "Brake block." The rides PLC knows the difference between a loaded train and an empty train based on 1: How much power was needed to get the train up to the required 79.5 MPH needed to clear the Top Hat and 2: How fast it enters the brake block. If the waiting block is occupied, an empty train will advance to the end of the brake block but a loaded train will stop a little ways out as an added safety precaution. Little hard to explain so if you need further clarification please feel free to PM me. I find it odd that Maint does your block tests in the morning as apposed to the crew. I understand that the only park that allows crews to transfer on and off trains is us at CP. But I thought the crews at least did the saftey tests in the AM. I guess you learn something new everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 SF parks and most CF parks will let the crew do the set up testing but at Knott's the Maintenance, Leads and/or supervisors as have to do said tests on the coasters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomman295 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I never understood why the lift was red but it's nice to see it getting some new paint. Apparently it's based on some kind of "legend" about a mining car with an anti-ghost system on it or something. Whether this is a folklore legend or made up just for the ride I have no idea. Could somebody chime in on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Knott's sent us a Camp Snoopy update today... Camp Snoopy’s 30th Anniversary: Week Two Update The first step on your journey through Camp Snoopy’s High Sierras will now be more realistic than ever. Knott's Berry Farm’s Project Development team has broken ground in Camp Snoopy and enhanced the pathways that surround the freshly painted Sierra Sidewinder. By the end of construction, this dirt-like pavement will wind through all of Camp Snoopy’s midways. The pavement, along with new rustic lighting and fence structures, further bring to life the outdoor camp atmosphere. Let’s take a hike over to the North end of Camp Snoopy where we find the re-themed Timberline Twister! The ride puts you in the driver seat of Charlie Brown’s entry into this year’s Camp Snoopy Pinewood Derby. Twist your way through the trees and the surrounding wilderness as you race to the finish line to help Charlie Brown win his first merit badge. As part of construction, the attraction will also feature a new loading station shade structure. The Timberline Twister is a not-so-scary kids’ roller coaster located next to Camp Bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I love when parks theme their pavement/walking surfaces (or even simply have attractive ones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 ^Which is another pleasant change for Knott's, who went from brown painted cement ("dirt") to generic concrete in Ghost Town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Agreed. The theming they're adding to Timberline Twister sounds good, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 That's a cool idea with the Pinewood Derby name. I'm surprised that name isn't trademarked though (and if it is I'm surprised they'd bother to get permission to use it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnottsBerryMountain Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Liking the new home page Well Xcelerator was a bit shaky today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeromyL Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Looks like I'll be at Knotts again this Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 ^^It gets REAL shakey if you're in the back row of an empty train. Coming through the 2nd overbank turn into the brakes you'd think the train was going fall apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnottsBerryMountain Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 The Calico Mine Ride has new orange paint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 The Calico Mine Ride has new orange paint Your'e going to need to be more clear, as none of us on the internet know what you mean by that, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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