Some Questions about Pepsi Max Big One

[pkdcoaster]

If any of you could tell me the year the first drop was modified as well as the far turn around (never noticed it was changed till recently).

 

why was the turnaround reprofiled?

 

Also is the first drop really that different, I have heard some people say the drop is not that good anymore...but it really doesnt look like that drastic of a change.

 

any info or opinions are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance

 

JEFF

[Jon Sabo]

Personally, I am not positive if the ride had been reprofiled or not, but one way you could tell is look at the track. Any color variations or 'new' paint just on one particular section(s)?

If the joints were welded together (orignal sections), look to see if the 'new' sections are now bolted together.

[pkdcoaster]

it definitely has been.... I have alot of footage from 1994 and the drop and turnaround were much different...found some more pics

 

JEFF

[martinb]

I've been riding PMBO for years now and I've never noticed thats anythings changed and your pictures don't show much difference either

 

The first drop on it is mega, best part of the ride, its so steep and twisty, best in the back seat mega 213ft up!

[Canobie Fan]

The ride was 'fix'd'

The turnarounds track was moved in more. Look at the older photos.. The track sits OVER the white parts.. Look in the newer photos.. The track sits on the side of the white part (hanging off the side)

And the drop was moved up a bit. In the older photos it was steeper and the twist was sharper... But I think I read it was changed because it was putting to much stress on the ride. so they made the first part of the drop less step and made the twist a bit longer so it didnt snap as fast.

 

See how it hangs over - http://rcdb.com/ig775.htm?picture=15

See how it didnt use to - http://rcdb.com/ig775.htm?picture=9

 

And then from TPR itself - http://www.themeparkreview.com/southport/pmtrack.jpg old PMBO track after it was re-tracked

[viking86]

I think the first drop was re-profiled quite early, although I could be wrong. If you look at the distance between the track and the box supports on the first drop you will see the difference. It seems that after the re-profiling the drop isnt quite as steep.

 

 

Edit:

Hmmm looks like someone was faster than me....

[pkdcoaster]

after some more searching...according to Joyrides.com the drop was changed in 1997 (ride opened in 1994) Was the turnaround changed the same year?

 

Martin- there is a difference, look at the structure closely of the first drop it is not a BIG difference but it is different...did you ride it before 1997?

 

JEFF

[martinb]

did you ride it before 1997?

 

Yes, once, wasn't much of an entusiast then.

 

Some of it was re-tracked this year (closed season 2005-2006), it was mainly the 5th drop (right next to the 1st drop), nothing to the layout was changed, it was just replaced.

 

I don't think a single year has gone by yet without a bit of track being replaced.

 

-Martyn

[Jon Sabo]

I have noticed in the pictures comparing both changes and it has been reprofiled as others have noted. Look at the lift area. Just after the initial drop there has been some changes (look at the structure). Also, along the first drop the track gauge looks slightly different as do the slip joint sections. The bolted slip-joints have a 'newer' look. There were some people saying the reason for the change (as typical on some Arrow products) was the axles had alot of wear. If any mis-alignments were contributed to the g's on those axle, you surely would be replacing the road and uplift wheels more often. Case in point, BBW @ BGE had a similar problem in 85 & 86 before the last drop section was reprofiled. I had worked maintenance on that ride and we were changing ALOT of parts (eventually replacing 2 axles on 1!! train).

 

Good job to those that supplied the photos!