188 replies to this topic

[Mike Strobel]

A couple remarks on Shambhala...

1. Absolutely loving the gold and green trim on the trains. It looks very sleek, particularly the 0 car
2. It looks as if it crawls over that 2nd hill and the hill after the supposed splash (the later, a problem?)
3. The MCBR should be renamed the LCBR (late course brake run), I don't get why they bothered with it if its so late in the layout
4. Speaking of the splash, I figured they would make it a finale element, not randomly in the middle of the course, it also appears it isn't near any walkways, meaning it loses that awe factor for passer by's, gimmick?
5. most of the rest of the course and the pacing I'm fine with

[Thunderhead]

The MCBR is there for technical purposes I'm sure. Probably needed and extra block for trains or something. Pacing always gets. Enter after the first few weeks of testing too.

Very jealous though.

[Ryan Shrout]

I'm loving the low speed hills B&M has put on their hyper/giga projects this year. Shambala's especially looks like an airtime junkie's dream.

[drachenfirebgw]

A couple remarks on Shambhala...

1. Absolutely loving the gold and green trim on the trains. It looks very sleek, particularly the 0 car
2. It looks as if it crawls over that 2nd hill and the hill after the supposed splash (the later, a problem?)
3. The MCBR should be renamed the LCBR (late course brake run), I don't get why they bothered with it if its so late in the layout
4. Speaking of the splash, I figured they would make it a finale element, not randomly in the middle of the course, it also appears it isn't near any walkways, meaning it loses that awe factor for passer by's, gimmick?
5. most of the rest of the course and the pacing I'm fine with

There are plenty of walkways and a whole plaza are that will be near the water splash, the park map gave this away and now we're seeing the actually construction of it. There was be an entrance plaza to the left of Dragon Khan's entrance and that will connect to the area where Shambala's splash will be and that plaza is connected to the midway by a pathway under Dragon Khan, which should provide some great views.

As far as the splash in the middle of the course, it's the small splash on a B&M we've seen yet as far as track length goes because of this reason. More recent testing videos show the train taking the course at a faster pace, which means the splash hopefully won't constrict the airtime on the hills that follow it.

The MCBR is there for technical purposes I'm sure. Probably needed and extra block for trains or something. Pacing always gets. Enter after the first few weeks of testing too.

Very jealous though.

Exactly my thought on the MCBR, they needed another block somewhere during the course considering the splash acts as the trim/speed decelerator .

I'm loving the low speed hills B&M has put on their hyper/giga projects this year. Shambala's especially looks like an airtime junkie's dream.

Hopefully it will be filled with airtime. The testing videos aren't incredibly convincing though tests always fall short of what the ride will actually feel and ride like. But I do argee that I love how B&M is beginning to branch out with their design elements and agressiveness, specifcally the speed hills. Apparently Leviathan's produces a ton of air.

[drachenfirebgw]

Double Post

Get me to Spain now.

This thing flies. In my opinion in looks like they took the best of every B&M Hyper and Leviathan and put it all together. This thing should have some great air, especially from the turnaround on. The camera is mounted but a little shakey. That's not a rattle, just the camera. Ohh and even the lift hill is fast.

[Ryan Shrout]

Man that thing looks sharp. Obviously the watersplash won't detract from speed at all since its a simulated splash. This thing really keeps up its speed through the entire course, and even the trims didn't effect it much. I'd love to see one of these newstyle hypers come to a park in the US!

[drachenfirebgw]

Yeah, I never realized the water splash was an ellusion until the POV, and there are definitely trims before the speed hill but like you said, they don't effect it much at all. Even the MCBR or LCBR (late course brake run) rather doesn't take off much speed. I would as well. Cedar Fair is the only chain to invest in a B&M Hyper since Six Flags built the two Goliath's in 2006. And the Cedar Fair hypers were what I call the second generation of B&M Hypers/Megas. Leviathan and Shambhala are definitely ushering in the third generation of B&M Hypers/Megas.

[biZarRo]

Wow that thing is fast. But I don't get the point of the MCBR being at the end of the layout. It could go on for a little longer, I think.

[MorganFan]

I love how B&M stepped out of their usual color wheel. I don't believe I've ever seen different colored ties on a beemer before.

Edit: ^^ Oh jeez, how could I have been so stupid!? Whyyyyy?.....

Edited by MorganFan, 13 May 2012 - 10:49 PM.

[Thunderhead]

Wow.

[Ryan Shrout]

I love how B&M stepped out of their usual color wheel. I don't believe I've ever seen different colored ties on a beemer before.

B&M has done a few interesting paint jobs before. I just think its more the theme parks that choose to go for a cleaner looking color pallate with just 2 colors or so. But to give a few examples:
Superman - Ultimate Flight:


Tatsu:


Patriot:


Silver Bullet:


Pictures from RCDB.


I can't think of any Hyper/Mega's to go two-tone prior to Shambahla but once again, I think its just a park decision.


*EDIT* Found one. Goliath at LaRonde:

[drachenfirebgw]

Wow that thing is fast. But I don't get the point of the MCBR being at the end of the layout. It could go on for a little longer, I think.

It is. And the point is they wanted another block brake. There isn't a true MCBR, so they added it before the last couple hills to add a mid-course block brake. By stacking all the blocks in a line a have a problem everything is converging to the same spot making the problem that much worse. If you can stop a train mid ride, that's the safer way to go. It also make the all train stop time quicker as you don't have to wait for the entire train to complete the course. I've actually been halted to a stop on the MCBR of Apollo's Chariot. The back half is well, interesting... and had the entire train clamoring for another ride. As an enthusiast, I thought it was pretty cool to take a "slow" ride on the back half.

Also, a note from the POV, the LCBR takes off almost no speed so it isn't a big deal.

And I've always loved B&M's paint schemes. Do we have a favorite paint scheme thread because if not I'm starting on. B&M's in particular can be either fantastic or very basic.

[Mike Strobel]

Another coaster that's been under the radar, and its even in the states, would be the new woodie arising from the grounds at Silver Dollar City. It will be a woodie constructed entirely with their topper track on top of prefabricated wood. From the size of the lift, it looks to easily be 120-130 ft tall. There is also word that RMC has their own train design they'll use on this as well. Should be interesting to see how those pan out, especially with woodies getting the topper track lately (Georgia Cyclone for example). Something tells me it'll be another articulated train design like Millennium Flyers and Timberliners.

Pics

Edited by Mike Strobel, 21 May 2012 - 06:58 PM.

[drachenfirebgw]

I may begin a thread for the SDC Rocky Mountain woodie if we don't already have one (I think we have a Rocky Mountain thread but not an SDC one). I'll check. This thing is looking worthy of its own thread. I'm very interested in seeing what the layout will look like. By the looks of it the station and turn to the lift and near the closest pathways and the lift runs away from the park, which won't reveal much to park goers both now and when it does open. Nonetheless, I'm very excited to see a new wooden roller coaster manufacturer stepping it up (and catching a big job at SDC no less despite the incredible success their sister park has had with Thunderhead and not to mention Ozark Wildcat right up the road).

Something tells me it'll be another articulated train design like Millennium Flyers and Timberliners.

I agree with this also. I'm thinking a cross between a GCI and the New Texas Giant, which should be really interesting.

[Thunderhead]

Here is the On-Ride from Wodan a Europa Park. It kills me to link a TPR video but oh well.

[MorganFan]

Also, Hair Raiser has opened. It looks freaky intense.

[Mike Strobel]

I think most of us are aware that Vekoma has a junior version of their boomerang. The most notable version opened as Ben 10 at Drayton Manor. Well, it seems Gerstlauer is also in on the family shuttle as well. They've built one in a park in Germany.

http://rcdb.com/9573.htm

Anyone see these family shuttles catching on in family parks or major parks with family sections?

[Mike Strobel]

Big news on the SDC woodie. The first drop is coming into place, and rumors are that it'll reach around 80 degrees on the descent.



Picture courtesy of TPR.

[Ryan Shrout]

Wow, that's insane! Will it have a zero g-roll too?

[steel-Rock]

I have heard that White Lightning, the GCI that is on its way to Orlando has been upgrated to a slightly larger size. RCDB says that it will have steel supports.

Also, Iron Shark is the new Euro-Fighter. It is now open at the new Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier.

[Ryan Shrout]

As for White Lightning having steel supports, I think that's a great call. Its very difficult to keep up and maintain a wooden coaster in the SouthEast because of the ridiculously high humidity levels year round (ex: Gwazi). Making the structure out of steel will help dramatically reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to keep the ride running well and with a park as small as Fun Spot is, that's exactly what they need.

[steel-Rock]

^ I agree. My only reservation is that it would be the first hybrid by GCI. I can't say that the others of that type ran any more smooth than Gwazi, but they were by CCI, Gravity Group, and S&S.

[drachenfirebgw]

My only concern about White Lightning is the humidity levels down there in Florida and the southeast. Gwazi has suffered from this, however, I'm a believer that the PTC trains riding thing for over a decade is a major reason why the ride isn't as great as it could be though the humidity levels do play into it. The hybrid structure a smart idea for Fun Spot because of their environment, and for maintenance purposes. I'm sure it'll be a lot easier for that small budget park to maintain the hybrid structure. And the new layout is killer. I love to see GCI continue to revolutionize the wooden roller coaster while sticking with the traditional style.

Speaking of non-tradition wooden roller coaster styles, the Rocky Mountain creation at Silver Dollar City looks like it is going to be insane. I am loving that first drop and the pre-drop. Apparently that drop will be followed by a sick turnaround that's kind of a morph between the Thunderhead's and New Texas Giant's turnarounds then it'll run off into the woods. The station and entrance plaza definitely look Herschend worthy, they are certainly big enough. Incredibly excited to see this thing's layout when it comes out, and the final product. Rocky Mountains own trains should help this thing also I'm guessing. Supposedly that drop will hit 81 degrees.

I always thought Silver Dollar City would go with GCI after Ozark Wildcat and the Thunderhead, and maybe even an Ozark Wildcat relocation after Celebration City shut down, though I heard it hasn't been maintained, which is a shame. Though this ride seems well worth the wait.

[Mike Strobel]

Remember Blue Fire and how Mack is now getting into the launch coaster club? They built a second launched looping coaster, this time at a park called Etnaland in Italy.

http://www.rollercoa...i-etnaland.html

[drachenfirebgw]

It's like an Intamin Mega-Lite mixed with Blue Fire. I could have sworn this thing had a lift though, launched lift hill like Maverick or no? Has a lot of airtime hills with tight, banked turns and such, but also has the one inversion. Reminds me of Cheetah Hunt from an elements standpoint.