Arrow Dynamics RC Questions

I've been wondering, since Arrow went bankrupt a few years ago and was bought out by S&S Power, has S&S still supplying parts for Arrow's coasters like Corkscrew, Magnum, CCMR, and Gemini? Seems like the older the coaster gets, the harder the parts are to make/get for it.

I would guess that some of the other manufacturers would be able to support these coasters. It would be more business for them, and I'm sure everyone in the business has learned a thing or two about Arrow coasters.

In this case, I'd say look at Kennywood. They're replacing the original track of Phamtom's Revenge with another manufacture's track.

Imagine if Magnum was completely re-tracked over many years with Morgan track! Would it still be Magnum? Wooden coasters get re-tracked all the time. They never lose their identity. When does a steel coaster cease to maintain its identity when it comes to re-tracking?

I don't think it would be too hard to get parts for them. Most parts are just basic machine parts. You could theoretically, buy the equipment from an old factory and make a ride from it.

I'm not sure how universal parts are like brakes and such. Dragster is special because it is powered by a giant hydraulics, but outisde Intamin, I'm sure there are basic part similarities they could special order. You know make a larger version of part X.

With computing technology today, I'm sure adjusting track on a defunct companies coaster is simple too. Just plug and chug the physics. They can design a coaster on a computer, so I'm sure they can send a device through to collect the data to plug in. Then they would just need the tracks physical dimensions to know how to create and retrofit it.

I suspect that the S&S parts business is most of their business these days. As far as I know, that part of the business never slowed down.

Didn't Phantom's Revenge had it's track replaced about 8 years ago?

S&S has gotten a bit of RC business over the last year or two. Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach and ringracer over at Nurburgring are two examples. 2006 for them was the screamin' swing era for S&S.

Phantom's Revenge was essentially replaced, except the station, lift to the top of the second hill. Morgan built the rest. Interestingly enough, they're replacing the track on the drop up to the new track. Not sure who is doing it, and it might just be the steel tubing, as they did with Magnum's first drop a few years ago.

S&S hardly has a booming business. They got the X2 replacement trains and a couple of small rides, but I suspect they're hurting. Everyone already has a tower, and it has taken them two plus seasons to get the big swings right.

^Im still waiting and hoping they come up with a way that is cost effective enough that parks with towers can up convert those towers to the joint Space Shot and Turbo Shot towers they came up with a few years ago, the one at SFFT was sweet, imagine never having to choose on Power Tower again wither or not you want to be shot up and shot down, because all the towers did both!

S&S seems to come out in spurts. Everyone wanted a S&S tower then everyone wanted the Swing now that the swing rush has calmed they need to find a new product to advertise.

There was a rush for swings? They only built, what, three of them?

Yeah I think parks saw that its low capacity, and lower guest satisfaction (due to the ride cycle being too short) and decided they weren't worth the cost.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the length of the ride cycle determined by the park, not the manufacturer? I seem to recall Cedar Point (or it could have been S&S) added an extra full swing into Skyhawk its first or second season. On top of that, the ride cycle for maXair seems a lot longer in the past season or two than when it first opened; a bit too long, in my opinion.

Jeff said:
There was a rush for swings? They only built, what, three of them?

Try Over a Dozen...

Russia
Flying Swing at Divo Ostrov.

United Kingdom
Rush at Thorpe Park.

United States of America
Screamin' Swing at Knott's Berry Farm
(the test prototype) at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
X-treme Swing at Valleyfair!
Swing Shot at Kennywood
Skyhawk at Cedar Point
Thunder N' Lightning at Lake Compounce
Gauntlet at Wild Adventures (two sets)
Giant Swing at Silver Dollar City
Screamin' Swing at Morey's Piers
Apollo's Swing at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park
Screamin' Swing at Family Fun Center
Screamin' Swing at Fun Spot Kissimee, FL

Sweden
Uppswinget at Liseberg.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screamin%27_Swing

Jeff said:
S&S hardly has a booming business. They got the X2 replacement trains and a couple of small rides, but I suspect they're hurting. Everyone already has a tower, and it has taken them two plus seasons to get the big swings right.

They had Steel Hawg last year too. I don't know if you consider that small or not. Then they have 2 coasters going in for 09 as well. Plus I imagine at least 1 or 2 of their other rides.

ltparkmaster said:I've been wondering, since Arrow went bankrupt a few years ago and was bought out by S&S Power, has S&S still supplying parts for Arrow's coasters

This is correct. The park I work for gets all its Arrow parts as well as any other consulting for an Arrow ride from S&S.

I was referring to the larger swings, not those found at FEC's or up-charge attractions. They really failed in the design of those things, and the R&D came at the expense of Cedar Fair and Kennywood.

Jeff said:
I was referring to the larger swings, not those found at FEC's or up-charge attractions. They really failed in the design of those things, and the R&D came at the expense of Cedar Fair and Kennywood.

It's still a swing ride manufactured by S&S, and they made more than three... it being an up-charge attraction does not take away from that fact. I for one love Skyhawk...

Phantoms Revenge is being retracked by Morgan, I could see Vekoma re-tracking Magnum and Corkscrew, or Morgan redoing Magnum. S&S for Iron Dragon or possibley all three, but as for Mine ride or Gemini I'm not sure

If anything even remotely related to Vekoma touched Magnum, that would be the end of Magnum.