I liked riding the Racer backwards at Kings Island. I prefer riding Blue Streak forward over Racer forward so that was a good change. Not sure how I would feel about riding Blue Streak backwards. Though as noted, based on the change on the Racer after Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island, I doubt we will get a chance to find out any time soon.
Raptor is a one of the best rides for re-rides. If you ask and no one is waiting for your seat, you almost always can re-ride. A couple Friday's ago when I came to pick up my son at the end of the night, I rode Raptor and when we got back to the station, even though there were people waiting in line, they announced that if no one was waiting for your row, you could re-ride. When we came back into the station again, people were waiting for my row by not the one behind me. I asked if I could ride in that row but they said it had to be the same row.
I suspect that the park has a re-ride policy for all rides which is no re-rides are permitted. But I don't know that for a fact. And some crews follow that to the letter and others are somewhat flexible with it.
Well I know that the trains are designed to run backwards and fowards without any changes to the track, brakes, etc. They have two sets of fins, different brakes, etc. Although they did turn them around, PTC could be helping to design a new backwards way. Maybe... I am very optomistic. :)
Top Thrill Laps - 57
2014 CP Visits - 7
Opening Day 2015 : Rougarou - Front Seat!
The PTC trains can be difficult to reverse because the lap bar release plungers on Blue Streak and the brake fins on both the Blue and Mean Streaks would be wrong. The brake fin could be moved to the other side without too much trouble, as it attaches to the symmetrical structure put in place to hold the skid brake pads. The chain clutch is actually easiest thing to switch around, because it is a rectangular plate with two holes in it that holds both the chain dog and the two safety dogs. Just turn the whole assembly around...and PTC even provides mounting positions at both ends of the car.
Personally, I think the best thing they could do for Blue Streak would be to restore the trains to their pre-1996 configuration. At the very least, lose the hard seat backs and headrests. Better still, get a biodynamics expert to sign off on the ride going back to a Class 2 restraint. It's permitted by the standard so long as it is supported by the risk analysis...!
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
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RideMan said:
The PTC trains can be difficult to reverse because the lap bar release plungers on Blue Streak and the brake fins on both the Blue and Mean Streaks would be wrong. The brake fin could be moved to the other side without too much trouble, as it attaches to the symmetrical structure put in place to hold the skid brake pads. The chain clutch is actually easiest thing to switch around, because it is a rectangular plate with two holes in it that holds both the chain dog and the two safety dogs. Just turn the whole assembly around...and PTC even provides mounting positions at both ends of the car.Personally, I think the best thing they could do for Blue Streak would be to restore the trains to their pre-1996 configuration. At the very least, lose the hard seat backs and headrests. Better still, get a biodynamics expert to sign off on the ride going back to a Class 2 restraint. It's permitted by the standard so long as it is supported by the risk analysis...!
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Yes, the old trains! It was so much more fun when your body could move around during the ride.
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