Coaster speed limits?

TTD and MF shake badly at top speed. Obviously the track isn't 100% straight? Well, there is no suspension period. Maybe just add small shock absorbers. Nothing dramatic like Hypersonic XLC.

Same goes for KK. At 458ft I'm surprised they didn't go for 500ft+. Is it due to the size of the land? Most likely there would be too many problems for that height.

There's gotta be a speed limit before they add shocks or redesign the train.

If a park has $100 million or more to build, they could build a Maglev coaster. ;)

KK is 456 feet.

TTD and MF shake badly at top speed.

I dont think so. Where on MF do you feel shaking? Or TTD for that matter?

Now KK is a totally different story...it is noticeabely rough...but I honestly have never felt any shaking on MF or TTD.

I haven't noticed shaking on MF, but I have on TTD a little. While launching, I noticed a slight wobble with the track, and it's noticeable from an off-ride point of view as well. That's probably part of the design, like how WT is supposed to sway, lest it snap.

I think Millennium Force and TTD are both rather smooth rides. I would imagine TTD seems to have that shaking in it because there's an insane amount of force being exerted on the train and the track during the launch which could cause vibrations. The track is made of steel, which could expand or contract a small amount depending on the temperature (same for Millenium Force). You can see the track shake next to the ramp in the MF queue when a train is approaching from that last turn and as the train goes by, but on the ride I don't notice it at all. Like Erikjc said about Wicked Twister, I'd rather the track give a little than be brittle and break under all that stress.

I can not feel shaking on MF or TTD. I don't ever even see it on MF, but shaking is quite noticeable on TTD. I really notice it on the pullout from the drop going to the brake run. That pullout shakes side to side quite a bit, but as said above it is designed to shake. If the track didn't shake considerable more force would be put upon it. Even tall office buildings have to sway a little.

TTD and MF are wicked smooth compared to KK. KK was almost violently rough when i rode it. fun, sure. rough, definitely!!

as far as your question goes, i think anything is possibly as far as height/speed as long as its acceptable to the human body. i've never ridden up front on TTD before. but, i sat second seat on KK (which has way better stadium seating in my mind) and i thought the wind was a little unbearable. i can't imagine going much faster than 128 mph without having to wear goggles or something in the front seat. i have contacts, so i could barely keep my eyes open without my contact wanting to blow out of my eye.

the same thing goes for G forces and height. whatever the average human body can withstand without dying or getting sick (mission: space anyone?) will work on a ride. height is usually a component of local restrictions and technology.

i say bring it on though. :) when we get to 200mph, i'll just bring my ski goggles with me so i can see where the train is going. :)

On MF, the speed hill right before the last over-banked turn shakes a little after the train has past. You have to look real close to see it.

I'll have to look at the track. I'm usually tied up with the fence rattling and shaking, so it doesn't surprise me the hill would shake.

as far as your question goes, i think anything is possibly as far as height/speed as long as its acceptable to the human body. i've never ridden up front on TTD before. but, i sat second seat on KK (which has way better stadium seating in my mind) and i thought the wind was a little unbearable. i can't imagine going much faster than 128 mph without having to wear goggles or something in the front seat. i have contacts, so i could barely keep my eyes open without my contact wanting to blow out of my eye.

Being up front on TTD is fun. The wind is rather insane, and you sort of get that whole thing you see sky-divers get where your face is pushed back and stuff, but it's a blast I say. Same for Millennium Force. The wind is a little crazy on the eyes, but I guess having contacts would make it worse with them trying to come out. I imagine when the coasters start going faster than TTD and KK, we'll be seeing some wind deflectors to disrupt some of the airflow or even full-fledged windshields on the front car of the train to protect riders.

the same thing goes for G forces and height. whatever the average human body can withstand without dying or getting sick (mission: space anyone?) will work on a ride. height is usually a component of local restrictions and technology.

The human body can withstand a lot more G forces than what coasters are exerting on us right now. Fighter pilots must endure around 15G's just to get their wings, and there have been tests (with an extremely brave or crazy volunteer) where a guy has endured something like 20 or 30 G's or higher for a small fraction of a second. Of course, fighter pilots are trained and have special gear to endure those high G's, and the crazy people in those tests ended up with bruises and said it felt like being thrown into a concrete wall. I do think some coasters will eventually see 7 or 8 G's, maybe even up to 10 G's, before too long. Of course, not all coasters, as some people can't take those forces due to medical problems, won't because they're afraid or what not, or simply aren't looking for such an extreme ride. Have to cater to everyone. :)

i say bring it on though. :) when we get to 200mph, i'll just bring my ski goggles with me so i can see where the train is going. :)

There was a guy on Millennium Force the other day with some of those goggles on actually. He wasn't even in the front though. :-P

I realize the human body can withstand more G forces. But, notice I said <average>. No coaster park wants their guests puking, passing out, getting brain hemmorages and dying. Its bad publicity. Sure its not the ride's FAULT, but its still bad publicity. Disney had to make a "kiddie version" of mission: space because of all the bad publicity. can't really do that with a coaster. :)

If the wind bothers your eyes, wear sunglasses (with a strap, of course). I wear prescription glasses, so this has not really been an issue for me.

MrScott

I always wear sunglasses from the moment I step out of my house to do anything, and CP is no exception (with the strap). The only time I take them off is for MF and TTD front seat. Every time on Millie, I get little tear streaks going straight back from my eyes, it's really cool. Top Thrill just because I like the feeling of wind.

As far as contacts go, I've had one slip under my eyelid on Wicked Twister once (I know, mild ride right) and a friend of mine lost one on Top Thrill. It doesn't seem to be as much of a problem as I would've thought it would be, seeing as almost all of my friends wear contacts (myself included) and we've never had serious problems. *** Edited 6/30/2006 6:11:54 PM UTC by GeeForce***

I picked up a strap a couple trips ago, and it goes to every amusement park I go to. I put my sunglasses on when I leave for the park, and they stay on until I leave (even after dark). They were especially helpful in May when it rained all weekend. I can't imagine having tried to ride without them in that rain. I know my sister had her hands in front of her face for our entire ride on Millie, and she still got pelted pretty good.

Juggga,

I love your avatar! World Series, baby!

MrScott

I like Comerica Park, but I think the Red Sox are going to win it. The last time the Tigers won was in 1984. I never thought the Tigers could be doing as good as they are if you looked at them a couple of years ago.
*** Edited 6/30/2006 6:48:11 PM UTC by redsox5***
*** Edited 6/30/2006 6:50:16 PM UTC by redsox5***

Yankee fan here...... White Sox will win it all and the Red Sox will fall off the map after the All Star Break.

Come on redsox5 we all know Toronto will take the AL East. ;)

Your sig should read - 48-28. 4.5 games OUT OF 1st. You're still behind the best team in baseball. Heck you're not even the second team in the American (that belongs to the real Sox).

Sox are 1st in the AL East. CPeva I think those Devil Rays look pretty good too.;)

Wow. Three good months and the team in Michigan has delusions of a dynasty. I didn't know the Tigers had any fans until a few weeks ago. :)

*** Edited 6/30/2006 6:59:04 PM UTC by Walt***