Hopefull Kinzel is eyeing Texas giant makeover for Meanstreak

The point was simply that compared to the original cost (in today's dollars), a "rehab" that closely matches or exceeds said original cost seems ridiculous, in terms of ROI.

JuggaLotus said:
clevelander - So how does changing the track from wood to steel make it so the structure can handle untrimmed trains? In theory, steel would allow the train to run even faster which would put even more stress on the structure.

In my opinion Meanstreaks structure is being rattled to death with the rough track and the shuffling train. I think a faster smoother track and new lighter train would be much better on the structure. We shall wait and see when the new Texas Giant opens. Like I said I was skeptical at first but have changed my mind. Now I am just waiting for the outcome to see if my predictions will come true.

You gotta admit the retrack has one thing going for it - it has created a buzz even on a rival park's fan blog.

I wonder if the train wheels will be steel or replaced with those similar to traditional steel coasters using polyurethane.

I'm guessing Six Flags execs were able to take a test ride on a coaster the retrack company built to validate the design. Must have wowed them.

They should just knock it down instead...

I agree, for a $10 million rehab, I would have a large bonfire instead and build a new woodie for probably less than $10 million. Heck, you could probably fit two coasters in Mean Streak's footprint.

Rapids 77-78 said:
I wonder if the train wheels will be steel or replaced with those similar to traditional steel coasters using polyurethane.

Six Flags released pictures of the trains and the wheels are polyurethane. Two road wheels and two guide wheels plus upstop in a configuration that looks very much like an Arrow looping train such as Corkscrew's trains.

I don't think it looks anything like an arrow train, but it does look cool though......

http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/rides/TexasGiant.aspx?ref=nf

I think Pete was referring only to the wheel assembly.

Which if you compare to Corkscrew I can see where the comparison would be made.

The only thing I want them to keep about the mean streak is the logo.
Next to the dragster logo it's in my opinion the coolest coaster logo in the park

Sorry, PikaJane, but we all know Dispatch Master Transport is the best designed logo out there!

But either way, I don't see this change coming to MS. And after watching the video in the above link, I'm not sure that's such a bad thing.

What I noticed Sunday when driving around the peninsula is that the second hill is lacking rails right now. It looks like the ledgers, cross ties and gauge ties are there, but the rest of the track stack is pretty much gone.

I got to thinking about it, and what we keep hearing about that hill (which has never worked right) is that they have trouble maintaining the track gauge through the curve. It occurs to me that if the ride ran properly that would be one place where where the track gauge doesn't need to be particularly accurate. Ride forces should be forcing the train out to the outside rail, and the inside rail should only be there to give the road wheels something to ride on. I hope the result of the current work is to make that hill faster, and/or to reduce the banking enough to keep the whole train stuck to the outside of the curve. That should solve any gauging issues by making them irrelevant.

Just my opinion of course. I'm neither an engineer nor a mechanic nor a carpenter.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Valleyfair Enthusiast said:
Sorry, PikaJane, but we all know Dispatch Master Transport is the best designed logo out there!

OH SNAP you're totally right! How could I forget?
If only I had a pin with that logo on it... (I am a CP pin fiend)

It looks as if mean streak is just getting a retrack in some spots. When we were there on sunday, the track was missing from the first turn after the first drop and they have already replaced a lot of wood in that section. I think we can rule out a texas giant rehab anytime soon. There were a lot of stacks of wood next to R&D.

I think they have an outside company doing the job.

There was also a large american flag at the top of the first turnaround, and the coaster trains were stacked next to the ride. A front loader was taking the cars away.

If there was an American flag posted up there, it sounds like they don't have The Canadians® doing the work, and we all know they're the industry magic makers. See: Blue Streak.

My only concern about an expensive, complete retracking of Mean Streak is that without new trains, the current ones are going to tear up the track and the ride will be right back where we started in only a couple seasons. Here's to hoping for some Timberliners, although I'm not holding my breath...

MS would most likely see a bulldozer rather than a steel track overhaul.

I asked about the flag at the Ops office. Apparently there was previously a plain red flag up there so that the crane operator could see which way the wind is blowing, and the American flag replaced it late in the week to give the project a patriotic flair. Apart from the obvious I'm not sure there is any real significance to it.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.