Idea on L-TH-B theory

Does everyone agree that the HIGHEST L-TH coaster around is currently at 200' in height? I think that this is the case (Xcelerator). According to RCDB, this ride just opened in June, 2002. I simply do not think that Intamin has designed the one for Area 51 to be DOUBLE that height.

I'm not saying that the technology isn't there yet. It's just that 400' would be a big jump for a launch type coaster that goes over a TH. A lot of the GP would be very intimidated by such a ride. Just look at MF. It STILL has the greatest combination of height+angle of descent. People are going to be very wary of a ride that comes off a 400' peak and dives into a 90 degree angle of descent!

350' (or less), coupled with the 90 degree angle of descent and a few nice finishing elements will put "dragster" into a class by itself without needing to achieve 400'

I will ask once again: Is there anywhere in the World where there is a PURE L-TH-B coaster without any other finishing elements?

No, there isn't. The only things close are Xcelerator and Hypersonic.

By the way, didn't someone notable say around MF's opening that "the only limit to height is what people are willing to ride"?

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"Meh."
Wicked twists: 10
Danger: Hgih Voltage!

Sigma One, Are you implying that Cedar Point will eventually go bigger and higher then our existing 400+ project in the near future. That is baring all laws and regulations, which i happen to think are a load of crap, but thats another topic. I do agree with you about the rapid advance in technology and research capabilities for future rides. I also think that they will once again "Go Higher, and Bigger", but how soon!. Although this is all fun to talk about, but there will come a time when the insane heights and monster speeds will come to an end and be replaced with mere images painted into our brains created by virtual designers to fake or senses. That kind of makes me sad to think about.

You know, there are a lot of great rides that aren't taller than 120 feet. I would like to see a mid-sized CCI-type coaster at the Point.

Size doesn't always matter. (Don't anybody respond rudely to that - even though I left myself open for it.)

Coasterbob, I still think that "Dragster" will be over 400' in height, b/c why build another coaster like this, so quickly, and not get records? But, I guess we'll have to wait and see if it is over 400' or not. Also keep in mind, if it is around 350' in height, that leaves basically an Xcelerator type top hat, with a bigger pull-out, and the fact that the Xcelerator was tested at over 100 MPH, and "Dragster" has a bigger pull-out leads me to believe that it will be well over 400' tall.

-Stephen

Stephen - So far, I have just been giving my own "gut feeling" about the height of this coaster and I appreciate your opinion about it as well. How about the following "evidence" that it won't reach 400':

Print out a picture from the Webcam when the crane arms are pointing nearly straight up (which is how they usually look during the day). Now, most of you have been saying that the four levels of the tower are currently at an overall height of 200'. Take a ruler and see what happens if you scale what is there and then you try to add four more levels. You will quickly see that these cranes can't reach high enough.

BTW - I also happen to think that the estimate of 50' per level of the tower is not correct. I think that it is more like 40'. This brings things down even further with respect to the overall height of the tower. Of course, maybe the uppermost section of the TH will be installed from a helicopter (this IS actually a possibility).

Bottom Line: I would love it if this thing tops 400' but I just don't see it happening. However, if it is going to be 400' high, I think that it would be disappointing (and somewhat dumb) for it to also ONLY be L-TH-B. I would much rather see 350' and then some nice finishing elements (ala Xcelerator).

hehe...calm down...the cranes are only about 350 feet, Yes the pullout is bigger but that doesnt really mean anything...maybe they just want to keep the G's to a minimum, but who knows.

If this coaster wont reach 400 feet, and will only be L-TH-B...it will really be disappointing.

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Guess who's back....back again ;)

Don't worry, it will be over 400 feet...

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June 28th: LocoBazooka Tour (Sevendust headlining)
July 11th: Korn, Puddle of Mudd, and Deadsy

I'm with you CP Bound

I agree with cp bound, and sigma one, that this will reach 400 feet. But, I also agree that these cranes aren't big enough to do it! So, we'll see!!!

Yeah, no need to worry. 400+ is pretty much a given in this equation.
*** This post was edited by Tomaso 10/17/2002 6:32:17 PM ***

CPbound, whoever said that these were the last cranes they were going to use? And to the people who said they would be dissapointed with a 400' + L-TH-B ride I dont understand why, because they don't have to build anything at all, I personnally will not be dissapointed, the speed, the height, and the top hat would all be amazing, plus not to mention a vertical climb and drop, all of which would be new, and exciting things for me personally. Sure I would prefer there to be more elements, but wouldnt everyone else, all I'm saying is that I am not going to be dissapointed with what CP is building.

-Stephen

Note: I am only making the claim that the ride will be over 400', nothing more.

In a different thread I talked about the cost of renting these massive cranes. Why would they bring a crane that could reach 400 feet on site any earlier than they needed to? It would be a waste of money.

Its Only a Few Extentions though....how much more would it cost....i think it costs more to take them apart and put them together than renting a few more extentions...i doubt it would be that much more.

We all know that these cranes are made to go up to 500 some feet. Without heavy lifting, these cranes can go to that hieght, no problem. and the lifting here isnt that heavy.

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- Dennis
*** This post was edited by Big D 10/18/2002 9:28:55 AM ***

Stephen said:
CPbound, whoever said that these were the last cranes they were going to use?

Uh, why are you asking me this question? I said that it would be over 400 ft...

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June 28th: LocoBazooka Tour (Sevendust headlining)
July 11th: Korn, Puddle of Mudd, and Deadsy

I was looking at the overhead picture from Virtual Midway...:

http://www.virtualmidway.com/mystery/mapa.jpg

...and was thinking how this layout will work if this is a L-TH-B coaster. I can see the L-TH-B layout from where the Iron Dragon pretzel is to the current tophat. But then why did they clear so much area across from Power Tower. Then I thoght, well thats where the que line will be, right? But thats a huge area for a que, if you compare the area to PT's que line.
I have really no idea to as why all that clearing took place across from Power Tower?

This is probably way off base but I will throw it out there anyway. Is there a possiblity that the thing enthusiasts won't like would be that it wouldn't be a complete circuit?

Thus, this could be a L-TH-B-REVERSE-L-TH-B. Not that a L-TH-B of this magnitude wouldn't be thrilling but imagine going over that tophat backwards!

I know, it isn't really realistic but man, that would be something.

I think it'll break the records claimed by the Superman ride at Magic Mountain, and solidify it by being full-circuit, actually reaching the 400 foot + height, and being faster. Since the argument that Superman didn't count as a coaster was based in the fact it wasn't full circuit.

Not only is that unrealistic, it sounds rather unappealing. I shudder at the thought of being launched over a 400+ foot tophat, screeching to a halt, then being launched again backwards through the same tophat.

Pain. Whiplash. Not going to happen.
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gravity: down to earth, without the sugar coating.

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deanne said:
Since the argument that Superman didn't count as a coaster was based in the fact it wasn't full circuit.

The basis of that arguement was the fact that it is a reverse freefall tower. The lack of a full circuit had nothing to do with it. Wicked Twister is a coaster that doesn't complete a full circuit, correct?

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gravity: down to earth, without the sugar coating.

www.geocities.com/gravityjmb