Magnum Retracking

I don't really think of suggestions for sitting in particular seats to get a desired ride to be that big of a deal on any coaster that allows you to pick your seat. No matter what ride it is how new or awesome or old it is your experience changes from seat to seat and knowing where the optimal place is to get the experience you want shouldn't be that big of a deal since as enthusiasts we tend to ride things over and over anyway. Just sitting in the front compared to the back of any coaster changes your experience and that's nothing that tracking or new trains can change. It's just physics. If you don't like Magnum as rough sit in the middle of the car. If you're up for a bit more adventure don't pay any attention to where you sit. Not every coaster needs to be smooth. Some of us actually enjoy a wild ride.

RideMan said:

Magnum isn't the only old Arrow coaster to get this kind of maintenance. Shortly after Cedar Fair took over, track rail sections were spotted under the Vortex at Kings Island.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

KI's Vortex. Now there's an Arrow that truly is brutal.

^Ride in 7-1, it's really not that bad and I'll even admit Magnum & Corkscrew are at the same level of roughness.

MDOmnis said:

I've been riding Magnum only since '98 so I didn't get to ride it when it was brand new, but to be honest, I don't think the roughness has increased much, if at all, in the last 18 years since I started riding it. The perception of roughness to some people who have grown up riding more Intamins and B&Ms is probably just different than it is for us old folk. :)

I've been riding Magnum since opening day in 1989 and the so called roughness has not increased. It might change a little with the condition of the wheels on the train but the track smoothness is about the same. I think like Matt said, it is the perception of people used to riding Intamins and B&Ms and personally I find Magnum more exciting and fun than the smoother rides. For me, comparing Magnum to MF, it's no contest. Magnum wins by far.

Magnum is a great ride as is. Been my favorite for years. I would like to see the fog and lights in the tunnels return though.

RideMan said:

Magnum has been at least partially retracked more than once. Ever notice that the spine of the track is larger on the turnaround knot than on he rest of the ride? That's because circa 1996 the entire turnaround was replaced and slightly reprofiled. The transitions into and out of the new track were so bad that mid season (the day after CoasterMania, in fact) the ride went down for a week or so to replace the transition pieces leading into and out of the replaced turnaround.

More recently, entire track sections were not changed out, but the rails have been replaced. If you dig deep enough on PointBuzz I think you can find an off season photo of Magnum's first drop with one or both of the rails missing.

Magnum isn't the only old Arrow coaster to get this kind of maintenance. Shortly after Cedar Fair took over, track rail sections were spotted under the Vortex at Kings Island.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Dave, I'm almost positive it was 1994 that the pretzel was entirely replaced. I remember it since it was same year Raptor opened.

I know in the couple years before it was repainted, rails on bottom of first drop were replaced and also in pretzel.

I think the only times a rough ride is given, it is due to bad wheels (which can be quite often).

For those thinking it's a rough ride, take your happy butt to an Intamin or B&M and leave Magnum for those of us that love it as the way it is!

Well, re-track the entire thing! Hasn't been right since day one.. Here's the thing.. I love Magnum. For what it is and what it encouraged within the industry. Love it love it love it. But the aging vagina within myself, and the everyday pursuit of root causes, process improvements, and better experiences.. Magnum, like anything else, can be improved.

I rode magnum twice last night to the delight of me. I was one of just a few people on it at the time. I enjoyed every second of it. No need to retrack it in my opinion. The turnaround is a bit rough but that's the only point I ever notice it being rough along the entire route. I have always enjoyed the ride.

Augustmueller said:

Well, re-track the entire thing! Hasn't been right since day one.. Here's the thing.. I love Magnum. For what it is and what it encouraged within the industry. Love it love it love it. But the aging vagina within myself, and the everyday pursuit of root causes, process improvements, and better experiences.. Magnum, like anything else, can be improved.

What?

Jordan_Vanichek said:

Don't touch Magnum!

I agree,

Maggie is such a sentimental favorite...as Jordan said "Don't touch Magnum!"

While Magnum is still one of my favorite coasters at CP, I rode Steel Force a week ago and have to say that those trains kill the Magnum trains. The lap bar comes down to about an inch above my lap. Magnum lap bars and seatbelt buckle position suck.

I will say this. Many here believe we should make changes to the Beast down at KI, however aren't open to interpretation on our classic rides it seems. I'm not saying it needs modification currently. I could however unfortunately see new trains being something to look into. I love the classic train look and knowing those are that ride's trains. However, that area seems like it could help the park out alot. Think, maybe hydraulic lap bars, better cushioning, better seat setup. As long as it doesn't hinder the ride for what it's popularly known for (airtime) then I'm fine with whatever modifications it would need. That said I don't think the track is a problem at all. It is rough, but it's supposed to throw you against the bar/belt. This isn't a B&M where you float and go through. If you didn't have that belt & bar, you're going out.

thedevariouseffect said:

I will say this. Many here believe we should make changes to the Beast down at KI, however aren't open to interpretation on our classic rides it seems.

Who here is both for modifying The Beast and against modifying Magnum?

I mean there's discussion that you actually participated in regarding modifying the Beast here.

I'm against it, but if they make it I'm open. But so many above are saying don't touch Magnum, which is kinda like the whole rhetoric of Kings Island fans saying don't touch Beast, which is shown here

You were implying that the same people in favor of modifying The Beast are against modifying Magnum. That's a pretty bold claim, and one that doesn't ring true as far as I can tell.

And I never suggested modifying The Beast. I just pointed out that the ride isn't very good.

If they made any major changes to The Beast, I would riot.

Thabto, I agree. I had never been to KI before, we went in June this year. We did early entry, there was not many people in the park and The Beast was open. My son and I rode it twice. I had no idea of the layout or length of ride. My son, who is too "cool" to show emotions often, thought it was outstanding, as did I. It is a great ride as is.

Magnum is good as is, don't mess right now. Almost every time we walk past Corkscrew and come upon Magnum I glance to check the line. If people are climbing the stairs with no wait, we ride. That is most of our visits. Magnum is the next "big" coaster I will try my 10 year old on, he says he wants to.

I find the Beast to be boring. Cut 3/4 of it away and it'd actually be pretty spectacular.

Tunnels, flat turns, and flat track does not make a coaster great. It's nostalgic, and impressive for what it WAS. But now..eh..

But like I said, changes are good, bring em on, I haven't been let down since 2012 with what management has done aside from changes to operations. They know what they're doing. Like Allstate, we're in good hands :P

Talk about tunnels, flat track and flat turns, instead of touching Magnum how about modifying MF? OK, so the turns aren't flat but after the second hill it is just not very exciting. The second half of the ride could be so much more but as it is, it just feels kind if like riding a motorcycle down the highway.

MF and TTD were exciting when first opened, but nothing made more of an impact than Magnum back in 1989.