Mean Streak, next to go??

That is actually precisely why I am not so "impressed" by these RMC conversions. They change the structure and ride so much that the ride barely resembles what was there before. If they could manage to keep the aesthetics in place, absolutely, but they don't.

None of the RMC designs even have the classic handrails along the track, so they appear even more like steel rides.

With any luck, the Coaster Gods will see this thread, and get rid of this giant pile of termite feed.

I'm still not sure how anyone can call an RMC iron horse conversion a wood coaster. Without a doubt engineers could come up with a way to support any B&M with a wood superstructure supporting steel beams to hold certain track sections. Would gatekeeper then be considered a wooden coaster?

I know the cost of such an undertaking would be prohibitive and pointless but nonetheless, it could be done.

CP Maverick said:

That is actually precisely why I am not so "impressed" by these RMC conversions. They change the structure and ride so much that the ride barely resembles what was there before. If they could manage to keep the aesthetics in place, absolutely, but they don't.

None of the RMC designs even have the classic handrails along the track, so they appear even more like steel rides.

To be quite honest, I could care less what it looks like, you're not impressed because what it looks like?? Maverick doesn't look that amazing and look how amazing a ride that is. Have you been on a RMC convert? Wicked Cyclone kicks ass and I never once thought, this rides gonna suck now cause its not like a true wooden coaster with walkways next to the track and etc

JUnderhill said:
I'm still not sure how anyone can call an RMC iron horse conversion a wood coaster. Without a doubt engineers could come up with a way to support any B&M with a wood superstructure supporting steel beams to hold certain track sections. Would gatekeeper then be considered a wooden coaster?

I know the cost of such an undertaking would be prohibitive and pointless but nonetheless, it could be done.

Nobody does. They are hybrid coasters.

Well, there are indeed some out there who still consider them wood coasters so saying no one does wouldn't be entirely correct.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of wood coasters although I do think the wooden structures look awesome. With the conversion you get the look of a wood coaster with the ride of a steel one so personally I like the idea of it. At the same time I can understand those who enjoy riding wooden coasters to feel differently. It will be interesting to see what the park decides to do with it in the future.

I am pretty sure you are confusing topper track(Outlaw Run, Goliath, Lightning Rod) with Iron Horse track(Wicked Cyclone, NTG, Iron Rattler). I consider topper track to still be a wooden coaster. Iron Horse is all steel. Topper track is the one that is debated.

Perhaps that is indeed the descrepancy then. But doesn't the topper track still have inversions and use a ton of steel support beams and bracing to accomplish that? If so, in my opinion it shouldn't be considered a woode coaster any longer.

I guess the bottom line though is I'd ride any of them and if they are a good ride I wouldn't care if it is classified as wood, steel, or widgets... That is unless it happened to be in the offseason with not much else going on, in that case I'd complain about it.

Well even old wood coasters have layers or wood with a strip of steel on top. With topper track that strip of steel is thicker. As long as there is wood in the tracks I consider it wood. All is really comes down to is the thickness of steel on top of the layers of wood. The Voyage has steel supports but I would fully consider it to be a wood coaster. But as you said a good ride is a good ride. All I really care about is that I have fun.

Shane Denmark said:

I would think there is some sort of savings in reusing the station, lift hill structure, and whatever other remnants they could "recycle"...

Although some money is saved on materials, the savings is offset by increases in engineering, design, surveying, and construction costs.

CoasterCam said:
Well even old wood coasters have layers or wood with a strip of steel on top. With topper track that strip of steel is thicker. As long as there is wood in the tracks I consider it wood. All is really comes down to is the thickness of steel on top of the layers of wood. The Voyage has steel supports but I would fully consider it to be a wood coaster. But as you said a good ride is a good ride. All I really care about is that I have fun.

If they used steel wheels, I might consider them wooden. If they used urethane or nylon wheels they are, at best, hybrids.

I don't think wheels matter but to each his own.

Wheels increase friction and slow the ride. The Beast would be a totally different ride without steel wheels.

Would still be a wood coaster in my book regardless of ride experience. Speed doesn't change the type of ride. If you put steel weels on Millennium would you consider it a wood coaster?

So, that went flying over your head...

I understand what you meant. I just don't see how wheels have anything to do with being a wood coaster or not just because they would change the speed. It comes down to track IMO. Agree to disagree.

In that case, where do you draw the line? How wooden is Gemini? How wooden is Iron Rattler? How wooden is Outlaw Run?

For me, wooden is laminated wood track with steel plates and steel wheels the have a little bit of space.

Steel is steel track with nylon/urethane wheels and no gaps.

Hybrid would be something between those.

I believe rides with topper track use steel wheels, the trains are not modified at all. Only the I-beam tracks use new trains with urethane wheels.

CP Maverick said:
In that case, where do you draw the line? How wooden is Gemini? How wooden is Iron Rattler? How wooden is Outlaw Run?

I would categorize Gemini and IR as both hybrids since they both have all steel track. But I would consider Outlaw Run a woodie because it has wood in its tracks.

I think a topper track may have to lead to a redesign a few areas of the ride. Head clearance in the crossover points inside the ride may have some low bridges for tall people.