More Feb. 23 construction

Is it just me or does the last section of the tunnel's exterior look different? Is it possible that they're putting some kind of themed paneling on them.

Where are you seeing the last section of tunnel? In the update or on the webcam? In the update, it looks like the last section isn't done, so you just see the framework (right side of the photo). On the webcam, what you're seeing is the inside of the lake side of the tunnel. Again, its the framework you can see there. I bet they just put trim over the vertical sections of the tunnel and call it a day.

Laziness...when will it end.

I'm looking here:
http://maverick.cedarpoint.com/_upload/gallery/mvt140.jpg

If you're referring to the very end....it looks like they just haven't added the siding to that section yet.

I kind of see that now. Still a nice though though.

My dad is currently working in the park this week putting up fencing so I drove over today and was looking at the trains in the soak city lot, and all of the seat belts definitely had a yellow mark stitched across them. At least every belt on all 3 trains in the parking lot. I know this was discussed earlier as to what it was.

Here's a solution to the problem with the supports and the siding. Why not just create a kind of cap on the inside to go around the opening? That way they wont have to worry about such things like what Tim mentioned (good point by the way Tim) and it would get rid of any light that would pierce through.
Also, what if they did something to the metal frame still showing to make it look more like an old tunnel? Perhaps something along the lines of what Dollywood is doing with Mystery Mine.
http://www.rcdb.com/ig3609.htm?picture=12

*** Edited 3/14/2007 6:49:44 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

I think what you're seeing on Mystery mine is just furring. They'll add on top of that another material. I'm sure CP is putting something over the vertical supports of the tunnel, but that doesn't do anything about the ugly metal siding.

I would've put rubber boots around all the column penetrations of the tunnel. That would keep water and sunlight out, plus allow for expansion. Or, better yet, I would've designed the lift supports to not penetrate the tunnel at all. :)

Rather, you'd have designed the tunnel to not be penetrated by the supports. :)

Is it possible for them to make the tunnel siding look rusty, as if it had been there for awhile? I've seen that look used before in old western towns. And before any smartalec posts: yeah, it can look rusty after a lot of time, just don't post at all.

Same way you make any other rust, expose iron to oxygen.

I understand that process, but I know that theres a way to make it appear rusted...I think this would look better than a brand new shiny tunnel in an "old west" theme.

Scratch it up, spray it with water and let the oxygen and iron do their job. That's really the easiest way to do it. It might take it a couple months to look really good, but the scratching should help expedite the rust creation. Of course, after a while the rust will have eaten through the wall. So this might not be the best way to do it.

I guess the other way would be to use a rust colored paint.

Or perhaps they'll just plant some trees there.

I choose painting it and using less destructive ways of the rust look. If they really rust it, soon after it will become corrosive and holes will appear and then it will become a health hazard. Then it all depends on the material they used for the tunnel as to which way it will rust.

djDaemon said:
Rather, you'd have designed the tunnel to not be penetrated by the supports. :)

Well, the tunnel is usually a set size for clearance around the track. So, that means the supports would be able to be moved to go around the tunnel. But, it could be done either way I guess.

As far as "weathering" the siding, that's totally possible. I don't think forcing it to corrode would be a good idea though. When you theme things, you should always "add" weathering to something, not take it away. Then you just have a maintenance nightmare. If you look at anything Disney has done, they add paint and other materials to make things look rusted. Just check out the A/C ducts on Big Thunder Mountain.

:D Tim...you just said the same thing i did but 13 seconds too late.

Back in the nineties, and I believe still sometimes used today, there was an alloy that was introduced in small bridge trusses that was intentionally designed to rust very quickly (within weeks or months). The surface rust was so pervasive, it actually sealed in the underlying layers and prevented further damage. People always complained when this type of installation was done, not understanding that it was actually the intended goal. I don't have any more information, because I was never involved. But my father (a chemist with many patents) has often talked about this. So if they wanted a quick rusting effect that wouldn't be structurally damaging, it's available. I'm assuming there are a number of other methods to achieve the same effect. Upshot: we don't have to worry.

^ That prosess is also used for bolts on underground piping.