More Feb. 23 construction

That's the same effect of using heavy timber in construction. When it burns, the edges char and then the meat of the beam doesn't burn until much later - sorta like fireproofing for wood.

But, in both instances, the steel or wood have big profiles. I don't think you could do the same thing on the really thin steel siding they've clad the tunnel in.

halltd said:
Well, the tunnel is usually a set size for clearance around the track.

And there's no engineering in the design of the supports?
*** Edited 3/15/2007 12:48:22 PM UTC by djDaemon***

LOL!! Yes, there's engineering in the columns. But, if you have a track and tunnel, and the tunnel has to be a certain width for arm clearance, that's where I'd start. Then, I'd engineer the columns to clear the tunnel. Where did I say the columns had no engineering in them? I just said I'd design them to avoid the tunnel. They did this closer to the station where the track is supported horizontally and then it has vertical supports. I just don't think the way they did it is very clean. And, it introduces issues which could've easily been avoided (like light infiltration, water, expansion, etc...). Maybe they did consider this though, and the cost in building the supports to avoid the tunnel far outweighed those other issues?

It seems to me that Intamin designed the ride and CP's Planning/Development team designed the themeing around the ride.

You hit the nail on the head (or, at least half of the nail) with that last question. It's far more economical and reasonable to engineer a non-structural/non-critical component to fit around one that is structural/critical. What you see there is simply an inexpensive solution.

^You're right, espcially when it comes to theming at CP. Unlike Disney or other "theme" parks, CP puts ride first, theme second.

Yeah, that's where my training comes from. I learned how to build rides the "Imagineering" way. Show always comes first there. Cost comes second.

Dont work for CP's designing department Tim! You'll triple the costs of any ride they ask you to design themeing for.:)

^^ - too bad they don't always think before designing for the show.
Exhibit A

ha ha ha ha ha ha!! Yeah I thought that castle was an abomination. But, the kids seemed to enjoy it. I can't stand the "Epcot hand" or the Sorcerer's hat at the Studios either.

The hand I liked in 2000. I thought it was a great touch to recognize the millennium. But it should have come down in early 2001, and I've been hearing rumors that it is going to come down (not sure how substantial those are though). The hat is an abomination though, I much preferred the view of the Chinese Theater better than the hat.

Next thing you know they'll have a giant Simba sitting in front of the Tree of Life.

What I thought was funny were the number of couples who canceled their wedding plans because of the castle cake. That decision cost Disney a little bit of money, of course, against their bottom line, it probably wasn't more than a blip.

And while we're on birthdays, I'm rather disappointed that there isn't anything planned for EPCOT's 25th. But that's for a different board.

I thought the castle cake was pretty cool, and I still do. I can understand why one wouldn't though.

Does anyone know if they have put the roof over the Tunnel yet?

I believe that most of it has been installed.

The Pond Cam shows no roof on the tunnel.

Really? I need glasses I guess.

You can clearly see the "rafters" for the tunnel, but there's no cladding installed. Its most easily seen on the tunnel exit.

Maybe YOU can cleary see them. ;)

Do you know what a roof looks like? :)

Yes. I also know that a dark, poor-quality image taken from far away makes discerning that level of detail a difficult task. Apparently, however, only for me.

:(
*** Edited 3/19/2007 5:14:32 PM UTC by djDaemon***