Pull Through

I know that they are starting the pull through within the next few weeks as stated on the new On Point blog, but I don't see why it takes weeks for a pull through. How do they do a pull through? I mean I know they use a crane but wouldn't gravity go against the crane and just push the car through the track? And does anybody know where I can find a video of a pull through?

Well, if they do get a chance to feature the pull through in a new PointCast as they mentioned, I think you'll be able to find a video there... :) Granted, that could still be a while yet.

*** Edited 1/14/2007 10:35:37 PM UTC by DBCP***

They don't just take the train to the top of the hill and let go. The point of the pull-through is to see if it hits anything along the course. So, having it go slow is key. Otherwise, something is going to break if there's not enough clearance.

I'm guessing that's also why it takes so long. They have to work amongst all the supports and everything with the crane.

The pull through is done slowly to find any low clearance issues and track joints that have to be smoothed out. It's a lot more complicated than just dropping a train and hope it comes back.

Although, that would be fun too... ;)

That is going to be a mess getting the train through the tunnel under the station.

Mabie use a sort of pully system?

Do they use a full train or just one car? I think I remember a picture of MF's pull through and I believe it was only one car. But I could be wrong.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's just one car. It'd be a lot more difficult to do with an entire train.

I wonder why they are doing the pull through without all the theming in place....some of it looked really close to the ride in the animation. Hopefully they don't screw up like that did with MF LOL!

Maybe they're planning a second pass, after the theming is finished?

Oh man that tunnel IS going to be a mess. Do they use more than 1 crane for the pull through? I wanna say yes because the train would wanna go on it's own

^It will be just like every other complex area, like Mean Streak. It won't be a problem.

In fact, I'd bet it'd be one of the easiest areas to do. Its (mostly) level. Just run the cable from the crane from one end to the other, and lower the boom so that its down by the exit of the tunnel and pull it through.

Not really. They can tie the train to the track, move the crane and attach to the train again.

The tunnel won't be difficult since the grade is low and the forces are small. A single pulley tied to the track or a support would likely be needed to point the cable in the correct direction if using a crane there. They have a pretty long cable so they can get a good distance per shot.

The problem will be the curves, but these aren't too difficult. They either have to reposition more often or use several pulleys. If they do the later, they will have to add or remove a pulley periodically then move on.

I can imagine the inversions being difficult as well. Not so much the heartline, but rather the corkscrews on the horseshoe roll.

Then again maybe not.....I dont know, I've never done a pull through.:)

I can see them passing over a few areas where there is no obvious clearance issue, but I just dont see why they are doing this before all the theming is in.

Jack Bauer for President.

For the tunnel at least, It would be easier to fix any clearance issues before finishing it. Otherwise they would have to come back in after the work is complete.

Wouldn't they use the same thing they used on TTD and Kinda Ka. It was a template made of wood with pieces sticking out to simulate hands. On those two coasters atleast they used that template with a rope attached to it. I know to test KK the started the template at the top and slowly lowered it down one side at a time, checking for clearence all the way. No real cars were actually used.

Millennium's pull through had "hands" too.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1172

^^Maybe they didnt want to haul a car that high.

*** Edited 1/15/2007 5:32:01 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***