Sink??

Arrow coasters, with the exception of Magnum, don't scale well to large sizes. I think they're all poorly engineered. I've seen POV of Viper at SFMM and Drachenfire and I'm astounded at the number of trim brakes.

Arrow's only real success, in my opinion has been with:
Mine Trains. Can't really screw them up. I lump Gemini in this category (though the second hill was certainly too tall).
Magnum. What else do you need to know?
Later suspended coasters. Top Gun and those others that people rave about (but NOT Draggin' Iron).

I'll give a little bit of credit to SFDL's Viper, but no credit to any of the other loopers I've been on. PKI's Vortex in particular has really not aged well.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point

The problem with Drachen Fire was roughness. Imagine a Mean Streak-like ride with loops and OTSRs. It's currently in the "standing but not operating" category.

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Dave McWilliams
Who's thinking of moving to Florida for the off-season. *** This post was edit by DavidM on 11/30/99. ***

Oh yeah I remember a picture of it in old geometry book. I don't really know why it was in there.

Arrow also built the horridly interminably painful Shock Wave at SFGAm. What a sucky ride THAT is!!! seven loops of differnt forms, one after the other, nothing else. i've seen people pass out, come off puking, or even BLEEDING from the ears!!! rode it again this summer at the behest of a friend and immediately remembered WHY i don't ride it anymore....Arrow needs to rethink the "multi-looper" they love so much and stick to more Magnum like things. although, they DID build the DEMON at SFGAm and i LOVE that ride, even after 23 years.

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"I think I scrambled my brain!!"

Ahhh...its good to see the Viper at SFDL getting some credit. It has aged a bit, but is still much smoother than most Arrow loopers.

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Favorite Steel: Superman: Ride of Steel & Mantis
Favorite Wood: The Beast

Before I really endorse Viper at SFDL, I should mention it had all new wheels when I last rode it (closing day).

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point

Drachenfire is still there, just waiting for a buyer, the only flaw it had, was it was too intense for some people in certain ways, leading to the coaster not being rode much. Some people got sick on it from the way it flips you around, and others got headaches, and neckaches. It is a beautiful coaster and a shame it is not running! It had some real original layout it in, like the top loop, man is that thing short, and quick! It really made you loose the sense of "where am I at", and that made people really sick for the "whipping" feeling
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Likes her coasters like her men, fast and furious!

OH servo, demon is a great coaster, have you rode the Ragging Bull yet?? I did like the shock wave though! Unless it got harder to ride recently, was not there last year!
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Likes her coasters like her men, fast and furious!

Kennywood makes riders remove all ear jewelry before boarding Steel Phantom, another Arrow head-banger. If you follow the park's advice and keep your head plastered against the headrest it's guaranteed to hurt.

I'd be very curious to know how Steel Phantom's ride (which is rather unpleasant) would compare to Drachen Fire's (which I never rode). Kennywood has a real problem with SP because people are voting with their feet just as they did with Drachen Fire. On a busy day this past summer it was a virtual walk-on. Even Mean Streak doesn't have that problem.

BTW guys, aren't you glad Jeff didn't close this thread now? :)
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Dave McWilliams
Who's thinking of moving to Florida for the off-season.

SFDL's Vipor is a great coaster. Anyone ever ride Dragon mountain at Marineland in Niagara Falls? That's a great looper too...a long ride, lots of tunnels.

I hate to rip Arrow, but I'm glad a lot of you agree that their loopers need help. SKMM's Vipor looks really painful...brakes all over the place for such a huge coaster.

I agree Jeff on your suspended coaster take. One that has to be mentioned however is The Big Bad Wolf at BGW...that's about as good as a suspended coaster gets. Arrow did their homework on that one. The Ninja at SFMM is pretty good too. I dont' know why Arrow designed Draggin' Iron so small...although the kids like it and those that are afraid of really big coasters.

Well, since we're completely off-topic now...

A good suspended coaster relies on the terrain, which is something CP doesn't have. Top Gun at PKI is built in a bit of a "valley," and will also soon swing past SOB. That combined with a real first drop, smooth, bolted-together track and constant changes in direction make it a great ride. Dan and I rode that thing at least five or six times when we went down.

Iron Dragon feels a little faster with the trees close to the ride, but doesn't really get fast and out of control until after the second lift.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point

I've ridden Drachen Fire and I didn't think it was very rough at all. Steel Phantom is harder to ride comfortably then Drachen Fire ever was. Matter of fact, I consider Drachen Fire to be the best of Arrow's multi-loopers. The trains are very nice also. It's too bad Busch had a change of heart about this ride and is selling it. I thought it was a very good ride!

"Well, since we're completely off-topic now..." But Jeff, just think of how short this thread would have been if we stayed ON topic. :)

The above comparison between Drachen Fire and Steel Phanton doesn't surprise me. I really can't imagine anything more rough than the Phantom. Busch evidently likes their coasters just like their beer: watered down.

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Dave McWilliams
Who's thinking of moving to Florida for the off-season.

yes, tohot2se, i have ridden Raging Bull many times this year and it is a good way to fix a craving for Magnum what with the 200 foot drop and all...and yes, Shock Wave did get harder to ride this year. it was a literal walk on for us.

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"I think I scrambled my brain!!"

what about that coaster in Australia?

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AKA: bodyin thewaterball fountain.

Paddlewheel Excursions: 12
Jokes on PE: 120