Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

Is it at all likely they would sell the track back to Intamin, or someone else? I'm assuming it would be cheaper for them to use the already fabricated track if they had some other project that could use it, but with the costs of transport, refurbishment, etc. It may not be.

This is my first post, hello everyone!! Long-time Point-fanatic, Passholder, Amusement and Coaster enthusiast here.

*First Coaster: Corkscrew @ Geauga Lake.

*First Cedar Point visit: 1988

*First Stay at Cedar Point: 1991 Sandcastle Suites

I had to chime in, as I've followed these forums frequently time to time. Personally, I don't put too much stock in Cedar Fair reusing 20-year old track on one of their Flagship attractions, at their Flagship Park. I can't see any of this INTAMIN Coaster being reused or re-modified at Our Beloved Park. And honestly, this whole process sounds like an engineering nightmare and liability, especially after the accident.

Yes, steel is steel, but not all steel has taken the abuse of 120 mph hydraulic launches and Northeast Ohio Winters for nearly 2 decades. Any roller coaster at this point of their lifespan can possibly be candidates for re-tracking (ex: HULK @ Universal) or removal. Looking at the potential and probability of an additional 10-20 years of operation going forward, I have to think that a Company like Cedar Fair will treat this investment in a more serious manner. Just my opinion.

How necessary are shipping containers if the track is being shipped somewhere within the States to be re-profiled and re-fabricated to fit LSMs? Why isn't all brand new track fabricated within the states shipped in containers if it's a significant financial advantage in doing so? Is a conversion and re-utilization of 20-year old engineering really the best option, and most cost-effective remedy to make the conversion to an alternative launching system of this magnitude? Is it necessary to remove/replace the Launch Supports as well? With such a large crane still on site, what's it's next use? How soon will construction begin if they're just now retrieving the track to be modified?

Top Thrill Dragster "as we know it" is retired? The ride is being carefully loaded into shipping containers, supports and all... With the 2nd era of the coaster wars coming, do we think Cedar Point will tame an attraction like TTD by removing what made it famous (Hydraulic Launch) with a lesser LSM Launch? At what point, is it easier, better from a marketing standpoint, and much more logical to just start over from scratch? Regardless of which outcome happens, I cannot wait see it all unfold?

Exactly. So many how, ifs, why, whats.

welcome aboard, CaptCruzeBlueStrain83!

Your argument is that they are meticulously removing the ride piece by piece, stacking and storing it nicely and loading onto shipping containers because they are going to remove the ride completely and start from scratch? Seems like a waste of time and money in that case.

I believe that it has been sold, and we're seeing the first parts of it being shipped out.

I have to admin that is a take I have not seen before

I would guess that the straight track is still in pretty good condition overall.

As a rule of thumb, the relative amount of wear on a highway by vehicle weight is (weight_1 / weight_2) ^ 4. The highest g-force on the ride is in the transition to / from vertical. I think its about 4 gs, so I'll use that in my estimate. Assuming the estimate for the wear of a roller coaster train on steel track is similar to cars and trucks on the highway, we get (4 / 1) ^ 4 = 256. Thus, the train will put 256 times the wear on the high g-force section than the straight section for each train launch.

Mr. Og, when I read your post I had not so fond memories of my high school math teacher saying "Jim, please go to the chalkboard and complete the equation." Now I have a headache!

I don't know what the expected service life of these rides are, but we saw Universal replace a B&M after two decades of year-round use. Anyone who has been on Kumba probably thinks it's overdue for replacement. So with that in mind, 18 seasons (less given the downtime) is a lot of use. If they're reusing track, I imagine there's a fair amount of non-destructive testing that will go along with it. I also theorized before that you would need to add some diagonal bracing in the box if you're doing LSM's.

Im no expert but...

-The majority of the coaters track has been removed. Its way longer on the ground than it is in the sky. Thats ALOT of track.

-Maybe they do, but it doesnt make sense for coaster companies to ship track overseas. Trains? Sure. But track? Im pretty sure companies like intamin contract trusted fabricators in the country theyre building. Shipping 1800ft of stainless steel track is way more than just a handful of shipping containers. If the track is in fact going over seas, imo its either for sale, for testing, or some other one off reason and likely wont be seen again.

-The fact that the "Christmas Tree" lights remain doesnt mean the theme is staying. They tore out all the Dragster signage and gutted the station completely. It could come down later or "re-imagined" for another theme.

-I just realized. Cedar Point used the same word their sister park out West did in regards to "re-imagining" Montezoomas revenge. Montezoomas revenge is getting both a randomized LSM launch that can go either way, and some kayout changes in addition to a new name and theming.

Can we look to that as a clue?

Im not going to lie.. Ive been romanticizing the idea of reversing the direction of the train and going uo the spiral instead... That would lend itself well to a new space theme.

Stainless steel?

CaptCruzeBlueStrain83:

With such a large crane still on site, what's it's next use?

Reports from the park this weekend were that the crane is no longer on site.

With the 2nd era of the coaster wars coming...

A second era of the coaster wars is news to me. If true, I sure as hell hope CP does not participate.

...do we think Cedar Point will tame an attraction like TTD by removing what made it famous (Hydraulic Launch) with a lesser LSM Launch?

If by "lesser" you mean more efficient and reliable, then yes.

Randomized TTD launch as in sometimes it makes it to the top, sometimes it doesn't. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

CaptCruzeBlueStrain83:

I believe that it has been sold, and we're seeing the first parts of it being shipped out.

I am assuming you mean to another park, since being sold for scrap would not require the careful disassembly we've seen. That assumption makes me wonder what the market would be for an almost 20 year old, traditionally unreliable coaster with a huge liability factor without an additional upgrade investment? I can't imagine any buyers jumping at that opportunity.

Wonder if the huge hydraulic motor & tanks are still in the launch building. Removing them would be an easy change to hide. Was the motor itself part of the reliability issues? Assuming they're not selling the entire ride whole, is it versatile enough to be repurposed?

The hydraulic launch system tends to be temperature sensitive, which they found out after a few weeks. They had to severely increase the amount of cooling in the motor room, as it tended to go down by early afternoon on hot days. There was no where near the problem with the launch system at Knotts, but then it usually doesn't get that hot that often in Buena Park.

I would think the motor itself is a pretty custom built thing for this application though the parts and lines would probably be somewhat interchangeable with other uses if they wanted to go that route

I couldn't agree more, DJ. Not only do I wish no part of a potential 2nd coaster wars era, but I too believe it's not in the best interest of the Park, or Company to be involved in a gimmicky trend. I only mention a 2nd era because of the amount of noise in the Industry right now. I guess I just feel personally that they (Cedar Fair) will not reuse any of what is being shipped out. Recently Cedar Fair has shown no mercy in removing and cutting tie with their prized Intamin attractions. After 19 years of service, I would prefer see the park move on from the 420' structure all together, use this opportunity for Park or Resort expansion? But, I also like the idea of a more reliable LSM Launch as well?

The “coaster wars” might be over, but most parks still love (CP included as of 2018) to advertise with the same record breaking catch phrases.

I disagree. Coaster wars were not a gimmick it made Cedar Point the leader in the amusement park world. Everyone was chasing Cedar Point to be the best and have the best. I do agree however they need more resorts and good food but don’t lose site of your roots. But there is also something to be said about good old junk fair style food when going to an amusement park. I don’t go for a gourmet meal I go for the thrills and food that’s terrible for you.

Us? Who decided they were the world leader, and even if they were, how did this affect Magic Mountain?