Top Thrill Dragster's trains

I think that OTSR should only be used on coasters that go upside down. Millennium Force is my favourite coaster every, if it were to have OTSR I think it would be much less enjoyable. Going around the curves and leaning to follow the curve is so much fun but not possible with OTSR. My point--> use OTSR only when necessary.

I agree. OTSR's should only be used when necessary.

Let's just hope that the 3 Dragster trains that are in tarps aren't in tarps because they were fitted with the OTSR's during offseason. ;) <-------sarcasm *** Edited 3/26/2005 4:04:27 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***

And just when would shoulder bars be necessary? Why? I can only think of three coasters I have ever ridden on which shoulder bars are a necessity: Superman: Ultimate Flight, Superman: Ultimate Flight, and X-Flight. And I am not so sure about those three.

Knowing that Kingda Ka has the same twist on the downward side as Top Thrill Dragster, and knowing what happens during that twist on Top Thrill Dragster, I think we should consider ourselves fortunate that Cedar Fair went with lap bars on Dragster.

Having ridden Storm Runner, I think people are going to get their heads beaten in on Kingda Ka. That doesn't happen on Dragster.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

TTD 120mph said:
I agree. OTSR's should only be used when necessary.

Let's just hope that the 3 Dragster trains that are in tarps aren't in tarps because they were fitted with the OTSR's during offseason. ;)

I don't like the way you're thinking.

RideMan said:
And just when would shoulder bars be necessary? Why?

I think we should consider ourselves fortunate that Cedar Fair went with lap bars on Dragster.

Having ridden Storm Runner, I think people are going to get their heads beaten in on Kingda Ka. That doesn't happen on Dragster.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

1. They are necessary for coasters that do inversions, is suspended, what you mentioned, etc...

2. I dont think OTSR's were even an issue when they(CP) was considering restraint systems for Dragster because the lab bars were used on Millennium Force and Xcelerator and had worked perfectly for both of the coasters.

3. I too have ridden Storm Runner and agree that the restraints will cause some discomfort to riders on Kingda Ka.

Wrong... OTSR's are not necessary for coasters with inversions (see the Premier launched rides). Not even a little. They aren't even necessary for inverted and suspended rides (see the Setpoint rides).

To elaborate, if you're somehow suspended upside down, where would you rather have your weight supported? Some of the most fragile bones in your body (collarbones), or the strongest (thighbones)?

Properly-designed LAP restaints leave you no room to get out, and are far more comfortable than horsecollars.

Oh, well.....ok.

But you have to admit that it does provide necessary PROTECTION. *** Edited 3/24/2005 3:07:57 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

Ah. TTD 120mph, if your profile is to be believed (and I have no reason to believe that it isn't), then I have been making the argument against shoulder bars longer than you have been alive (Good God you're making me feel old!). :)

Anyway, my friends Jeff and Greg have already hit the high points. The key is that the center of mass for the human body is located quite near the seat cushion. In fact, if you look at the force diagrams in the maXair physics article, the point where all those vectors converge is real close to the rider's center of mass. THAT is the point that you want to secure, because if you can keep that in place, the rest of the body is attached to it, and won't go anywhere. Getting it attached so that it won't fall out is a problem of geometry, and even that is a process that can be a little counter-intuitive.

One of these days I'll write up an essay about it... :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

The "Flyers" seem like they would need OTSRs. Could you imagine climbing the lift hill on a B&M flyer with just a lapbar? Ouch.

TTD 120mph said:
But you have to admit that it does provide necessary PROTECTION.

What protection is that? Certainly not my ears...

Macho Nachos makes an excellent point about SUPPORTING the upper body on flyers (the massive lap restraint on the Vekoma design holds your center of mass, but the vest assists the riders in being comfortable so their upper torsos don't flop around while hanging there), but that's a very special case.

The only thing OTSRs provide is peace of mind. People THINK they are safer therefore they are more apt to ride. Inverts (and probably even standups) don't necessarily "require" OTSRs but with the design of the trains its the only reasonable (unless someone can show me otherwise) restraining system. I can only imagine trying to straddle a lapbar while climbing up into an inverted train.

One of the cars from TTD has it's tarp off in front of TTD. Doesn't look like any OTSR's. So I guess TTD isn't getting them.

http://cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/webcam/camera2.cfm

I think the offseason is getting to some of you. First you freak out about Kingda Ka being taller and faster than TTD, just to learn it's not that big of a deal. Then you have some dumb kid selling a round yellow tubular steel bar claiming it was from WT. Now TTD is getting OTSR, people come on, we only have 6 weeks.

JuggaLotus said:
The only thing OTSRs provide is peace of mind. People THINK they are safer therefore they are more apt to ride. Inverts (and probably even standups) don't necessarily "require" OTSRs but with the design of the trains its the only reasonable (unless someone can show me otherwise) restraining system. I can only imagine trying to straddle a lapbar while climbing up into an inverted train.

EXACTLY
People like to know that they have that kind of safety on a ride like Raptor or Mantis or even maXair. And ok I will admit that although they aren't necessary, there wouldn't be alot of people riding without them. *** Edited 3/24/2005 9:28:42 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***

Gomez said:
Now TTD is getting OTSR, people come on, we only have 6 weeks.

I was just kidding when I typed that. We shouldnt even be arguing about this.

TTD 120mph said:

JuggaLotus said:
The only thing OTSRs provide is peace of mind. People THINK they are safer therefore they are more apt to ride. Inverts (and probably even standups) don't necessarily "require" OTSRs but with the design of the trains its the only reasonable (unless someone can show me otherwise) restraining system. I can only imagine trying to straddle a lapbar while climbing up into an inverted train.

EXACTLY
People like to know that they have that kind of safety on a ride like Raptor or Mantis or even maXair. And ok I will admit that although they aren't necessary, there wouldn't be alot of people riding without them. *** Edited 3/24/2005 9:28:42 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***

Question: Just how would you mount a lapbar on Raptor? How would you not use an OTSR on Mantis?

Is it even possible to do such a thing. I suppose it could be possible, but it sure would look odd.

So has this been confirmed that Top Thrill Dragster is getting OTSR? I really hope Cedar Point doesn't do this that would ruin the experience.

Nothing has been confirmed, someone just thought they it might. This is how rumours get started.