Trains

Hey everyone, are the trains for this ride expected to look somewhat similar to MF's Trains? I've never seen a rocket coasters trains. Thanks a lot!

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Formally known as Power Tower Blaster since 1999. Fav ride:POWER TOWER! If u cant find me there, find me at the Lemon Chill Stand!!!!!

You can look here or here.

They will most likely have the same type MF does. the only reason Xcelerators looks any different is the theming. Also look for those big headrests like Xcelerator has.

I could see a similar type of themeing for #16...Or Drag racing cars. Since the Project name is Project 2003/Dragster. Those Seats must be so comfy.

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- Dennis

They will probaly look like MF, but with a 400 footer and over 100mph, the'll probaly be safer.
*** This post was edited by Drew 11/24/2002 12:53:18 PM ***

Drew said:
They will probaly look like MF, but with a 400 footer and over 100mph, the'll probaly be safer.
*** This post was edited by Drew 11/24/2002 12:53:18 PM ***

I'm guessing

There are a few differences from the giga train, and the rocket train.

First of all, there are brake fins on the sides of ther giga trains. Instead of having fins on the side, rocket trains have two rows of rare earth magnets under the train on either side of the friction wheel contacts. Of course the rocket coaster doesn't need anitrollbacks, since it uses the normal braking system in case of a rollback. As stated before, the rocket coaster also has special head rests since it has a powerful launch. I believe the rocket coaster also has a more rugged 'chain dog,' since it it pulls 2 g's insead of under 1 g with the giga train. The other changes are more on the lines of theme, such as the paintjob, and the front car's shell. There is one change that is a safety improvement, being the bent bar on the lapbar. [It allows a tigher fit for smaller people, as well as us guys not getting nailed when a ride op pushes the bar down hard]

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House of Tomorrow: Only technology makes live worth living

About the trains, I have never been on Xcelerator or even to KBF itself but arent the trains very small? I mean capacity wise. I wonder how many people per hour this thing will "rocket". Hopefully 4 trains would get the job done if thats even possible with the layout we see so far. Any opinions?

It would be my guess that we'll see 3 trains, but they'll be longer than Xcelerator's trains. Just look at WT, It has 8 cars, and I believe the Impulses that proceeded it only had 6. CP isn't going to sacrifice capacity, especially on a ride like this.

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-Chris Woodard
"If you're standing in an uncomfortable position, that means you are in the right position because you are riding Mantis!" - Mantis ride op doing spiels on closing day.

I hope they don't look like the MF trains. I think CP like to spice things up a bit more than that. Although if they theme it I hope it doesn't look stupid, I personally don't like the theme on Xcelerator. Just my two Cents.

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Merch2002
"whatever it is i hope it makes me pee myself"

i agree with you fully harliquin lynx, i think they will be the same trains as xcelerator but with just a different body
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Just can't live in that negative way... Make way for the positive Day

Just a real quick question. I was looking at this pic and I was just wondering, are the MF trains open on the sides like that? I can't remember ever looking at them so I wasn't real sure. Thanks

Peace I'm Out

The other huge difference between the two rides is that the rocket coasters have huge headrests compared to the single bar-type rests on the hyper/giga trains. Oh, a word of warning. If you're head is above the headrest, you won't be able to ride. Makes sense because of the g's the rockets pull at launch time. Whiplash isn't a good thing, you know :)

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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

Andy, the answer is yes, the MF trains are open on the sides.

Shivering Tim - Thanks for feedback about the headrests. What would you estimate is the "limit" in terms of a person's height for a rocket coaster?

Also, what do you all think about the possibility of OTSR's on this ride. I know it was discussed in other threads but I think it was before it was 100% sure that #16 is going to have the large degrees of twisting (like WT). I sure hope that they can do this without the OTSR's!!

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First CP Visit: 1970

Shivering Tim,

I'm not sure if you're kidding or not about the head above the foam headrest comment, but would like to know more (if you're familiar with the way they operate that coaster).

I'm damn tall, but fit on Intamins fairly well (snug, of course, but it works). One thing I'm sure of, though, is that my head will DEFINATELY be above the headrest on #16. In fact, when I ride MF from the back seat, I get a clear view of everything coming because my head is at least 8" taller than everyone else's.

Now I'm worried. Can you - or anyone who is familiar with Knotts' policies on this coaster - shed a little light?

But then again, check out the guy in row 3 on Xcelerator.....

http://www.twistedrails.com/kbf/jun23-05.shtml

I'm 6', and the headrest went almost to the top of my head on Xcelerator. Furthermore, if I recall correctly, you could not ride only if your *entire* head was above the headrest. I think you'd have to be nearly Yao Ming tall to not ride.

All that is says on the official Knotts site is that you must be taller than 52 inches. It's the last one on the page.

I rode Xcelerator on opening day back in June at the ACE Coaster Con. I remember the operators making an issue about the headrests (as well as not pulling the restraints down yourself, tightening the seatbelts beyond belief, etc.). Things might have changed, but I was worried about getting on myself, and I'm 6'4. The headrest touched the back of my head right above my neck and I was OK to go.

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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

I'm Average height for my age. I should have no problems with height. Those headrests on the Xcelerator are huge, They look like big pillows. Gotta be pretty tall to go above them.

I really wonder what kind of trains #16 will have. 'Dragster' Could be a hint.

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- Dennis