TTD Catch Car Length

I'm sorry for this VERY RANDOM question but I was wondering "How long is TTD's catch car???"

My rough guess would be 8 feet. Could be slightly longer though.

You mean you don't know? I'm so disappointed.

I might have heard the length at some point. But that could have happened anytime over the past 7 years.

I am human.:)

Yes, but you are the Dragster God on these forums.

I recall it being something like crazy, don't quote me but I remember someone posting a picture of it, and it was like 20ft. Please no bashing here, just had a long day of work at Hersheypark.

I definitely don't think it's that long but I do think it's either 8 or more feet. In fact, the number that's floating around my head like a ghost is 12.

ITS OVER 9000!!!

Yeh I don't know but take the length of the train and about halve it would be a good estimation based on where it goes and how much is left sticking out.

It actually connects at the 2nd (or 3rd) car so it's not quite that long.

Doesn't look any more than 3 cars long from the front seat on Dragster. Millennium is another matter: I got to see the whole thing from the 1.2 line in the station during two train ops today, and it's about the length of the entire train! (A train was taken off because of rain)

Then Dragster catch car only needs to be long enough to engage the train and to have enough room on the underside to mount the brake magnets. Another reason for keeping it short is to reduce friction...the Dragster catch car does not have wheels on it. It does attach to three ropes, though...two in front and one in the rear.

On Millennium Force, the catch car has to be able to reach from ahead of the lead car all the way back to the 6th axle where it attaches to the train. That way the haul rope doesn't need to extend below the train, which could be tricky at the base of the lift. Of course that also means the bulk of the catch car has to go over the top of the lift in order to get the train's center of mass past the peak.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Length wise I'm not certain, but as stated it doesn't need to be long for those reasons. Might I also throw in for millennium it has to curve over a hill & whatnot...wheras dragster goes in just a straight shot...Just a thought. It does attach to the third car. I found that out during the point buzz off season tourr. I actually have pictures of it where the catch car attaches...Love to upload them but it took about 40 seconds just to load this page. Who knows how long to post this message >_<

The catchcars dont have wheels? I thought they did......

The one on Millennium Force is articulated an has small wheels at the joints. The one on Dragster is one piece and has no wheels, it slides on a plastic track liner which is lubricated with running water.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

The view from the front seat yesterday makes me agree with Adam. It looked to be around 8 ft...if in fact I was looking at the right thing.

I know Storm Runner's is like 2-3 car lengths, that's the best I got.

Did it look like this vwhoward? That red thing is the catch car.

Yup, that's what I saw, Adam. Seemed to be around 8 ft long. I remember thinking it would longer when I first saw it.

That's what she said.

Bazinga!