Xcelerator a test for CP?

Does anybody think Xcelerator was built to test the limits of an Intamin rocket coaster? I heard Xcelerator was testing at 117mph which is close to Dragsters 120mph.

As far as I can remember, CP said that Intamin built a "life-size working model" in a field in Switzerland to test the concept. A computer can tell you what it can do, but just to make sure before you spend 25 million dollars, better have a working model. This was obviously years ago...
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MANTIS ROCKS 2002 & 2003

I never believed that Xcelerator was ever tested above 80 miles per hour. If you think about it you would realize that the coaster would still probably be going 40 or 50 mph over the top which would if anything just damage the whole coasters structure. Then I found out that Intamin did in fact build a life-size model of the new launch system in order to test the launch.

I do believe that CF built Xcelerator in hopes of builidng a larger rocket coaster at CP. Even so, I'm almost certain that Xcelerator was never actually tested above 85 miles an hour, let alone 117.
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Ryan McCanimal
Webmaster of Thrillgallery.com
"eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"

Xcelerator was tested at speeds way over the 82 mph stsndard operational speed. I have a video of it and it just flys over the top hat, way faster than what it does when people are on it. As for if it was built as a test, I do belive that it was, but not for the mechanical aspect of it. I belive it was built to see if people would like the ride style and to see if the top hat was "fun" (but TTD was was in the works for 3 years so who knows if Xcelerator was a test or just a good ride that they decided to add at Knots)

Yes, Xcelerator was a "model" for TTD. Among other things, Cedar Fair wanted to see how the public reacted and how the system ran before building such a large model at Cedar Point.

Although planning for #16 began in the year 2000, Knotts would be the first park to reveive a "rocket coaster" for many reasons, such as those mentioned above along with other financial and business and marketing strategies.

Knotts started to test Xcelerator at speeds reaching 117mph, to see if they could overload the launch system. They did not, the system held up just fine.... and here we are.
*** This post was edited by Draken_LC 1/19/2003 4:35:41 PM ***

Xcelerator was a test in many ways for TTD. This isn't the first time Cedar Fair has done this either i.e. Detonator (first two tower space shot) at Worlds of Fun, before the Power Towers.

I'd like to see this video of Xcelerator testing at 117 mph that you speak of.

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"Flip on the tele, wrestle with Jimmy." - Weezer

I couldn't locate the file on the internet, but if you e-mail me, I will work with you (or anyone else) so you will be able to recive it. My e-mail address is markburleson@woh.rr.com .

please note: this file is about 5.5 megs
*** This post was edited by Mark B 1/19/2003 10:01:16 PM ***

If Xcelerator is capable of reaching 117 mph, why is Dragster's launch track more than twice the length? And do not tell me that CP is longer because of the breaks either, because if Xcelerator was launched at 117, its breaks we're obviously long enough to stop it right?

Faster than 80 yes
Faster than 100 no

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Ryan McCanimal
Webmaster of Thrillgallery.com
"eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"

The launch track is longer so that it doesn't pull as many g's on the launch. But it isn't as long as what it seems. You have to remember that there has to be room for 3 idle trains and then the launch track.

If indeed Xcelerator did test at 117 mph, how fast is Top Thrill Dragster gonna test at? 200?

One could only hope for a 200 MPH coaster, Pete. At that speed height would not be an issue - I think the speed alone would be thrilling. Dont get me wrong, a few airfilled hills is always a plus.

Tom

Just thinkin' about how fast Millennium goes, if something went more than double that speed...(Homer Simpson-style drool)

Xcelerator tested at over 100mph because it was a pheasable(sp?) Idea to make a coaster launch at over. They wont be throwing TDD around at over 200mph because I am SURE that there is no coaster on the drawing board for 200mph.

... and I have the video of Xcel testing, along with the Intamin President (name?) riding it, if you want it send me an email at: cscovone@hotmail.com

i'm having a hard time believing this mark b guy. If anyone lives in California, let me know, because the year of Xcellerators opening, during testing, yes, the train did go faster over the top than it does now, but in no way did it hit 117 mph. And i strongly believe that going over the top was a result of there being no passangers in the car during these testing phases. As with any launching ride, the less weight in the car, the faster up the hill the car will go. There is not a MPH guage on the launch that pulls the car a certain speed every time. The launch is designed to pull the car the same way, every single time, no matter the weight.

It would not only be dumb to test a life size model, because it could possibly crash, and doom another coaster at Knotts, but it would cost more money, if something tragic did happen.

And my last comment, which is supported with very hard evidence..

The wheels alone on Xcellerator, are not large enough to withstand a speed of 117. Notice how huge the wheels on TTD are going to be...if wheels are too small, they turn faster, become hotter, and the polyuerathane treads will come off, not only destroying wheels, but possibly damaging the track for construction delays.
Ouch...

I live in So. Cal and I'm very active on Knotts boards.

Do you have any clue what you're talking about? Xcelerator was tested at 117MPH. Watch the videos, you'll see. Its FLYS over the top hat. And the ride's launch speed doesn't have anything to do with weight. When it reaches 82 MPH or so, the cart releases, sooner with less weight, later with 20 200lb. riders.

Don't believe everything you see in concept art. Xcelerator was pictured with 6 cars, what looked like 4 across trains, etc, etc. The wheels are going to be the same size, look how big xcelerator's wheels are. Dragster will not run on rubber tires! http://twistedrails.com/kbf/jun23-32.shtml

I've tried to send this video to all who have asked, but so far everyone's e-mail account wouldn't accept a file that large. So if you have any more ideas, let me know.

I do have this video on Kazza, under the name of xcel if anyone want to get it that way.

*** This post was edited by Mark B 1/20/2003 11:03:01 AM ***
*** This post was edited by Mark B 1/20/2003 11:03:14 AM ***

I have seen the video, and there is no way that the train is going 117mph. At that speed it would be going nearly 86mph over the tophat! There is no way that train was going 86mph over the tophat!

Here's a link to the video...decide for yourself...doesn't look that much faster than the regualr footage to me.

http://www.americacoasters.com/videos/xcel1.mov

[edit]seems the link doesn't work anymore.
*** This post was edited by AnswerMan 1/20/2003 2:18:13 PM ***

The link isn't working for me.