Off season at CP
If you read the Cedar Point blog like I do, you would see that they have had a few cool posts in the past few days. The first one was yesterday and then we got another one (as promised) today. The updates basically show what happens to the park after it closes for the season. There are a bunch of rides wrapped up, coaster trains off the tracks, and general park improvements.
The coolest picture that they posted was of Maverick hovering over the frozen lake. I thought it was worth posting. Check out the Cedar Point blog for a bunch of other great pictures.
December 10th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I took a quick look at the pictures, and yes, there were some interesting pictures posted.
I have a question about Maverick that I haven’t got a good answer to:
After riding Maverick in late July, I can understand why the heartline roll (after the sweeping turn over the pond) was removed. But what the heck were the designers (in Germany?) and Intamin thinking when they attempted to use that element with those restraints at 50+mph? The location of that inversion didn’t make sense to me. Any idea concerning their original thoughts?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
As for the inversion, I have no idea. It is clear that the inversion would never of worked in that location. We can only assume that they were “pushing the limits” of design.
Intiman has a history among some that they are unreliable and poorly engineered. Look at the impulse coasters and how supports have been added to them and TTD and it’s support/cable work. The heartline roll could be an example of this. Maybe the software they use to calculate inversions and such is off a bit. I don’t think that we will ever know the true scope of what is going on, but it is a little scary.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Thanks for a well explained answer, Nate. It was the first that actually seemed reasonable.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
And speaking of scary, what are your thoughts about the capabilities of future roller coasters? Will human limits induce a stoping point? Or will we see coasters exceeding 500 feet as well as 150mph?
Personally, I am seeing a more compact breed of coasters, especially from Intamin. (Maverick and Fahrenheit) Even though these may be due to location restrictions, it seems as if a trend is ocurring.
Is this just a phase, or will compact coasters dominate more and more parks? (Similar to inverted coasters)
December 10th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Speaking of Fahrenheit… they should of named it Celsius, because they should ‘Sell’ it.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
^ Somebody’s a little bitter…
December 12th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
^ No, I’m logical, because there’s no logic/reason behind them buying Fahrenheit.