Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion Giga coaster
- Thread starter Ben
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Probably the worst sentence you've ever posted, but I'll answer it anyway.-lofty- said:
I have to admit it's not the easiest, but not that difficult either if you fly in/out of Washington, DC (National airport preferably over Dulles). It's about 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours straight shot (all Interstate 95) from WDC, depending on traffic (which can be a nightmare). The good thing about the location is that it's right off the highway & on the way to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which is another hour's drive south. So if you ever get the chance to make the trip, be sure to make plans to visit both parks.
That second shot is near perfect... would have been absolutely mind-blowing if it hadn't been for the cranes.
No matter how it will eventually turn out to ride, this thing sure looks great!
No matter how it will eventually turn out to ride, this thing sure looks great!
madhjsp
Giga Poster
It's funny how short it looks in those photos. Maybe it's just me but MF looks a fair bit taller in most pictures.
I guess that has something to do with the scarcity of supports and the fact that the track has a huge box spine that is much bigger than the actual rails the thing rides on.
Anyway those are amazing shots and I really can't wait to ride this thing, I'm sure it's going to be great!
I guess that has something to do with the scarcity of supports and the fact that the track has a huge box spine that is much bigger than the actual rails the thing rides on.
Anyway those are amazing shots and I really can't wait to ride this thing, I'm sure it's going to be great!
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
So wait... This has got Intamin OTSRs, and is meant to be a hyper coaster?
If it's because of the power of the magnetic brakes, then why don't Intamin invest in more gradual braking?
Just... Intamin... OTSRs... And Corners... Urgh...
If it's because of the power of the magnetic brakes, then why don't Intamin invest in more gradual braking?
Just... Intamin... OTSRs... And Corners... Urgh...
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
Fair enough UC...
It makes sense cos of the whole issues Intamin have had in the past decade with some of the rides (and indeed, restraints), but it is just a shame as in my experience on Rita and Maverick the Intamin OTSRs just don't corner exceedingly well...
Whilst on the other hand I do love the Intamin lap bars... And it's defo not just me that dislikes them, since my parents said the exact same about Maverick... And well, who likes Rita?
It makes sense cos of the whole issues Intamin have had in the past decade with some of the rides (and indeed, restraints), but it is just a shame as in my experience on Rita and Maverick the Intamin OTSRs just don't corner exceedingly well...
Whilst on the other hand I do love the Intamin lap bars... And it's defo not just me that dislikes them, since my parents said the exact same about Maverick... And well, who likes Rita?
andrus
Giga Poster
I don't see why magnets with lesser strength or magnets that have been spaced out further wouldn't brake the train with less acceleration. Of course it would demand a longer break run, but that's obvious.
But if that's the case (that magnetic break systems can't be done with less force) it would be easy to just put the magnet breaks on top of a hill and start the break run when the train has lower speed..
I don't like OTSR since I'm quite tall and have to keep my back bent while riding although Intamins are a lot better than B&M (damn you Claude and Walter!). So to me it's a sad future if more and more rides (at least from Intamin) will be manufactured with OTSR...
But if that's the case (that magnetic break systems can't be done with less force) it would be easy to just put the magnet breaks on top of a hill and start the break run when the train has lower speed..
I don't like OTSR since I'm quite tall and have to keep my back bent while riding although Intamins are a lot better than B&M (damn you Claude and Walter!
). So to me it's a sad future if more and more rides (at least from Intamin) will be manufactured with OTSR...
andrus
Giga Poster
^^Well, now I've read your post twice and still can't manage to see why my solution wouldn't follow the laws of physics!
There are magnets with different strength right? Then it would be easy to use less efficient magnets to make the train brake slower and less forceful.
Another option would be, just like I wrote in my last post, to enlarge the space between the brakefins and magnets.
I'm no professor of physics, but according to those knowledges I've learned in school I guess it would be possible to do so! But UC might be right as well, I don't know..
And regarding the hill, I can see that there aint no high hill in the end (I have eyes you know :wink but they could've built one! And I know that it just would increase the the pricetag and that the park wouldn't profit from it! But from an enthusiast point of view it would've been doable and better!!
There are magnets with different strength right? Then it would be easy to use less efficient magnets to make the train brake slower and less forceful.
Another option would be, just like I wrote in my last post, to enlarge the space between the brakefins and magnets.
I'm no professor of physics, but according to those knowledges I've learned in school I guess it would be possible to do so! But UC might be right as well, I don't know..
And regarding the hill, I can see that there aint no high hill in the end (I have eyes you know :wink
but they could've built one! And I know that it just would increase the the pricetag and that the park wouldn't profit from it! But from an enthusiast point of view it would've been doable and better!!
A
Anonymous
Guest
^ Well there is several ways to reduce the force of the magnetic brakes: weaker magnets, number of brake shoes, change the gap between the magnets, different alloys in the brake fins, different dimensions of the brake fins, change the spacing between the brake fins, etc.
But as you said, a weaker brake system will require longer brake run...
How ever the brake force depends very much on the speed on which you hit the brakes, the faster it goes the harder it brakes, which is why a magnetic brake never can slow down a train completely.
Then talking about I305, then we know that there are some trims to remove some speed on the last little hill, on it they use lower fins that will not brake the train as hard as the standard fin will do. Then as you said it will be preferable to brake the train on a "high" spot where it is slower, guess why it's so tall and steep? to make the train enter it as slow as it's possible at that point without resorting to some major redesigns of the whole thing, and with the trim brakes removing some speed before then it wont brake as hard as say TTD...
And for I305 using OSTRs instead of T/M/U-bars I think is mostly due to Intamin's track record in the state with people falling of rides in the past, no park want that to happen, so getting a train with OSTRs is a great way to stop that as well, especially in a sue happy country as the USA is...
Also talking about brakes, there is a really good article about it at Coastersandmore (note it's in German so if you don't know it than you have to run it through Google or something...).
They also have great ride insights and other technical articles about launch systems, designing of coasters, etc.
But as you said, a weaker brake system will require longer brake run...
How ever the brake force depends very much on the speed on which you hit the brakes, the faster it goes the harder it brakes, which is why a magnetic brake never can slow down a train completely.
Then talking about I305, then we know that there are some trims to remove some speed on the last little hill, on it they use lower fins that will not brake the train as hard as the standard fin will do. Then as you said it will be preferable to brake the train on a "high" spot where it is slower, guess why it's so tall and steep? to make the train enter it as slow as it's possible at that point without resorting to some major redesigns of the whole thing, and with the trim brakes removing some speed before then it wont brake as hard as say TTD...
And for I305 using OSTRs instead of T/M/U-bars I think is mostly due to Intamin's track record in the state with people falling of rides in the past, no park want that to happen, so getting a train with OSTRs is a great way to stop that as well, especially in a sue happy country as the USA is...
Also talking about brakes, there is a really good article about it at Coastersandmore (note it's in German so if you don't know it than you have to run it through Google or something...).
They also have great ride insights and other technical articles about launch systems, designing of coasters, etc.
Antinos
Slut for Spinners
It actually makes plenty of sense now. Thanks for those answers. That could explain why certain rides do have trim brakes throughout the ride.
The only problem with the restraints is that it is basically a metal bar resting on your thighs. If they were molded to your thighs instead of flat, they would be a lot more comfortable.
The only problem with the restraints is that it is basically a metal bar resting on your thighs. If they were molded to your thighs instead of flat, they would be a lot more comfortable.
IHeartArrow
Mega Poster
From the Intamins that I've ridden with magnetic brakes (Volcano, Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, Possessed) they tend to be a really rapid deceleration but not so much that it's painful, but enough to throw you forward just a bit. I can imagine that if Intimidator 305 does have just the shoulder straps and not a restraint, that it'll be much more comfortable to stop short, seeing as they give you a little more range of motion.
Personally (though I've only been on Griffon) I think that B&M manipulates magnets more smoothly than Intamin, but maybe that's just a personal preference.
The only brakes I can think of that are actually painful are the crappy friction brakes on Wild Mice.
Personally (though I've only been on Griffon) I think that B&M manipulates magnets more smoothly than Intamin, but maybe that's just a personal preference.
The only brakes I can think of that are actually painful are the crappy friction brakes on Wild Mice.
I think we rode Xcelerator about 8 times and not once did the brakes hurt any more than they do on Rita or Stealth. Personally I find the brakes hurt more on Stealth as I find the OTSR dig in to my shoulders.
I guess it depends on the person, I think the build of the person would make a difference in the case of the brakes I have more padding than Ben for example.
I guess it depends on the person, I think the build of the person would make a difference in the case of the brakes I have more padding than Ben for example.
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