Strange Roller Coasters

[JB1985]

Arrow really were innovative werent they! Such a shame that their innovation actually caused their demise

 

[CGM]

Arrow really were innovative werent they! Such a shame that their innovation actually caused their demise

They certainly were innovative. Unfortunately, they never really figured out the basics of building a good rollercoaster before attempting crazy stuff.

I don't think the quality of their engineering was ever good enough to back up their ambition hence they had numerous expensive disasters like The Bat, Drachen Fire and X. They were always in and out of bankruptcy and I can't imagine building full-scale prototypes that often went nowhere helped.

Arrow certainly have their place in rollercoaster history but for me, Schwarkopf is the manufacturer of the 70s and 80s. Arguably not as innovative, but the track shaping and train technology was decades ahead of anything Arrow was doing.

On another note I think I saw a video of the full-scale test track for the suspended corkscrew somewhere. I could be imagining that though.

 

[Alastair]

Does centripetal force hold the trains straight on the suspended corkscrews? Because otherwise I can't think how it wouldn't just flop over to one side as it went inverted - considering it is allowed to freely swing?

 

[CGM]

Does centripetal force hold the trains straight on the suspended corkscrews? Because otherwise I can't think how it wouldn't just flop over to one side as it went inverted - considering it is allowed to freely swing?

That's the idea, hence the really tight corkscrew. Despite this, it still didn't work. They just couldn't get the control they needed over the swinging cars to ensure it would negotiate the element properly every time.

It's probably a good thing in some ways that they never tried it on a real coaster. Imagine if the train came to a halt halfway through the corkscrew, there'd be cars dangling in all sorts of directions.

 

[Alastair]

Does centripetal force hold the trains straight on the suspended corkscrews? Because otherwise I can't think how it wouldn't just flop over to one side as it went inverted - considering it is allowed to freely swing?

That's the idea, hence the really tight corkscrew. Despite this, it still didn't work. They just couldn't get the control they needed over the swinging cars to ensure it would negotiate the element properly every time.

It's probably a good thing in some ways that they never tried it on a real coaster. Imagine if the train came to a halt halfway through the corkscrew, there'd be cars dangling in all sorts of directions.

Knowing Arrow that probably would have been a likely scenario as well! Would be interesting seeing what an Arrow style train would do on a B&M invert though - you'd probably have whiplash by the end because of the intensity

 

[TheMan]

I have only one thing to say about this ride.

?

I suggest you get yourself a good book whilst you watch it, make a pot of tea, and relax folks....

As I present to you "Crazy Chinese Shuttle Loop Roller Coaster"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlg8YZO7QXo[/youtube]




.... perhaps, SHATTLE would be more appropriate!

 

[DiogoJ42]

Oh, it's one of those "designed by a ten year old in RCT1" coasters. O.O

 

[Kurtis Rogers]

i think i will build a ride like that in my new park

 

[Tim]

I love how it has two chains on the lift hill but still dawdles its way to the top.

 

[MattyH]

I love how it has two chains on the lift hill but still dawdles its way to the top.

It takes longer to get up the chainlift then it does to do the actual ride.

 

[CGM]

It takes longer to get up the chainlift then it does to do the actual ride.

Yeah, imagine if Alton had a coaster that did that.

*Goes off to read the Oblivion topic*

 

[TheMan]

Just wrote a long one with loads of rides and DELETED it by mistake!!

Anyway, I'll make it shorter if I can find all the links again:

Firstly, Togo Ultra Twister from Rusutsu Ski Resort in Japan.... Lift hill madness once more - however, a rather more exciting version AND conclusion to the ride!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjn6ELuH3xg[/youtube]​

Strange place?

Then, I found this flat in Holland - two words from me, NO THANKS!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR-ann1ehuI[/youtube]

And finally, what has to be one of the most bizarre I have EVER found.

I present for your delectation.... Sky Cycle, a pedal powered (yup!) "roller coaster" from Japan's Washuzan Highland Park - Now, don't worry about these images - YOU DO get a seatbelt, and more importantly - A PINK BASKET!

OK....

Perhaps not....

Stylish!..

AND! For those who desire.... The ALL IMPORTANT POV

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkoxzMAFhrs[/youtube]​

 

[DiogoJ42]

What's wrong with that Speed Flip? It looks awesome! [/extreme spin ride fan]

 

[TheMan]

I'm not a lover of spinning flat rides Diogo lol! ;D

That's not to say I don't appreciate them - in fact, watching the direction everyone would walk after getting off would be highly entertaining!!

I'd also chose riding that over the Sky Cycle!

 

[BigAl]

This has to score some points here...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGLOxkaf9oU&feature=plcp[/youtube]


It's like they took their flyer and made it have a child with a Zamperla Volare! o_0

It actually looks quite fun though!


This also looks pretty cute...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38qWVtnGX0Y[/youtube]


RCDB.


Mini inverted coaster!

 

[TheMan]

That flyer looks ace! Love the lift hill ;D - and that little cute inverted one!

Nice finds dude

 

[Tim]

I've been waiting to see a good POV of the Stingray for quite sometime

It's a shame they haven't built more of them but I think because it looks so weird and the capacity's not great it's put a lot of parks off buying them. But I've always thought it looked awesome! Glad to see TPR liked it.

 

[Ian]

Awwwwww, I love the Vekoma Stingray. I'd love to try one. Looks like a great midway between Volare and B&M Flier. If a high capacity version could be made I think it'd be awesome for Drayton or Flamingo Land to take one on.

With a good theme it could become a strong ride.

 

[BigAl]

It also has a pretty small footprint as well, although a 525 pph throughput leaves a lot to be desired!


Here are a few pics I liked on its RCDB page...

You have to love the way it juts-out over the water!

 

[RyanY]

Better throughput than Mumbo Jumbo, Kumali and Velocity at the rate the staff at Flamingo Land run the rides...

Them stingray's looks like really fun rides, but the brakes on them look a bit uncomfortable.