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this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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I agree that those magnetic trims ruin the flow. It actually doesn't go any slower than it did before but it really does feel like it because of how abrupt those brakes hit. I know magnetic trims save a lot of maintenance but I would love it if they went back to the friction trim brakes.
I'm curious what year you rode SoB. I rode it opening year (possibly 2nd year) and I absolutely loved every moment of it. I know that it tore it's self apart quickly which was the biggest reason why they got the new lighter trains (which led to the removal of the loop since they couldn't make it through it). I don't doubt it was getting bad.
If i had to guess it was maybe 2006. I think i rode it once with the loop and once without and didn't like it either time. But that was just me. Its been a long time but i remember it feeling like the train poked me right under the shoulder blade.
I may have liked it if i rode it more than twice but i hurt myself the first ride and never really wanted to go again.
Also i cant believe that it isn't any slower especially the final part with the 2 tunnels back to back. It feels so much slower.
By 2006 I could certainly see it being a disaster. It wasn't built well and I think that was around the time that they replaced the trains because it was tearing it's self apart especially since someone (lumber company, RCCA, etc) slipped in low quality wood instead of what it was supposed to be.
As for beast, yea, I agree.... it feels a lot slower but it's a mental thing. The exit speed from the brakes is the same but since the magnetic brakes shave the speed off of the train so abruptly your mind translates it into slowing down.... the old friction brakes shaved the speed slowly so you didn't really notice it. It's basically the same as riding in a car and the driver is gently applying the brakes and you don't even realize that you're slowing down vs hitting the brakes harder because someone pulled out in front of them. I do think there may have been some reprofiling that went on with the helix that probably also took away some of the lateral G force so that would also contribute to the slower feeling if that's the case.
That's super interesting. I remember hearing rumors about the low quality wood but i didn't know it was true.
As for the Beast yeah it definitely feels slower but its probably just because I was so used to the way it was before. I even noticed the roaring sound in the tunnel being quieter which i guess could be from better wheels or a smoother track rather than lack of speed.
Yes the low quality wood is a point of contention and I don't think we have a clear picture of who did it. Paramount paid for higher quality wood and it seems like the lumber company gave RCCA the low quality wood. Rumor was that RCCA tried to sue the lumber company but the lumber company had gone out of business before the lawsuit was filed. Paramount then sued RCCA over the ride but regardless the bottom line was the coaster was just not going to survive without essentially a rebuild and after the accidents that happened cedar fair (who inherited the mess) just had to cut their losses. There is a really good Defunctland about SoB that is well worth the watch. I don't think it goes too deep into the lumber issue but it covers A LOT.
Great video. Thanks for the recommendation. Montel announcing the Son of Beast at that event was hilarious.
I remember having this book as a kid too. I was obsessed. Lol.
Oh wow I never even realized that book existed