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My Bright Idea for what to do with Son of Beast


benred23
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Ok, this is my first post to this site, So I would like to say Hello. My Name is Andy and me and my Family are Perennial Gold Pass Holders. I have a suggestion on What Cedar Fair could do with Son of Beast. It saddens me that all signage and referances have been removed pretaining to this ride, so heres my idea on what to do with it. Anyone ever toy with the Idea of a Hybrid Coaster? Let me Explain. Son of Beast would keep its All wooden Structure, But have the track replaced with Steel Track used on generally all hypercoasters. This would allow them to put the loop back in, it would improve the shaky and sometimes painful issues that the ride had in operation and would make for an overall more enjoyable experience for the rider. Am I alone on this? Could it be done? Im not an engineer, but it seems to me that it Wood could Hold steel tracks and cars just as easy as it could wooden tracks and the heavy cars that go with it. This could be a whole new branding of this coaster. Maybe they could call it The Beast 2 or something. Let me know if Im goin out on a limb here if if this could be done!

KI FOREVER!

Andy

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First, welcome! You'll enjoy this site a lot. :) Or, that's our hope... haha!

There are two ways your idea could be enacted, and both are possible and in use today. The first is to actually have steel rails held up by wooden supports. That is used at neighboring Adventure Express, which is a steel coaster with wooden supports. The same can be said of Gemini and Cedar Creek Mine Ride at Cedar Point. They are purely tubular steel track with wooden supports for ornamentation. It is a steel coaster, no questions asked.

The other way that idea could be taken is what's happening right now on Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. Dubbed "Iron Horse Track," it seems like they're placing iron beams along the wooden track... Somehow placing a sheet of iron into the existing wooden track? I'm not an expert on that, and there are plenty of people on here who know more about it than I.

The big debate is, does the Iron Horse track count as wood, or steel, or something new entirely? It is yet unclear. Of course, it doesn't really matter except for classification purposes and world records. Texas Giant's renovation is set to leave it with a 79 degree first drop, making it the "steepest wooden coaster drop is the world." The question is, though... is it a wooden coaster?

Either way, I would guess that Cedar Fair will be watching this transformation very, very closely. Maybe for Son of Beast, maybe for Mean Streak. If this renovation proves successful, it may be the best alternative for their more painful rides. Another thing to consider (though I doubt this will be the first matter to attend to in the Son of Beast dilemma) is, if the Iron Horse arrangement is universally declared a steel coaster, than using it on Son of Beast would, in effect, eliminate all of its records. It would no longer be the official tallest, fastest wooden coaster on earth, because it wouldn't be "wooden." Again, I hardly think Cedar Fair is just waiting to see on the wood vs. steel debate to decide to look into the Iron Horse format, it's just something interesting for us as fans to ponder.

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Also do not let us forget on our neighbor to the north, Gemini is a hybrid as well. That does sound like a good idea, although the loop going back in is very doubtful. If that renovation did happen and the loop was put back in, that sets up a possibility for one hellacious promo campaign.

Welcome to KICentral!

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Ok, this is my first post to this site, So I would like to say Hello. My Name is Andy and me and my Family are Perennial Gold Pass Holders. I have a suggestion on What Cedar Fair could do with Son of Beast. It saddens me that all signage and referances have been removed pretaining to this ride, so heres my idea on what to do with it. Anyone ever toy with the Idea of a Hybrid Coaster? Let me Explain. Son of Beast would keep its All wooden Structure, But have the track replaced with Steel Track used on generally all hypercoasters. This would allow them to put the loop back in, it would improve the shaky and sometimes painful issues that the ride had in operation and would make for an overall more enjoyable experience for the rider. Am I alone on this? Could it be done? Im not an engineer, but it seems to me that it Wood could Hold steel tracks and cars just as easy as it could wooden tracks and the heavy cars that go with it. This could be a whole new branding of this coaster. Maybe they could call it The Beast 2 or something. Let me know if Im goin out on a limb here if if this could be done!

KI FOREVER!

Andy

There are two ways your idea could be enacted, and both are possible and in use today. The first is to actually have steel rails held up by wooden supports. That is used at neighboring Adventure Express, which is a steel coaster with wooden supports. The other way that idea could be taken is what's happening right now on Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. Dubbed "Iron Horse Track," it seems like they're placing iron beams along the wooden track...

The first method is straight up a steel coaster. Period. The second is debatable - no one's quite clear if the Iron Horse arrangement counts as a steel or wooden coaster. Texas Giant's renovation is set to leave it with a 79 degree first drop, making it the "steepest wooden coaster drop is the world." The question is... is it a wooden coaster?

Either way, I would guess that Cedar Fair will be watching this transformation very, very closely. Maybe for Son of Beast, maybe for Mean Streak. If this renovation proves successful, it may be the best alternative for their more painful rides.

Well, it seems logical to me that since the all wooden frame is already there, it wouldnt make much since to do a total tear down and redo it all in steel.. And I totally forgot about Adventure Express being that way. OF course thats on a much smaller scale, but it just goes to show that it could happen.. Im keeping hope alive. I dont wanna see KI Scrap this Giant. It just foors me that there is absolutly NO Referance to it. On the park map, the website, no cue line, Nothing! Makes me think They have something up there sleeves ay?

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Something up their sleeves? Yes! A complete demolition? Maybe. A complete re-build? Maybe.

The Iron Horse remake that Texas Giant is getting isn't a tear-down-and-build-it-over-again-with-steel. Again, I'm not an expert, but essentially the physical track itself is all that's being changed (except for some re-profiling) and somehow steel is being integrated into the existing wooden track for support... Someone want to elaborate and clarify?

And Jasper, what I wouldn't give for that loop! And again I say (I must bring this up at least twice in every Son of Beast thread), the marketing writes itself. The park could even utilize that incredible image from when the ride re-opened after its 2000 downtime: a carriage, sitting on the track, the loop in the background and simple font reading:

"Son of Beast was a real brat. But now, he's on his best behavior."

The very idea of that poster gives me chills. Such epic marketing. Should our ride be majorly overhauled but retain its signature hill (and, one can pray, return the loop), that marketing is perfect. Absolutely perfect. Son of Beast: Reborn. It makes my eyes water. I'm all about potential, and that particular wooden roller coaster sure has a lot of it, for the right price.

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If SOB is renovated, I would expect a totally new name for the ride because of the name's negative reputation.

If they just retrack it, I doubt it. If they change fundamental elements of the ride, I could definitely see that happening.

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SOB should be reprofiled and retracked by GG or GCI. Give the job to professiional coaster builders and let them take their knowledge to remake SOB. The Iron Horse idea is interesting but IMO SOB needs to be preserved as a woodie. The main problem was that SOB wasn't built by a Coaster specialist. Let the people that know make the Son a Beast again.

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Something up their sleeves? Yes! A complete demolition? Maybe. A complete re-build? Maybe.

The Iron Horse remake that Texas Giant is getting isn't a tear-down-and-build-it-over-again-with-steel. Again, I'm not an expert, but essentially the physical track itself is all that's being changed (except for some re-profiling) and somehow steel is being integrated into the existing wooden track for support... Someone want to elaborate and clarify?

I'm not an expert either on this but I'm actually very interested. In my opinion replacing the track with the "iron horse" is a bad idea. Vibrations travel faster through steel then wood and that would transfer to the structure causing even more damage. The steel track is said to be similar in weight to the traditional 9 layers of wood. If it was lighter they would of said so. Son of Beast does not need more weight on the ride structure. But the steel track would really help track gauging which is a problem too (someone back me up on this?) Steel is a lot more flexible then wood which will cause the track to even to move more. If I imagined in my head seeing Son of Beast with a steel track I can not seeing it work out (yes I know there are other rides that have a steel track with a wooden structure). I look at things differently when it comes to structures I think then other people do. Like I said at the beginning of my post I'm not an expert on this so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Sorry for two posts in a row.

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Benred23

Welcome, I am pretty new also. I agree, a steel re-track would be a good idea. Texas Giant is using the "Iron Horse" I-Bean system. I would love to see how it turns out. If it does well, maybe SOB could get a makeover. Only time will tell. Maybe Meanstreak could be on a short list as well. IMO I do not think Meanstreak needs anything done. Maybe some new Timberline trains.

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The main problem was that SOB wasn't built by a Coaster specialist.

Are you kidding?

http://www.rcdb.com/6857.htm

http://www.rcstengel.com/

They have done work on some of the best rides in the world. A few they have worked on...

Millennium Force

Fahrenheit

Saw - The Ride

Maverick

and many many more. I think it's around 500 different rides.

i believe that he was referring to rcca, a company that only has been involved with 7 roller coasters.

http://www.rcdb.com/6918.htm

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Fear the Four, I don't mind being corrected IF I am wrong. If you feel the need correct someone; 1. Be nice 2. Really read what they said. SOB was one of the first coasters built by RCCA after Larry Summers past away I believe. Also Paramount won a settlement from RCCA over the construction of SOB. If I am wrong on that, I know Terpy can supply the correct lowdown. Anyway, look before you leap.

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I was NOT in anyway trying to be mean. I'm very sorry if you do feel like I was being mean.

Back on topic. Stengel designed the ride and was manufactured by RCCA and the trains were by Premier rides. I'm not sure that is entirely correct but I also saw this.

Son of Beast was built by Roller Coaster Company of Ohio, which then-owner Paramount Parks fired before the ride was completed. Kings Island, along with the rest of the Paramount Parks chain, was sold to Cedar Fair two months before the 2006 wreck.

http://www.themepark...me/200911/1529/

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Paramount Parks took over as general contractor from Roller Coaster Co. of Ohio, a subsidiary of RCCA. Although Paramount Parks did in fact win a judgment against RCCA/RCCO, word is they were unable to collect a single dime. They then sued their insurance company, Admiral, claiming a catastrophic loss. They...lost.

http://www.enquirer....sland_sues.html

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'd love to see them bring the loop back, though I don't think it would happen. They already heavily modified that section of the track, me thinks they'd probably just do what they had to do to get the ride running good again.

But heres to hoping they would consider this idea, as well as bring the loop back!

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From what I understand, the loop was removed so they could use lighter trains in an attempt to reduce wear and tear on the ride structure. The loop is not likely to return, as nice as that would be. It wouldn't surprise me if that loop has since been sold for scrap metal.

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From what I understand, the loop was removed so they could use lighter trains in an attempt to reduce wear and tear on the ride structure. The loop is not likely to return, as nice as that would be. It wouldn't surprise me if that loop has since been sold for scrap metal.

it has been sold and scrapped. someone on this very site said this very thing. i just dont know where, someone else could probably quote where though...

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We're all wondering about weight....what about aluminum or carbon fiber track? Just because it hasn't been invented yet doesn't mean it can't be invented!

both are too weak, aluminum is far too soft and as stated above cf has great strength, but would be in shambles within a week as it relies on resins for holding the mats of strands together.. Coaster train + (essentially) gel coat = no no

also cf tends to shatter and tear as opposed to giving and bending

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carbon fiber is a good subsititue for car panels to make the car lighter for racing purposes... and thats really about it. its basically a form of fiberglass, and wouldn't support the weight of a rollercoaster train running over it full of guests. Carbon fiber shatters, aluminum bends. neither would make a good coaster track material.

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carbon fiber is a good subsititue for car panels to make the car lighter for racing purposes... and thats really about it. its basically a form of fiberglass, and wouldn't support the weight of a rollercoaster train running over it full of guests. Carbon fiber shatters, aluminum bends. neither would make a good coaster track material.

It's also good for baseball bats, golf clubs, fishing poles, tennis rackets, canoes, and many other things. It's not just used for automobiles, but would definitely not work on a roller coaster. Especially when you see how much DBs first hill bends!

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I say it all the time. They should give it a Gemini make over. It would then be faster, safe, and smoother. I don't think they did too much modifying be adding the track where the loop was. If I remember correctly, it just zig zags and goes over a little hill.

I think it would be great!

Revenge of Son of Beast

Son of Beast Reloaded

Son of Beast Released

Son of Beast II

Son of Beast The Revenge: This time, it's personal.

Could do the graphics similar to Vortex. It would be like a animal / machine hybrid that got loose from a testing facility. Style the trains to resemble some type of robotic creature.

Once again, you aren't naming the structure, you are naming the trains. The trains give the ride it's personality.

Take Diamondback and Dueling Dragons both themed around animals. Guess what, the trains look like the creatures, not the track.

I think anything is possible, and hopefuly they read these forums...lol

EDIT: Great marketing idea.......

"He was let out to play in 2000 and escaped. This year, he's returned home to feed."

"Come challenge the newly remodeled hyper coaster. Half machine, half beast. Do you have what it takes to survive Son of Beast...... again?"

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