DeltaFlyer

Gemini and Adventure Express (and most mine trains) are "hybrids" in this way- we don't go around calling them wood coasters the way people like to with IBox rides. I can see calling topper track wood since there is many layers of wood and you are essentially just making the metal pieces that the wheels bear on a little larger. On every coaster the wheel is touching steel and only steel. There are strips of metal attached to the wood both on the top, side, and bottom, which is what the metal wheels of the train touch. By that logic, every coaster is a steel coaster.... Here is a neat image,

Here are some photos of the crane in the parking lot. It is a Liebherr 1750, rated at a maximum of 750 tons and a height of 633 feet. Source This is Clifford. Or, one of the Cliffords.

Last year at IAAPA, I was talking to Adam Yerdon (Skyline Attractions, formerly an engineer at GCI) about Vortex. He shared that he had a fondness for the ride, and would love the opportunity to re-engineer some of the track sections and smooth out the transitions- but usually the owner doesn’t want to put in the investment. That being said, it is possible to fix any major issues that could have arisen, it is just a matter of cost and a return on that investment. As you can recall, Vortex received a new compressor last year and also had many of its footings replaced. I am trying (very hard) to not get my hopes up that this isn’t [truly] the end of Vortex, but another part of me would like to know if a Chance retracking (a la Phantom’s Revenge) would be possible. I can dream, right? -DeltaFlyer, who is heartbroken.

The thought that Anaconda gets to stay around while Vortex doesn’t makes my brain hurt.

Oblivion at Alton Towers is the shortest by length, at 1,222 ft. https://rcdb.com/777.htm Dæmonen at Tivioli Gardens is the shortest by drop, at 65.6 ft. https://rcdb.com/2504.htm

From the KI Twitter:

Seems like a GCI total retrack would be far more likely than getting RMCed. If anything, I'd expect to see it get some topper track and maybe an overbank added somewhere- but I don't think they'd ever go that route. It is too much of a classic and has so much history. However.... I'd love to see new some new trains at some point, preferably articulated ones. I think it's been well covered that CF doesn't seem interested in working with Intamin anymore and Mack would be more likely, but I would love an S&S air launch. Maxx Force looks fun, and Steel Curtain was a blast. If we could get an air launch that unseats Do-Dodonpa for fastest acceleration that still has an interesting layout, I would be thrilled. It doesn't have to have a high top speed, but the acceleration record may be attainable. Something like 0-65 in .85 seconds.

Just got another pass perk- $9.99 retro logo t-shirt. I don’t know what they are priced at regularly but I might actually use this one.

I got a good look at the track and station work that has been done so far from Beast’s lift tonight. That shade of blue

One of my absolute favorite parts of haunt. The random fireballs always make me smile.

That’s new this week!

Here’s a (bad) picture.

There is so much track back there!! Also a second crane is on site, larger than the first but still not one that is tall enough to erect the lift.

I tend to agree. I really liked the look of Shake Rattle & Roll before the LED refit, even if some people thought it looked dated. Each arm being its own color was also really cool. I really dislike CP's Monster after it was redone. The LEDs and the goofy faces on each pod take away from that retro look that KI's still has. I truly hope ours does not get the same treatment.

Many rides at KI received new Quincy QGD screw compressors in the 2017-2018 off season. Most rides I have seen use Quincy, though some also use Kaeser or Ingersoll-Rand as well. Each ride has its own compressor. Rides like Skyhawk or Power Tower at CP (driven by compressed air) use multiple Ingersoll-Rand compressors to provide the higher air volume. Vortex was one of the rides that received a new compressor- it went down this season for several days, and in that time a portable Kaeser compressor was brought in and patched to the pneumatic system while the Quincy was repaired.

After the announcement concluded and people were leaving this was the song they played. If this were to be the ride's theme (or something similar) I would be extremely happy. It fits the theme so well: driving, fast, and very space-y.

Several ride operators have been telling guests it is named Polaris.

What components of the ride are actually made by B&M overseas? I had always thought it was just the trains, but what about the gearbox for the lift motor? If they do make that, it would make much more sense to arrive now versus the trains.

It's not a new park bench or trashcan! Seriously though, I am so happy for them. I think this is a great addition to the park. Adding another coaster, however small, is always exciting!

Makes sense to use the transfer track for a reveal since the ends are painted and not just primer. Looks a little better. Other rides that have had track at the announcement (not just KI), what type of piece have they tended to use?

Taken about 3 minutes ago.

"Teasers will only come from the park's official social media channels" Maybe it's not a teaser, but you can't say its not related.

Let's call it Flight Deck or Afterburn....

Anybody going to be there at open today?

So.... can someone take all the information that has been taped over/on the tape and compile it? Perhaps we can see something there. What if it’s not what’s under the tape that is being “revealed” when it is peeled off, but is what the tape makes when it is removed and put together somehow?