"Topping off the lift hill requires the use of a second crane, which arrived on property early this morning. Once the second crane is in place, the work that needs to be done in this area of the ride should happen rather quickly."

Don Helbig: www.kiDiamondback.com

So the hold up was they were waiting for the second crane to arrive. Cool.

All I know is NOW first drop degree angle should be legitimately confirmed!!! Again...not that I'm doubting it.

What I'm wondering is how quick is "rather quickly"? Be sure to post plenty photos from the webcam, when the crown work begins for me! For I can't see the webcam.

"Rather quickly"="Lift hill almost complete" from a couple weeks ago?!?

It also depends on how long it takes them to set up this additional crane. Keep in mind that it took them the better part of a day to set up the first large crawler crane "Clifford."

EDIT: It looks like they have the second crane in place. This second crane is a white crane.

it's all crooked like

I imagine that the white crane will be for the the guys to go up there and bolt it together. I don't think its to hold the track just a big lift bucket.

New photos have been posted on the Diamondback site

Following in the footsteps of Clifford, I nominate "Stay Puft" for the new large white crane

Maybe Casper?

Oh yes.

http://www.kiDiamondback.com/public/latest...ge&chip=211

As has been reported by others from the webcam, the islands of trees by The Beast entrance have been cleared of their trees in preparation for the last remaining footings to be placed for Diamondback.

It sad all those trees are gone but at least they are moving forward and getting closer to being done. Don said that by Christmas it should be about 80% done.

Here's the deal.

The lift hill was intended to be topped off between 9am and noon today, however it was determined that the wind was just too great so they'll do it early tomorrow.

On that same token, if you guys thought I was lying about The Beast entrance changing forever... the prophecy is being fulfilled.

Latest D'Back Construction Photos (10-29-08)

I agree with calling the new white crane, Casper. It's simple, yet perfect.

Notice that The Beast sign is missing from those photos. I wonder if it'll be moved back to The Beast Canyon Cold Drinks building for this weekend or if it's been laid to rest for the year.

^I just noticed that!!!

I sure hope they put it back up! Or a new one!

^As much as I loved the old one, I would just as equally love to see a brand new sign for The Beast's 30th next year.

Casper is "the friendly ghost". This is a massive, menacing piece of machinery... it must be the mountainous marshmallow man![/alliteration]

As it relates to Diamondback's destruction of The Beast's entrance... I'm in complete agreement with those above. I really hope Kings Island does something special for the new Beast entrance. This is a world class coaster, and it'll be celebrating 30 years... it deserves an entrance sign/plaza/area that can match the awesomeness of the ride itself.

I cringe every time I see KI lose another tree...at my age I will be lucky to still be going to the park before they could regrow some of these trees back to the size that they were.

I hope the park does not become an asphault wasteland.

I just look for The Beast Entry plaza to be closer the station now and with the lower ques possibly shortened. I would either expect the same sign back or possibly one that reflects the 30th aniv. Something like this that they did for the 25th. The Beast has always been low key from apperance and I dont really anticipate that to change with a big flashy entrance.

I suspect that the entrance path will now be relegated to the path immediately adjacent to the games building. The midway by The Crypt will likely be blocked off as that is where the final curve for Diamondback will be before the splashdown effect.

My oh My, my Dear Beast's Prolific entrance torn like such!

But I am excited to see what they do with it. It's good to have some changes every now and again.

Great way to update for his 30th!

Ugh! I hope they'll replant!

You guys are geniuses with the crane names!

I like Stay Puft, Casper isn't very descriptive.

From the action on the cam I can see the top off piece sitting upright. Is it going up tonight?

Well, this is what Diamondback's lift assembly is like:

And Here's the CABLE assembly for MForce:

I think it's a chain, almost confirmed.

^DB's lift IS chain for sure.

I'm sure they would have announced if it was cable.

EDIT: But that would be cool to have a cable lift.

I find Casper quite fitting, seeing as like a ghost he snuck in to the park today...

But I digress.

I do not have great expectations that The Beast will have a showcase entrance next year. I expect it to be very modest but will leave us wanting nothing more for the entrance.

Now on to the matter at hand, the new pics on the Diamondback sight are great. Love the shots that show the first drop and the towering lift hill support. Just imagine opening day and the first train screaming down the hill.

From the action on the cam I can see the top off piece sitting upright. Is it going up tonight?

It's going up early tomorrow morning.

Well here's hoping the winds are much nicer tomorrow.