Track Width & Speed of SOB

[Hank]

I would like to know if there are any other coasters with the wide track width like SOB has? Also, since the new trains were put on, has a speed test been conducted on SOB?

[CoastersRZ]

There was another wooden coaster that contained the same Premier built trains that Son of Beast opened with. I want to say it was located in England or Europe. Not sure which park, but it opened a year or two after Son of Beast.

As far as I know, there has not been a test of Son of Beast`s top speed that it got its Gerstlauer trains. I`d imagine that the top speed is less than what it used to be with the Premier trains. For one, the the Premier trains featured thirty riders the last season, while the G trains only feature 24 riders per train. Secondly, the Premier trains were built very hefty with lots of tubular steel structure in them. The G trains utilize a lot of fiberglass and likely weigh a lot less than the old trains.

[DropZone99]

Hurricane: Category Five must have the same track width as SOB on account of that is there the current Gerstlauer trains came from. I am not sure what the width is though. I am sure SOB's top speed has changed a little bit, but nothing major. It is still the world's tallest fastest wooden coaster.

[CoastersRZ]

Actually, I believe that Hurricane and Son of Beast had different track gauges. Hurricane I believe is typical wooden roller coaster track gauge while Son of Beast is extra wide. I believe that Kings Island modified the Gerstlauer trains to fit the larger track gauge of Son of Beast.

[Hendrick]

So, Son of Beast has a wider gauge, simply for the trains? That's the only reason?

Also, Hurricane: Category Five did not have the same width as Son of Beast did. The trains were modified, and you can tell if you look close enough.

[violakat03]

I'm guessing that the track was wider for the trains, which in turn were built to be able to withstand the forces necessary to be able to go through the loop. So, indirectly, the track is wider because of the loop.

[flightoffear1996]

Track width or not the ride still sucks and I simply refuse to ride the ride anymore. I won't let it ruin my day. I even advise other guest asking me about the ride not to ride if if they don't want to leave the park right afterwrds.

[Coney Islander]

I don't like Son of Beast that much, but I always ride it anyway right before I leave the park. Last trip a few bugs splatted on my hand while I was riding it.

[JAHill]

Track width or not the ride still sucks and I simply refuse to ride the ride anymore. I won't let it ruin my day. I even advise other guest asking me about the ride not to ride if if they don't want to leave the park right afterwrds.

-reads post-

-long pause-

-gives standing ovation-

[RailRider]

There was another wooden coaster that contained the same Premier built trains that Son of Beast opened with. I want to say it was located in England or Europe. Not sure which park, but it opened a year or two after Son of Beast.

I believe you are talking about Wild Wild West, which is known as Bandit now. Debuted at Movie Park Germany in 1999 and was built by RCCA just like SoB.

FoF1996, I still love SoB and I think it rides much smoother now with the track modifications and new trains.

[Hank]

I just LOVE how when you ask a question about some technical stuff, the discussion ALWAYS turns into opinions about liking or disliking the ride.

[JAHill]

^ That's the joy of a discussion forum!

[Jasper]

I for one am not a big Son of Beast fan but i do make sure i ride it at least once when i am at the park. It is just so rough in my opinion that it can actually hurt you very bad if you are of bigger nature.

[The Interpreter]

As someone who was once of a bigger nature and no longer is, let me correct the common misconception that bigger people are more apt to have discomfort on a violent or rough coaster than smaller people. Bigger people have more padding, less room to move about and thus will have achieved a lesser velocity when slamming unexpectedly into some portion of the train or another person due to undesired movement. Trust me. I know these things. I have ridden T2 in many different personal configurations and sizes. I loved T2 when I was "statuesque." I never understood why smaller people complained about T2 so much. I do now.

However, if you were using bigger as a synonym for taller, my point is not a valid one. Taller people indeed have issues with the restraints on Son of Beast and other rides, such as Flight of Fear, Backlot Stunt Coaster, etc.