The Interpreter Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 http://www.app.com/article/20090205/NEWS02...458/1070/NEWS02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clbehymer Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 In 1999, the 443-foot London Eye was completed. Three years ago, the Singapore Flyer was finished, dwarfing all other Ferris wheels worldwide by measuring in at 525-feet high. I could never go on these ferris wheels. I really don't like ferris wheels to begin with, but I think these would make me pass out! I don't know what it is about them, but I'd definately ride a coaster that tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigellinus Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 ^^Except the London Eye and the Asia one are more like evelators and not open air...still, the CN Tower (also not open air) was semi-thrilling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Don't miss the video: http://app.com/section/VIDEONETWORK&videoID=1021676760 There is a short ad first... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Very interesting video. LED bulbs are more expensive, but they use a lot less energy, and last a lot longer. In fact, LEDs are now being installed in traffic lights, because they last about seven years, compared to the one year life span of halogen bulbs that have traditionally been used. One thing that was mentioned in the video is that Ferris Wheels do need to have their main bearing inspected and occasionally replaced. I remember talking with one of Coney`s ride mechanics and him describing how they replaced the main bearing on Coney`s wheel several years back. It is quite a process, because as the video states, the entire wheel has to be taken apart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 In 1999, the 443-foot London Eye was completed. Three years ago, the Singapore Flyer was finished, dwarfing all other Ferris wheels worldwide by measuring in at 525-feet high. I could never go on these ferris wheels. I really don't like ferris wheels to begin with, but I think these would make me pass out! I don't know what it is about them, but I'd definately ride a coaster that tall. Although not as tall as those, the ferris wheel's at Camden Park and Coney Island provide some of the best, thrilling rides I've ever had on a ferris wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 There's just something incredibly enchanting about a ride on an Eli Wheel. Terpy, old enough to remember when the cars didn't have secondary restraints or hair/finger guards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomkatt7 Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I'll have to take your word for it. It will be a cold day in h e double hockey sticks when somebody get me on one of those things!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Awwww. Look at the purty pictures: http://www.elibridge.com/wheels.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Indeed! And many people who visit Coney will comment that it is among the fastest Ferris Wheels they have ever seen/ridden. Which also is likely why there are so many protein spills on it (which, like on the Rock O Planes, can provide disastrous results when the ride is in motion, and the guests try not to get sick on them selves, but lean forward...). And it should be noted per that link, that Eli Bridge no longer manufactures classic cable driven Ferris Wheels. These Wheels take a much more trained, expert operator to properly run. Because of the cable-drive, this Wheel must be very carefully balanced and operated with a seasoned touch. Since the availability of experienced operators is so limited, Eli Bridge Company no longer manufactures the cable drive models. For those who saw my presentation at the KIC event, you would know that Coney`s Ferris Wheel was originally built in 1947. Therefore, Coney`s wheel is a cable driven machine (as is the Rock O Planes), and requires to be balanced at all times, or bad things will happen! There is no easy button on running the Ferris Wheel. You need to pay attention to what you are doing and load and unload the cars based on how the control stick and ride sounds. You also have to pay attention to the size and amount of guests you are putting on the ride, and where they are in relation to other riders. Ie, two cars on one side each with two 12 year old kids opposite two cars each holding two grown men tipping the scales at 200 pounds is NOT good on the cable driven wheels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Camden's wheel is also cable driven. Both Coney of Ohio's and Camden's can and do operate at much faster speeds than are typically seen in Ferris Wheels manufactured now-a-days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiboy Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Dont ask but for some reason I like SFKK Wheel better than CPs. Water and Wheels dont mix well with me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Stricker`s Grove`s Ferris Wheel is also cable driven. Although it operates at about half the speed of Coney`s! And even though the Rock O Plane is cable driven, balancing is not as big of an issue on that ride, compared to the Wheel. I`ve seen more than my fare share of balancing problems on the Wheel. Typically at Coney, that ride is reserved for non-first year workers. However, they often will put a first year at the ride when I`m working it, because they know that I know how to run that ride, and could run it by myself if I had to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 CP's wheel looks ghetto with all the lights burnt out. I don't think changing the lights on a ferris wheel deserves much fanfare, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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