shark6495 Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 All indications are that the ride has just been sitting for several years. No maintenance or testing of any kind has happened. Well some maintenance has to be done. You cant have a massive structure like that sitting without any work being done. If that was the case, then the structure could collapse. Odds are they are doing maintence to keep the structure upright, but maintence on the tracks may be another thing all together... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Why would you think that? Closed wooden coasters have often stood for years without maintenance. See, for example, the wooden coaster that stood closed and forlorn for many a year in Brooklyn, or another in Middletown, Ohio. Then there is one in Aurora. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_humor Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 How long did Drachen Fire just sit before being torn down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 It closed in July 1998 and started coming down in Fall 2001. In the meantime, the park all but denied its existence and, if pressed, claimed that no decision had been made concerning the ride. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Sounds familiar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Why would you think that? Closed wooden coasters have often stood for years without maintenance. See, for example, the wooden coaster that stood closed and forlorn for many a year in Brooklyn, or another in Middletown, Ohio. Then there is one in Aurora. Well the one in Middletown was in a shuttered park. So with all due respect I am not going to address that one But did either roller coaster have the massive footprint this coaster does? As a non engineer, I would think that a massive structure like that would need some maintence to ensure guest safety. Since its so big wouldnt it face more weather? But Im not sure who knows.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Guests aren't riding the ride, at the moment anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Guests aren't riding the ride, at the moment anyway. Oh I meant guest safety from a collapse.... like if the the ride would suffer a collapse wouldnt it have the potential to cause damage to surrounding rides (flight deck/Adventure Express/thunder alley) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldschool75 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Im sorry but if thats directed at me, you could just explain what is causing you to be so Face Palming.... you know create a nice conversation.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 You cant have a massive structure like that sitting without any work being done. If that was the case, then the structure could collapse. Odds are they are doing maintence to keep the structure upright, but maintence on the tracks may be another thing all together... Structures are not made to fall apart. Coasters are thouroughly checked daily due to the stress/ pressure the support structure endures from the movement & weight of each passing train. If there are no trains (aka SBNO) the ride should stay structurally sound minus some support beams that have loosened due to weathering. These few fallen beams will not make the structure collapse. Much older coasters, have survived much longer (Conneaut Lake Park's Blue Streak comes to mind http://www.rcdb.com/249.htm) and have not collapsed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrick Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 You cant have a massive structure like that sitting without any work being done. If that was the case, then the structure could collapse. Odds are they are doing maintence to keep the structure upright, but maintence on the tracks may be another thing all together... Structures are not made to fall apart. Coasters are thouroughly checked daily due to the stress/ pressure the support structure endures from the movement & weight of each passing train. If there are no trains (aka SBNO) the ride should stay structurally sound minus some support beams that have loosened due to weathering. These few fallen beams will not make the structure collapse. Much older coasters, have survived much longer (Conneaut Lake Park's Blue Streak comes to mind http://www.rcdb.com/249.htm) and have not collapsed. While I agree that it shouldn't collapse, didn't the hill partially collapse during construction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjkjkj Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 That's because the rest of the rollercoaster wasn't up yet. Once it all went up, everything sort of "snapped" into place so it wouldn't collapse. Once the circuit is complete, the stronger the ride is. I don't really know how else to describe this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagoda Gift Shop Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Yeah I don't think it would collapse for a very, very long time. They probably already know that if they were to re-open the ride, it would need significant work anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo1 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 I like the explanation from Browntggrr and a few other folks, about why SOB does not just fall down. I appreciate the questions about a rides structure and ability to stand over time without noticeable improvements or maintenance. But to bring to life the face palming, the reason behind it is simple it started with the fact that so many people are interested in answers about topics that don't necessarily have answers yet. And when you ask these questions time and time again without reading the thread first this can cause the face palm. But my favorite is when those who call themselves enthusiasts can be condescending and have you question why you even join the thread at all. Stay informed before you post and stay positive even when surrounded by pessimists. I too and very excited about the possibility of getting the scoop on what will become of the big pile of wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 While I agree that it shouldn't collapse, didn't the hill partially collapse during construction? Yes it did. From what I can recall, the collapse was due to a severe weather condition called a "downburst" which is often confused with a tornado. Combine that with (as kjkjkj mentioned) the rest of the ride was not constructed yet, the incomplete structure did not stand a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 ^I'm not entirely sure it was the main hill either and don't believe it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 ^ Yeah. I seem to remember (if anyone knows for sure, please chime in) it was either the hill either before or after the loop which resulted in much speculation about why the 2000 downtime was so time consuming. For those who do not know what I am referring to, there was a crane near the transition track before the loop for the entire 2000 season & I believe most of the 2001 season. They kept "fixing" a significant "bump" between the two areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongliveKingsCobra Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Microburst? Those things are BAD! Take an airplane out of the sky in one foul swoop.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 How long will this topic go for, it will be 50 more pages when they do decide their answer. For some reason KI/and Cedar Fair has not just torn it down, that lends to hope, plus lots of money to do anything with it. Does this go to say we will never see another Son of Beast, FAMILY OF BEAST, A Beastie , who knows, probably not in any of our life times. It was Kings Island 2nd biggest failure next to The Bat, in terms of support, fan favorite etc. I loved the ride when it opened, loved it with and with out the loop, loop better, it was one of a kind. Thank goodness we have The Beast!!! The best wooden coaster stil in my book, longest, too! Who knows what direction Kings Island will be, in the future, more or less coasters, but if in 1972 the park had not opened closing coney who knows what fan favorite site we would be calling home ... For the whole indy, Columbous, Louisville, Lexington, Dayton, and Cincy markets is very fortunate to have Kings Island and Soak City, I for one would love an answer soon on SOB but who knows!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondbacker Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Doesn't Kings Island usually come out at this time of year and officially announce that Son of Beast is closed for the upcoming season? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kblanken Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Does, how many, 3 years now out of 41 equal usually? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondbacker Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I also meant to add that they had done it the past two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 How long will this topic go for, it will be 50 more pages when they do decide their answer. Don't fret. Once a decision is made, there will be another topic with 100 pages as to why CF gave up on SoB. Does this go to say we will never see another Son of Beast, FAMILY OF BEAST I believe it is safe to say the roughness of Beast family de-rails here. It was Kings Island 2nd biggest failure next to The Bat, in terms of support, fan favorite etc. C'mon give SoB it's just due. It is by far not only the biggest failure in KI's history, but argueably the biggest failure in amusement history (of course only compared to non-fatal rides, which SoB will one day be accused of). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 ^Come on, biggest failure in amusement history? You clearly forgot about Hard Rock Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 ^ I can see where an entire failed park could enter the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestar92 Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 C'mon give SoB it's just due. It is by far not only the biggest failure in KI's history, but argueably the biggest failure in amusement history (of course only compared to non-fatal rides, which SoB will one day be accused of). I don't see how it could ever be claimed to have been fatal. I mean technically, I have ridden every coaster at KI (minus SoB) and one day I guess I will die, having previously ridden them so... Then again, I've heard people claim that rides were fatal when they absolutely were not. For example, my girlfriend's dad swears not only that The Bat derailed once, but that he had ridden it earlier that day. And a good friend of my mom's once tried to claim that "The batman coaster" formerly at KI was closed because it cut a girl's legs off, and refused to believe when I said that it was the SUPERMAN ride, which was a Drop Tower at KENTUCKY KINGDOM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjkjkj Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Many years ago my friend's parents said that people died on The Bat (they were being absolutely serious) and I tried to argue and say that, that was completely untrue. I was like 12. So they discredited me, because I was too young to actually KNOW anything...even though they were completely wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI-ORIG-EMP Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 i was riding The Bat when all of a sudden the land rose and The Bat was thrown in the air and The Vortex rose from the ground where The Bat used to be. After all, The Vortex is not sinking but rather the land continues to rise until the new ride shoves The Vortex into the sky. Isn't that how all rides are made? :) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medford Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 i was riding The Bat when all of a sudden the land rose and The Bat was thrown in the air and The Vortex rose from the ground where The Bat used to be. After all, The Vortex is not sinking but rather the land continues to rise until the new ride shoves The Vortex into the sky. Isn't that how all rides are made? :) Since The Bat was a hanging ride, and The Vortex is a sit down ride, I guess we can expect "Son of King Cobra" to "pop" up any season now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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