Did some "field research" on Diamondback today.

[jbum123]

Since the crowds were beyond lite today, I decided to marathon Diamondback and sit in every row of the train. (some twice)

I was going to try and ride in every seat of the train but the rain eventually got too heavy and decided every row was good enough. Maybe next week.
My seat of choice has always been 1-3 so today was a good experience of getting to know the rest of the train.
I discovered that there is a HUGE difference between the front and the back of the train.

The airtime in the back is amazing. The forces also seem much greater.
Getting pulled over the top of the hills and in and out of the turns is something you don't get in the front.
The back of the train has a different "roughness" to it. Not that Diamondback is rough to begin with but you can feel more of the track in the back.

The middle of the train is much less forceful and you just seem to "float". It's not so much "throw you out of your seat" airtime.
A good place for beginners or those that aren't that into coasters.

The front is great for viewing the ride and for "hanging" over the hills.
The first drop is still amazing in row 1 or 2.

I also discovered the hard way to NOT have your hands up while sitting in the last row and hitting the splashdown.
The force of the water hurts when it hits your arms and you will get off looking like you wet yourself when it all runs down your arm and into your seat.
I also discovered that some of the restraints lock in different locations than others.
Usually, I have a few inches between my legs and the restraint allowing great airtime. Some of them locked lower squishing my legs. Sucked for airtime on those runs.

Overall, It was a great day at the park after 19 runs on Diamondback and hitting almost all of the other rides in the park.

[fanofFirehawk]

First of all 21, haha...

Razmataz and I were marathoning it also, where were you sitting( oh right all over)… What were you wearing, did two 12 year old kids talk to you at all?

[jbum123]

I talked to lots of kids today. I was wearing jean shorts, a grean shirt with a shaved head and a goatee.

Met lots of people today.

One was a couple that was there for their 13th wedding anniversary so they were going to ride Diamondback 13 times in a row to celebrate.

Rerides were a must on everything today!

Had two kids in front of me on one run and one of them lost a handful of runts on the way up the lift hill. As we were dropping down the first hill, a Lime one seemed to flaot right down beside me. I tried to grab it but it was just out of reach.

[thedevariouseffect]

So you did not feel any vibration or overall shaking in the back, especially brown train, right side very last row...

Last time I was there, I could not ride that same seat two times in a row

[jbum123]

It felt the roughest in the back. Definitely vibration and shaking. Didn't keep track of which train I was on.

The front is smooth as glass.

[thedevariouseffect]

Yep, I'll agree with ya there...It wasn't rough as per say...pain...but the vibration and shaking, it gave me a slight headache after getting off, and that's a no go..plus the oddest feeling of my trachea vibrating, without talking was quite odd..

But Green train seems to be the best maintained...brown seems roughest to me, all trains follow same seating patterns, but brown seemed to get at me more everytime I've been on it..Front is still a great ride, but man the back airtime is incredible, but not worth future headaches

[YoungStud]

There is an obvious issue which needs to be adressed.

[thedevariouseffect]

It will...with off season NDT and routine maint.

Next year, fresh again and just as good, just like this year..

I will give it this, B&M wheels do tend to last quite awhile at least to my known knowledge...Few rides I worked, it wasn't unheard of to transfer off a train to have maint. replace a bad wheel...especially when the park skimped on money and went with a new vendor we still currently use..sigh...At least the speed rating is right this time finally...I don't wanna even go there with how stupid that was

[fanofFirehawk]

Wow, I guess I didn't notice, but I spent most of the day on the brown train about ninth row I think, and we were fine.

We took some rides in the back and in the front, but decided to stick with the middleish for some reason.

[TheBEASTunchained]

Just curious....Was The Beast a walk-on yesterday too?...

[fanofFirehawk]

EVERYTHING was a walk-on yesterday...

[NoChickens]

We rode it all over Saturday, even got MrsNC to ride 1-1 Never made it all the way to the back, but we did make it to car 6, brown train, and it just didn't seem all that bad to me.

[jbum123]

The park was DEAD. Even more after the rain. I was walking by Zephyr and heard the ride op say "For your safety and well, your safety..." There was only one girl riding it. It made me chuckle a bit.

I would have busted your 21 rides had Diamondback not gone down at 6:30. While waiting I heard it was an issue with a restraint but it was from someone on a phone so who knows. Maintenance showed up, sent three empty trains and away we went.

WindSeeker also was down later in the day. My son was upset he couldn't ride but has now taken a new liking to Delirium.

Beast was walk on and rerides all day.

Walked right in and rode 1-1 as well but unfortunately, it was around 6pm and the trims killed the ride. I don't think I have ever had them that bad.

Hoping next Sunday is the same minus the rain. It made it a bit chilly with the addition of the wind. Guess it's time to start wearing pants and long sleeves to the park.

[Dieseltech20]

I have to get to the park on a Sunday, soon.

[jbum123]

I have to get to the park on a Sunday, soon.

KI just released a "Bring A Friend" special so I am sure that will bring up attendance a bit but I don't think it will be huge.

[Jr for Birdy]

I noticed Sunday my seat came out a ' notch,click,whatever'. I believe it was the red train seat 271? I always laughed when I read others mention this but it happened to me for the first time in a few hundred rides. It scared the 'crap' out of me going down the first hill with my hands up. I continued a few more rides in other seats but that was the only time it has ever happened, weird. I also noticed during ERT they were making everyone get up and walk back in line even with a near empty queue, some really old man was ticked!

[fanofFirehawk]

The first drop make me suspicious because that is the first point as to when the restraint would be put under pressure.

The funny thing is I didn't ride the red train once out of 21 yesterday, brown 18 times and red 3.

[BeastForever]

^^Must have been an enthusiast.

[PKIVortex]

The reason why The Beast was running so slow was not because of the trims, but they were running the trains almost empty! Less weight equals less Speed. We actually had a lift (Block) set up, because of how slow the trains were running the course!

[The Interpreter]

The first drop make me suspicious because that is the first point as to when the restraint would be put under pressure.

The funny thing is I didn't ride the red train once out of 21 yesterday, brown 18 times and red 3.

Huh? Read that last sentence again.

[jdf21972]

Any field research as to why people throw plastic bracelets on the roof on the first hill of The Beast ??

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[malem]

The reason why The Beast was running so slow was not because of the trims, but they were running the trains almost empty! Less weight equals less Speed. We actually had a lift (Block) set up, because of how slow the trains were running the course!

And enthusiasts get upset when the park does a promotion to get people to visit on such days.

[jbum123]

Same thing with the maintenance shed of Diamondback. Along with mini shampoo bottles, perfume and lotion.

[Ki Man]

After working on Diamondback and riding 1000 times, yeah, you will find this. It's a really cool thing because it takes a while for the ride to get stale. My favorite row is row 2 - I believe you get better views, and it's a ton of fun hanging off the edge on the sides of the train. Instead of the middle middle, I like rows 4 and 10 - both provide a blend of sustained floater air; 4 gives you a little more push over the top, and 10 gives you more pull down the hill. And 15 is choice for the back since it's always had a rattle.

[PKIVortex]

I don't think the promotion is a bad thing. They have done this before, and it really don't affect things much. The park will not, and I repeat WILL NOT be jammed packed anyway. Most people go to Haunt on Friday or Saturday nights! Sundays in the Fall have always been slow days! Even with a so called promotion!

[fanofFirehawk]

I don't think the promotion is a bad thing. They have done this before, and it really don't affect things much. The park will not, and I repeat WILL NOT be jammed packed anyway. Most people go to Haunt on Friday or Saturday nights! Sundays in the Fall have always been slow days! Even with a so called promotion!

I really hope your right.

[razmataz99]

The park was DEAD. Even more after the rain. I was walking by Zephyr and heard the ride op say "For your safety and well, your safety..." There was only one girl riding it. It made me chuckle a bit.

I would have busted your 21 rides had Diamondback not gone down at 6:30. While waiting I heard it was an issue with a restraint but it was from someone on a phone so who knows. Maintenance showed up, sent three empty trains and away we went.

WindSeeker also was down later in the day. My son was upset he couldn't ride but has now taken a new liking to Delirium.

Beast was walk on and rerides all day.

Walked right in and rode 1-1 as well but unfortunately, it was around 6pm and the trims killed the ride. I don't think I have ever had them that bad.

Hoping next Sunday is the same minus the rain. It made it a bit chilly with the addition of the wind. Guess it's time to start wearing pants and long sleeves to the park.

We left at five. Just thought I'd put that out there.

[Dieseltech20]

Saw a post on FB that says the parking lot is packed full today. So much for my low crowd Sundays. Will most likely alter our plans for next weekend and not see the park again til opening day 2014.

[jbum123]

I checked the Forecast last night and it was supposed to pour all day so we skipped going.

Webcams show no one in the park or they are all hiding because it looks to be raining.

[sheikra_rocks]

After working on Diamondback and riding 1000 times, yeah, you will find this. It's a really cool thing because it takes a while for the ride to get stale. My favorite row is row 2 - I believe you get better views, and it's a ton of fun hanging off the edge on the sides of the train. Instead of the middle middle, I like rows 4 and 10 - both provide a blend of sustained floater air; 4 gives you a little more push over the top, and 10 gives you more pull down the hill. And 15 is choice for the back since it's always had a rattle.

I agree, and you and I talked about this briefly at KI on Friday night.

Although, I will take Diamondback's rattle over the Gatekeeper's bouncy. (Still can't figure out why CP won't take care of their B&M's.)

Gatekeeper was amazingly smooth at the beginning of the season when I rode it (Media Day), but when I went to opening night for Halloweekends, I noticed a huge difference. The trains actually have developed a bounce!

As far as Diamondback goes, the red train has been giving the best rides this season.

Want a neat ride on Diamondback? Sit in row 10, close your eyes, and sit completely relaxed without hanging on.

My sweet spots on Diamondback are rows 2, 10, and 16.