Wooden Rollercoasters are almost always rough, thats why I like them. Im sorry when I say this, but nobody died, or had any life-threatening injuries, so they should get on with their lives. do you agree with me.

No, I don't agree with you.

And obviously the state does not agree as they have said the investigation had been more challenging than originally thought and has now cost 6 times more than expected.

Yes. The state will not approve the reopening of the ride until they are certain that it is safe for the public to ride. They are protecting us from the park operating an unsafe attraction. Some may not like that SoB is closed, but it is for the best. I sure would want a full investigation into what happened so that the park can properly fix the ride. Hopefully, all goes well and they will be able to reopen the ride sometime next year.

What I meant to say, was that nobody should sue. If anything they should just take it to the ride safety adminestration. I sorry that I was unclear. I do think they should do what ever it takes to make it safe before opening it.

One day I met somebody from Europe at KI and he told me that in Europe or somewhere on that side of the world people take the risks themselves and the park has no liabilities. How true this is I don't know, can someone confirm? Just throwing it out there.

One day I met somebody from Europe at KI and he told me that in Europe or somewhere on that side of the world people take the risks themselves and the park has no liabilities. How true this is I don't know, can someone confirm? Just throwing it out there.

That's kinda interesting. I don't believe any other country is as sue happy as the US. I am not making light of this by any means, but I don't think KI intentionally made an unsafe coaster. Reading about all the problems it has had from day one (I was not aware being out of state), I would have been reluctant to keep it running. Now I know wooden coasters are rougher, but this goes beyond that. Compare The Beast to the Son-The Beast was becoming rough this spring before all the repairs, but it never had the roughness Sonhas. Son has never been enjoyable to me, which is a shame, especially for the height and speed. I am not an expert, but I agree with the post that said it compares to The Bat-it is a failed experiment and needs to go back to the drawing board. I'm not convinced it is fixable personally. If I owned it, it would be destroyed only because all the repairs have done nothing to improve it, which I think something is wrong in the design-only way to fix design is to punt-and start over.

If I owned Son of Beast, I'd do what Cedar Fair is doing. Wait on the state investigation to be completed, get my own experts, and only re-open the ride if I believed it to be safe to do so (and I could get the necessary permits and insurance).

If I owned Son of Beast, I'd do what Cedar Fair is doing. Wait on the state investigation to be completed, get my own experts, and only re-open the ride if I believed it to be safe to do so (and I could get the necessary permits and insurance).

I am worried about the insurance part-Son has a "preexisting condition."

As far as roughness goes, Beast has really improved in the past 2 months. That coaster is a masterpiece!!!! I still can't find a good comparison anywhere in the country.

If I owned it, it would be destroyed only because all the repairs have done nothing to improve it, which I think something is wrong in the design-only way to fix design is to punt-and start over.

I believe quite the contrary. I think that all the re-tracking has done a great deal to improve the roughness of Son of Beast. Many people also believe this as well. There is not a flaw in the design, but in the building of the coaster itself.

If I owned it, it would be destroyed only because all the repairs have done nothing to improve it, which I think something is wrong in the design-only way to fix design is to punt-and start over.

I believe quite the contrary. I think that all the re-tracking has done a great deal to improve the roughness of Son of Beast. Many people also believe this as well. There is not a flaw in the design, but in the building of the coaster itself.

You mean people thought it was smoother earlier this year before the accident? In all honesty, I noticed no difference between this year and last. I do hope it is fixable-if it could become as good as beast, they would have the country's best kept secret. I do still have concern over its insurability-and that unfortunately will be the final word....

If I owned Son of Beast, I'd do what Cedar Fair is doing. Wait on the state investigation to be completed, get my own experts, and only re-open the ride if I believed it to be safe to do so (and I could get the necessary permits and insurance).

I am worried about the insurance part-Son has a "preexisting condition."

As far as roughness goes, Beast has really improved in the past 2 months. That coaster is a masterpiece!!!! I still can't find a good comparison anywhere in the country.

Maybe if it does get scrapped, the bunch that built Beast should rebuild Son-how bout that???

I don't know about this past year as I didn't get to ride Sonny this year, but, the re-tracking from previous years seemed to me to be an improvement. The Rose Bowl was a lot smoother than it was. If I'm not mistaken, the original company that was building SOB did not finish it and the in-park guys handled it, so I'm not so sure it would make any difference. I'm sure Interpreter could clear this up.

Paramount Parks took over the general contracting from the Ohio Coaster Company, which was a subsidiary of Roller Coaster Corporation of America. There were also a number of changes made from the original design, both during construction and thereafter.

As for the original builders of The Beast, they are long retired and out of the business. Even the company that spawned from that one is also out of business. No one in the wood coaster business today traces their lineage directly back to the builders of The Beast, though several are a generation or two removed, quite literally.

another problem now is the "stigma" that is going to dog it. I would estimate that it would cut the already short lines in half. I would make the mistake and ride it at least once/twice a year. And from here, I know it's rough, it has already sent some to the hospital and 4 minutes of thrill riding is not worth a lifetime of back problems.

The issue is, how much will CF spend to repair (and repair, and repair) an obviously troubled and already expensive to maintain ride. My guess/prediction is SOB will be "SBNO" to start 2007 with an announcement mid-summer that it will be dismantled before 2008.

For whatever it is worth, the state contractor doing the inspection and investigation on Son of Beast has a contract that runs until June 30, 2007.

another problem now is the "stigma" that is going to dog it. I would estimate that it would cut the already short lines in half. I would make the mistake and ride it at least once/twice a year. And from here, I know it's rough, it has already sent some to the hospital and 4 minutes of thrill riding is not worth a lifetime of back problems.

The issue is, how much will CF spend to repair (and repair, and repair) an obviously troubled and already expensive to maintain ride. My guess/prediction is SOB will be "SBNO" to start 2007 with an announcement mid-summer that it will be dismantled before 2008.

I tend to agree with you-I think it is finished only cause of the sheer cost of constant repairs. Besides, isn't that what ultimately killed The Bat?

For whatever it is worth, the state contractor doing the inspection and investigation on Son of Beast has a contract that runs until June 30, 2007.

The final decision will probably be made then, and if they are not satisfied the problem is corrected, Son's fate will be sealed.