Someone told me the other day they rode The Beast backward during FearFest 2005. Did they actually turn one of the trains around, or is he jerking my chain? It would be so awesome to ride that thing backward.

No, they actually turned one of the trains on The Racer backwards during FearFest 2005. Simple misunderstanding.

LOL Dane. I don't think riding The Beast backwards wouldn't be as fun as you think. I would think the G's would be really high.

It would be the same rate of G's. You arent changing the track banking, speed, or aerodynamics (well this you will slightly but it will slow the train down) to change the G rate.

The logistics on it are interesting though. It wont happen because of the alignment of the mag brakes. You would have to flop everything around the train, including the fins for the mag brakes, and that you would have to properly realign like they did the first time for the brakes. Not much error can be executed on those things.

I've said this before, but let me say it again..

This is unconfirmed, but it has always been my understanding that trains can only be turned backwards if the patrons can reasonably predict the course of action enough for the ride to be successfully completed in a safe manner.

Does this mean The Beast can't be turned backwards? Not at all, but I'm sure there is more red tape involved than just the mechanical aspect of it.

I've said this before, but let me say it again..

This is unconfirmed, but it has always been my understanding that trains can only be turned backwards if the patrons can reasonably predict the course of action enough for the ride to be successfully completed in a safe manner.

Does this mean The Beast can't be turned backwards? Not at all, but I'm sure there is more red tape involved than just the mechanical aspect of it.

I wouldn't ride it...period.

And in Ohio, the ride manufacturer must agree to the change.

Good luck.

Unless the coaster was originally designed with backwards operation in mind, it isn't going to happen in this day and age. Too many reasons, from insurance to operational concerns.

In fact, the last several CCI's that were delivered actually had plaques that included the words: "Forward operation only."

So why does Racer run Backwards? Racer wasn't originally designed with backwards operation in mind.

Its like waht Boddah said people can tell what is coming on The Racer it is just a simple out and back coaster while The Beast has alot of quick turn.

And Racer was turned around backwards on one side long before any of the current concerns became as important or as widely known as they are now...

So what do they do if the manufacturer no longer exists?

Sure PTC is still around, but they don't make rides anymore, just trains...

PTC made the trains...and it is the trains that are most affected by the operation. And they do have a say in operations of Ohio coasters that operate with their trains. Where there is no existing manufacturer, obviously the manufacturer can't make recommendations as to operations!

It would take a considerable amout of work to make a train able to run backward. Think about it, the chain dogs are all angled one direction, the would have to be retrofitted to run the other direction. Also the break fins are not in the center of the train, they are off to the side meaning they would have to be put on the on the other side meaning new mouning brackets on every car. The anti rollback clicker things would be facing the wrong way on the trains and would have to be reversed. The electrical contactas for the restraints wouldnt be in the wrong position since they are not perfectly spaced throughout the train. All that stuff and more have to be perfectly adjusted. If the fins were not perfect, they would not trip the sensors right or catch the train well.

Short and sweet, NO your friend NEVER rode The Beast backward.

PTC made the trains...and it is the trains that are most affected by the operation. And they do have a say in operations of Ohio coasters that operate with their trains. Where there is no existing manufacturer, obviously the manufacturer can't make recommendations as to operations!

I'd bet that the trains come with some type of warrenty or something that would be void if the trains were run in a manner that was unintended by the manufacturer.

The Beast backwards? Ehhhh, no. Doesn't sound good to me at all.

I'd bet that the trains come with some type of warrenty or something that would be void if the trains were run in a manner that was unintended by the manufacturer.

Because The Beast trains haven't been significantly modified from 4 seaters to 3 seaters ever.

I think that calls for a "VOID"

It would take a considerable amout of work to make a train able to run backward. Think about it, the chain dogs are all angled one direction, the would have to be retrofitted to run the other direction. Also the break fins are not in the center of the train, they are off to the side meaning they would have to be put on the on the other side meaning new mouning brackets on every car. The anti rollback clicker things would be facing the wrong way on the trains and would have to be reversed. The electrical contactas for the restraints wouldnt be in the wrong position since they are not perfectly spaced throughout the train. All that stuff and more have to be perfectly adjusted. If the fins were not perfect, they would not trip the sensors right or catch the train well.

Short and sweet, NO your friend NEVER rode The Beast backward.

PTC made the trains...and it is the trains that are most affected by the operation. And they do have a say in operations of Ohio coasters that operate with their trains. Where there is no existing manufacturer, obviously the manufacturer can't make recommendations as to operations!

I'd bet that the trains come with some type of warrenty or something that would be void if the trains were run in a manner that was unintended by the manufacturer.

That's what I thought. I have seen that episode of CSI where they talked about the chain dogs and whatnot and figured it would be a royal PITA to turn a train backward. This guy seemed hell-bent on saying he rode The Beast backward. Not only would you have had to do all that work to turn a train around, but do it all again turning it back to running forward.

The only way he rode it backwards was slipping out of his retraint and sitting backwards with out the parks say so. The Beast has never ran a train backwards and I doubt it ever will.

Because The Beast trains haven't been significantly modified from 4 seaters to 3 seaters ever.

I think that calls for a "VOID"

Well... that isnt a bad thing, its just purchasing new trains. new trains = new "warranty"

But truthfully, turning the cars around would be moderately difficult.

and I would have no part in riding a Beast train Backwards.

They didn't buy new trains. The park has said before they took the old 4-benchers and cut them down to 3-benchers, only a few years after the ride opened.

Can you say beating???

While they are at it, run the SoB trains backwards, wouldnt make it any rougher now would it?

Well, while we`re on the subject, keep in mind that the seat belts that were added to both The Racer and The Beast trains was a mandate from PTC, and not a decision by Kings Island, Paramount Parks or the state of Ohio rides inspectors.

^Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure that just became a Paramount Parks company policy that their PTC wood coaster trains be outfitted with seatbelts. There are still PTC trains out there of the same make at other parks that do not have seatbelts. I think it was just a PP decision.

One sign that this change in 2004 was more of a PTC mandate and not a Paramount Parks move could be Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. I first visited this park in 2003, and neither Viper nor American Eagle had seat belts in the park's PTCs. I returned the following year, to find seatbelts were added. These belts, however, were the one-across style that both riders share, and put on before lowering the lap bar. This is the seat belt type also found on Gemini and Mine Ride trains at CP, and in the wood coasters at GL.

Ahh if only they ran the Monster backwards.

I wasn’t going to say anything. Because I didn’t think you all would believe me, but I have rode FaceOff backwards once.

I think you're yanking our chain...that's utterly impossible...ha

I think you're yanking our chain...that's utterly impossible...ha

Hardly. On FaceOff, you can face your fears head on....

(Or was that something else? I forget).

Anyway, yes PTC does recommend seatbelts on its coaster trains now, and has since a certain incident at a park in Indiana a couple of years back. I know of very few parks that ignore that recommendation...(one has a Phall Phun Phest). Ohio parks do NOT have the option of ignoring that recommendation.