Flying Turns Update; Eastcoaster Visits The Flying Turns.
Coastin Steve
this past weekend. A little more of layer #1 had been laid on turn
#10, but most of what was done was in preparation for ACE visiters from
Eastcoaster on Sun.
Where workers had been using a plank with cleats on it as a ramp to
enter the trough, now stands a pressure treated staircase w/ railings
on both sides.
Inside the trough a temporary platform was built to make entry into
the curved trough a bit easier
With plastic covering all of the lower half of the ride, even with
the couple inches of snow Knoebels had, there was plenty of clean
trough for the ACE'rs to walk in when they came for their tour.
Knoebels chose not to send anyone to Eastcoaster for a reason.
This ride, this Flying Turns ride, really has to be seen from
a variety of trough views to be appreciated and understood.
Pictures won't do it. Looking at it from the grounds around it
won't do it. Having someone from Knoebels come down to Eastcoaster and
talk about it won't do it.
You've got to be in the trough and see how tight the turns are,
and see the number of pieces of Cypress that have been hand bent and
crafted, before the "holy sh#t!" factor really sinks in.
About 60 people from Eastcoaster chose to make the drive from
Allentown up to Knoebels on this below freezing Sun afternoon.
They were rewarded with the ability to walk where the trains wil be
rolling, hopefully in a few short months.
And their reactions ?
Pretty much... "holy sh#t !! "
Some of the favorite comments by others that I heard
"with the wood workmanship that's gone on here, this isn't a roller
coaster, it's a piece of furniture"
"this is like the most demented bowling alley I've ever seen "
"how the hell did you get the wood to do that?" < I told them it
was a trade secret, and I couldn't tell them lol>
I had the ultimate pleasure of helping show off the ride that
Knoebels is building, to all of those who chose to make the drive up
to Elysburg.
After the trough tour was over, the group went indoors and there
Knoebels gave everybody something to eat and drink while John Fetterman
spoke and answered questions.
(because of how overcrowded the room that Knoebels had us in was, I
chose to give my spot in the room to someone else who can't get to ask
John Fetterman things every day.
Unfortunately I didn't get to hear any of the information he gave to the
group, so maybe someone who was there could share that with us )
Also, all during the trough tour and Fetterman talk, there was a
group doing video filming for a special, about the ride, that will
come out when it's all done and running.
They wanted to get to enthusiasts reactions to what they saw on this
construction tour and did alot of filming
I just want to conclude this post with a couple of thank yous
Thank you Knoebels and all who are involved in the Flying Turns
project for having
ACE Eastcoaster members up to your fine park and allowing them to walk
in part of the Flying Turns trough
Thanks to the friends at Eastcoaster who chose to come out in the
bitter cold to see this ride, up close and personal.
Now they can help me share the info that this ride is going to be
quite intense
And mainly thanks to Len Adams, John Fetterman and Dick Knoebel for
allowing me the honor of helping you build this historic ride.
For me it really is a dream come true. 8-)
Flying Turns carpenter
Coastin Steve
ps I didn't take any pictures of when ACE'rs were doing their tour,
I was too busy guiding tours
Maybe others who were there can share some pics with us
Also I did take some "snow shots" of the Phoenix and Twister with
early morning sun on them that I'll be adding to the page soon <even tho
they're not Flying Turns photos>
http://community.webtv.net/Coastin_Steve/FlyingTurnsFotosbyCS
Brian Smith
as possible regarding the ride.
It was a real treat, and if Knoebels is reading this thanks so much
for your hospitality. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience and
thanks so much for everyones time in putting this even together.
I will have some pictures of the flying turns tour on my website
shortly. I'll post it here when done.
Brian
Rastus O'Ginga
Steve) wrote:
So has anyone gone sledding down the trough?
Rastus O'Ginga
Winner of the 2nd Annual C. Montgomery Burns Award for
Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.
"What an awful dream, 1s and 0s everywhere... I thought I saw a 2." - Bender
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Coastin Steve
Group: rec.roller-coaster Date: Tue, Feb 6, 2007, 10:59pm (EST+5) From:
ras...@kingwoodXXXXXcable.net (Rastus O'Ginga)
So has anyone gone sledding down the trough?
Rastus O'Ginga
***************************************rrc
No !! The runners of the sled could chew up some Cypress, and we
wouldn't want that to happen, now would we ?
It is a nice fun thought tho, that most of us on the construction
crew have had. <G>
The major problems with doing that tho are
#1 the uphill hike in the snow covered trough
is very difficult and dangerous, and a slip could cause an unwanted
meeting w/ #2
#2 at several spots in the finished trough there are temporary support
4X4's until steel supports are welded above. They block the middle of
the trough where they are located. 8-(
Believe me, as one of the workers on this ride, the construction
crew wants to roll / slide on this ride MORE than the average coaster
enthusiast. "We" get to see the ride every day and we're the ones who
are most anxious for this ride to open so that all of you can enjoy it.
Flying Turns carpenter
Coastin Steve
http://community.webtv.net/Coastin_Steve/FlyingTurnsFotosbyCS
Rob Ascough
news:9074-45C...@storefull-3115.bay.webtv.net...
No !! The runners of the sled could chew up some Cypress, and we
wouldn't want that to happen, now would we ?
Ah, but what about an inflatable inner tube?
--
-Rob
The Wood Coaster Fan Club- Sharing a Passion for the Classics since 2004
www.woodcoaster.org
"To alcohol! The cause of- and solution to- all of life's problems."
Keith Hopkins
news:o9ydnd6nrIgOblTY...@comcast.com...
> "Coastin Steve" <Coasti...@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:9074-45C...@storefull-3115.bay.webtv.net...
>
> No !! The runners of the sled could chew up some Cypress, and we
> wouldn't want that to happen, now would we ?
>
> Ah, but what about an inflatable inner tube?
All the better for getting massacred on those metal supports.
--
Keith Hopkins
suss...@sssssssssgmail.ssssssssscom
[clear up the hissing to email]
"Evil is out there stabbing people and burning down
churches. Evil doesn't sit in its room and hardly break
its skin with a razor while listening to My Chemical Romance."
http://www.tshirthell.com
Brian Smith
AirPhoenix.com
Direct Link:
http://www.airphoenix.com/airphoenix/features/Flying_Turns/
Hope you enjoy...
Brian Smith
Charles Nungester
Go down it sitting on a skateboard! Wear padding and a helmet!
Ricky Summersett
Are there any renderings of the trains available anywhere? Are they
under construction? By whom....etc?
Thanks,
ricky
Coastin Steve
Group: rec.roller-coaster Date: Thu, Feb 8, 2007, 10:54am (EST-3) From:
jesusi...@yahoo.com (Ricky Summersett)
Are there any renderings of the trains available anywhere? Are they
under construction? By whom....etc?
Thanks,
ricky
.......................................rrc
There are no renderings of the trains available anywhere, that I'm
aware of, other than the ones John Fetterman is working on
Yes they are under construction, by Larson
The current rumour up at Knoebels is that the undercarridge is done
and they're working on the seating, bodies and restraint system
Prob John Fetterman answered some questions about the trains in his
talk on Sun
I was outside the room and didn't hear any of what he said
Maybe someone who was in the room might tell us if he said anything
about the trains
Flying Turns carpenter
Coastin Steve
http://community.webtv.net/Coastin_Steve/FlyingTurnsFotosbyCS
Wolf
>> wouldn't want that to happen, now would we ?
>>
>> Ah, but what about an inflatable inner tube?
>
>
> All the better for getting massacred on those metal supports.
>
> --
> Keith Hopkins
But the whole thing would be like a giant bumper!
--
|\-/|
<0 0>
=(o)=
-Wolf
kirk_ri...@yahoo.com
> Are there any renderings of the trains available anywhere? Are they
> under construction? By whom....etc?
>
> Thanks,
>
> ricky
>
Ricky...last I heard about the renderings was at PPP and John
mentioned that they were still discussing whether they would have some
type of seating where one person was behind another one like you would
find on the old mice or a real bobsled or whether they would be
sitting beside each other. Steve I also thought you mentioned
something recently about concern for people sticking out their hands,
arms, etc. If that is an insurance concern then it could result in
something restricting which would really suck!
Ricky...you know that Larson is based in West Texas...you should take
a drive up and look at what they have so far. ha ha. I think they are
located in Plainview. - Kirk
Coastin Steve
Group: rec.roller-coaster Date: Fri, Feb 9, 2007, 5:24am (EST-3) From:
kirk_ri...@yahoo.com
Ricky...last I heard about the renderings was at PPP and John mentioned
that they were still discussing whether they would have some type of
seating where one person was behind another one like you would find on
the old mice or a real bobsled or whether they would be sitting beside
each other. Steve I also thought you mentioned something recently about
concern for people sticking out their hands, arms, etc. If that is an
insurance concern then it could result in something restricting which
would really suck!
Ricky...you know that Larson is based in West Texas...you should take a
drive up and look at what they have so far. ha ha. I think they are
located in Plainview. - Kirk
***************************************rrc
Kirk
Sorry. Wrong 8-(
Due to the width of the trough, side by side seating has never
even been a possibility, once they decided to base this ride on the old
ones The only things that were under considderation were how
many riders per car and how many cars in the train, and both of them
were decided on when John Fetterman began to design this modern Flying
Turns
And yes, concerns for arms will prob lead to something
restrictive. But that's the price "we'll" have to pay for stupid
people in a lawyer filled society 8-(
kirk_ri...@yahoo.com
> Kirk R wrote;
> Group: rec.roller-coaster Date: Fri, Feb 9, 2007, 5:24am (EST-3) From:
Steve...My bad...I am not sure what John was saying then because that
sure is what I understood him to say during the Q & A at PPP last
fall. That is the joy and challenge of communication I guess. - Kirk
Bill B.
> And yes, concerns for arms will prob lead to something
> restrictive. But that's the price "we'll" have to pay for stupid
> people in a lawyer filled society 8-(
What I'm hearing in my court is OTSR, as they restrict arm movement and
"reach," while keeping the overall weight of the trains relatively low. I
guess we'll see what filters out in the wash, so to speak, but trust me it
will be SOMETHING restrictive (as not to allow people reaching for the metal
bumpers).
mamoosh
> What I'm hearing in my court is OTSR, as they restrict arm movement and
> "reach," while keeping the overall weight of the trains relatively low. I
> guess we'll see what filters out in the wash, so to speak, but trust me it
> will be SOMETHING restrictive (as not to allow people reaching for the metal
> bumpers).
Bill - I'm pretty sure Fetterman posted on Coasterbuzz that the idea
of OSTRs was considered but ultimately decided against. There's a
fairly large on-going Knoebels Flying Turns thread in the general
forums...I'm pretty sure that's where the comment was made.
mOOSH
Bill B.
> Bill - I'm pretty sure Fetterman posted on Coasterbuzz that the idea
> of OSTRs was considered but ultimately decided against. There's a
> fairly large on-going Knoebels Flying Turns thread in the general
> forums...I'm pretty sure that's where the comment was made.
mOOSH, thanks. It's no mystery that I'd rather have a root canal than troll
around the CB forums! Issue I'm hearing the the consideration on the
ultimate weight of the trains. Much like the issue that the Arrow Pipeline
cars had to contend with -- Arrow had those stupid roll-up windows on the
sides of the cars to restrict rider arm movement -- but the mechanics to run
those added too much weight to the trains, and they were tearing apart the
track (weld cracks) as they were just too damn heavy.
Seems, at a high level, Knoebels is somewhat in the same canundrum...
kirk_ri...@yahoo.com
Is there anything in the design of an actual bobsled that could shed
some light on the subject? Just curious. They do not do anything
restrictive on the mack bobsled at PKD do they? - Kirk
Tyler Eaves
>
> Is there anything in the design of an actual bobsled that could shed
> some light on the subject? Just curious. They do not do anything
> restrictive on the mack bobsled at PKD do they? - Kirk
The size of the trough is less than half the size of the Mack/Intamin
rides.
RCoasterNY
I found two patents related to the Bartlett Flying Turns. There were
two versions of the cars used. The first one was in 1934, and then was
revised in 1951. The 1951 version shows two separate seats per car,
while the 1934 version shows only one seat. The 1951 version has more
wheels and can flex up and down in the center. The 1951 version is
much longer, and has 6 road wheels per car, similar to the Mack
Bobsleds used today. Here are the patent numbers and the link to the
USPTO website that shows the images of the patents:
1934 version: 1959944
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=1959944.PN.&OS=PN/1959944
1951 version: 2539360
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=2539360.PN.&OS=PN/2539360
I found the above patents on this webpage: http://www.personal.psu.edu/
faculty/v/a/vac3/table.html
I feel that Knoebel might go with the 1951 version for the
undercarriage and seating, but try to borrow some design elements such
as the airplane wing from the 1934 version.
Victor Canfield
> I found two patents related to the Bartlett Flying Turns. There were
> two versions of the cars used. The first one was in 1934, and then was
> revised in 1951. The 1951 version shows two separate seats per car,
> while the 1934 version shows only one seat. The 1951 version has more
> wheels and can flex up and down in the center. The 1951 version is
> much longer, and has 6 road wheels per car, similar to the Mack
> Bobsleds used today. Here are the patent numbers and the link to the
> USPTO website that shows the images of the patents:
>
> 1934 version: 1959944
> http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=1959944.PN.&OS=PN/1959944
>
> 1951 version: 2539360
> http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=2539360.PN.&OS=PN/2539360
>
> I found the above patents on this webpage: http://www.personal.psu.edu/
> faculty/v/a/vac3/table.html
Less relevant to the current discussion, there are two earlier Bartlett
patents (1633204 and 1745241) that envision amusement rides with
self-steering vehicles, but these are not in the form of roller coasters.
These can be found on the USPTO web site by entering the number at
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm
The patents are presented as single page tiff files which may not
display conveniently on all web browsers.
Patents after 1920 are also available on the European Patent Office site
http://ep.espacenet.com/numberSearch?
but the number must be prefaced by the country code (e.g. US1633204).
After passing a couple of hurdles designed to prevent automated
harvesting, it is possible to download full-length patents as pdf files.
The simplest way to view the patents is through the relatively new
Google Patents, although downloading and printing are inconvenient.
http://www.google.com/ptshp?
Some of the information from OCR conversion of the page images is
corrupted, but the patent number almost always works.