Tower of Terror Update

[Gazza]

that was only needed because the first train was way over engineered.

And the current TOT one isn't lol?

[ads086]

Wouldn't there be potential for them to use Carbon Fibre? They use it to make the airframe of the Boeing 787, so making the chassis for a car like this would be super strong yet incredibly light.

[Scott.]

Yeah and carbon fibre costs 100 times that of steel mate. Gazza all that you just circled is the theming the fact that back bar is only stich welded shows its not a structural element, strip off all that theming which is probably only 3mm plate or so and it would just be a frame underneath you can even see the start of it that attached to the wheels, that would just continue on into a beam which runs the whole length of the car with a cross beam or two. Trust me you are trying to talk way out of your knowledge here guys whats shown on the outside is never that structural its all the internal stuff you cant see.

[Gazza]

Well, I was more getting at the fact TOT has pretty much the largest coaster wheels known to man, and look at the size of that axle! And in any case, superfluous, non structural theming is going to be adding weight isn't it?

that back bar is only stich welded shows its not a structural element,

I wasn't focusing on that bit....

[Rick]

Quick update from today - the ride was testing for much of the late afternoon. I saw it do around 5 launches. The car seats fourteen, not twelve as previously thought. The seating configuration is 4-4-4-2. http://www.rickupsidedown.com/?page_id=489 Rick.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Rick

[Scott.]

That isnt the axle though the axle would run through that and be much smaller since bearings and such have to fit in that tube too and those wheels would be a cnc billet of aluminium much like a car alloy wheel is. PLease just stop now you seem to have very limited understanding of the contruction side of things, yes its got some burly parts on it compared to a standard coaster car but its not a standard coaster car is it. Bigger wheels reduce the wear and tear on things like bearings and the wear on axles, greatly decreasing the down time caused by failing parts such as this. Everything is used for a reason its not just bigger wheels look cool. Yes theming ads weight i never denied that but you seem to not understand the weight of steel products, a 1mm sheet of steel 1m x 1m will weigh 7.48kg so considering they only use 2-3mm thick plate for theming its probably not even 150kg added weight over the whole ride. That is not alot in the scheme of things

Edited September 11, 2010 by Scott.

[Rick]

Agreed - ^150kg is nothing. You could have that variance EASILY depending on the number of riders/weight of riders in the vehicle.

[Scott.]

Yeah exactly, im not saying they cant loose weight off it because they can im just saying its really not going to make a huge difference because they wont loose as much as dreamworld seem to claim. There wont be any noticeable performance increase just because of a so called "lighter car", giving the launch systems a tuneup will have a much bigger increase.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Scott.

[Rick]

The car was going higher than it was doing with the old car last month. I'd say it hit the area of the Tower where the 'R' of TOWER is on the shaft.

[Scott.]

Thats where it was hitting when i went in july with the old car.......

Edited September 11, 2010 by Scott.

[Rick]

Hmm, perhaps a higher. I was watching from near the 'fire station' so the view of the tower was obscured some what. Definitely higher than 'normal' - but not on every shot. One of the later launches wasn't far from the top brake section, maybe 15ft from there. Perhaps some photos if testing tomorrow. I can hear it from our pool so will head over if I hear it.

[Scott.]

Well we all know the launch system was very capable of hitting the top with the old car, it does seem to be a bit hit and miss these days i guess it depends how long it has to build up after each launch too.

[Linus1995]

hey guys, ive been visting/following these forums for quite a while. and rick i was at movieworld today aswell and saw the car testing, i agree it looked as if it was going much higher as usual. there were two things i noticed though, the car looks very very big and the noise when its in the tunnel is reduced quite a bit from the old car, but as soon as it gets out of the tunnel its as loud as ever... i feel bad for those living next to dreamworld!

[Rick]

hey guys, ive been visting/following these forums for quite a while. and rick i was at movieworld today aswell and saw the car testing, i agree it looked as if it was going much higher as usual. there were two things i noticed though, the car looks very very big and the noise when its in the tunnel is reduced quite a bit from the old car, but as soon as it gets out of the tunnel its as loud as ever... i feel bad for those living next to dreamworld!

I agree - it is quieter in the tunnel - and to be honest I thought it was a little quieter on the Tower? I'm interested to see how the OTSRs affect the floating feeling on the tower.

[Linus1995]

i guess it was a little bit thinking about it now... did you like the way the car looked? i just think the colours are a bit too light for the dark and gritty feel the tot has! OTSRS? i have no idea what that means... by the way did you see the structure thing they were building next to the end of the tunnel? it was like a small house to put on at the end of the tunnel for where the car enters and stuff, weird looking... i should of taken a photo

[Gazza]

OTSRs = Over The Shoulder Restraints....In other words those U shaped harnesses commonly seen on rides that go upside down.

[Linus1995]

ahh over the shoulder restraints, i know what they are i just didnt know otsr. dont worry gazza i do know a little about rollercoasters but yeah i agree on this one, hope it doesnt take away that weightless feeling

[Rick]

by the way did you see the structure thing they were building next to the end of the tunnel? it was like a small house to put on at the end of the tunnel for where the car enters and stuff, weird looking... i should of taken a photo

Yes - was really sure what to make of that!

[Linus1995]

hmmm yeah, this might sound stupid but do we know of any laser/smoke effects happening inside the tunnel?

[Rick]

Also worth mentioning that Dreamworld are advertising Screamworld as the chance to take your first ride on TOT2.

[Linus1995]

and when he says screamworld he means screamworld on the 17th of septemeber!

[Rick]

and when he says screamworld he means screamworld on the 17th of septemeber!

Indeed. Here are some pics from today - http://www.rickupsidedown.com/?page_id=489 Rick.

[varekai]

It might not be hitting the top, but it will look a hell of a lot higher once you're looking down. I'm really excited to see how the experience is once it's opened.

[jakeman398]

I saw that frame work today too... Could that possibly be where mist can be attached to as the ride goes though??? Oh, there was a big silver and red thing on the top of it!!! What on earth was it???

[Park Addict 93]

I saw that the other day too, I have no idea what that framework was for, possibly for loading the new cart onto the track or something? I did a blog post on TOT Relaunch the other day *cough shameless plug* GCGuy.net

Edited September 12, 2010 by Jordan M