Six Flags Over Texas (SFOT) Discussion Thread

Exhibit A

http://rcdb.com/2.htm?p=29291

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR WHEELS TO GET BETWEEN BOLT PLATES.

Think of it this way. The space between those plates is no less than the width of the steel that runs along the top of traditional wood coaster track. I really don't get how this is so confusing for everyone. Maybe it's just that pictures can't do it justice but take it from those of us who have actually seen it in person, IF the plates stay there is room for the wheels.

Exhibit A

 

http://rcdb.com/2.htm?p=29291

 

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR WHEELS TO GET BETWEEN BOLT PLATES.

 

Think of it this way. The space between those plates is no less than the width of the steel that runs along the top of traditional wood coaster track. I really don't get how this is so confusing for everyone. Maybe it's just that pictures can't do it justice but take it from those of us who have actually seen it in person, IF the plates stay there is room for the wheels.

I don't know the width of the wheels, but I can imagine them being be thinner than the space between the bolts, but how the wheels stay centered through a turn as shown in Exhibit A?

Also, I don't doubt the width between the bolts at least the same as the top of a traditional wooden coaster track, but on a traditinal coaster track isn't there a little tolerance for the the edge of the wheel to hang over the edge of the track just a little maybe an 1/8 of an inch here, but if any part of the wheel hits a bolt you start chunking those wheels.

But hey I'll wait to see how this all plays out, I don't think any of us can know for certain at this point.

I'll wait to see Exhibit B, a picture of the train and wheels going through the area where the bolts are currently located.

^haha. I had an exhibit B but I decided it was a little too sassy.

This link popped up on my Yahoo homepage. Its shows great pictures and time lapsed foootage of The Giant's work. Camera must be mounted from the tower. This is from SFoT website. Enjoy!

http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/rides/TexasGiant.aspx

Here's the new logo!

^ Hmmmm - I think I like it?

What do you guys think?

Is the word "New" going to be a part of it's official name? thats the only part i don't know how I feel about.

^My guess is that it will eventually be replaced with the word "The" or that word will eventually be added. But when it reopens, it will probably be just like the logo reads.

Hey, just something I noticed on the Six Flags website. This was posted as a caption of one of the August pictures.

"Crews continue to install track for the first hill and onto the first turn. The first piece of 3D track is installed to allow twisting motion of ride." I'm assuming that since the Six Flags website is typically inaccurate that this means nothing. But It wouldn't be referring to the track already installed, because that track has been there for months already. Maybe a hint about the new Gerstlauer trains? Any thoughts?

http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/rides/TexasGiant.aspx

I actually really like that logo. Something about it just looks awesome. Where'd you get it? Like did someone link it or did Six Flags release it or what?

Hey, just something I noticed on the Six Flags website. This was posted as a caption of one of the August pictures.

"The first piece of 3D track is installed to allow twisting motion of ride." It wouldn't be referring to the track already installed, because that track has been there for months already. Maybe a hint about the new Gerstlauer trains?

Maybe the 3D track is like the track on the Son of Beast during the loop in the way that the section of track will be all steel instead of steel rails flush with the wood structure.

^^ It was inlcluded on an update on http://www.newsplusnotes.com and with the accompanying discription it would seem like it was an official release but I can't find it anywhere else.

Overbank action has arrived!! Check it out y'all!

Besides overbanking yum yums they have the handrail pretty close to finished giving the lift that nice illusion of completyness.

in an effort to further blur the facts in their marketing, they have now UNCROSSED the word "wooden" on the sign. While this validates a few other random statements about the ride, it contradicts just as many.

Here we have a delicious 95 degree looking banky snack

not sure how far over this one will be going just yet.

last but not least we have the main course taking shape. The illusive 112/114 degree bank surprise! How funky is this rig? Looks like we have the first half of the ride just about revealed now. What will become of the old midcourse brake stretch is the next big question I'm very anxious to see.

Thanks for the update, Zingoman!

I'm really confused as to where everything is right now (being unaware of some of the Giant's former layout), so I can't wait to see how it all comes together when track is laid.

Needless to say, this transformation is just crazily exciting to watch as it progresses. It seems like there is a new, insane surprise every week!

The two big wooden coasters of 2011 are going to insane! Texas Giant Remodel vs China's GCI terrain woodie!

All I can say is... WOW! This is by far one of the most interesting coaster projects ever.

Wow. I would never have guessed the 114 degree banked turn would have gone on that third turnaround. The coaster will definitely have enough speed there to make that comfortable (assuming no trims). I'm actually most curious to see what happens to the double helixes (or what's left of them) after the old block brakes. I hope they don't shorten the coaster and just completely get rid of them, but who knows?

79 Degree drop!!! 112 Degree turn!!! Oh my god, that's going to be insane!!! I call the back of the train.

Not to keep beating a dead horse, but here's a recent picture of the lift hill: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7041800&id=65853440990&ref=fbx_album

Which appears to lack the bolted connection plates. You can see where it's discolored where it looks like they welded and grinded the track to make it a smooth connection.

That joint never had the plates because the rails didn't fit properly when they installed them I'm guessing the grinding/welding was done to fix whatever was wrong with the rails, and not to join them together. Here's how that joint looked on April 30:

This coaster is starting to become the "frankenstein" of wooden coasters in my book. But my god, it looks like it will be incredible. I'm also very curious to see just how much that structure is going to sway with all this new extra weight added to it when the train is hauling a**. I'll surely be watching this thing until its complete.

^^Hmm...those pictures make me feel a little uneasy. Haha

Did a quick search on this and for a thread on SFOT, didn't come up with anything (again quick search) but seen on the news where SFOT was under water courtesy of Tropical Storm Hermine

http://video.aol.ca/video-detail/raw-video-six-flags-over-texas-flooding/415802452

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/090810-hermines-rain-goes-on-and-on

So far, the only two videos I could find.

Have you found anything on Schlitterbahn NB? I saw video of the surrounding area and it looks INSANE! Would love to see how the park did!

Thanks!

^ not yet, but I'm searching. I have some friends down that way, I will hit them up and see if they know anything.