Texas Giant Tear Down And Rebuild

[ThatTh*ngGirl]

[ThatTh*ngGirl]

Most of what I'm about to say will only be confirmed as construction continues, but here's what I was told..

-track length might be about 400 feet shorter

-no confirmation yet as to whether the "magic carpet finale" will stay, but the engineers have been told it's a favorite

-the most likely place for this 95-degree-banked turn is just before what is now known as "Curt's Curve," located just after the peak of the hill after safety brake

and the million-dollar question..

if you MUST have steel or wood designation, then it's steel. The park believes it to be a hybrid combination, though, as said in the press release.

But things can always change; still several more months of *just* construction left to go..

[Mike Robinson]

Gerstaluer does make steel trains like the Eurofighter for example.

Actually with their trains I would prefer a steel track as I think the trains they make for woodies are pretty bad.

[Frontrider]

Considering how much I loved the kick-butt rides I've gotten over the years on the all-wooden Texas Giant in my beloved PTC trains (even on it's last weekend), this is disapointing news for my taste. I always say "If it isn't wood, it's not as good!" Even my fave steel coasters of all time pale in my rankings comparison to my top tier of woodies.

I am very glad I had the oppurtunity to visit the original Giant on it's last weekend to say goodbye.

And also very glad to have had the chance to get my first rides ever on the AMAZING, SUBLIME Boardwalk Bullet on the same trip! Those 30+ walk-on ERT night rides on this masterpiece were my first, but certainly won't be the last.

Congratulations, Metro Houston! IMO, the number one coaster, wood or steel, in the Great Lone Star State now resides in Kemah, Texas!
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[ThatTh*ngGirl]

I forgot to add that the planned flamethrowers for ride effects has now been shelved. No word on whether a ride soundtrack is or isn't on the way, however.

[Mike Robinson]

Agreed on the Bullet!!!

This sheds some light on the track... That is just strange looking. Has the shape of traditional wood track but only cast in steel. I will reserve judgement until I ride.

http://www.rockymtnconstruction.com/

[Daffy]

will it be SAFE?

[Mike Robinson]

I am sure it will be safe. It looks like it will be a really fun ride.

[smith]

It is safer then wood, wood has a higher chance to wear out than steel does, this new design should deliver a much smoother ride.
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Looks like its playtime again

[txcyclone10K]

My initial thoughts:

[1] I wonder why nobody did this before (not on a retrofit, but on a new design) - it doesn't seem as much high tech as it does "duh". I've thought about steel box rails on aggressive woodies for ages, even though they didn't much look like these.

[2] It's absolutely a steelie. Gemini is a steelie. Cedar Creek Mine Ride is a steelie. Adventure Express is a steelie. Had Giant been built originally with this track, nobody would even bat an eye in classifying it as a steel coaster.

[3] It's absolutely a new credit. Different height, different track length, different angles on drops and turns, and HELLO, IT'S NOW A STEEL COASTER.

[4] I agree that even the best steel coasters have a hard time matching the really good woodies, but IMHO Giant hasn't been a really good woodie in years.
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Rides on the Bullet so far: 728

[DESK]

Agree with previous post, if it's Steel then it's a new ride. Unrelated but Gemini is awesome!

[ThatTh*ngGirl]

March 27, 2010

[ThatTh*ngGirl]

More March 27, 2010:

[ThatTh*ngGirl]

April 4th, 2010:





Thanks to Josh for these (and the previous post's) pictures.

[wiyoh20]

Looks like it is coming along slowly but surely....
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