Necropolis wrote:AE blue side totally dominated the race last time I went on. Red was slowly behind.
It seems that when running backwards, the Blue side tends to win. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it's just my observation.
When the train is backwards, more weight is distributed to the "front" of the train, so it picks up speed quicker than if it were turned the right way.
Necropolis wrote:AE blue side totally dominated the race last time I went on. Red was slowly behind.
It seems that when running backwards, the Blue side tends to win. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it's just my observation.
When the train is backwards, more weight is distributed to the "front" of the train, so it picks up speed quicker than if it were turned the right way.
Ahhh, ok. Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that had something to do with it.
Im pretty positive AE will be running backwards at a certain point next year. There were rumors highly circulating online so theres a good chance AE backwards for 2012. I never got the chance to ride it backwards this year. Hopefully online they will reveal it during the off-season.
I find it lame they wouldn't continue Backwards Blue for Fright Fest. Redoing it to normal for the rest of this year and then reverting back to backwards next year just seems like a waste of time. Besides, the whole point was for AE's 30th Birthday season - let it finish the season. Next year won't be special.
TonyMichaud wrote:I find it lame they wouldn't continue Backwards Blue for Fright Fest. Redoing it to normal for the rest of this year and then reverting back to backwards next year just seems like a waste of time. Besides, the whole point was for AE's 30th Birthday season - let it finish the season. Next year won't be special.
Unless the blue side won't even be running at all for Fright Fest. No idea if that's gonna happen, but considering the X-Flight construction near Eagle, it's possible. As for making backwards something special for anniversaries: remember that stretch in 2002 or sometime when they had it going for like 4 years straight? They've already made it "unspecial" in the past.
I heard in the past that running the trains backwards had a really bad effect on the tracking of the ride and led to the park only running it forwards. I'm not sure if I completely buy into that, because my understanding of the PTC cars is that the road wheels cannot turn (left and right with respect to rider position). Anyone know more?
Eric wrote:I heard in the past that running the trains backwards had a really bad effect on the tracking of the ride and led to the park only running it forwards. I'm not sure if I completely buy into that, because my understanding of the PTC cars is that the road wheels cannot turn (left and right with respect to rider position). Anyone know more?
Yes we've been through this before. Normally, when run forward, the front axle is static, and the back axle is articulated. Meaning the back wheels are the ones that can tilt to compensate for bank and other track changes. When run backward however, the FRONT axle is the one that articulates. This is problematic because you're LEADING with a LESS STABLE axle, and that's what creates the higher wear on the track, and thus higher maintenance costs. Read all about it: http://capital2.capital.edu/admin-staff ... ercar.html
As for how MUCH more backwards costs, I have no idea. Maybe someone else knows. I'm sure Six Flags could probably get away with running it backwards all the time, but for the sake of the integrity of the ride they probably want to keep it periodic (like they're doing now, on/off).
I'm guessing that either Eagle blue will in fact run backwards for fright fest, or the blue side will be closed all together for extensive track work, which wouldn't be abnormal, usually one side closes early almost every year for track work.
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Yesterday was the last day of AE backwards until maybe next year. There were rumors saying that AE backwards was returning for the 2012 season. But I agree with TonyMichaud, AE BLUE Side should of stayed that way until the end of the season. It only makes sense. Unless the track or cars get damaged badly within a period of time and they'd rather not have to fix it at the end of the season. What's an extra month backwards??
^ I find it very unlikely that they would turn the cars forward again for Fright Fest and then do backwards again next year. It's either going to still be backwards during Fright Fest, or backwards is gone for a while again.
DejaVu2001 wrote:^ I find it very unlikely that they would turn the cars forward again for Fright Fest and then do backwards again next year. It's either going to still be backwards during Fright Fest, or backwards is gone for a while again.
Wasn't it officially announced that Sept 17 was the last day for AE backwards??
DejaVu2001 wrote:^ I find it very unlikely that they would turn the cars forward again for Fright Fest and then do backwards again next year. It's either going to still be backwards during Fright Fest, or backwards is gone for a while again.
I agree. I fear they may try to run only Red side through Fright Fest, with Blue closed. Gutsy move, especially with all the fantastic changes and additions to the Fright Fest lineup, I am thinking crowds will be big this year.
We can all hope for a special surprise that "The Black Widow" is running Forwards/Backwards style.
Whats the name of the spider on AE during Fright Fest?? I really hope they do not close one of the sides of AE. Considering SFGAm gets some of its biggest crowds during some days at Fright Fest. Ugh yeah definitely a gutsy move. I hope the park isn't crowded when I go. (Oct. 22)
Good to see this discussion bringing out all the experts. What purpose would closing the Blue side of Eagle have in the new coaster's construction? The tracks run parallel on the same structure.
The trains all come off the tracks over the winter so turning them around now would make no difference whether or not the chose to run them backwards next year. Having said that I agree I think they should run them backwards through fright fest.
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^Because no one is going to convince Six Flags to approve 2 million for brand new trains that may or may not work for AE to go backwards. It's not worth the money because you won't see much return. The only way that happens is if for some reason the entire ride gets a huge big time make over with brand new trains, paint, on board audio, etc.
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w00dland wrote:^Because no one is going to convince Six Flags to approve 2 million for brand new trains that may or may not work for AE to go backwards. It's not worth the money because you won't see much return. The only way that happens is if for some reason the entire ride gets a huge big time make over with brand new trains, paint, on board audio, etc.
Possible. But how much does it cost to go and have to fix the track due to running it backwards? or do they do this as a capper to when the track is going to need to be replaced.
w00dland wrote:^Because no one is going to convince Six Flags to approve 2 million for brand new trains that may or may not work for AE to go backwards. It's not worth the money because you won't see much return. The only way that happens is if for some reason the entire ride gets a huge big time make over with brand new trains, paint, on board audio, etc.
Possible. But how much does it cost to go and have to fix the track due to running it backwards? or do they do this as a capper to when the track is going to need to be replaced.
I never got the chance to ride it backwards this year. 
Hopefully online they will reveal it during the off-season.
