Viper Backwards?

[Iron Wolf 90-11]

On screamscape it was reported that Viper may run backwards for the first time ever. How do you feel about this? This would be instead of X-Flight running backwards.

[DejaVu2001]

That's been what I've been hearing since last year. No idea where Screamscape heard X Flight from, but that never was in the plans. Should be fun, and less nauseating than namtaB. I just hope Viper's track doesn't get messed up from running backwards.

[PfightingPolish]

That's been what I've been hearing since last year. No idea where Screamscape heard X Flight from, but that never was in the plans. Should be fun, and less nauseating than namtaB. I just hope Viper's track doesn't get messed up from running backwards.

Very uneducated opinion, but I don't think it should. Viper's built pretty well.

I think this is a great idea.

[SFGAm#1Fan]

This must be what the park was talking about when they said when they had something else exciting in store for when they turn Batman forwards again.

[BURTONxBLUNT]

I heard this rumor awhile back! I would love for it to be true! I know thats a fun ride foward and so underrated I think backwards people will know how awesome viper really is(:

[CstrFan512]

I honestly think Viper is the jewel of SFGAm. Its a clone of a classic and still packs a punch. I think that Viper backwards would be amazing and even a better idea than namtaB. namtaB has turns and loops, but massive air-time drops without being able to tell when they're coming is definitely more of a thrill.

[sfgamguy]

The park just posted this on twitter regarding an announcement they are about to make:
"... But the good news is we are also about to announce a full season of backwards with 2 additional rides for you to try BACKWARDS!"

EDIT: Announcement 3: For the first time ever, Viper BACKWARDS beginning July 8! http://youtu.be/sGzU91Z3psQ

[BBH]

Yep, Viper backwards and EAGLE BLUE BACKWARDS AGAIN!

I am quite excited.

[CoastsToCoasters]

They're turnin around all the classics, this will be interesting!

[UWW-10]

I would say that the only negative will be having rides down during a busy part of the season to get things situated. If Viper goes backwards starting July 8th....that probably means it'll close 2-3 weeks before that. And even though they've stated Batman will need 2 weeks after to switch back....it's still happening in the peak of the season.

It'll be interesting....it has always worked well on Eagle because you aren't really closing down the entire ride....the line gets longer when you close down a side, but it isn't out of commission all together.

Hopefully the park will be efficient about it....especially when the last few season that park has taken pride in their coasters giving 1 million rides in a season....when you miss ample days of operational status...it gets harder to get the million in.

[DeathbyDinn]

^ Regarding Viper, I heard an interesting idea that they may just throw Eagle blue trains on it since those have already been retrofitted to run backwards. If this were to happen, that could really cut down the amount of time Viper would have to be closed, but of course it would then leave Eagle blue closed, unless they could put Vipers trains on it.

[FParker185]

The lapbars on Eagle work much differently than Viper, I don't think they would put those trains on. I gotta guess all the modifications are already complete on Viper, probably done in the offseason, so it will be a matter of just flipping the cars around, then turning the dogs around and switching the brake fins to the other side. It should be a relatively speedy process.

I'm guessing if they wanted they could leave Viper open running one train while they turn the other train around, then on July 8, put the backwards train into operation and quickly flip the other train around, which would result in a period of reduced capacity but not closing the ride all together.

[Goku1910]

^ Regarding Viper, I heard an interesting idea that they may just throw Eagle blue trains on it since those have already been retrofitted to run backwards. If this were to happen, that could really cut down the amount of time Viper would have to be closed, but of course it would then leave Eagle blue closed, unless they could put Vipers trains on it.

Nope, those trains weren't designed for Viper. They're heavier, and have different restraint systems.

[BBH]

Yeah, Eagle uses the PTC Buzz Bar system, and Viper uses a "regular" PTC restraint system, so it wouldn't work. But the maintenance crew knows what they're doing, they've obviously retrofitted 6-seat PTC's in the past.

[Coaster Justin]

Sounds Purely Awesome. Gonna be there When they open.

[SFGAm Viper]

I'm pretty sure the Viper trains were retrofitted to run backwards. Shouldn't take too long to flip them.

[FParker185]

Actually just noticed, for Coaster Enthuiast Day at SFGAm on July 6 the schedule is as follows. "The event includes Morning ERT on Batman Backwards(9-9;30), Viper(9:30-10), and X Flight(10-10:30)"

Apparently they expect Viper to be open 2 days before it runs backwards.

[Goku1910]

Actually just noticed, for Coaster Enthuiast Day at SFGAm on July 6 the schedule is as follows. "The event includes Morning ERT on Batman Backwards(9-9;30), Viper(9:30-10), and X Flight(10-10:30)"

Apparently they expect Viper to be open 2 days before it runs backwards.

I don't think they really thought that one through.

[FParker185]

No reason why it can't be open. Guessing it will be one train though. Though they can probably turn both around on the 7'th and have it closed for just one day. It'd be easy since they do have a means to lift the cars built right in the storage building.

[Ilovthevu']

Actually just noticed, for Coaster Enthuiast Day at SFGAm on July 6 the schedule is as follows. "The event includes Morning ERT on Batman Backwards(9-9;30), Viper(9:30-10), and X Flight(10-10:30)"

Apparently they expect Viper to be open 2 days before it runs backwards.

I don't think they really thought that one through.

What I don't think they really thought through is that they have Batman till 9:30, and Viper starting at 9:30 yet they are on completely on the opposite of each other.

[FParker185]

Both Viper and Batman will be running backwards during ERT's. No word on if Viper will be open during the day for the GP, guessing not.

[Coaster Justin]

It's running backwards today.

[BURTONxBLUNT]

So today viper has started running backwards with 2 trains already! 6flags really needs to get there stuff straight because its for sure not July 8

[RobSFGAm]

Just got off it. It is very good backwards. Ride op said they turned it around early yesterday afternoon and then tested it a lot and opened it yesterday evening.
I think with rhe bad weather and lower attendence they moved it up.
Even the sign about it going backward now say "Viper Backwards Now through August "
There was a 10 minute wait tonight at 8 pm.
The ride sign is still the same (nothing about it being backwards)

[[jonrev]]

Front row (would be the back, in normal operation) is an absolute airtime machine! Haven't been thrown around on a wood coaster like that since El Toro, 7 years ago.