This is coming together faster than I would have expected. Two weeks ago, I would have thought the station would have to be completed before testing could commence. Pretty amazing that we might see more construction/landscaping tasks done in parallel. Still, it looks like we're looking at two to three weeks before this ride could open.
Ilovthevu' wrote:It doesn't really prove it's ready for testing. The dude from WGN wanted to see it (talking about it tomorrow), so they took it out for him to film on it. I don't know what un-grouted footers means, but if FParker says they are, I believe him. He knows a lot more than a lot of people know about rides.
Un-grouted are the footers with a visible gap between the support beam and the concrete base.
"I've been told that some part of every wish will be heard but lately I lost sight of the truth in those words."
in this pic posted by SavetheWave, can see still no grout, and there is a good reason they put 18 inches or so of steel I-Beam welded to the bottom of the support that fits into a pocket in the footer, it most definitely is a structural element of the ride. Not to say they can't test it, but it'd be a tremendously bad idea. They can of course easily test all the other aspects of the ride though which I'm sure they've been doing as they hit their milestones...
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
We’ve also had the wettest May ever in record. I think it’s rained everyday for 2 weeks straight now. There’s no way to put concrete in weather like we’ve had. So unfortunately a delay happens. Maybe if the weather had been better they would have been testing by now.
The reason I think they should finish the station first before testing is because of certain factors that could happen during the testing phase. As stupid as it sounds, let's say they put the air gates too close to the train, or an air gate breaks off during a test run because it wasn't installed properly. That wouldn't be good. Let's say they add some sort of glass ceiling, and during the launch (during the testing), the glass shatters. That's not good either. Parts of the station are very close to the ride. I understand they can do the rest of the line for the ride even if it's testing. It doesn't really matter, but to me having the station done before testing should be a priority. I also don't think you want the operator panel for the ride under the elements with no full roof.
"I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
Ilovthevu' wrote:The reason I think they should finish the station first before testing is because of certain factors that could happen during the testing phase. As stupid as it sounds, let's say they put the air gates too close to the train, or an air gate breaks off during a test run because it wasn't installed properly. That wouldn't be good. Let's say they add some sort of glass ceiling, and during the launch (during the testing), the glass shatters. That's not good either. Parts of the station are very close to the ride. I understand they can do the rest of the line for the ride even if it's testing. It doesn't really matter, but to me having the station done before testing should be a priority. I also don't think you want the operator panel for the ride under the elements with no full roof.
I agree with you totally! Test the ride how it will operate in real conditions and with all construction elements complete. UNLESS, they need to test something in that area that would become inaccessible once station is built.
Last edited by CoasterRiderSC on May 31st, 2019, 8:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
Single Day Ride Count Record
50 rides 8/17/2018 (Without Flash Pass - Coasters After Dark)
Hey everybody! This is Marcus Leshock with WGN. I put together some video from my visit yesterday, including me trying out the seat/restraints and some other video we captured from the site. Just uploaded here...thought some of you might be interested! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHKzW0SzGz0
marcusleshock wrote:Hey everybody! This is Marcus Leshock with WGN. I put together some video from my visit yesterday, including me trying out the seat/restraints and some other video we captured from the site. Just uploaded here...thought some of you might be interested! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHKzW0SzGz0
Thanks Marcus! One thing I noticed is that the seatbelts aren't the kind used by Goliath. I would have thought they would be the same style because those are almost impossible to come off by accident.
Also, that barrel roll looks like it might be a bit rough because it's a tight "spiral". Time will tell!
Single Day Ride Count Record
50 rides 8/17/2018 (Without Flash Pass - Coasters After Dark)
I had guessed Maxx would open on June 22. That's about two weeks from now. Asked point blank for an opening date, the guy in the video wouldn't commit to anything specific. He just said, "Very soon." If this ride was opening in the next couple of weeks, I'd expect the park could provide an estimated target date (dependent on weather).
June 22 still seems plausible for an opening date, but I could see July 4 if the weather doesn't cooperate.
So what is the deal with footer grout? They basically encase the end of the steel support in concrete to prevent pullout right? I assume with is stronger than just relying on the tensile strength of rebar alone?
So, Six Flags has at least 3 delayed rides that aren't fully built yet. You have this ride, Joker at Fiesta Texas, and Magic Mountains. I say this ride doesn't open till July. When they test, they test these rides a lot. I thought 4 to 6 weeks.
"I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
Falcon wrote:So what is the deal with footer grout? They basically encase the end of the steel support in concrete to prevent pullout right? I assume with is stronger than just relying on the tensile strength of rebar alone?
Falcon wrote:So what is the deal with footer grout? They basically encase the end of the steel support in concrete to prevent pullout right? I assume with is stronger than just relying on the tensile strength of rebar alone?
So the grout is NOT just cosmetic but quite functional:
Compressive force is transmitted to the foundation through perfect contact between the column base plate and the grout. Shear force is transmitted to the foundation through perfect contact between the shear pin and grout as well as between the anchor bolts and grout. Tension force is transmitted to the foundation through the anchor bolts.
Single Day Ride Count Record
50 rides 8/17/2018 (Without Flash Pass - Coasters After Dark)
Falcon wrote:So what is the deal with footer grout? They basically encase the end of the steel support in concrete to prevent pullout right? I assume with is stronger than just relying on the tensile strength of rebar alone?
B&MGuy35 wrote:Guys, The queue for this ride is huge!! Look at all the concrete that has been poured for it now. Also the roof for the station is basically done.
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I'm scared... where are the holes to support the awnings for shade?
