Valravn Goes Vertical--Construction Starts

There's really nothing to be worried about. Every action is carefully planned out by engineers that take (just about) everything into consideration when they decide to, in this case, build from the bottom up and meet in the middle. At the moment, I believe they still have some cables tied to the single column support that string to the ground and the other large lift support. Those cables will help with the load on the single column support until the rest of the drop track is erected.

In fact, if you do some looking around, you'll find that every one of the large Dive Coasters were erected this way. The other thing about the more modern B&Ms (that have been engineered to require farther support spacing) is that with the taller supports/track segments, one crane has to hold the support in place while another crane lifts the track segments into place (a process that has been used in coaster/regular construction for a very long time). This process is a tad more time consuming since it involves a lot more assembly, planning and moving around with the cranes. Once they get the big sections up, erection of the remaining track will fly since the smaller supports don't all need to be supported while track is being connected.

I noticed the pace has been pretty slow as well, but I'm sure they know what they're doing more than any of us ;)

Progress is probably just slow right now because of the holidays.

Looks like another piece of vertical section has went in since Tuesday. Not sure if that was added today or yesterday though

Another support and two track sections were added today

Maybe we'll see the whole drop finished by January 2nd. That's my guess.

Speaking of drops, not much longer until the ball comes down in Times Square! Happy New Year to the Pointbuzz nation! :)

^^I wouldn't count on it Shawn. I'd put a guess more in the 2 week range. There's also the possibility that they will put the mid course in while there's an opening in the drop. Sure would be easier to install those pieces at the moment as opposed to with a completed drop.

Just saw Valravn for the first time in person today and wow! This thing is so much taller in person.

^^ Adam, that just seems backwards. I know what you mean, but at the same time, Fudge! You would think they would finish the drop first, then the rest of the course. Are they waiting on the holding track piece before they finish the drop?

My guess is that they will continue the immelmann and put up all the track leading up to the midcourse (maybe even the drop from the mcbr). Then they'll install the track pieces that lead up to the holding section of the drop with the straight section and apex of the drop being installed right after that. Of course, this is just a guess. They could very well install the rest of the drop and then continue with the rest of the ride. I wouldn't doubt that they can install the mid course even with a completed drop.

But they definitely won't have the drop installed by tomorrow (they look to be off for the holiday). Another thing that is unclear is how much hardware they have installed on the holding section. I say that because, based on how construction has been done on the other big dive coasters, they install all the necessary hardware (motors, some catwalk, etc) on the drop section before hoisting it up. And since there isn't another support between the single column support and the 1st drop support, my guess is that they'll install the holding section and the track leading up to it as one piece. So they either haven't started on the holding section or they're done with it. Still, they won't be getting to erecting those for a good couple of days.

My guess is that they will finish the highest pieces so they can get rid of the big crane as soon as possible. I'm not sure how tall the MCBR will be, but if it requires the big crane, that will be next on the list after the Immelmann.

Yea, they definitely don't want to have that on site longer than it's needed. But the big advantage to it is how it handles the really heavy loads. I don't know what the load capacity is for the 2nd biggest crane on site but I don't think it's nearly as much as the Manitowoc. The 2nd big crane can definitely handle track but I wonder if it can handle the sections of mid course since they have more to them (brakes, catwalks, etc) which make them heavier. But I guess it also depends on if they install the mid course as 2 sections or one piece.

Just have to wait and see. :)

Based on this image, it looks like there is one more support in the drop, right underneath the crest.

That's what they're setting up for right now. And after listening to Tony's video to the Great Ohio Coaster Club, it seems like they will be finishing the drop before continuing with the rest of the layout. So a completed drop is in the works for this week. Can't wait to see it all done. :)

YES!!

Can't wait to see the immelman start taking shape either

I just can't wait to see what's in store for us at this years Winter Chill Out. First coaster construction in many years that I've been able to participate, Air Force always got in the way of attending these with the exception of last year. Time to see it before it's even done!

Looks like the last set of drop hill supports will kick back over top of the road coming into the park. That will be a cool visual driving under them. At least thats what it looks like to me because the supports that are attached so far almost come back to the road already.

Nevermind, I see in the rendering that they kick down close to the other supports.

Wrong, look at the renderings. The locations of the supports are right on the money in the renderings, and the foundations for that last tall support are clearly visible on the web cam.