Top Thrill 2 Announced

Look closely and to can see them using red straps to lift a new section of track into place.... Are we 100% sure it is Zamperla?😉

Sam87:

...it’s mentioned their engineers began working on TT2 18 months ago.

So roughly 6 months after the accident, which makes sense.

That's more than enough time and right in line with typical coaster projects.

There’s a possibility plans were already rolling with this project before the accident occurred. Perhaps last season was originally the final year for the original coaster? Then the accident occurred the season before, and plans changed to close TTD early to allow all the investigations to conclude.

Going back to the worry of dispatching trains in 60 seconds. I mentioned before that Wicked Twister dispatched in 60 seconds and it had 16 rows that needed checked in the same load/unload spot. It is not hard to do it at all. I would also be willing to bet there is a good multi move function programmed to TT2 (think Millennium Force trains advancing from unload to load). I do not see the capacity being absolutely horrible if run and programmed properly. I do find it weird that they opted for 3 trains instead of 4 also, but I suppose we will see.

kylepark:

There’s a possibility plans were already rolling with this project before the accident occurred

This is likely the case. If Zamperla begin working on this project 18 months ago, then the park was probably working on it 20+ months ago, especially if they pitched their idea to other companies and didn't go straight to Zamperla. In all likelihood, this was started prior to the accident.

TwistedWicker77:

Wicked Twister dispatched in 60 seconds

Note that the train at twister was PARKED for 60 seconds, it did not dispatch every 60 seconds - big difference capacity wise.

On the Coaster radio interview Tony said that about a year and a half ago they reached out to manufacturers. One of the requirements was the tophat had to stay. Zamperla provided a layout and animation that was the right budget, etc. He also said the project was on time and on schedule.

^^Wicked Twister required a programmed delay after a cycle to reset/cooldown the LIMs before another cycle could begin. (Fairly sure it was 60 seconds—I never timed it—but given TW77’s quoted interval time above that would make sense.) There were rides on WT I had where the crew could have dispatched quicker than 60 seconds (e.g., when there were a large number of empty rows), but then the ride operator had to wait on WT to complete the reset before the train could be dispatched (they would announce “Waiting on Twister”).

(One thing I’ll never forget about WT is the insane amount of heat you could feel radiating from the LIMs above your head when you got on. You could even see the heat shimmering down the launch track if you were seated in the front row!)

Hudson:

Zamperla provided a layout and animation that was the right budget

Bingo!

PKevin2004:

TwistedWicker77:

Wicked Twister dispatched in 60 seconds

Note that the train at twister was PARKED for 60 seconds, it did not dispatch every 60 seconds - big difference capacity wise.

I will lay down odds for the over/under on TT2 dispatching every 60 seconds.

I will take the OVER, regardless of odds (for reasons stated earlier).

I still believe it will do 1,000 PPH -- which will smoke TTD's PPH.

Don’t forget that Dragster would run partially filled trains first thing in the morning. On a cold morning, it could take a few hours to get the train full. Then, not only does each train not take as many people, it takes a long time to clear the final brakes to send the next train. Top Thrill 2 should have no problem beating Top Thrill 1’s ridership numbers with a competent crew and operational policies that aren’t too asinine.

What was the purpose of doing that?

Hudson:

On the Coaster radio interview Tony said that about a year and a half ago they reached out to manufacturers

I've often wished that someone would write a more detailed article/story/chapter/book that details, in retrospect, the discussions and planning that go into something like a Mean Streak/Steel Vengeance or TTD/TT2 conversion. Hildebrandt did touch on some planning in his book; but, I'd love to learn more about the creative and engineering processes behind a new or reimagined attraction. If ex post facto, it seems to me it could be done in a way that doesn't reveal any trade secrets or burn any bridges.

veritas55:

Hudson:

Zamperla provided a layout and animation that was the right budget

Bingo!

You know, Intamin was the low budget option for Cedar Fair for many years, and it showed in their work. So Zamperla has a low bar to clear.

djDaemon:

veritas55:

Hudson:

Zamperla provided a layout and animation that was the right budget

Bingo!

You know, Intamin was the low budget option for Cedar Fair for many years, and it showed in their work. So Zamperla has a low bar to clear.

It's like clockwork round here .... mention anything about any other manufacturer and it will lead to "but Intamin would have [insert parade of horribles]..." I'm gonna make a drinking game out of it.

(Yes, most Swiss companies are known to be bargain basement cheap .... I'm sure for Millennium Force, if they bid out for Morgan, what was left of Arrow, and others, they would have come in cheaper than Intamin for Millennium Force .... but anyway... )

If im not mistaken, doesnt CP reduce the cost of their rides/coasters by buying in bulk from manufacturers?

Like, signing agreements for a 3 ride deal etc.?

I wonder if Wild Mouse and TT2 were bundled.

Name it Dragster Refueled.

Jordan,

If there were any empty rows, they would be at the back of the train. I believe this was done to reduce the risk of a rollback.

Didn't get any pictures, but noticed that they've put up the old pavillion/wild mouse fencing around the TT2 tower. Guessing they're going to start painting again soon.