Official Goliath Thread

[Goliath72165]

The new support structure does NOT LOOK SAFE!!! I will tell you one thing, the track is going to be SWAYING like CRAZY! Probably going to sway as much as the old Rattler @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The lift hill and the inverted zero g stall/roll will probably sway ALOT in the wind since it is barely supported. One thing to add to that, the more the structure moves on a wooden roller coaster, the rougher its going to get.

[AirTimeDaz]

The new support structure does NOT LOOK SAFE!!! I will tell you one thing, the track is going to be SWAYING like CRAZY! Probably going to sway as much as the old Rattler @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The lift hill and the inverted zero g stall/roll will probably sway ALOT in the wind since it is barely supported. One thing to add to that, the more the structure moves on a wooden roller coaster, the rougher its going to get.

I was kinda thinking the same thing. How can that minimal woodwork possibly hold up the darn chainlift much less a fully loaded train on a windy day! I just hope they didn't modify the design to try to hit their deadline.

[CoasterMike]

I just hope they didn't modify the design to try to hit their deadline.

I sure hope not. If that's the case, than that's kind of a bad move.

[Goliath72165]

I just hope they didn't modify the design to try to hit their deadline.

I sure hope not. If that's the case, than that's kind of a bad move.

I myself would rather have a SAFER support structure than meeting the deadline! Now, this ride is starting to make me worry. If I happen to be in the queue line and I see the support structure and track SWAYING like CRAZY (which it will), I will refuse to ride it! I find it almost IMPOSSIBLE that the new support structure will work.

[DeathbyDinn]

^^ How? What's wrong with changing something about a ride to let it be built in a faster time and with less materials? RMC knows what they're doing and minimalist lift structures are nothing new. The ride will still be just as safe and the track isn't going to start swaying like crazy.

^

[DejaVu2001]

Good to know we have so many engineers on the forums

[CoasterMike]

I am well aware that all roller coaster's support structure and track will move as the train passes by. They are designed to do sway however, I have a feeling that this ride will sway way too much making the ride rougher and less safe. I agree that the lift is going to most likely sway in the wind. If that's the case, they may have to shut the ride down on windy days.

[FParker185]

nothing has been changed, this has been planned all along just not before the animation was done, the structure is steel, the other coasters that use similar support structures and are much taller have no problem. Nothing to see here... carry on.

[GoBears]

The structure of the lift and Zero-G stall appears to be steel, not wood. Can't say for sure though.

[UWW-10]

It's hard to tell from the photo renderings.....but it looks as if the lift and drop support structure could be more steel than wood.

Why did the support structure change?

The support structure didn't really change....just the accuracy of the final renderings.

[SFGAm Viper]

The new support structure does NOT LOOK SAFE!!! I will tell you one thing, the track is going to be SWAYING like CRAZY! Probably going to sway as much as the old Rattler @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The lift hill and the inverted zero g stall/roll will probably sway ALOT in the wind since it is barely supported. One thing to add to that, the more the structure moves on a wooden roller coaster, the rougher its going to get.

I'm glad someone as knowledgeable as you is on this forum! That you know more about engineering the rides than RMC does! Wow! Amazing!

[kossdude1]

I myself would rather have a SAFER support structure than meeting the deadline! Now, this ride is starting to make me worry. If I happen to be in the queue line and I see the support structure and track SWAYING like CRAZY (which it will), I will refuse to ride it! I find it almost IMPOSSIBLE that the new support structure will work.

It's safety first with all theme parks. Before they released the new look, they probably did a lot of research before they made the decision. Besides, from my understanding STEEL will be used for most of it. The steel beams they go with should be able to hold the structure up just fine.

[Goliath72165]

It won't be long before the neighbors will have SFGAm add a tunnel on the drop like they did with Gold Striker @ California's Great America or Ghost Rider @ Knott's Berry Farm. The reason why I say this is because the first drop is facing towards the residents.

[kossdude1]

It won't be long before the neighbors will have SFGAm add a tunnel on the drop like they did with Gold Striker @ California's Great America or Ghost Rider @ Knott's Berry Farm. The reason why I say this is because the first drop is facing towards the residents.

The difference between SFGAm and CGA= CGA is in more of a business based area.

The ride is far enough away from the residential properties, eliminating the need for a tunnel

[Ace]

I heard about this awhile back. It will be fine. This is why they keep saying that they are on schedule. It looks alot like millennium force to me.

[GoBears]

Reminds me of I305...

During IAAPA, one of the RMC guys did say it will be slightly different than the original concept artwork.

[AirTimeDaz]

If the lift will be mostly steel like many of you are saying, then i feel better about that. It should also construct pretty quickly. I can't wait to see this joker start testing.

[Goku1910]

For the people whining of structural integrity....STAHP. Now.


look again carefully.

[CoasterMike]

For the people whining of structural integrity....STAHP. Now.


look again carefully.

From what I can see in the picture, there is going to me a mix of steel and wooden supports which is different and unique at the same time.

[Goliath72165]

I am still having a very difficult time believing and understanding how the structure and track will be able to withstand the weight of the train, and the weight of the passengers. Intimidator 305 has a similar support structure however, that ride is steel and not wood. Wooden roller coaster's supports and track sway MORE than steel coasters which is why I am questioning the support structure would be safe or not. You will probably feel the track sway when you are riding it.

[CoasterMike]

I am still having a very difficult time believing and understanding how the structure and track will be able to withstand the weight of the train, and the weight of the passengers. Intimidator 305 has a similar support structure however, that ride is steel and not wood. Wooden roller coaster's supports and track sway MORE than steel coasters which is why I am questioning the support structure would be safe or not. You will probably feel the track sway when you are riding it.

I see your point however, if RMC didn't think the support structure would be safe, then they would not do it. RMC knows what they are doing.

[GoBears]

I am still having a very difficult time believing and understanding how the structure and track will be able to withstand the weight of the train, and the weight of the passengers. Intimidator 305 has a similar support structure however, that ride is steel and not wood. Wooden roller coaster's supports and track sway MORE than steel coasters which is why I am questioning the support structure would be safe or not. You will probably feel the track sway when you are riding it.

I305's supports are steel and so are these. The rest of the ride will still be wooden supports, just not the lift, majority of the drop (except the bottom before the tunnel), and the top part of the Zero-G stall.

[FParker185]

yeah this whole entire structure from the base of the lift until 3/4 of the way down the first drop will be 100% steel, there is no steel and wood. just steel. The only wood involved at all is the 5 wood laminates under the topper track.

[Sporlo]

If any one of those statements about lack of structural integrity was brought up in front of ANYONE from RMC, you'd be laughed at, and if it was a high up engineer on a bad day, you might see a fist in your face.

They're not just making shit up as they go along. If you are confused, it means you are simply wrong, and if you have a legitimate question, then try asking an actual engineer, not random coaster enthusiasts.

[KevinM]

I've never seen this before on a wooden coaster. :shock

You know why you've never seen this? Because Goliath is a steel coaster. I'm amazed at how the community has just rolled with RMC, Herschend, and Six Flags's marketing that Outlaw Run and now Goliath are "wooden coasters". Don't get me wrong, I this Outlaw Run is a stunning roller coaster and I expect Goliath to deliver as well. But the designation of these pure Topper Track coasters as "woodies" appears to me as a shameless way to declare "world records" for these coasters. The wood has very little impact on the ride experience, it is merely there to hold up the steel rails on the steel rail ties (and these two parts are also connected with a steel plate). Supports don't impact the designation of a coaster, which is why I contend the wooden stack should not magically turn these coasters into woodies. Topper Track has far more rigidity than traditional 7-layer wooden tracks, which is what allows this lift to sit on such a minimal structure.

I reiterate, this coaster looks amazing, but it's not a wooden coaster. I wish Six Flags marketing had enough of a backbone to advertise this coaster on it's merits rather than dodgy "world records". But I shouldn't expect that from the park that declared itself "The World's Cleanest Theme Park" and "The Best Water Park in the Nation".