Goku1910 wrote:Back when I worked at Demon in 2011 we had to replace a wheel when I saw what it looked like. This happens more than you might think.
I figured that but I was just curious.
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Official Goliath Thread
I figured that but I was just curious.
15 minutes to fix, great job by maintenance. So sounds like this is somewhat commonplace. For other rides ops that have also worked on rides with poly wheels have you seen this happen and is it normally not a big deal?
I only saw it happen once in my four years at the park. We caught it before it shredded.
If Six Flags didn't think it was safe, they wouldn't run the ride. If you don't think it's safe, don't go on the ride. Simple.
Have you been hit in the face with a hat? I have. Wasnt that big a deal. There were no injuries. It probably wasnt pleasant but I wouldnt call it unsafe.
The piece of the wheel didn't come off until it hit the inverted position in the dive loop. From what I understand it was just an outer part of the wheel that eventually came off. Sounded a lot like flat spot on a skateboard wheel from the dive loop on out. RMC didn't look the least bit concerned and it actually worked out in the long run considering most TV media was gone and the inevitable rain delay. However, if this becomes a common occurrence, it's a lot less to do with the wheels and a lot more to do with the structure they're running on.
Honestly, I see this ride as the best ride in the park. I think that was the consensus among all of us there. It is a really good ride, but I don't know where it ranks yet. The pacing is so strong and I just kept wishing there was a little more to it. Definitely need to check out the ride in a few different seats. Can't say it's Top 10 yet by any means. It's up there though!
I am the one that got hit in the face with the pieces and by no means am I scared to ride again. In fact I did ride again. It's just something that happens. We move on. Best ride in the park for sure!
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The ride is very good.
The ride is also very short. I feel that most people would agree that the intensity makes up for super short layout. As far as this ride making it into the general top ten...I don't see it happening with this one. A lot of people that I talked had a similar opinion. [read]
They are trying to prepare for Goliath and it's lines but I don't even think this will be enough. From SFGAmworld's Facebook
 Last edited by Iron Wolf 90-11 on June 18th, 2014, 3:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Now the media is gone is Goliath open to go on right now. If it is im on my way!!! I heard about a soft opening.
Somebody posted earlier that there was not going to be a soft opening today. Can't confirm if that's true, though.
That's unfortunate. The reactions do seem to be positive, but very tempered. With both Texas rides and Outlaw Run, the immediate and overwhelming consensus was something along the lines of "Stop what you are doing right now and go to Texas (or SDC) to ride this lunacy." Meh, looking forward to giving it a spin regardless- doubtful it will have much competition in the park beyond it's 20+ year old inverted yellow neighbor. Keep Eurofighters in Europe
Confirmed no soft open. Red train is getting its state inspection today and will be ready for opening tomorrow.
Ok thanks I'll be there about 4:30 tomorrow
I really wish they had expanded all the way into the rarely used Wilderness Theater area to lengthen the layout. I too am disappointed to hear we got an RMC that might not even crack the top 10. Figures. I am sure it is still a great ride, being an RMC, and I look forward to having it in the park for years to come, but I was assuming it would be rated higher. Just too compact a layout after that huge drop I guess.
For those of you who attended media day, do you have any pictures to post and how many total rides did you get?
Can someone who is going tmorrow take a picture of the line, I would be surprised if that line is not full.
I think if Goliath has been extended into the WT area then maybe Goliath would have 3 inversions (a heartline roll) or a third overbanked turn.
The ride hasn't even officially opened yet and the polyurethane wheels are already shredding?
I don't know much about polyurethane wheels, but is this common? Was this just some more random bad luck for Goliath and SFGA, or are these wheels not capable of handling the elements in this ride? It's just kind of unbelievable that a wheel has shredded and its only done testing and less than one full day of operation.
Had a blast at media day this morning, not only was the ride loads of fun, but it was also good to see and catch up with a bunch of local enthusiasts.
For the ride - I don't think its in my Top 10, however my last ride toward the front of the train was pretty spectacular. That zero-G stall is just ridiculous. As for the wheel - I'm not an expert, however a new ride shredding a wheel so soon may be a coincidence, or it could be a bigger issue in the future. Time and wheels in the trash will tell. I guarantee you that maintenance will be checking each wheel heavily for the next several mornings! If you weren't there this morning, get to the park early tomorrow and enjoy the new best ride in the park. Top 5 wood-5-Goliath 4-Ravine Flyer II 3-Phoenix 2-Voyage 1-El Toro
Top 5 Steel- 5-Velocicoaster 4- Maverick 3- Fury 325 2-Steel Vengeance 1-X2 Coaster Count: 444
I plan on arriving before the park opens. I expect to get on Goliath only once tomorrow.
I didn't want to keep my camera with me because of the rain. People that were there early (5am) got probably 3 rides if they went right back in line, some may have got more. The people coming in at 8 got either one or two rides for the most part. With the wheel issue and the downtime for the storm many folks just got one ride. They were running behind with media stuff and cut the line off at some point after the rain delay so some didn't get to re-ride or at least they hadn't as of the time I left. "Heavily medicated for your safety"
The reviews have been "mixed" (at least from the people I've talked to). People have generally stated that the ride is an exhilarating experience but it's not NTG or IR "quality" (whatever that means).
I was able to attend Media Day and had a blast. I only got 3 rides, but it was fascinating to see the behind the scenes stuff with all the news stations and interviews. The wheel issue and the weather made getting a lot of rides difficult as well as the down time between the different news shoots. Some of the enthusiasts there were a little frustrated, and I can understand why, but I was happy to ride before the GP and understand that we were there to facilitate the news, not the other way around.
Now a bit about the ride. I've ridden Outlaw Run and now Goliath. Outlaw Run is the better of the two coasters, but Goliath is significantly more re-ridable in my opinion. The first drop is fantastic and seems to go on for a long time. The over-banked turn gives a couple pops of air time which is a nice surprise. The air time hill gives great ejector air, and the dive loop is nice with a little floating air. The Zero G Stall is the highlight of the circuit. It's such a foreign element that gives extended floating air...upside down. You do pull down on the lap bar a little, but its much more of a floaty feeling than a falling out feeling (like the second barrel roll on Outlaw Run). The twist and shout gives some cool air on the entrance and exit of the element and you get a good pop of air heading into the break run. In my opinion, Goliath is much more controlled than Outlaw Run. I kind of think of it as if RMC and B&M had a baby in a good way. It's got the pacing and smoothness of a great B&M, but the ridiculous elements of an RMC. To me, it is easily the best coaster in the park. However, I would rank it as the 3rd best wooden coaster I've been on with Outlaw Run at #1 and The Voyage at #2. I would probably put it in my personal top 10, but I haven't ridden all that many rides. It really is a great ride, though not as memorable as some rides I've ridden. I will say that after riding Outlaw Run and Goliath, Wildfire at Kolmarden, looks to be the perfect combination of the two RMC rides and should be an amazing ride. Regardless of where I rank Goliath, it is a fantastic addition to the park and Great America has a true winner on it's hands. Outside of the issues with the rain and wheels, I had a great day. I met a lot of new people in the enthusiast community and enjoyed talking to most of them. I got to say a few words to Hank Salemi, Fred Grubb, and Alan Schilke. All of them were incredibly friendly and humble. It was a great pleasure to chat briefly with them. That is all for now. I'm exhausted and am looking forward to sleep.
From what I heard, they are expecting 6 hour lines tomorrow for Goliath!!! If the line is that one, NO ONE will like it and will get negative reviews because so many people waited in line for 6 hours for a short ride.
Also it seems like not too many people are liking Goliath. I knew the ride would be underrated.
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