Thread title made me think of TW....an ironic nickname given it's actual physical qualities...

I like roller coasters, but it's been a while since we took the kids and nephews to an amusement park...grandkids will be old enough in a few years, though....

prefer wooden ones.....they feel more flexible, but rickety.........the click clacking sounds seem louder and enhance the experience...they aren't as fast nor do they generate as many G's...perfect for an old guy and school aged kids...

I just watched a video on The Smiler, a record setting 14 inversion steel coaster in England. A few years ago, management told them to add a 5th train. They launched it empty, and due to The light weight, it didn't make it up one of The hills, and stopped in a valley. They launched the next train, and when it neared the top of the first lift, the ride shut down because the computer detected the empty stopped train on the tracks. The operators where not told about the added 5th train, so after they accounted for the 4 trains they knew about, they manually overrode the computer and restarted the ride. The train full of people slammed into the empty train at speed. 16 riders went to the hospital in serious condition. Some in the front row lost legs. Makes one think.

Dsvid

Oh, and a couple more from Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Somewhere around '76, '77, Donna and I rode the Supper Dupper Looper, the first looping coaster in the US. About a month after we rode it, one of the restraints failed to lock, and a female rider fell to her death. We also went through there new walk through hunted castle. A short time latter , it caught fire while operating taking the lives of 15 guests.

David

you're a jinx!

Absolutly, Frank. I also jinx folks when it comes to bidding on cigars. I won a pile for a buck a piece (162 in the past three weeks alone), and then jinx others (like rah) to pay $3 to $4 for the exact same cigars.

David

You coaster junkies need to hit Cedar Point sometime.

Love Cedar Point. Lived equidistant between there and Kings Island. Both had some great coasters over the years