News Cedar Point Project 2024: Top Thrill 2 (Top Thrill Dragster Renovation)

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ElToroRyan's latest video on this topic seems to make more sense for switching to LSMs and keeping most everything the same - speculation of course.

He also added two improvements to increase capacity: improved multi-move and retooling block zones to add back the 6th train.

Switching the launch mechanism would be expensive, so unless CP is willing to spend even more they're not likely going to want to change the track layout too.

But, we'll see...
 
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I would love to see some numbers on LSM capabilities currently. Could be something where you can almost swap them out 1 for 1 and have a similar ride experience with some boosters mixed in. Cheapest option is not touching the track, but they may be forced to.
 
I305Evan said:
For reference, according to rough Google Earth measurements. Red Force at Ferrari Land's launch (which is 111 mph with 367ft top hat) is roughly 125ish feet longer than Top Thrill's current launch. Also Red Force's train only holds 12 riders compared to 18 riders for TTD.
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Combine this with Red Force taking 5 seconds to reach its top speed compared to TTD's original 4 seconds and generally just a straight shot of LSMs wouldn't be enough to launch a TTD train over the spike.

*Maybe* if they put LSMs through part of the pull up in order to retain momentum but that's going way outside of my wheelhouse.
 
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I think the their real problem is PR and increasing perceived safety. Reliability and maintenance then comes into the cost equation.

Jonesta6 said:
ElToroRyan's latest video on this topic seems to make more sense for switching to LSMs and keeping most everything the same - speculation of course.

He also added two improvements to increase capacity: improved multi-move and retooling block zones to add back the 6th train.

Switching the launch mechanism would be expensive, so unless CP is willing to spend even more they're not likely going to want to change the track layout too.

But, we'll see...
Click to expand...
His claim that it actually launched at 112 MPH is very interesting. As it would require 109.4 MPH to just make it over 400' with no friction, that's less than a 5% energy loss ( (112/109.4)^2 etc.). This means more things are possible. If the trains' mass were halved but friction remained the same, losses would increase relatively to about 10%, requiring a 114.75 MPH launch instead and only 55% the total energy input. It also means that air resistance would not exclude a swing launch or drop.

Though still a long shot, switching to a drop i's the only way I can see alterations to the layout since the pesky launch is eliminated in return ... and it would be over 500 feet tall! E.g. Switch track, Boomerang-style reverse lift at 90 degrees (I305 supports), speed hill, 420' airtime hill, brakes.
 
Considering the track is elevated off the ground, isn't a full 400' it has to climb. Combine that with the length of track able to be used for a launch I think it could be possible for them to fit the entire stretch with LSMs and make it happen IF:

  • Train is lightened (unlikely)
  • Find a way to fit "boosters" on the vertical aspect of the climb, would be a much more impactful way of maintaining energy than just pumping it with more before the climb.
 
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Another option is to move the station to the brake run side or in between both side with a slide out track (a’la Ice Breaker). This adds another hundred feet or so of launch room to try and hit the speed needed.
 
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Jonesta6 said:
The confidence on this one... Not sure why the park would even bother doing this when the expense would be cheaper to knock it over then build a brand new ride:

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I saw this a while ago lol! Xyzcoasters is like the OG NL2 Troll
 
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I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned what I think is a more obvious possibility: Having S&S come in and refurb the ride with a pneumatic launch.

The swing launch concept seems way too overkill..... I just can't see them making all the modifications to add a rear spike and switch track -- I really think you're looking at a brand new coaster before they'd go through those modifications. The LSM conversion without a swing would require LSMs during the ascent and that's overlooking the fact that you're getting rid of literally the only thing that made TTD a top tier ride. I also can't see cedar fair working with Intamin to create a new experience -- if it is an LSM conversion I'd guess they have Premier coming in who seems to like to mess with other mfg's rides.

Overall I have absolutely no hope for TTD...... that launch made the ride and I don't think any other launch technology is going to come close. Pneumatic can get to the speed but it doesn't have that sustained Gs on the launch.

I also think it's ridiculous that the launch literally had nothing to do with the accident at all...... this change, whatever it may be, is nothing but lip service and an excuse to get rid of another Intamin. The accident literally just gave them an excuse to do what they were almost certainly already considering doing.
 
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CoasterTalkBob said:
I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned what I think is a more obvious possibility: Having S&S come in and refurb the ride with a pneumatic launch.

The swing launch concept seems way too overkill..... I just can't see them making all the modifications to add a rear spike and switch track -- I really think you're looking at a brand new coaster before they'd go through those modifications. The LSM conversion without a swing would require LSMs during the ascent and that's overlooking the fact that you're getting rid of literally the only thing that made TTD a top tier ride. I also can't see cedar fair working with Intamin to create a new experience -- if it is an LSM conversion I'd guess they have Premier coming in who seems to like to mess with other mfg's rides.

Overall I have absolutely no hope for TTD...... that launch made the ride and I don't think any other launch technology is going to come close. Pneumatic can get to the speed but it doesn't have that sustained Gs on the launch.

I also think it's ridiculous that the launch literally had nothing to do with the accident at all...... this change, whatever it may be, is nothing but lip service and an excuse to get rid of another Intamin. The accident literally just gave them an excuse to do what they were almost certainly already considering doing.
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Honestly, if they do work with intamin, maybe they’ll eventually repair their relationship. I’d love a air launch, that’d be insanity. Like think About it, 0-120 in like
1.3 seconds, take the acceleration record from maxx force and dododonpa.
On another term, I think cf and rmc’s relationship is toast. Apparently SteVe will need a steel lift soon, they keep adding wood every day. It’s not good. And when cga bites the dust, I think they might just send RailBlazer to the scrap heap. That’s my take on all of this.
 
Nicole said:
I'm honestly puzzled at all of the concern over what happens to TTD. It goes up and it comes down. Meh. For me it is the kind of ride you do once and never waste your time on again.
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The reason people ride it more is because of the pure spectacle and rush of riding this coaster, like it’s so intimidating. The speed and view do it for me on kingda ka. The only strata I’ve ridden. But I love doing front row every time I go to great adventure. It’s the same spectacle, and I love it every time.
I like 3 things on coasters, speed, positive g force, and ejector airtime. Ka has 2 of those, and I love it.
 
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