GCI Debuts Titan Track

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Jonesta6

Jonesta6

Kehoe
Feb 14, 2019
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I'm curious if this is basically a market reaction to RMC topper and I-Box track (looks more like I-Box to me but I'm not sure), and if we can expect to see more manufacturers produce similar tracks?

On the steel side, does anyone think we're going to see anyone but Intamin using some form of double-spine?
 
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Jonesta6 said:
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I'm curious if this is basically a market reaction to RMC topper and I-Box track (looks more like I-Box to me but I'm not sure), and if we can expect to see more manufacturers produce similar tracks?

On the steel side, does anyone think we're going to see anyone but Intamin using some form of double-spine?
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It is steel track like i-box. Not topper. The track isn't wood at all, only the supports. It bugs me that they are calling it wooden track.
 
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b.mac said:
The park loves the ride despite what enthusiasts seem to think about it, if they can do anything to require less maintenance on the ride so they can focus on maintaining Comet more they'll most likely do it.
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I’ve heard they have been very protective of Wildcat given it’s the first GCI. So my gut tells me now that GCI can do this they might be open to it being redone by GCI.
 
Not sure how this makes Wildcat better unless they reprofile a couple spots. The wood track itself isn't bad (no worse than Comet for comparison), so putting steel in isnt much of an improvement.
 
Maybe I'm a couple of years out of date here, but last time I rode Wildcat it was a square-wheeled headache machine from start to finish.

Kind of unusual really... it was like someone "painted" a layer of 3D rumbling mess atop a profile that was fundamentally smooth underneath. Can't say I've gotten that exact experience from too many wooden rides over the years. Wooden rides' roughness comes in many flavors but doesn't typically match my Wildcat experience. (I may not be describing the exact nature of it very well here.)

Whereas I could ride Comet all day. Different strokes, I guess.

I would be happy to see Wildcat get the TitanCat treatment, given that I find its "current" form -- meaning 2 years ago -- thoroughly unenjoyable vs. what it once was. (Anything that gives me 80%+ odds of a lasting headache is a no thanks from me.) But I wouldn't for one minute call it a wooden coaster anymore, should TitanCat happen.
 
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halfabee said:
Maybe I'm a couple of years out of date here, but last time I rode Wildcat it was a square-wheeled headache machine from start to finish.

Kind of unusual really... it was like someone "painted" a layer of 3D rumbling mess atop a profile that was fundamentally smooth underneath. Can't say I've gotten that exact experience from too many wooden rides over the years. Wooden rides' roughness comes in many flavors but doesn't typically match my Wildcat experience. (I may not be describing the exact nature of it very well here.)

Whereas I could ride Comet all day. Different strokes, I guess.

I would be happy to see Wildcat get the TitanCat treatment, given that I find its "current" form -- meaning 2 years ago -- thoroughly unenjoyable vs. what it once was. (Anything that gives me 80%+ odds of a lasting headache is a no thanks from me.) But I wouldn't for one minute call it a wooden coaster anymore, should TitanCat happen.
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Comet gives me headaches with its piledriving feeling in spots.

Wildcat vibrates a fair amount, but Lightning Racer isn't much better. The only issue I have with Wildcat is a couple transitions that drive you into the restraint pretty hard. Steel track isnt going to fix that. Otherwise Wildcat has a really good end to end intensity that doesnt let up at all.
 
Opinions aside, this competition can make future coasters greater. I believe we are in another era of coaster wars.
 
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Titan track is suited to interfacing with standard wood track, with steel wheels and low friction. RMC requires some type of layout change on conversions since they all (?) use rubber wheels.

When I rode Wildcat maybe 5 years ago, I enjoyed the later sections but the first 2-3 drops had to be endured. Last year it was much better but I bet if they let it go for 5 more years, not only will other sections be terrible but those retracked parts will be just as bad again. That seems to me the best use of Titan on existing coasters is to get rid of the biggest maintenance drains so they can spread it around, not just so they can take it easy.
 
bill s said:
That seems to me the best use of Titan on existing coasters is to get rid of the biggest maintenance drains so they can spread it around, not just so they can take it easy.
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However, wouldn't you think some parks looking to increase a ride's popularity instead of shelling out for a new coaster would opt to go for a full transformation while they retrack with Titan as now it appears to be a competitor to RMC in that space (inversion capabilities on a woody)?
 
Word around the rumor mill is that Predator at Darien Lake is getting the full titan track treatment, but I can't see much concrete evidence in favor of this... anyone got anything?
 
^^-- I heard it appears to be on hold.

Jonesta6 said:
However, wouldn't you think some parks looking to increase a ride's popularity instead of shelling out for a new coaster would opt to go for a full transformation while they retrack with Titan as now it appears to be a competitor to RMC in that space (inversion capabilities on a woody)?
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We haven't seen any complex shapes using it yet, so there's a lot we don't know. They claim they can do it so maybe it's just a matter of selling it. So far it appears probably better than Ibox for mixing with standard wood track and maybe better than Topper. The one test track uses steel wheels smoothly but I don't know if they'll vary that. Using it for sections should allow pushing the speed up higher than wood will handle. If they do all-Titan coasters, I think they'll still be less crazy than RMC, but could be wrong.
 
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I can't see GCI wanting to sit back and only use this development to retrack problem spots on existing rides as much as they're more likely desiring to compete against RMC with a similar product.

If a coaster could seamlessly transition between regular wood track and Titan on its layout, that could open the door to getting a more distinct hybrid where it could retain the characteristics of wood track except where either there's problem spots or if a new element or two is built (say adding a wall stall into a turnaround, overbanks and inversions into a relatively straight section with some reproducing, etc) - that would be a nice distinctive edge to sell it with.
 
I see this and RMC’s as a way to build cheaper steel like coasters. By using wood supports instead of steel, a large part of the steel cost is reduced and maintaining the structure becomes changing out wood pieces as they wear out. With the price of steel where it is, hybrids are definitely a big part of the future.
 
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