I can't see this making much of a difference. With DS it doesn't matter if the train gets wind resistance because it doesn't need to complete a circuit. Not really a chance of a valley with that design.
Project 2022: Pantheon
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Yes just about every coaster made has a wind limit. Pantheon's does appear to be lower then most but it's worth noting that I heard of issue with Apollo and I305 at different points today both of which were believed to be wind related.
That assumes it's not to late to change plans I have heard a decent amount of speculation that we may have been past the point of no return for a while on its plans
Yeah I mean I know roller coasters close for wind. I just haven’t quite that issue often with them here in VA itself.
I get how wind gusts could bother the top hat on Pantheon (and create a roll back and more wear on the system)... but where would this ride really "valley"?
I guess it could valley before the outward banked airtime hill, but it carries some good speed through there... even if most of us wish it were quicker.
Based on POV's, I can't see that happened based on speeds and terrain, even when it was running slower.
Not so much that a valley is a major issue but more than likely the PLC will shut down if the train doesn't make it on the second pass. It's easier to recover from but still introduces additional concerns with guests on the ride.
I feel like they need to have a “Wind Mode” for the ride, which would be like a halfway point between turbo mode and regular mode. Wind mode being used on days where it’s predicted to be windier than normal. If you’ve noticed, on the seventh launch, it doesn’t really launch much. The cars accelerate for maybe 2 feet of it. It’s kinda jolting. Wind mode would feel that launch feel more complete imo.
This exactly. Drachen Spire should be much more wind resistant as it can easily recover from every possible valley point in its layout.
It is my understanding that a valley between the top hat and the outerbank is exactly the concern.
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This isn't always possible because of G forces and ratings. I don't know if it's specifically the case here but the coaster is operating at the speed that it is for a reason. TTD is a perfect example.... they can ensure that there are no rollbacks ever except that it would be uncomfortable for many guests (Source: technician at WCO)
My understanding is that it stopping in that location is one of the concerns and rightly so as it would really hard to evac guests from there and even more of a challenge to recover a train.
The problem with this is wind is to variable launch it with enough extra force to power through a 30 mph head wind and don't get it that cycle and it might go to fast to be safe.
Agreed, but any wind more than a gentle breeze (sarcasm alert) shutting Pantheon down raises the question of how something like this got missed in the design and/or approval process.
In the meantime, perhaps BGW should start selling shirts that read "I went to BGW to ride Pantheon and all I got was this lousy t-shirt".
What if it was a problem introduced after the design process? Has anyone checked to see if Pantheon hits 73mph?
Good point. And I haven't seen anyone post on actual speed yet, so that would be interesting.
Is there a good way to test without sneaking back with a radar gun? GPS based speeds from phones may not be precise enough to catch a short burst of 73
I live hours away so it might be a little different but I can tell you that the wind beating against my apartment the last few weeks has been stupid intense -- more so than I've ever noticed sustained across so many days. Whether or not you feel the wind in the park isn't really a good indication of what the wind actually is higher up, where it matters.
Pantheon might reach 73 mph for a nanosecond, so a radar gun would be the only way to capture the max speed. Phone GPS on apps like Waze might get close, so perhaps worth a try?
For what it's worth my phone gps ap showed it at 71.43 during the Friday of Passport to thrills.
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