The Loch Ness Monster

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Zachary said:
^ Agreed.

I think some people are underestimating how much of an icon the Loch Ness Monster is. It has been called the most recognizable coaster in the world and I believe it. Those loops are more iconic than Big Ben, Das Festhaus, or anything else associated with the park. Big Bad Wolf was legendary, but Loch Ness Monster is on a level all its own. Comparing the two simply isn't fair. How much the park is willing to invest to keep this icon is the real question here. As far as I know, Arrow looper parts, unlike Arrow suspended coaster parts, are still pretty easy to come by and still relatively cheap. I also imagine that the new trains option would be put on the table once those parts do become harder to find (that is, if they aren't already on someone's desk). In my mind at least, trains/parts aren't the issue we have to fear with old Nessie; it's the track and structure itself. I don't know how many years it has left in it, but when it starts to wear out, that'll probably be the final nail in the coffin. Mark my words: The park won't remove her without good reason and when they eventually do, she'll probably be one of the last Arrow loopers in the country.
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That will be a very sad day when it happens. But if and when it does, they should build another in its place almost similar except bigger and faster, but name it Lochness Monster's Revenge ;)
 
redsoxfan787 said:
Zachary said:
^ Agreed.

I think some people are underestimating how much of an icon the Loch Ness Monster is. It has been called the most recognizable coaster in the world and I believe it. Those loops are more iconic than Big Ben, Das Festhaus, or anything else associated with the park. Big Bad Wolf was legendary, but Loch Ness Monster is on a level all its own. Comparing the two simply isn't fair. How much the park is willing to invest to keep this icon is the real question here. As far as I know, Arrow looper parts, unlike Arrow suspended coaster parts, are still pretty easy to come by and still relatively cheap. I also imagine that the new trains option would be put on the table once those parts do become harder to find (that is, if they aren't already on someone's desk). In my mind at least, trains/parts aren't the issue we have to fear with old Nessie; it's the track and structure itself. I don't know how many years it has left in it, but when it starts to wear out, that'll probably be the final nail in the coffin. Mark my words: The park won't remove her without good reason and when they eventually do, she'll probably be one of the last Arrow loopers in the country.
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That will be a very sad day when it happens. But if and when it does, they should build another in its place almost similar except bigger and faster, but name it Lochness Monster's Revenge ;)
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As this coaster stands with subjective sentiments, iconic imagery and historical relevance aside, evaluated and quantified solely on it's merit as a coaster, in my honest opinion, Nessie should grab a straw because it sucks.

LNM was out classed decades ago and is well beyond it's prime in the modern world of thrill coasters. If not for it's historic intrinsic value and "land mark" relevance, this thing would've been melted down years before DrachenFire. A shameful waste IMO... LNM IMO is as, if not more rough than DF, with less speed, height, inversions and most importantly, less FUN).

Anyways, LNM's pacing is dreadfully dull with any "thrill" quickly overshadowed by it's multiple anemic segways from section to section.

I don't mean any disrespect to any Nessie lovers out there. Legends are to be respected and regarded but there comes a time when one should pull the plug and let grandpa rest instead of keeping "him" on lifesupport because at one point in time he was something great. His purpose was served, now lay him to rest.

BGW isn't a museum. Build something modern in it's place that will honor and continue the legacy that BGW and it's legendary attractions have anchored in our hearts and the park itself... rather than hold the park back.
 
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I hear you. And agree somewhat. There is no progress without change. And unless the park constantly expands it is very difficult to add new things. Old things sometimes have to go away. Such is life. However...
Nessie is my favorite coaster at BGW. I am a 6'5" big guy and almost always have trouble on modern coasters. Loch Ness Monster has always been there for me to enjoy. I am in favor of it staying put for as long as it is safe and serviceable.
 
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chickenking said:
I am a 6'5" big guy and almost always have trouble on modern coasters. Loch Ness Monster has always been there for me to enjoy.
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How are you 6'5" and able to comfortably ride? I'm 6"0 and can barely stand a ride on Loch Ness, and I'm supposed to be an "agile teenager." On another note, I love the theme to LNM and the void that it fills. What's iconic about Scotland? The Loch Ness Monster, of course. In terms of ride experience, it's too uncomfortable for me to enjoy. The dips into the the loops are jarring, the exit from the cave approaching the second lift hill (a feature of the ride that bothers me greatly) is jerky, and the ride in general lacks a true "fun" element you find on others like Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist. I understand these rides are in completely different leagues and classifications, but the ride simply does not rank with the park's other coasters. As koreandude said, the park is not a museum and should not act as one. I know that people have deep sentimental value to the ride (even I do, somewhat), but the trend the Blackstone Group has shown the past few years is "out with the old, in with the new." The ride will go EVENTUALLY. I would love for a new coaster to go in along with the same theme, but I don't see a copy-cat happening.
 
That's why I said they should make a much faster and taller one somewhat similar, and keep the cave. And name it lochness monsters revenge
 
Maybe take the direction they took with Verbolten; don't theme it to a creature directly, but a setting (Black Forest in Verbolten's case). Perhaps themed to Loch Ness itself? But this is all speculation of a coaster that 1. does not exist and 2. is not the Loch Ness Monster.
 
By-Tor said:
chickenking said:
I am a 6'5" big guy and almost always have trouble on modern coasters. Loch Ness Monster has always been there for me to enjoy.
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How are you 6'5" and able to comfortably ride? I'm 6"0 and can barely stand a ride on Loch Ness, and I'm supposed to be an "agile teenager." On another note, I love the theme to LNM and the void that it fills. What's iconic about Scotland? The Loch Ness Monster, of course. In terms of ride experience, it's too uncomfortable for me to enjoy. The dips into the the loops are jarring, the exit from the cave approaching the second lift hill (a feature of the ride that bothers me greatly) is jerky, and the ride in general lacks a true "fun" element you find on others like Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist. I understand these rides are in completely different leagues and classifications, but the ride simply does not rank with the park's other coasters. As koreandude said, the park is not a museum and should not act as one. I know that people have deep sentimental value to the ride (even I do, somewhat), but the trend the Blackstone Group has shown the past few years is "out with the old, in with the new." The ride will go EVENTUALLY. I would love for a new coaster to go in along with the same theme, but I don't see a copy-cat happening.
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Well, comfort is a subjective thing. Yes, a spot on my shoulder can get a little sore from the side of the cart when I ride. It is bumpy and jarring, but frankly, that's why I like it. Some of us prefer it rough! I suppose I was among the few people who seemed to actually like Drachen Fire (still have a shot glass from 1997).
As far as you being a 6' teenager, maybe we are built very differently or have different pain/comfort tolerances. I don't really have any issues getting my big @r$$3 on this thing, and it has been many years since I was a teen. I have plenty of leg room (especially up front where I can fully stretch out) though I guess I must look silly with the angle of my OTS restraint (**see pic in next post**).
I do wish they would do something more with the tunnel. Strobes, growls, fog, something.

**Can't upload a picture here for some reason so I changed my avatar. You probably cannot see it very well so I'll find another way.

EDIT
Here is a link:
http://forum.bgwfans.com/attachment.php?aid=2652
 
Smoothest Arrow Looper I've been on so far has been Nessie. I guess a rundown would be rather nice of the roughest arrows I've ridden:

6.Python
5.Corkscrew
4.Canyon Blaster
3.Great American Scream Machine
2.Anaconda
1.Loch Ness Monster

If you'd like a more hardcore rundown with every Arrow that I've been on (Mine Trains, Hypercoasters, etc.), Nessie will rank safely in the top 3 only behind Gemini and Cedar Creek Mine Ride. If you really want to experience Ron Toomer's finest invest in a trip to Cedar Point for Corkscrew, since Nessie's brother has been dead for 6 years now.

For Nessie's age and the reputation that Arrow has had with roller coasters Nessie is easily one of the smoothest of its cousins, especially if they have a knack for looping insane amounts of times. For comparison's sake I think Hydra @ Dorney Park, a B&M floorless coaster, is rougher than Nessie (I know I'm [expletive] insane right?).
 
Evan said:
Tennessee Tornado is tons smoother than old Nessie. But that's because it's newer. But still!
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It also had a more modern design procedure and the track was manufactured custom made for the ride, instead of prefabricated like it was for Nessie's Loops and its Helix. Tennessee Tornado is 100% nothing like its older counterparts.

That was really the downfall of Arrow actually. While other companies were creating more and more unique rides and elements (Intamin, B&M), Arrow stuck with the same thing even though it was clearly steering them towards bankruptcy. Pretty much every single style of loop that Arrow had in its arsenal was a standard size, the loops were 45 feet in diameter while the corkscrews were 30 feet tall. By cutting the elements in half and combining them in odd ways you got things like the Sidewinder, the Batwing, and even the Cobra Roll (Drachen Fire only). By sticking to those things there wasn't really anything groundbreaking coming from Arrow's developments until Toomer finally quit, then as a last chance breath we saw Tennessee Tornado and X, both prototypical in terms of Arrow's engineering practice. I honestly think that if X didn't have the issues that it did Arrow would still sort of be around today, instead of being a shell for S&S.
 
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I completely agree with you b.mac. If Arrow could have held out a little longer than I think we would have seen a lot more rides like Tennessee Tornado and X2. X2 is really such a unique coaster, on my personal top 10 in fact.
 
X2 is a capacity nightmare. Like....more than that. Not to mention that if you have shoulders you won't after you ride X2. It was fun though, but uh...definitely do not need more of them.
 
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