What if air ride shocks (same thing on semi's)were installed on trains that a really rough when riding on the track? Ex. Vortex, SOB, and other amusement/theme park coasters that are rough. Instead of changing when needing to (which would be hard on a coaster because thier moving so fast and quick turns etc.) have an computerized box the train runs over top and tells the train when to change the air amount. Each train has a high speed air compressor and each train is on a scale at the station to give an est. weghit for each train and allows the computer/ride op to determine the best out come of how much air should be in the shocks at every given point it runs over a box and the beginning at the station. I know sounds like a silly idea but would be worth a shot i guess. Problay would be costly too but could help keep postive reviews about the ride and make customers want to keep riding it.

For least amount of noise the air compessor would be in back of train. Now for the scary part... thoughts on this idea or something simalr to this?

nice idea ill take it anyday and twice on a sunday!

Does Vortex even have shocks? I don't think so.

As far as I know no coaster at KI has shocks (except FD for a differnt reason) and i am asking what IF shocks were installed on coasters that beat you up?

But why would shocks need to be added? They run fine without (5-1!). What would you need them for on rides like The Racer?

The Gravity Group's Timberliner Wooden Coaster Trains have shocks to smooth out the ride, and they can be retro-fitted on existing wooden coasters. Holiday World has purchased them for the Voyage; I guess we'll see how that works out next year.

something as simple as that could save SOB.

I'm sorry, but that would make rides extremely boring. Some of my best memories at the park were of me being jammed into the seat on Beast, or being jerked around quickly on Vortex's turns. No Arrow coaster is smooth, but that gives it a classic feeling. Something you can't get on a 230 foot hyper coaster. I don't know if I have a higher pain tolerance or what, but I love coasters that ground and pound you. Now Son of Beast was different, that was more like getting hit with a hammer.

Strangley i like riding SOB and back seat was my favorite. yes rode it before and after loop removal but not in 09.

You liked riding SOB!?! NO WAY! Get outta here!*

*ala Rue Mcclanahan as Blanch from the Golden Girls

We gotta make an appointment with Anderson Cooper to interview this guy!

shocking (pun intened) i know! thier was one thing i did hate the loud clank clank clank of the saftey chatchers going up the hill.

Luckily you won't need to deal with that any more. God works in mysterious ways n'est pas?!

Shocks don't and won't be installed anytime soon, I hope. If rides are rough, leave them rough, as Tb said, it's part of the fun & memories.

.,,No Arrow coaster is smooth...

Tennessee Tornado

Double Loop (defunct)

Canyon Blaster (Circus Circus)

Just to name three.

Wouldn't shock absorbers and the related suspension system add a lot of body roll to a train? It seems like a retrofit would have unintended consequences.

^See: The Crypt's third/first row.

Never rode it. It was in and out between visits for me. Same with SOB, come to think of it.

http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2010/07/on-paper-worlds-smoothest-roller.html

See Mr. Stengle's quote at the end of this article.

i do agree part of the fun is being pushed around but in order for most people to enjoy a ride it needs to be smooth, no one I know is complaining that DB is to smooth. most people on here don't really like/enjoy SOB and f shocks were put on ( if that is what it takes) and the wood was fixed to a rideable state, i think a lot more people would like it then.

I really hope that doesn't happen, a redesign of the redesigned loop. The loop we have now is perfect, although I just wish they weren't designed by computers to get a rougher/crazier ride experience like the Loch Ness Monster.

Didn't hypersonic XLC have shocks?

I agree that rides like SOB are more fun being thrown around. Gives the ride character. But I think the rough ride, as stated before is almost a classic feel for some coasters. If you find it too rough, just don't ride it or deal I guess.

The General Manager found Son of Beast's ride too rough, dealt with it, and you don't get to ride it. At least for now.

Be careful what you wish for.

The first post is actually referring to Air Bags, not Shocks. There is a huge difference. They are controlled by a leveling valve that adjusts for weight on the suspension. They are a finicky setup and prone to problems.