Archive for RCCGB FORUM Message Board for Members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain to discuss club events and all things theme park related.          RCCGB FORUM Forum Index -> Park and Ride polls coastergraham Wood v Steel This is the classic debate that has seen splits in coaster club opionion for many years, including me and my steelie loving wife Do you like the feel and energy of woodern rides? Or Do you like the elements that steel rollercoasters bring? My vote is for woodies as to me there is nothing like flying along on a ride that literally breaths life. It moves, it makes noises, it is not smooth and it gives a different ride nearly every sinlge time. I do love steel rollercoasters as well but give me a great woodie over a great steelie anyday bluea61 I actually went for no preference here as I really enjoy both types. I have been on lots more steel coasters but thats mainly due to the lack of travelling we have done in the states. Both are good for different reasons so I will sit firmly on the fence. Paul H. I am in the same situation as Bluea61 but ask me again next year when we get back from the club trip to the USA. chewie Thats a proper tough question to answer. No preference has to be the answer coz coming from the UK and not getting to the States as much as i'd like, i only have rode 7 wooden rollercoasters and far more steelies. I enjoy both as much as the other, but there is something about how a wooden coaster looks. Its just much nicer to look at than tonnes of metal. Wooden coasters are almost pieces of art. bluea61 For an age old arguement theres a lot of people joining me on the fence!! coastergraham bluea61 wrote: For an age old argment theres a lot of people joining me on the fence!! There's a lot of splinters in peoples backsides It would be very hard to find two teams at this rate for the summer bash baseball game Rough Rider Re: Wood v Steel coastergraham wrote: This is the classic debate that has seen splits in coaster club opionion for many years, including me and my steelie loving wife Do you like the feel and energy of woodern rides? Or Do you like the elements that steel rollercoasters bring? My vote is for woodies as to me there is nothing like flying along on a ride that literally breaths life. It moves, it makes noises, it is not smooth and it gives a different ride nearly every sinlge time. I do love steel rollercoasters as well but give me a great woodie over a great steelie anyday It's just gotta be WOOD Just ask Magic about the "RATTLER" and the likes of "MEAN STREAK".....Oh! and not forgetting "VOYAGE" and "SHIVERING TIMBERS"!!! Ryan smiler Thers one ride you missed Ryan MEGAFOBIA Amberrider Re: Wood v Steel coastergraham wrote: This is the classic debate that has seen splits in coaster club opionion for many years, including me and my steelie loving wife Do you like the feel and energy of woodern rides? Or Do you like the elements that steel rollercoasters bring? My vote is for woodies as to me there is nothing like flying along on a ride that literally breaths life. It moves, it makes noises, it is not smooth and it gives a different ride nearly every sinlge time. I do love steel rollercoasters as well but give me a great woodie over a great steelie anyday I love them both for different reasons. Woodies are great fun with so much airtime, but steelies have loops and inversions and sometimes go backwards. They're both wonderful. coastergraham Re: Wood v Steel Rough Rider wrote: Just ask Magic about the "RATTLER" and the likes of "MEAN STREAK".....Oh! and not forgetting "VOYAGE" and "SHIVERING TIMBERS"!!! Ryan We are going to be going to the states in 2009 and sampling cedar point and the parks around it. The likes of Mean streak, Blue Streak, Rebel Yell, thunderbolt and the 3 legendary woodies at Holiday. At last I will get to ride the Raven butler For me it has to be wood thats good. Yeah sure stell gives you height and various elements. But wood gives you so much more. coaster-andy This old age debate of which is better. I have ridden a few good wooden coasters and a few good steel coasters so I sit on the fence. But that said my recent trip to Scandinavia I did get to ride a great GCII Coaster in Thunderbird. I also rood a good wooden coaster in Balder to. But that said Kirnu the ball coaster was a great steel coaster. STEALTHYBUTBAD i love woodies for the airtime and i like steelies for the loops , twists etc. stealth fan I went for no preference. I do love the rickety feel of a woodie, but also the intensity of a steelie. Nemesis Nick I know this thread has been dormant, but I found it by doing a "Woodies, Steelies" search rather than starting this debate afresh. During the Big Dipper ERS at Blackpool Bash last Sunday, I had a Gadget Show style debate with Andy Hine about woodies and steelies. (For those of you not in the know, "The Gadget Show" is a programme on Five, which reviews gadgets.  Sometimes two of its presenters Suzi Perry and Jason Bradbury have a debate e.g. plasma v LCD TVs.) Whilst talking to Andy, I pointed at Infusion, which is a steelie. and highlighted its vertical loops and other twists (whatever they're called).  I said it would surely be impossible to construct a coaster like that in wood.  Of course, Andy gave me his feedback on this, in favour of woodies. Prior to this year's Blackpool Bash, I'd only rode steelies.  My first go on a woodie anywhere was two goes on Rollercoaster at BPB Saturday mid afternoon of the Blackpool Bash weekend.  Following the ERSs on Grand National and Big Dipper,  my experience of woodies so far (all during this year's Blackpool Bash at BPB) are as follows: Rollercoaster 2 Grand National 4 Big Dipper 4 Quite a poor showing compared to my experience of steelies really, so I'm not really in a position to cast a vote one way or the other yet. The last three years I've enjoyed some quite elaborate steelies: Colossus  (Thorpe Park) - lift, steep hill down, vertical loop, U-turn whilst inverted, horizontal corkscrew (or whatever it's called), about six times. Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park) - downhill spiral, vertical loop, various bends. Nemesis (Alton Towers) - vertical loop, and various other complex twists and turns. Spinball Whizzer (Alton Towers) - that has a high u-bend, and is another rather complex structure. Oblivion (Alton Towers) - vertical drop, then up a steep rise and around a banked u-bend. Cobra (Paultons) - u-bends at the top. Rage (Adventure Island) - vertical lift, beyond vertical drop, vertical loop, horizontal twists. Big One (BPB) - really tall lift and very steep (albeit not vertical) first drop). Infusion (BPB) - vertical lift and loads of twists etc. Irn Bru Revolution (BPB) - vertical lift, forward/backward travel. Could one REALLY have built any of those structures from wood?  I don't think so. From my experience of Rollercoater, Grand National and Big Dipper at BPB a week ago, woodies can only be the uphill lift, followed by a sloping drop (not too steep), and more rises and falls, plus the occasional bend.  U-bends are possible, e.g. on Grand National just after Becher's Brook.   Already I have been able to spot some good points about woodies.  I noticed on Rollercoaster and Grand National there was a strange sensation just after setting off, something you don't get on steelies.  Someone reckoned that adds to the fun.  One good thing about Big Dipper is that you get airtime going down towards the dips, the closer to the back you sit, the more you get.  That's the only coaster I recall getting airtime on at BPB. Nimmykins It's not about what you can physically achieve with the construction, Nick, but the feeling of exhilaration while you're riding. Many people enjoy the sensation and vibration a woodie has. From my own experience I think woodies give more AIRtime. Yes, steel gives you inversions etc, but surely that's not the be-all and end-all of the riding experience. nemesis scribe Obviously you cannot manufacture wood to produce inversions     But . . . you can manufacture wood to feel like steel . . . El Toro for example is far too smooth to be wood and therefore loses its 'wooden' feel in my humble opinion anyway. Sir_LANs-a-lot nemesis scribe wrote: Obviously you cannot manufacture wood to produce inversions     But . . . you can manufacture wood to feel like steel . . . El Toro for example is far too smooth to be wood and therefore loses its 'wooden' feel in my humble opinion anyway. But you can have loops... Son of Beast for example... EDIT: Oh... and whilst I enjoy both, I do have a penchant for steelies - Superman Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Millennium Force are both excellent examples of the genre bluea61 Sir_LANs-a-lot wrote: But you can have loops... Son of Beast for example... Not such a great example!   Death Hail All! Well...I'm another of those "on the fence" voters, as - To be honest - I've grown from being a Steelie to just being someone who couldn't give two hoots about what material his coasters are made of! Although on that note, I am someone who'd love to take on the engineering challenges of building a wooden coaster with elements normally found on Steelies. We've already had a loop on Son of Beast (Not that it was that well appreciated, by all accounts! ) but I'm talking about heartline rolls, barrel rolls, vertical drops etc! Also; Turning this around for a minute...I do wonder what a steel coaster built in the style of a Woodie - Complete with PTC trains and seven laminate-ish rails - Would feel like. I'd put money on such a thing giving a completely different ride to rides like Silver Star, anyway! Farewell... >> Death << JamesC I prefer woodies. I used to be a steelie, but after I rode the Grand National for the first time I immediately switched! I still love steelies, but I'd definitely prefer a park full of woodies to a park full of steelies. bradpeet nemesis scribe wrote: El Toro for example is far too smooth to be wood and therefore loses its 'wooden' feel in my humble opinion anyway. And I was just about to say that El Toro is (probably) my second favourite wooden coaster to date - and the first drop on there is definitely classed as steep!! My number one is Phoenix, because it is just so re-ridable with great airtime  (Much of it feels like a stand up coaster lol). I think I have a slight preference for the feel of wood - but there are some great steel coasters too.  Even Nev admits to liking Nitro - although he describes it as a thrill machine.  And I haven't really heard his verdict on Phantom's Revenge. frosty When I recently got into coasters at BPB, soon after joining the club, I preferred wood to steel. Mainly as I did not get on with great heights, inversions and loops - but as my confidence has grown that is changing. On the US tour 3 great woodies stand out, El Toro (superb), Phoenix (great air-time and ride) and I liked Twister (thrill's and not too jarring). After those I found the rest of the woodies on the tour to be either very rough & not that enjoyable, or a little tame in comparison to the other 3. Some steelies were a bit rough too which I found surprising - I guess age and poor maintenance takes it's toll. However, when you have class steelies such as Phantom's revenge, Nitro, MF, Magnum XL-200, TTD & even the Great Bear (which I enjoyed) of the limited parks I have been too, it seems great steelies far out number great woodies. In terms of numbers, I'm being swayed towards steel. After riding Lightning Racer I was of the opinion that I much preferred the Grand National, but it's been a while since I rode that so maybe I need to ride the GN again to pass fair judgement. Nemesis Nick Some of you are probably aware that I have far greater experience of steelies than woodies. Steelies Here are all the steelies I've been on since 1998: Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden (Further Riding) Dragon Coaster - Butlins Minehead - Thursday 24 September 1998 Ski-jump Coaster - Royal Victoria Park Bath (travelling fair) - Tuesday 24 July 2001 Hornet Coaster - Flambards - Tuesday 9 July 2002 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) El Pastil Loco - Devon’s Crealy - Tuesday 30 September (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Colossus - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (+ day after) Nemesis Inferno - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (+ day after) Klondyke - Funland Hayling Island - Saturday 9 July 2005 AIR - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Nemesis - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) The Beastie - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Runaway Mine Train - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Corkscrew - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Oblivion - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Rita - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Cliffhanger - Blackgang Chine - Tuesday 28 March 2006 Cobra - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Stinger - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Flying Frog - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Rage - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Green Scream - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Barnstormer - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Mighty Mini Mega - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Pepsi Max Big One - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Steeplechase - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Infusion - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Morgan’s Circus Clown Coaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Irn Bru Revolution - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Avalanche - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008  (+ ERS next day) Big Apple - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 That's 30 coasters altogether.  Quite a lot, really.  Granted some of them  are rather tame family coasters.  Of those, the real thrill seekers' monsters are Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, AIR, Nemesis, Spinball Whizzer, Corkscrew, Oblivion, Rita, Cobra, Rage, Pepsi Max Big One, Steeplechase, Infusion, Irn Bru Revolution and Avalanche (that's 15 of them altogether). Woodies On the other hand, my experience of woodies is much more limited.  So far I've only been on four woodies, and notice that they were all last year (2008).  As you can see, three of those are at Blackpool Pleasure Beach; I rode those at last year's Blackpool Bash. Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden Rollercoaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Grand National - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Big Dipper - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Sunday 13 April 2008 Roller Coaster - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 As you know, Wild Mouse was closed during last year's Blackpool Bash, so unfortunately I wasn't able to give that a try.  Also I forgot to ride Zipper Dipper (when I could have), as I didn't realise it was there.  I wish I had gone on it now, then at least that would have been one more on my list of woodies. Quite a poor showing really, compared to my experience of riding steelies.  Therefore, I still don't think I'm in a position to make a fair judgement on whether I prefer woodies or steelies. I suppose part of the problem is that there are so few woodies in the UK.  These days, whenever anywhere builds a new roller coaster, it's almost sure to be a steelie.  When I visited Flambards during my holiday in Cornwall last year (10 June 2008), I asked a ride attendant if they had plans to build a wooden coaster there.  He said "No, they cost too much to maintain". It's such a shame that Cyclone 1937 wooden roller coaster at Pleasureland Southport was demolished.  How sad.  The last thing the UK could afford was to lose another woodie.  Now I'll never get to ride that one. Rough Rider Nemesis Nick wrote: I know this thread has been dormant, but I found it by doing a "Woodies, Steelies" search rather than starting this debate afresh. During the Big Dipper ERS at Blackpool Bash last Sunday, I had a Gadget Show style debate with Andy Hine about woodies and steelies. (For those of you not in the know, "The Gadget Show" is a programme on Five, which reviews gadgets.  Sometimes two of its presenters Suzi Perry and Jason Bradbury have a debate e.g. plasma v LCD TVs.) Whilst talking to Andy, I pointed at Infusion, which is a steelie. and highlighted its vertical loops and other twists (whatever they're called).  I said it would surely be impossible to construct a coaster like that in wood.  Of course, Andy gave me his feedback on this, in favour of woodies. Prior to this year's Blackpool Bash, I'd only rode steelies.  My first go on a woodie anywhere was two goes on Rollercoaster at BPB Saturday mid afternoon of the Blackpool Bash weekend.  Following the ERSs on Grand National and Big Dipper,  my experience of woodies so far (all during this year's Blackpool Bash at BPB) are as follows: Rollercoaster 2 Grand National 4 Big Dipper 4 Quite a poor showing compared to my experience of steelies really, so I'm not really in a position to cast a vote one way or the other yet. The last three years I've enjoyed some quite elaborate steelies: Colossus  (Thorpe Park) - lift, steep hill down, vertical loop, U-turn whilst inverted, horizontal corkscrew (or whatever it's called), about six times. Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park) - downhill spiral, vertical loop, various bends. Nemesis (Alton Towers) - vertical loop, and various other complex twists and turns. Spinball Whizzer (Alton Towers) - that has a high u-bend, and is another rather complex structure. Oblivion (Alton Towers) - vertical drop, then up a steep rise and around a banked u-bend. Cobra (Paultons) - u-bends at the top. Rage (Adventure Island) - vertical lift, beyond vertical drop, vertical loop, horizontal twists. Big One (BPB) - really tall lift and very steep (albeit not vertical) first drop). Infusion (BPB) - vertical lift and loads of twists etc. Irn Bru Revolution (BPB) - vertical lift, forward/backward travel. Could one REALLY have built any of those structures from wood?  I don't think so. From my experience of Rollercoater, Grand National and Big Dipper at BPB a week ago, woodies can only be the uphill lift, followed by a sloping drop (not too steep), and more rises and falls, plus the occasional bend.  U-bends are possible, e.g. on Grand National just after Becher's Brook.   Already I have been able to spot some good points about woodies.  I noticed on Rollercoaster and Grand National there was a strange sensation just after setting off, something you don't get on steelies.  Someone reckoned that adds to the fun.  One good thing about Big Dipper is that you get airtime going down towards the dips, the closer to the back you sit, the more you get.  That's the only coaster I recall getting airtime on at BPB. Hmm!????? Obviously you haven't ridden ............."SHIVERING TIMBERS"...................."MEAN STREAK"..............."TEXAS GIANT".........."MEGGY"..........."VOYAGE"..............Hmm!...........Oh Yes!! and "RATTLER"     To add but a few?? Ryan   Nemesis Nick Rough Rider wrote: Hmm!????? Obviously you haven't ridden ............."SHIVERING TIMBERS"...................."MEAN STREAK"..............."TEXAS GIANT".........."MEGGY"..........."VOYAGE"..............Hmm!...........Oh Yes!! and "RATTLER"     To add but a few?? Ryan   I've never heard of those coasters.  Are they all woodies, or are some of them steelies?  Where are they - all in the USA?  If so, that explains it.  I've never been to the USA, in fact I don't even have a passport. Did you see the list of all the steelies and woodies (all of which are in the UK) that I have ever ridden? c anderson All the coasters Ryan listed are  in the USA except Meggy. Get on down to Wales, Oakwood for a great time. Ryan has riden Meggy one or two times (multiply that by a thousand) which shows what a great ride it is. Nemesis Nick c anderson wrote: All the coasters Ryan listed are  in the USA except Meggy. Get on down to Wales, Oakwood for a great time. Ryan has riden Meggy one or two times (multiply that by a thousand) which shows what a great ride it is. Meggy at Oakwood?  Am I right in thinking Meggy is a nickname for their wooden coaster Megafobia? You've seen my list of coasters I've been on around the UK.  Can you suggest any other good coasters in the UK which I ought to try (wooden and steel)?  As I've already said, I'm hoping to attend this year's Blackpool Bash, and hopefully will be able to ride Wild Mouse and Zipper Dipper which I didn't ride last year. Auntie Murial Yes Meggy is Megafoba's little nickname You need to get yourself to Drayton Manor Park in Tamworth, West Midlands. They have two big coaters and two small coasters, along with a great selection of water rides and flat rides too. There Coasters are : Shockwave - Europes only Stand Up Roller Coaster by Intamin Ge-Force - A maurer Sohne X Car Coaster Troublesome Trucks - A family Gerstlauer Coaster Buffalo Stampede - A funky Family Coaster ( Powered ) I think was made by Zamperla, but i could be wrong Hope this helps Ianto STEALTHYBUTBAD im with steve ! i like both types of coasters !   Nemesis Nick Now that I've attended SAW-Ted at Thorpe Park in March, and the 2009 Blackpool Bash, I have a few extra coasters to add to my collection. Steel: Saw: The Ride - Thorpe Park (rode this at SAW-Ted The Trip, pity I only had one go in the ERS due to having to leave to head back to Staines for my train home); Crazy Mouse (South Pier in Blackpool, rode it Sunday around midday having left Pleasure Beach at the end of the ERS). Wood: Zipper Dipper and Wild Mouse at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Blackpool Bash). Also during both trips, I re-rode coasters I'd already been on.  I still feel gutted I didn't notice Flying Fish was at Thorpe Park, so missed out on that, and that Stealth was out of action all day during the Club trip there in March (so I missed out on that too). So here's my coaster list updated: Steelies Here are all the steelies I've been on since 1998: Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden (Further Riding) Dragon Coaster - Butlins Minehead - Thursday 24 September 1998 Ski-jump Coaster - Travelling fair at Royal Victoria Park Bath - Tuesday 24 July 2001 Hornet Coaster - Flambards - Tuesday 9 July 2002 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) El Pastil Loco - Devon’s Crealy - Tuesday 30 September (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Colossus - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (24 June 2005, Sat 21 Mar 2009) Nemesis Inferno - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (24 June 2005, Sat 21 Mar 2009) Klondyke - Funland Hayling Island - Saturday 9 July 2005 AIR - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Nemesis - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) The Beastie - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Runaway Mine Train - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Corkscrew - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Oblivion - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Rita - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Cliffhanger - Blackgang Chine - Tuesday 28 March 2006 Cobra - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Stinger - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Flying Frog - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Rage - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Green Scream - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Barnstormer - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Mighty Mini Mega - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Pepsi Max Big One - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Steeplechase - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Infusion - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 & 19 Apr 2009) Morgan’s Circus Clown Coaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Irn Bru Revolution - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Avalanche - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008  (+ ERS next day) (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Big Apple - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 Saw-The Ride - Thorpe Park - Saturday 21 March 2009 Crazy Mouse - South Pier Blackpool - Sunday 19 April 2009 Total 32 steel coasters altogether. Woodies My experience of woodies is still very limited by comparison: Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden Rollercoaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Grand National - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Big Dipper - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Sunday 13 April 2008 (Sun 19 Apr 2009) Roller Coaster - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 Zipper Dipper - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 18 April 2009 Wild Mouse - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 18 April 2009 Total 6 wooden coasters altogether, not many compared to steel. Thus with 6 woodies up against 32 steelies, am I still not in a position to make a fair judgement?  That's why I've yet to cast my vote. Nimmykins wrote: It's not about what you can physically achieve with the construction, Nick, but the feeling of exhilaration while you're riding. Many people enjoy the sensation and vibration a woodie has. I've noticed that from riding all five woodies at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.  The vibration is most noticeable on Big Dipper.  You don't get that sensation on steelies. Nimmykins wrote: From my own experience I think woodies give more AIRtime. That's an understatement.  At Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Pepsi Max Big One (steel) gave me some AIRtime during the ERS a fortnight ago.  Big Dipper (wood) gave me much more AIRtime.  I notice on that one, the closer to the back you sit, the more AIRtime you get.  Roller Coaster (wood) at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach (Summer Bash 2008) gave loads of AIRtime too.  As for giant steelies sporting loops, corkscrews, drops etc, and thus requiring you to have an over the shoulder harness, I don't recall getting any AIRtime on Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, Saw: The Ride, Nemesis, Oblivion, Rage or Infusion.  The family steelies Hornet Coaster (Flambards), El Patil Loco (Devon's Crealy) and Stinger (Paultons) don't seem to give any noticeable AIRtime either. As I've already said, it's such a shame the UK has so few woodies.  Just about everywhere that builds a new coaster these days seems to build a steelie, e.g. Cobra at Paultons (2006), Rage at Adventure Island 2007,  Saw-The Ride at Thorpe Park (2009).  When and where was the last new woodie opened a) UK and b) outside UK? krusty_the_clown thoses of you on the USA trip will be able to experience Superman Ride of Steel (Bizzaro) at 6F New England. You will have no doubt that it is the number one coaster on the planet! Magic krusty_the_clown wrote: thoses of you on the USA trip will be able to experience Superman Ride of Steel (Bizzaro) at 6F New England. You will have no doubt that it is the number one coaster on the planet! Unless you've ridden Expedition Ge Force or Millenniun Force in which case you've already ridden better coasters.   krusty_the_clown Magic wrote: krusty_the_clown wrote: thoses of you on the USA trip will be able to experience Superman Ride of Steel (Bizzaro) at 6F New England. You will have no doubt that it is the number one coaster on the planet! Unless you've ridden Expedition Ge Force or Millenniun Force in which case you've already ridden better coasters.   yeah yeah! youve obviously had a bang to the head. you been on Rattler recently?? Andy Hine MBE The RCCGB trip to America in June 2011 is going to be called:- "USA 2011 ~ SHAKE, RATTLER & ROLL" The 2010 mini-trip taking place in July is going to be called:- "USA 2010 ~ HOT TRACKS TOUR"  (cos it's in July and the coaster tracks will be hotter! haha!)  The logo is fab! Nemesis Nick Andy Hine MBE wrote: The RCCGB trip to America in June 2011 is going to be called:- "USA 2011 ~ SHAKE, RATTLER & ROLL" Really?  You actually start planning USA trips 2 years ahead - e.g. parks to visit, and hence trip name? krusty_the_clown Andy Hine MBE wrote: The RCCGB trip to America in June 2011 is going to be called:- "USA 2011 ~ SHAKE, RATTLER & ROLL" The 2010 mini-trip taking place in June is going to be called:- "USA 2010 ~ HOT TRACKS TOUR"  (cos it's in July and the coaster tracks will be hotter! haha!)  The logo is fab! we will be off to Texas???? frosty krusty_the_clown wrote: Andy Hine MBE wrote: The RCCGB trip to America in June 2011 is going to be called:- "USA 2011 ~ SHAKE, RATTLER & ROLL" The 2010 mini-trip taking place in June is going to be called:- "USA 2010 ~ HOT TRACKS TOUR"  (cos it's in July and the coaster tracks will be hotter! haha!)  The logo is fab! we will be off to Texas???? If Ryan was drinking whilst reading the latter part of this thread, he may 'nearly' have dropped it with shock at the thought of an ERS on Rattler frosty krusty_the_clown wrote: Magic wrote: krusty_the_clown wrote: thoses of you on the USA trip will be able to experience Superman Ride of Steel (Bizzaro) at 6F New England. You will have no doubt that it is the number one coaster on the planet! Unless you've ridden Expedition Ge Force or Millenniun Force in which case you've already ridden better coasters.   yeah yeah! youve obviously had a bang to the head. you been on Rattler recently?? Millenium Force was good but I also enjoyed Phantom's Revenge. Just 5 weeks now till many of us get to sample so many new rides. Magic Nemesis Nick wrote: Andy Hine MBE wrote: The RCCGB trip to America in June 2011 is going to be called:- "USA 2011 ~ SHAKE, RATTLER & ROLL" Really?  You actually start planning USA trips 2 years ahead - e.g. parks to visit, and hence trip name? If you ever make it to Coaster HQ you'll see Nev has a map of the USA covered in pins to mark the parks and string to mark routes. There must be at least 10 trips worked out there. If I remember right the strings are all a set length to represent the appropriate distance that can be travelled in 2.5 weeks. That'll be great if the club goes back to Texas, that was my favourite part of A Coaster Mystery.  Except of course the Rattler was my least favourite. Better give Nurofen a call, they need to start making enough pills to get to San Antonio. Meanwhile I'll give Pains Wessex a call to give them the nod to start manufacturing the explosives to blow Rattler up. Don't worry I'll get the explosives on Rattler before anyone has to suffer and ride her. Steven Burns For money reasons and the fact Ive done all the parks in next years tour i'm gonna give 2010 a year off to recover from 4 years of saving. But I'm already twinging at 2011 lol. My idea USA targets are now Texas, Vegas and California. Magic frosty wrote: Millenium Force was good but I also enjoyed Phantom's Revenge. Just 5 weeks now till many of us get to sample so many new rides. There are some seriously great rides on the trip. SR:OS AKA Bizaro, Ravine Flyer II, Orange County Choppers Moto Coaster, Balder Dash, Goliath, Big Bad Wolf, Volcano the Blast Coaster and of course a Boomerang. There's a lot of Top 5 coasters on the tour and you'll have an amazing time. I bet everyone on the trip will change their existing top coaster lists. If I wasn't pre booked it's a tour I'd have seriously considered. Andy Hine MBE I won't be changing my top list - PHOENIX will always be number 1!   Magic Andy Hine MBE wrote: I won't be changing my top list - PHOENIX will always be number 1!   But what about 2-10? They might change after some of the new ones for you.  And you've not ridden Ravine Flyer II yet. krusty_the_clown Big Stevie B wrote: For money reasons and the fact Ive done all the parks in next years tour i'm gonna give 2010 a year off to recover from 4 years of saving. But I'm already twinging at 2011 lol. My idea USA targets are now Texas, Vegas and California. Steve, 2010 parks havent been announced have they? unless you want to share some info with the group???? Steven Burns krusty_the_clown wrote: Big Stevie B wrote: For money reasons and the fact Ive done all the parks in next years tour I'm gonna give 2010 a year off to recover from 4 years of saving. But I'm already twinging at 2011 lol. My idea USA targets are now Texas, Vegas and California. Steve, 2010 parks have been announced have they? unless you want to share some info with the group???? People like Smiler, Hayley and Bluea61 have already had small group convos with me after doing the Saw testing day with Nev. Was more like covering old ground for me. As for announcing, Nev may have different plans and its his baby, so ill wait for his post. Sounds like a great trip but i have all the ticks as we could say. Great excuse for a year to escape the debt before i start off again lol. Rough Rider Andy Hine MBE wrote: I won't be changing my top list - PHOENIX will always be number 1!   It would have to be something exceptional to change my number 1 woodie "Voyage" Roll on 2010........"RATTLER" here we come.......Nev has seen the light Wildthing Ryan, I think the beer has got to your head. Rattler is on the 2011 trip NOT 2010, keep taking the pills(headache ones may help!!) Rough Rider Wildthing wrote: Ryan, I think the beer has got to your head. Rattler is on the 2011 trip NOT 2010, keep taking the pills(headache ones may help!!) OOOPPPSS!! Well spotted Harv...................I can't wait to ride the "RATTLER" hence wishfull thinking as in a year earlier All I have to do now is persuade nev to arrange a 2 hour ers on "RATTLER" rather than the normal 1 hour     I can see Magic being the first one to book for this trip   sueysue Yay! Texas and Rattler - cool.  Welsh takeover of the front row!! c anderson Sorry Ryan, if you read Nev's note, the 2010 trip goes in June and July. So it must be the thought of the Rattler in 2011 that has already got him mixed up. You could not have an ERS on the Rattler as the train would be empty for most of it and the Rattler will have fallen down by then (with a bit of luck) Andy Hine MBE krusty_the_clown wrote: Steve, 2010 parks havent been announced have they? unless you want to share some info with the group???? Yes, in the renewal welcome letter - all parks listed at bottom!   But just in case you didn't read it: Six Flags Great America Indiana Beach Holiday World Kings Island Cedar Point (subject to change!) frosty There's many a roll-back on TTD with my name on it - best not keep destiny waiting much longer. Steven Burns If Steve Caine goes, go on with him. That's the key. TTD loves Songs, he has the record for rollbacks me thinks. My two best trips ever were Voyage and Florida Fun Feat. I`d love to keep going and doing them but i have Cedar Point 3 times now, two rollback sessions. Indiana Beach twice. Holiday world twice plus opening of Voyage. Six Flags done and Kings Island completed. Best to save for the next one and do some new stuff. A voyage repeat trip is a great trip though, all the heavy hitters. USfriends You could likely have any seat you want. USfriends somehow my post went on wrong thread... Nemesis Nick This thread seems to have gone off on a tangent.  I thought it was supposed to be about discussing woodies and steelies in general (which type is better than the other), not for discussing the USA trip. Did anyone see my recent update about all the woodies and steelies I've been on? Magic But it's discussing the opportunity to ride some coasters in the US that could change your opinion on which is best, Wood or Steel. As everyone knows riding Rattler will definately turn you into a steelie. And as for Superman Krypton Coaster in the same park that'll help cement your opinion that steel is best. Rough Rider Andy Hine MBE wrote: krusty_the_clown wrote: Steve, 2010 parks havent been announced have they? unless you want to share some info with the group???? Yes, in the renewal welcome letter - all parks listed at bottom!   But just in case you didn't read it: Six Flags Great America Indiana Beach Holiday World Kings Island Cedar Point (subject to change!) Wasn't planning on going on next years mini trip  but the thought of missing out on the "VOYAGE" and  The "BEAST" and "Son of Beast" might just change my mind.  As long as I dont spend the money ear marked for the Texas trip and riding "RATTLER"   c anderson I do have on video your comments about Son of Beast, B.O.S. I believe was the comment, so why do you want to suffer it again, has the Rattler rattled your brain ? Magic I really enjoyed Son of Beast and didn't think it was that rough. But then I had ridden Rattler a week earlier. Rough Rider c anderson wrote: I do have on video your comments about Son of Beast, B.O.S. I believe was the comment, so why do you want to suffer it again, has the Rattler rattled your brain ? I think Rough Rider has matured since then ................but saying that, they have taken the wost part of the ride out.............The steel cack part     yes it is true, I did say Son Of Beast was B.O.S. bacwards which you all know what that stands for  but the steel bit has gone...Whay! Hay! so I cant wait to re-ride it   Magic ARGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was sorting out all my park maps from over the years today and came across loads from 2003 A Coaster Mystery. Among them were the maps of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. BUT what was most worrying was I had 3 postcards of Rattler. Clearly I was still in a state of traumatic shock after riding it to have bought such reminders of a painful experience. USfriends Cheer up Magic! By buying those 3 postcards, you could have deprived the world of enough wood to repair Rattler , thus requiring its closure! Yeah!! Rough Rider USfriends wrote: Cheer up Magic! By buying those 3 postcards, you could have deprived the world of enough wood to repair Rattler , thus requiring its closure! Yeah!! Nice one Magic........You see, you ARE a closet fan of one of the BEST WOODIES on the planet Glad you've finally come out the closet.......HA!   Just waiting for Nev to confirm a 3 hour ers when we visit in 2011     Just think, it will be running even BETTER by then!!!!     Ryan Rough Rider "RATTLER" Rider c anderson Here is alink to a coaster that Ryan has not ridden, looks better than Rattler http://www.themeparkreview.com/co...p?vid=myrtle_beach_hurricane_ihku frosty c anderson wrote: Here is alink to a coaster that Ryan has not ridden, looks better than Rattler http://www.themeparkreview.com/co...p?vid=myrtle_beach_hurricane_ihku What a pity it's no more - looked a ride worth doing - a fairly long run. OK, so you'd have no kidneys, spine, spleen or legs afterward, but it ain't all bad. c anderson I should add that these trains were used on Son of Beast and there were some club members that had to be prised out of the seats, they were that jammed in. It did not help that the only smooth bit on SOB was the loop, the rest of the ride just vibrated you further into the seat and ready for the Osteopath. Happy Helen Some people prefer the sound of wooden coasters to steelie coasters. I don't have any preferences. Nemesis Nick Coaster Collection Update At this year's Summer Bash at Flamingo Land (my first ever visit there), I rode Velocity, Corkscrew, Dragon Coaster, Kumali and Wild Mouse in normal time, plus the newly opened Mumbo Jumbo during the ERS.  Six steelies that I'd not previously ridden to add to my collection, what a pity I only had time to ride each one once that day.  Since then I had one go on Speedy Coaster (a family steelie) at Leisureranch Weymouth last Saturday afternoon.  Together that's a total of 7 steelies to add to my list.  In addition, I re-rode El Pastil Loco at Devon's Crealy on my most recent visit there Saturday 6 June this year (part of my Devon Dash).  Unfortunatley though I've not ridden any more woodies since this year's Blackpool Bash.  Firstly it's such a pity they don't have a woodie at Flamingo Land (had there been one, I would have gone on it during the Summer Bash).  Secondly being as I didn't attend Mega-GLOW-Mania last week, I have still never ridden Megafobia.  Thus I now feel it worthwhile to update my coaster list as follows. So here's my coaster list updated: Steelies Steelies I've been on since 1998 (7 new steelies since last posting this list): Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden (Further Riding) Dragon Coaster - Butlins Minehead - Thursday 24 September 1998 Ski-jump Coaster - Travelling fair at Royal Victoria Park Bath - Tuesday 24 July 2001 Hornet Coaster - Flambards - Tuesday 9 July 2002 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) El Pastil Loco - Devon’s Crealy - Tuesday 30 September 2003 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Colossus - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (24 June 2005, Sat 21 Mar 2009) Nemesis Inferno - Thorpe Park - Thursday 23 June 2005 (24 June 2005, Sat 21 Mar 2009) Klondyke - Funland Hayling Island - Saturday 9 July 2005 AIR - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Nemesis - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) The Beastie - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Runaway Mine Train - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 Corkscrew - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Oblivion - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Rita - Alton Towers - Saturday 8 October 2005 (2006) Cliffhanger - Blackgang Chine - Tuesday 28 March 2006 Cobra - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Stinger - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Flying Frog - Paultons - Saturday 1 July 2006 (30 Sep 2006, 2007, 2008) Rage - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Green Scream - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Barnstormer - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Mighty Mini Mega - Adventure Island (Southend on Sea) - Saturday 30 June 2007 Pepsi Max Big One - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Steeplechase - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Infusion - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 & 19 Apr 2009) Morgan’s Circus Clown Coaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Irn Bru Revolution - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Avalanche - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008  (+ ERS next day) (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Big Apple - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 Saw-The Ride - Thorpe Park - Saturday 21 March 2009 Crazy Mouse - South Pier Blackpool - Sunday 19 April 2009 Velocity - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Corkscrew - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Dragon Coaster - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Kumali - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Wild Mouse - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Mumbo Jumbo - Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire - Saturday 4 July 2009 Speedy Coaster - Leisureranch Weymouth - Saturday 8 August 2009 Total 39 steel coasters altogether. Woodies My experience of woodies is still very limited by comparison (no new woodies since last posting this list): Coaster Name - Venue - Date First Ridden Rollercoaster - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 Grand National - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 12 April 2008 (Sat 18 Apr 2009) Big Dipper - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Sunday 13 April 2008 (Sun 19 Apr 2009) Roller Coaster - Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - Saturday 28 June 2008 Zipper Dipper - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 18 April 2009 Wild Mouse - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Saturday 18 April 2009 Total 6 wooden coasters altogether, not many compared to steel. Thus with 6 woodies up against 39 steelies, I still don't feel in a position to make a fair judgement  That's why I've yet to cast my vote. So where in the UK ought I go next to add some more steelies and woodies to my list that I've never done before? For me, Brean Leisure Park is pretty close to home, featuring Shock Wave Super Looper roller coaster (Brean Leisure Park claims it's the largest roller coaster in England’s South West), plus of course their other coasters (unfortunately I can't find a complete ride list with descriptions on the web site).  Anyone think I ought to visit Brean Leisure Park?  Ought even the RCCGB Summer Bash to be at Brean Leisure Park next year?  Also fairly close to me (about an hour or so away from Bath by train) is Barry Island Pleasure Park which has the Viper roller coaster.  N.B. Latest News on the home page says that's opening soon.  Ought I pay Barry Island Pleasure Park to ride Viper (when it opens)? mophead Hmmm who needs coastercount.com. Rather than listing the 300+ coasters I've ridden I'll just say that for most people who have travelled overseas for there coasters then Woodies are generally better. For me steel coasters are either too rough or too smooth with a few notable exceptions - B&M inverters, anything by Anton S, Intermin hyper coasters..... although having said that none of them are as good as the Rattler. bluea61 Re: Coaster Collection Update Nemesis Nick wrote: Brean Leisure Park is pretty close to home, featuring Shock Wave Super Looper roller coaster (Brean Leisure Park claims it's the largest roller coaster in England’s South West), plus of course their other coasters (unfortunately I can't find a complete ride list with descriptions on the web site).  Anyone think I ought to visit Brean Leisure Park? Brean is quite a good day out, we went back for a few hours recently after oakwood to do the newer mouse they have there. The ride selection is pretty good, notably they have an afterburner, booster, the shockwave coaster, the crazy mouse. Lots of others though. Also a caterpillar coaster without an apple but a tent where the apple usually is. I'd say its worth a visit if its close to where you live. Magic I beleive Brean are on the look out for a major new roller coaster. Not sure how soon it'll appear.        RCCGB FORUM Forum Index -> Park and Ride polls Page 1 of 1