Space Mountain Heading to the Scrap Heap :)

S

Skyway

Well-Known Member
Martin's cross-section image got me thinking about something I've always taken for granted----that SM has a separate unload/exit area on a completely different level.

Does anyone have any background info on the decision to do this (something I've never seen on any other roller coaster, anywhere)?

Was is done by necessity (i.e. to give the loading area a bit of elevation to allow gravity to get the trains moving within the confines of the building)?

Or was it strictly a storytelling technique (you're landing in a different place than you started)? But that doesn't explain the two levels, since RnRC does the same thing in one level.

Imagine the extra expense of building a two-level load/unload area---and then duplicating it for the twin track. Obviously, that whole concept was thrown out the window when DL built their SM three years later.

Speaking of this--- my only complaint with the original SM design is that, after going through the red "re-entry" tunnel, the trains slowly travel through the dark dome area again, with light leak allowing you to see the mechanisms to get the trains back up to the loading level (not to mention the occasional ladders, cleaning equipment, and other junk that reminds you that you're really inside a large warehouse). I know this area of track between the re-entry tunnel and the unload area is necessary to hold extra vehicles in case there is a backup. But during the rehab, I hope this area is somehow enclosed so that you're no longer just slowly coasting through the darkness of space even though you've technically "landed".
 
hardcard

hardcard

New Member
Original Poster
They had loads of metal wall studs going into the mountain yesterday.. they are definately building the new stuff now.. :)
 
Jasonflz

Jasonflz

Well-Known Member
The Conundrum said:
Is this going to be an ENTIRE Track & Structure replacement like Disneyland got?

Honestly anything less is unacceptable
Click to expand...

I remember reading in one thread a while back that Disney wasn't replacing the supports, just the track. Truthfully you are completely right. Anything less than what we should get is completely unnaceptable. Problem is, we most likely will be getting less than what we should. (at least the ride will be less turbulent.)
 
joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Skyway said:
Martin's cross-section image got me thinking about something I've always taken for granted----that SM has a separate unload/exit area on a completely different level.

Does anyone have any background info on the decision to do this (something I've never seen on any other roller coaster, anywhere)?

Was is done by necessity (i.e. to give the loading area a bit of elevation to allow gravity to get the trains moving within the confines of the building)?

Or was it strictly a storytelling technique (you're landing in a different place than you started)? But that doesn't explain the two levels, since RnRC does the same thing in one level.

Imagine the extra expense of building a two-level load/unload area---and then duplicating it for the twin track. Obviously, that whole concept was thrown out the window when DL built their SM three years later.

Speaking of this--- my only complaint with the original SM design is that, after going through the red "re-entry" tunnel, the trains slowly travel through the dark dome area again, with light leak allowing you to see the mechanisms to get the trains back up to the loading level (not to mention the occasional ladders, cleaning equipment, and other junk that reminds you that you're really inside a large warehouse). I know this area of track between the re-entry tunnel and the unload area is necessary to hold extra vehicles in case there is a backup. But during the rehab, I hope this area is somehow enclosed so that you're no longer just slowly coasting through the darkness of space even though you've technically "landed".
Click to expand...
Nice thoughts on this. I really havent sat down and thought about that angle. I can see your points of it possibly done to move the trains to the lift hills and for story telling as well. I have always LOVED that you unload in a different area. As a kid i just couldnt figure it out. :lol:

I can see where that would be annoying. Although, from my point of view, i have never minded that part since it explained "how things worked" a bit. ;)
 

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