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Speed
Oct 22, 2007 21:19:00 GMT -5
Post by gary on Oct 22, 2007 21:19:00 GMT -5
The coffin cars seem to move at a funeral march pace. Roughly half the speed of most dark rides, maybe? It's perfect in some ways -- you get a good dose of the scenes. It's almost calming, in a way. In some sections, like the long tunnels, it does drag a touch but you can argue that this builds anticipation for the next area.
Was it a deliberate choice? They did upgrade from 1/3 HP to 1/2 HP I believe. I think since Coney Island's Spook-a-Rama is only a fraction of what it used to be, Trimpers HH may very well hold the record as longest duration for a dark ride. And it sure covers a lot of ground, too.
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Speed
Oct 22, 2007 22:22:31 GMT -5
Post by Brandon on Oct 22, 2007 22:22:31 GMT -5
I would argue to say that the HH does indeed have one of the longest durations. And, believe me, it covers more ground than you could possibly imagine. And funny thing is, you don't realize it until you walk around inside on foot. I remember when I used to have to run around inside looking for a broken down car, and I would come out literally totally out of breathe and found myself sitting on the boardwalk bench trying to catch it. The place is amazingly big, which makes it that much more unique. The HH car motors are actually 1 HP. They are stepped up to 110 volts by their transformers. The speed of the cars will vary depending on a lot of variables. Temperature inside the ride, tire pressure (which will be affected by temp), each actual car, etc. Going up an incline, the cars tend to take FOREVER—especially up the crooked mine shaft which is the steepest uphill of the ride. You have to remember that these cars weigh a ton, or it seems. Flat surfaces let the motor do all the work, and places like the train tunnel, the car is slowed by the built-in train track bolted to the concrete floor. The downhill can be iffy. In the late 90’s one of the cars actually went down the hill with no breaks—I repeat—No breaks. For whatever reason, be it temps or air conditions, the car’s unit did not respond to the make-shift breaking system in the ride, and ended up literally collapsing at the base of the hill. The oak wood literally fell off the frame, and crews had to pick it up and carry it out. Luckily, this was during a test run and no one was in the car, but still. The breaking system is accomplished by pieces of 2X’s under the track which the Unit drags on to cause friction. The tires are forced into u-shaped steel to assist in the cars decline and to keep the car’s rear end from moving left or right while breaking. The car’s pace however, as you stated, is precise, and the ride would not be the same if it were faster or slower than it actually is. If you get lucky, you’ll ride it during a rain storm—The downhill will be loads of fun then. ;D
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Speed
Jul 10, 2010 17:08:24 GMT -5
Post by HHMacabre on Jul 10, 2010 17:08:24 GMT -5
What is the top speed the cars go in the ride?
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