[njf]

Why do the trains make noise when going along the tracks?

[Chris]

Another notable feature of Bolliger and Mabillard roller coasters is that they make use of box-section track: the running rails for the coaster are connected to a box-section spine, as opposed to a circular spine used by many other manufacturers. Because of this, when a train travels round the track it creates a distinctive "roar", which is unique to this style of track. Some B&M coasters, such as Talon at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventure, have their track filled with sand to reduce this noise, resulting in an unusually quiet and hollow sound.

Here ya go... Taken from <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolliger_&_Mabillard' target='_blank'>Bolliger & Mabillard on Wikipedia</a>

[Chris]

NEVER use wikipedia!  It is bad I could go change that entire message now if I wanted to. I think I will delete it all!!

While you are right about anyone being able to change things, Wikipedia is still great. If someone changes something (or gets rid of an entire entry like you just did), Wikipedia usually fixes itself within about 5-10 mins (as you saw).

Anyway, the info I gave you WAS correct. I know this for a fact! That is why B&M Coasters (Vortex and Top Gun) make the roar.

EDIT: Look at the History Page of the B&M Wikipedia entry and you will see what I am talking about.


01:19, 13 April 2007 74.230.184.254 (Talk) (←Blanked the page)

01:19, 13 April 2007 MartinBot (Talk | contribs) m (BOT - rv 74.230.184.254 (talk) to last version by Scientizzle)

The first entry (the one which reveals your IP address, 74.230.184.254) says you blanked the page.
The second entry showed that, within a minute, a bot came and fixed the page back.

[njf]

Ok!
Thanks for agreeing with me.

[Edwardo]

Although the part about it being box spine isn't correct. Round spine coasters do the same thing if there is a large enough space inside the spine for the air. The Roar is caused by the train passing over the empty spine, causing vibrations, and causing the air inside to move and 'roar'. IIRC, Premier track does it as well, but they have a round spine (that is a larger gauge than Arrow/Veko), and the sound usually is there.

If you ride some rides, as was said, you'll notice they're quiet. They fill the spine so that there is no air movement.

I prefer the Roar, it's intimidating.

[Jay]

This is a brilliant, brilliant topic.

^I agree the roar is amazing, and anytime I go ride a B&M with out a roar (Talon immediately comes to mind) its almost a let down.

[MarkD]

Found a couple interesting articles. One is a couple years old but good reading none the less, and the other is a Patent page. Can you say "Suspended Woody"

<a href='http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0205/Byko-0205.html' target='_blank'>Coaster build info</a>

<a href='http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/v/a/vac3/table.html' target='_blank'>Patents</a> <-- Give this page a few seconds to load.