[bgwfreak]

http://www.screamscape.com/html/kings_island.htm

I normally dont' trust Screamscape much, but he's actually quoting someone at the park so... could this be the end of the backwards trains?

It also makes me wonder if they will continue to short staff the backwards side this summer as well.

For the racing standpoint, I would kinda prefer them both facing forward. But I did like them running backwards.

Anyone remember when GASM ran backwards?

[CoasterChris]

Yes the train has been turned around.

[RollerBee]

Yes the train has been turned around.

And where is your confirmation Chris? While it is sad to hear Thunder Road will only be foreward again, maybe now they will race more often. A day didn't go by that I wasn't in the station yelling for the trains to race in 2006.

[coasterbruh]

c'mon guys give lance some credit...the man have been right more than he has been wrong...and I think he may be right again...

While backwards was taboo it was also a pain sometimes! The trains weren't designed to run backwards and that can be notices in the different rides they both gave. If my memory served me correct even kids couldnt ride the backseat of the backwards side...that is saying alot!

Jarvis "here's to saving the track and flipping the train!" Morant

[evaninmatthews]

http://carowinds.com/attractions/category.cfm?ac_id=1 Thunder Road is already closed for opening day

[CoasterChris]

I'm not suprised.

[bgwfreak]

A friend of mine that works down Carowinds Blvd said they are taking apart the straight sections of track now. I can't recall which side he said.

So basically it sounds as if the whole thing is getting a makeover.

[RollerBee]

Will Thunder Road ever have both side running again? Now, I am glad I can't go this season. It would be just plain sad to Thunder Road not operating at all. At least, they are putting money into prolonging the life of Thunder Road.

[KenB]

Sheesh. Hopefully the park will have Hurler up 'n' running, so I can get my woodie fix in at the start of the season. Of course there's also Scooby Doo / FOCer / whatever it's called this season, which often is the best running woodie in the park - and oh so conveniently located next to the Flyers.

Perhaps at the end of all this, we'll have a nice, smooth Thunder Road with both sides running AND racing. I'll miss the backwards train, which was my favorite side by far, especially back in 2001-2002 when the backwards turnaround drop had some wicked sideways air in the last row - but would trade it for a less painful ride that races consistently. Last season it was pretty brutal - not to the level of Georgia Cyclone or Hurricane, but bad nonetheless.

I'm really starting to wonder if Paramount didn't keep up with maintenance as well as they could have, and / or if the backwards train put some weird stresses on the structure. CF certainly didn't like something they found last year, and seem to think that they're better off making the change on Rebel Yell and Racer too. The cynical among us might think it's cost-cutting, so they can run one side or the other on slow days, but I think it's more than that. CF, and Paramount near the end, had no problems running just the forward side on slow days and letting the backwards side sit.

[RollerBee]

Paramount Parks kept Hurler up real good, Hurler's first turn was retracked twice in 2006. I don't think it is a question how Paramount not maintaining the ride as it is the most ridden coaster in the park. I think Carowinds is trying to prevent another Son Of Beast. Maybe they did find a structural weakness, maybe they just felt that the ride needs alot of attention. Maybe all woodies at Carowinds will get the treatment in some degree. I do feel that Cedar Fair is putting more money into Thunder Road than Paramount did, but I think is to prolong the life span of the ride. I just hope that me and my child will be "Grit your teeth, bear the load, enjoy your ride on Thunder Road" for a long time in the future.

[Carowindsfreak17]

Hey Yall this is the same Carowindsfreak13, im just lot older now and i saw this a what!!?? No more backwards. Dang. Oh well i hope they do use the both forewards for more racing. So glad to be back on forum, ive been gone soooo long.

[CoasterChris]

I'm sure they will race about as much as they did the last 10 years.

[coasterbruh]

^ im sure you're wrong!

[MarkD]

^ I'm sure you're right!

We all complained about Thunder Road NOT raceing over the years and I Love what they are doing. Going backwards, to me was a novelty like Top Thrill Dragster, and time has come to return to originality. Yes, going backwards was fun but not near as fun as being able to race side by side for the 1st half of the ride.

[CoasterChris]

Just because they are turning the train around does not mean they will race again. Unless CF is installing one operator panel then i doubt they will race every time all day long. Sorry, it's not going to happen.