[alecscrews]

Jordon is correct.

I just came back from Carowinds and rode Cyclone. I saw a Carolina Cobra logo on one of those trains. It was very visible.

I agree with the idea that the first trains could have been prototypes and these are the revised ones.

[!ntimidator]

it would be nice if these were 4 cyclone tho because every time i ride i come off with a headache and i think this could fix that problem.

[alecscrews]

it would be nice if these were 4 cyclone tho because every time i ride i come off with a headache and i think this could fix that problem.

I agree, I rode it once and my head still hurts from it!

[chargercrazy]

You folks must be short or not hold your head the right way when going through the corkscrews -- I've never had any headbanging on Cyclone.

[PhantomCat]

I'm tall and I still get the headaches after the ride, which I don't understand because the ride is so short and so simple.

[rctdcifreak]

It really isn't the design of the ride so much as it is the design of the trains themselves. The tight fit into the trains, the high sides on the train, the extremely low sitting seats, and the tight fit of the OTSR just dont work together the way the concept for them was. Think about it like this, if you're driving a low riding car with little suspension you're going to feel every rock and pebble on the road. The reason why you are "rattled" to death is because your seat is so low close to the rails, when you add in the vibration and g-forces the sides of the train help amplify each little vibration and thus making really large "shakes". With no where else to go the vibrations move from the bottom towards the top and from the sides to the center all at the same time. When this happens the OTSR is shaken. So when your head is pushed into the OTSR its like a hammer trying to hit a nail during an earthquake. It hits harder and more frequently than just one simple hit. The main reason why going to a train like Cobra's would be for more efficiency. The ride on Cyclone would be less traumatic for the sole reason that some of these issues are fixed. The low sides of the train reduces vibration of the car and the OTSR are designed to fit each rider rather than fit around each rider. The vest which should conform to your chest a bit helps keep you snug against the seat where as the OTSR on Cyclone's current trains only fit around you to keep you in a confined space with some wiggle room. Not to mention that the hard bars on Cobra's train are pushed further away from the rider where as Cyclone's OTSR the hard bar is the restraint with just some padding put onto it. The one downside with switching to the new trains would be a loss of the sensation of the forces the coaster puts out. Put this could very minimal if the trains work properly. It really isnt about height more as it is about the way you fit the seat, the restraint, and the car.

[sccoasterbear]

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. However, back when the ride first opened the restraints were not as hard and the ride ops did not shove them down on you but instead let you remain in a comfortable position. And correct me if I am wrong but not one person every fell out of the ride.

While on that topic...why ruin wooden coasters with the new restraint systems? Seriously have you looked at the restraints they have gone to now? An average person can not comfortably ride a wooden coaster at Carowinds without getting bruised. Years ago the ride was comfortable and fun yet safe. Again, not one person fell out. Why make the lap restraints cut in onto your legs and the stupid medal bar squeeze you against the side of the car?

OK back on topic, new cyclone cars would be great if we could ever get them

[Mr.Nitro]

Vortex is by far the roughest steel coaster at Carowinds. You can really get your head beat up on it!

[carowinds4ever]

When i was there on sunday, those other trains out behind cyclone did have a cobra logo on them. Hell, maybe next year cyclone will get new trains.

[rctdcifreak]

I am still curious if those new trains are still there. If someone goes this weekend can someone please keep an eye out to see if they are indeed still there. My gut tells me they will be gone and already be installed on Cobra. The old train may then be in the back for storage, refurb, or used for spare parts. If this is the case, I would find it highly perculiar why Vekoma would not request the "old" new train back. To bad the park won't say anything about what is truly going. But it would make sense for the park to keep their mouths shut if Vekoma found a problem with the train and sent a better version (maybe some concern over safety and the general public's reaction).

[rctdcifreak]

As far as what sccoasterbear is saying. Yes no one from CAROWINDS has ever fallen out of the ride. However there are reasons for the changes in restraints over the years. I can not find the information on it but there was one documented case where a woman was tossed out of a wooden roller coaster. Her family suited the park for safety violations. After this happened, amusement parks across the nation started using different seats in wooden roller coaster trains to the ones that are used now (the two seater seat with the huge division inbetween both seats) and the seatbelt fever set it as well. That is why a lot of roller coasters across the nation have the seatbelts that you HAVE to use even if the lab bar fits just fine.

[Edwardo]

Just an FYI, some parks do indeed buy spare trains. SFMM had an extra train for all of their Beemers in years past to be used for parts and what not.

[Ccalloway]

the train in the back don't have a cobra logo on them but are being used for part for the current cobra train

[rctdcifreak]

Jinkies!

Well gang, I guess that's a wrap on this mystery.

[Jonathan]

I can not find the information on it but there was one documented case where a woman was tossed out of a wooden roller coaster. Her family suited the park for safety violations. After this happened, amusement parks across the nation started using different seats in wooden roller coaster trains to the ones that are used now (the two seater seat with the huge division inbetween both seats) and the seatbelt fever set it as well. That is why a lot of roller coasters across the nation have the seatbelts that you HAVE to use even if the lab bar fits just fine.

What's dumb about all of that is that the lady in question removed her seat belt and stood up, so it's ironic that the answer to that incident was to add seatbelts all over the place. Oddly enough The Gravity Group is taking the opposite approach with their new trains; a kind of B&M hyper approach. Curved lap bar with no seat belt.