Wipeout's Train

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Wipeout's Train

Leon · Serious Squawker

I believe during the first few weeks of opening, that when they ran the trains full, the load was uneven and they stalled in the boomerang. Restraints are manually released each time, whilst the winch travels back down from the lift hill; hence the long waiting between rides.

Jools · Serious Squawker

I thought the wait was because of th elocals complaining of noise? confuse

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I believe during the first few weeks of opening, that when they ran the trains full, the load was uneven and they stalled in the boomerang

If it had stalled, we would no about it, that would be big news, so I'm pretty confident that isn't correct.

Restraints are manually released each time, whilst the winch travels back down from the lift hill; hence the long waiting between rides.

The restraints on Boomerangs are automatically released, just like on any coaster. The winch travelling back down to the train would have nothing to do with the restraints being released manually.

Leon · Serious Squawker

"The restraints on Boomerangs are automatically released, just like on any coaster. The winch travelling back down to the train would have nothing to do with the restraints being released manually"

Last time I was there, they were manually releasing everytime, so I just figured it was like that. I didn't mean to imply that the winch is related to the restraints, I meant that, that might be the reason for the wait. I do believe that the wait is to do with the local noise issue.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Ok, thats fine, sorry if I came across a bit arrogant, I didn't mean to!

Someone mentioned on Wipeout'a page that the train has to wait 7 1/2 mins in between running.

My guess would be that they're released manually because of the 2 un-used cars. And if them 2 cars are used because of the camera, then thats just ridiculous!

Park News - (8/14/08) We received a strange rumor claiming that Pleasurewood Hills may not have been happy with the performance of the old La Via Volta train they purchased from Walibi World and may be trying to send it back. I don’t know why they were surprised, since they traded out the original Arrow train for a Vekoma, what did they expect? In my experience the more pleasant Boomerang rides have usually been on older Arrow trains, but there have been a few exceptions. Of course this rumor sounds odd to me, because why would they wait for the end of the season to try and send it back instead of doing it earlier? Anyone know more?

I still want to no where that rumour came from.

-- Edited by Martyn on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 04:01:20 PM

Leon · Serious Squawker

lol it's fine :)

That rumour does sound quite weird, perhaps they might have finally clocked on. Do you reckon new trains from Vekoma are expensive, cos I wonder why they didn't just do that in the first place.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Well, like anytihng you buy, it will be more expensive from new, rather than second hand.

I personally would have liked them to stick with the train it came with. I love them old Arrow trains, they just look so retro!

Jools · Serious Squawker

You have to remember Arrow was bought by S&S Power and they no longer make those rides, and Vekoma still make the current Wipeout trains.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I dont get what you mean? I know Arrow were bought out by S&S, but I dont get your point?

All Vekoma coasters that have Arrow trains are from when Vekoma and Arrow were the same company. Arrow never actually made an Boomerangs themselves!

-- Edited by Martyn on Thursday 19th of March 2009 06:57:17 PM

Jools · Serious Squawker

But neither Vekoma or Arrow make the classic car anymore right?

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

These new trains from Schaefer are very cool.

Jools · Serious Squawker

I don't like the idea of metal restraints with no padding though.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

They are cool them new trains, would be fab for Wipeout to get one of them!

I wonder why they never stuck with the original train from the Missile, yeah it was old, but it could have been worked on and surely that would be cheaper than getting a new train?

Jools · Serious Squawker

Yes, but they probably couldn't get replacment parts and they may have been falling to parts anyway.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yeah that probably was the case, but the new train hasn't actually been brilliant!

Jools · Serious Squawker

Well it IS second hand, but I don't see why they could'nt have got a new one as La Via Volta are getting new ones anyway :S

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I suppose it all comes down to cost really. It's a shame though as the traisn are the only thing letting down what I think is a great ride!

Jools · Serious Squawker

I agree, I also believe it is one of the more smooth Boomerangs, the only thing that lets it down for me is the space between loading.

jayron7 · Woody Wannabe

The new trains look a bit weird from the front, don't know how they ride though. Found this image on themeparkreview. Lots more there.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

^Thats a compltely differerent train to the one pictured above.

The new trains that Vekoma are sticking with are the ones with just lapbars, so I think that one you've shown is just a 'one off'.

jayron7 · Woody Wannabe

I don't think those trains were any good either. It looks like they could be painful. All your weight being supported by a metal lapbar.

Anyway, the new boomerang at carowinds has new vekoma trains.

Apparently they prevent headbashing....

yeah thats what they all say......

I'll see how wipeout is riding this season when I go Easter Monday..

-- Edited by jayron7 on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 12:08:44 AM

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Apparently they prevent headbashing.... yeah thats what they all say......

If it only has lapbars, that would prevent head banging!

Wipeout is becoming known as one of the smoother Boomerangs, which is always good news. I've always found it to be pretty rough at the front, yet nice and...... well I wont say smooth, but its not rough at the back. Basically its much more enjoyable at the back.

Oops, didn't notice them pictures. I think they would prevent head banging to be honest, as the metal bars are quite away from your head. They're very similar to Air's restraints.

-- Edited by Martyn on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 04:22:40 PM

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Wow, those trains do look really good! The new harness does look much better. You can get a better look in this photo of how it works:

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Slightly off topic:

Did they have a different theme in mind for Wipeout? The concept art is still on the official website and it is coloured red and white:

Just a general wonderment....

Jools · Serious Squawker

I think they changed it to fit in with the maritime theme, and when the site is updated, I suppose they will put an official picture on there.

jayron7 · Woody Wannabe

Oops, didn't notice them pictures. I think they would prevent head banging to be honest, as the metal bars are quite away from your head. They're very similar to Air's restraints.

yeah sorry about the pics martyn.... i'm a bit crap at putting pictures on my posts, don't know how....

I think it would be pretty cool if Wipeout got these trains in the same color. It would go well, I like the color of the current train anyway so it would be pretty similar. It would also intrigue people to come from all over to see how the new Vekoma train compares to the old.

Im hoping they will have a complete train when I next visit.

-- Edited by jayron7 on Thursday 26th of March 2009 12:35:29 AM

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

^ Dont get your hopes up!

And I think that picture they used for Wipeout was just a general Boomerang picture, I dotn think an artist created that for Pleasurewood.

and when the site is updated

Well according to that scrolling message on the home page, their getting a new website...

Look out for our new website and full opening dates

Though I think its just an error as the opening times have already been updated for 2009...

New topic I think!

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

And I think that picture they used for Wipeout was just a general Boomerang picture, I dotn think an artist created that for Pleasurewood.

I dunno why I assumed it was an artists impression for PH - it doesn't even look like PH! Oh well, I hope we see the updated site soon with updated ride photography!

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

You say it doesn't even look like Pleasurewood, but if Wipeout was turned around (the way I believe it should been placed), it could look like that picture. You have that row of tree's in that picture that could be the ones that run along side the Minature Railway?

Wipeout is that way round on the park map as well... (though it would look very stupid if the back of Wipeout was shown the map)

-- Edited by Martyn on Friday 27th of March 2009 04:04:19 PM