Gravity Group Builds Trains

The Gravity Group has started to advertise their own roller coaster trains. Check them out below.

ill buy one, cheap right?

It's not written here, but I read somwhere that they're capable of launching!

Yeah, I read the too, I don't know if I like the idea though.

Here's the list of capabilities: http://www.thegravitygroup.com./news_recent.html

Gravity Group Engineers Unveil Next-Generation Wood Coaster Train
Cincinnati, Ohio ?????????- The engineers at The Gravity Group started with a blank sheet of paper and ended up with the next generation of trains for wooden roller coasters.

?????????Timberliners incorporate new technology - such as magnetic braking and restraint monitoring - that wasn't even imagined when wooden coaster cars were first developed,????????? says Michael Graham, lead engineer for the project. ?????????When it comes to wooden coasters, The Gravity Group has more experience designing rides than anyone. We?????????ve applied that expertise in designing trains that addresses every facet of roller coaster performance and function - from maintenance and safety to rider enjoyment and capacity.?????????

Timberliners are designed to be compatible with existing wooden coasters, allowing a park to upgrade their roller coasters with Timberliner trains.

Key features of the trains include:
????????? Single-bench design
????????? Shock absorption and ergonomic styling
????????? Unparalleled ability to smoothly navigate the track for decreased train & track maintenance
????????? Innovative restraint system for unsurpassed safety and security
????????? Restraints designed for higher throughput
????????? ASTM F2291 Class 5 restraint with integrated monitoring
????????? On-board sound system capable
????????? Magnetic braking capable
????????? Launch system capable

Pretty odd/cool looking trains from the small image. It says it has a unique restraint system; I'd like to see that... along with the full trains themselves.

Those trains are old style and open too. We can only hope they're not as bad as Premier or B&M's foray into wooden coaster trains.

[Turbo]

didn't b&m only build 1 set of wooden trains?

anyway, is there a bigger and more thorough pic of the new trains because they sound cool.

Yeah b&m did the trains on cyclone and look where that ended up.

Launched Intamin pre-fab anyone?

[jayman]

Originally posted by CoastaGuy

Launched Intamin pre-fab anyone?

NO!!!! i doubt if gg would let intamin use their reputation to try to legitimize what they've done. this looks promising it's been a dream of mine to see all the morgan trains on classic rides be replaced by single seaters and have the morgan trains crushed while enthusiasts cheer! ( i know.. that will never happen ,, but it's a nice dream ) !

I'm very curious to see how these ride. My favorite wood (Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz) rides pretty good even with Morgans, I wonder how it'd feel with these.

Do you think they'll bring them to a park and let them try it out before a sale? Seems unlikely but it'll probably be a hard sell for older parks without a trial.

[jayman]

^ i DO have to agree with you, however they are obviously 4 seaters instead of 2, which makes them longer .. my logic is that a single bench train ought to be able to enhance the ride experience and aesthetics immensely..

Originally posted by CoastaGuy

Launched Intamin pre-fab anyone?

I don't think wooden coasters should go there. But I'm sure they will :\

^Im sure thats what people said about the woodie with a loop... Think its no more.

[Dirk_Ermen]

Lol! I was thinking up a launched woody on the flight back home and looks what plans I see now.

I wonder how the real trains are going to look like. Since I'm pretty curious about the "Innovative" restraint system. Also cool to hear that they are able for a launch. But it doesn't really sound new to me. Since the GCI trains use magnetic Brakes and when you think about it you can turn the process around and make it a launch. Right?

Only if the trains are capable of those acceleration forces. But theoretically I believe you are right.

They might have to change the track a little to handle acceleration forces. Like using metal for the launch segment or something, then switching to the wood after the launch.
Either way, Im excited for more news

I hope the launch isn't 2g's or something unless they add head rests [:P]

^I think they would.

get it wrong and you'll get a domino row of head knocking with the people at the back getting thoroughly screwed over, sounds like awesomeness in wood/metal form

so retro(right word?) looks interesting at the least, i'd like to see wat it looks like up close though

Sounds cool, but I think some of the features are going to far. If they make the coasters too smooth, then they won't feel like wooden coasters anymore. Also, a launch system for a wooden coaster just sounds wierd(well, it might be cool if they make it like Powder Keg). I like the restraint system on the PTC cars, because they aren't right on your lap, so you get more airtime.

I think this is something they should handle like Son of Beast...try it out...if it doesn't work adjust it the next time or modify it so it does work...and go from there.

They ran a test set on Raven today.



They look like they track pretty smoothly, but the jackhammer sounds they make in the turns is kind of concerning.

Those are some odd trains, and odd sounding ones too.