What are these?

Ive always notice planks of wood on some wooden roller coasters, i have no idea what they are for, but i see them quite often. Please can someone clear up for me what they are?

Here is a picture if i explained it bad.

http://www.rcdb.com/ig279.htm?picture=1

[hyyyper]

i think to add some strongerness to the support structure

That is a good question, also Hyyyper he asked what they were, not for someones opinion on what they could be, also 'strongerness' is not a word

They're for maintenance. On many CCIs and GCIs, you can see them on a banking transition because when the banking gets high, the catwalks are removed on one side, and the maintenance workers need to get across the track to the other side. In this case, it of course isn't for banking, but I'm sure it would still help the maintenance people.

i always thought they were for over pathways under the coaster, so if somthing under the train were to fall off, it wouldn't fall on the path. and looking at the pictures, i think i might be right for once!

Wrong.

http://www.rcdb.com/ig548.htm?picture=4
http://www.rcdb.com/ig408.htm?picture=2
http://www.rcdb.com/ig543.htm?picture=1

Actualy they are placed on areas of the track where there is increased pressure on the bearings...Matt emailed the Gravity Group and hasnt posted the reply yet

You said there were on when banking gets high. On all those shots the planks are level banking.

I know, but if you looked at the links I posted you would see what I'm talking about.

[hyyyper]

i know strongerness ain't a word, i think i mentioned integrety, i think

Edge - I totally dont get what you are talking about. In those cases it looks like its dealing with negative G's as they are in the crests of the hills.

Heres another thing to consider that IF is talking about: Most of the time they do use those as walkways from one side to the other. They will, majority of the time place these in the FLAT section of track BETWEEN 2 banked sections. That way you can cross over at an even part and not be crossing over where the banking is going to be a threat to your safety.

Look at Legend and Raven. When the track goes from hard right banking, then to hard left, between the 2 in a flat(ish) section of track they will throw that down so they can cross over.


I dont doubt that theres another reason, but one reason is for maintenance when catwalks cross over.

[coolbeans326]

Originally posted by Matt

You said there were on when banking gets high. On all those shots the planks are level banking.

quote the reply[approve]

How do you know its not for them to cross over even while flat? That way you could get from one side to the other easily to check both sides and undersides of the track without having to walk one entire side then the other.

I have wondered this before, and i thought it was to give the track strength, but Reals and IFs descriptions sound quite logical.

I totally dont get what you are talking about. In those cases it looks like its dealing with negative G's as they are in the crests of the hills.

Me and Matt emailed the Gravity Group and there reply was that 'the boards are placed of section of the track where there is greater pressure on the bearings etc'

So no need to shoot the messanger, feel free to call the Gravity Group liars, i'm sure they have no clue what they are talking about

There's a good suggestion for NL

They seem to be what brakes are attached to. (never seen that metal board that NL uses in real life)

[coolbeans326]

feel free to call the Gravity Group liars, i'm sure they have no clue what they are talking about

lol, they probably are lieing, it's a secret, and to help to keep you from finding out the truth, they told you something else.................[dorkhat]

Hahahahaha.

Edge, you were not meant to believe me!

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