Board index Theme Park Discussions General Theme Park Discussions X2 Trains - Backstage Tour Photos & Video

X2 Trains - Backstage Tour Photos & Video

Discuss anything related to theme parks in general.

Post February 3rd, 2008, 4:54 am

Posts: 54
Points on hand: 2,854.00 Points
Location: USA
Hello everyone!

I want to share with you all some photos we took during a backstage tour of Six Flags Magic Mountain's new trains for X2.

The following photos and video were shot today in the transfer shed of X2. So far 2 rows of cars have been delivered. The paint job or the "X change operation" is nearing completion and the park is anticipating a Spring 2008 re-opening.

Check out both the photos and there is a link to our video where park General Manager Tim Burkhart explains more in depth some of the changes to the new trains.

Image
From outside the park you can see that almost all the track is now red. The "X Change Operation" which will take X from being girly pink & yellow to manly red & black is almost done!

Image
If you look REAL close, you can still see some yellow left.

Image
Wait a second! That's a trash bag with a wheel sticking out! You can't fool me!!!

Image
Oh. *blush* I see. There really IS a train under there!

Image
So Tim Burkhart, SFMM General Manager explained that one of the main differences was converting the old "Pickle Forks" into "Pickle Spoons." (The actual technical term. We're not making this up! Someone went through YEARS of engineering school for this so please don't make fun of their names!)

Image
Here you can see the old "Pickle Forks" that the seats rest on...

Image
The new "Pickle Spoon" is one giant piece, and while lighter than the old pickle fork, should be more stable and make for a smoother ride.

Image
The wheels...while yes they are still round...note that the assembly is one solid piece on the new train...

Image
...Whereas on the old trains there were a lot more welds and bolts that held it together.

Image
You can see here where many changes were made to help lighten up the trains. All those holes used to be solid on the old trains.

Image
Here's some bolts.

Image
Here's some steel!

Image
New train.....old train!

Image
Yup. When it opens it's going to launch at 85MPH! Didn't you hear about that part? Ok, ok, I'm just kidding!

For more photos and to view the video we shot, where Tim explains a lot more about the trains, click here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=41602

If you are a member of TPR, you can download DVD image of the video as well as the high res version of all the photos here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=7

Hope you all enjoy the pics!

--Robb

Post February 3rd, 2008, 5:50 am
Dirk_Ermen User avatar
True Addicts
True Addicts

Posts: 13387
Points on hand: 2,175.50 Points
Bank: 45,000.00 Points
Location: Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Thanks robb for all the photo's. It's looking great. [:)]

Post February 3rd, 2008, 7:49 am

Posts: 180
Points on hand: 77.00 Points
Location: Alphen aan den Rijn, Z-H, Netherlands
Nice pics and nice vid Robb. New train looks much better than the old.

Post February 3rd, 2008, 9:14 am

Posts: 4357
Points on hand: 5,761.00 Points
Location: Cannock, West Midlands, United Kingdom

trains look better but i still prefer the pink paint as it stood out from everything else

Post February 3rd, 2008, 11:29 am

Posts: 5852
Points on hand: 5,801.00 Points
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Nice pictures.

But we do already have an X2 thread that was started last November. Not sure why we need a new topic on this everytime something changes on X.

http://coastercrazy.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15961

Post February 3rd, 2008, 11:29 am
gouldy User avatar
Premium Member
Premium Member

Posts: 7826
Points on hand: 2,723.00 Points
Bank: 25,088.00 Points
Location: WOLVERHAMPTON, England.

wtf are you peeps on about? The old trains look WELL better! The new ones look like a crock o' ****!

Post February 3rd, 2008, 12:52 pm

Posts: 332
Points on hand: 4,463.00 Points
Location: Brookpark, OH, OH, USA

gouldy, the new trains, even tho that may not look as good as the old ones in your eyes, are much lighter and provide a much better ride then the old trains. I'll take safty and function over beauty any day.

Post February 3rd, 2008, 1:03 pm
jayman Premium Member
Premium Member

Posts: 4811
Points on hand: 3,110.00 Points
Location: spring valley

i agree.. steel rollercoasters don't need to LOOK good, they're already ugly by default anyways,. unlike wood it's all about ride motion. .. i love the fact that the next time i ride it my calves won't be getting hammered into that little fiberglass skirt below the seat!

Post February 3rd, 2008, 2:40 pm

Posts: 39
Points on hand: 1,581.00 Points
Location: Minnesota, USA
My boyfriend is actually in the LA area right now visiting family. I should call and ask him to go down and see how it looks!

As long as they paint the trains, I've no problem with them; That white, orange and blue won't coordinate with the black and red. That's a huge concern, LOL!

Post February 3rd, 2008, 3:44 pm

Posts: 2145
Points on hand: 3,189.00 Points
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sweet, I can't wait to get back and ride X without breaking my legs! This is great, gonna make X waay more enjoyable.

Post February 3rd, 2008, 3:49 pm
Oscar User avatar
Founding Member
Founding Member

Posts: 14407
Points on hand: 11,502.60 Points
Bank: 187,052.60 Points
Location: California, USA

You just broke a lot of the members heart with your post Julia [lol]

Post February 3rd, 2008, 7:01 pm

Posts: 881
Points on hand: 2,481.00 Points
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA


Post February 7th, 2008, 3:13 pm
gouldy User avatar
Premium Member
Premium Member

Posts: 7826
Points on hand: 2,723.00 Points
Bank: 25,088.00 Points
Location: WOLVERHAMPTON, England.

Originally posted by shaggszgn

gouldy, the new trains, even tho that may not look as good as the old ones in your eyes, are much lighter and provide a much better ride then the old trains. I'll take safty and function over beauty any day.


Really? as if safety's important! [:P]

And Jayman... what? [:P] I think that steel coasters can be really beautiful structures, especially some of the Intamins. Just different to woodies is all.


But still, those new trains just simply look half assed, no effort seems to have been put into making them look, I dunno, presentable, or themed, whatever you wanna call it.

Post February 7th, 2008, 7:44 pm
jayman Premium Member
Premium Member

Posts: 4811
Points on hand: 3,110.00 Points
Location: spring valley

yep , i stand by that.. when it comes to a steel ride it's all about riding, i could care less what it looks like.. it already isn't wood..


Return to General Theme Park Discussions

 


  • Related topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post