CSLKennyNI
Giga Poster
As Ethan has said the test train had 10 rows, it would be odd to test with a longer than necessary train and the length of that train corresponds with the length of F.L.Y.'s station platforms. So the conclusion reached by peeps on PhantaFriends is that F.L.Y. will have 10 rows per train.
Regardless if Vekoma's concept art has 9 or 10 rows. If the art does have 9 it could simply be misleading or perhaps the standard model they plan to offer has 9, while F.L.Y.'s custom trains have 10?
Dark Ride
Over on PhantaFriends people have been discussing the how Vekoma's description of the new gen. model emphasises its capabilities for dark ride sections.
Ever since the days of the Vlodrop prototype tests people have been speculating about a dark ride section. Now with the construction site we know that after the station trains will travel along 50m approx. of straight track through a separate room and then up the 30m long enclosed lift (measurements from PF user PHL-Marcus) - all facing outwards in the sitting position. Depending on speed this could take around 30 - 40 seconds. It seems unlikely that riders will just look at a brick wall.
So I would think its likely we could see some kind of "dark ride elements" here before the launch - which would mirror the Vekoma product description (although of course this is not by any means confirmation).
Obviously whether it is simply something that enhances the experience and helps build tension (say like Blue Fire's dark ride section) or more of a story telling moment (like Baron 1898) remains to be seen.
But I think there is great potential for some really nice show elements with the steampunk theme. The park has proven they're more than capable of theatrical elements with Maus au Chocolat, Mystery Castle, Talocan, Chiapas and Black Mamba's station dispatch.
Animated theming such as moving wheels, gears and cogs/machinery with some effects (like steam for example) as you pass by. Cogs turning in the same direction as riders travel could create the impression the machinery is propelling you along/up the lift.
We could perhaps also/or see some projections or even screens - if the quality is high enough and its embedded well into the theming (similar to Maus au Chocolat or Pirates Shanghai) I personally wouldn't mind.
No. of Trains
This discussion on PhantaFriends also sparked speculation regarding the number of trains the ride will have. We know F.L.Y. has 3 maintenance bays so a minimum of 4 trains is guaranteed. However might it actually have 5 trains? Colorado Adventure also only has 3 bays yet had 5 trains (until 2002 when the 5th was deemed surplus to requirements, removed and placed in storage for spare parts). I believe Blue Fire at Europa has 3 bays but also 5 trains?
Plus with the station being completely enclosed underground parked trains would be stored protected from the elements at all times.
So it would just depend on whether there is actually a dark ride bit in the first place, and would it be a block section in the layout?
Because then: 1. Station Load Platform 2. Dark Ride 3. 1st launch 4. 2nd Launch 5. Station Off Load Platform.
However perhaps its not even necessary. With just 4 trains I think F.L.Y. is likely to surpass Taron's throughput of 1200pph with there being 10 rows per train rather than Taron's 8 rows, and almost certainly a slightly shorter layout (dark ride section could result in a similar ride duration though).
Of course this is all just theories for now! Just have to wait and see.
Regardless if Vekoma's concept art has 9 or 10 rows. If the art does have 9 it could simply be misleading or perhaps the standard model they plan to offer has 9, while F.L.Y.'s custom trains have 10?
Dark Ride
Over on PhantaFriends people have been discussing the how Vekoma's description of the new gen. model emphasises its capabilities for dark ride sections.
Ever since the days of the Vlodrop prototype tests people have been speculating about a dark ride section. Now with the construction site we know that after the station trains will travel along 50m approx. of straight track through a separate room and then up the 30m long enclosed lift (measurements from PF user PHL-Marcus) - all facing outwards in the sitting position. Depending on speed this could take around 30 - 40 seconds. It seems unlikely that riders will just look at a brick wall.
So I would think its likely we could see some kind of "dark ride elements" here before the launch - which would mirror the Vekoma product description (although of course this is not by any means confirmation).
Obviously whether it is simply something that enhances the experience and helps build tension (say like Blue Fire's dark ride section) or more of a story telling moment (like Baron 1898) remains to be seen.
But I think there is great potential for some really nice show elements with the steampunk theme. The park has proven they're more than capable of theatrical elements with Maus au Chocolat, Mystery Castle, Talocan, Chiapas and Black Mamba's station dispatch.
Animated theming such as moving wheels, gears and cogs/machinery with some effects (like steam for example) as you pass by. Cogs turning in the same direction as riders travel could create the impression the machinery is propelling you along/up the lift.
We could perhaps also/or see some projections or even screens - if the quality is high enough and its embedded well into the theming (similar to Maus au Chocolat or Pirates Shanghai) I personally wouldn't mind.
No. of Trains
This discussion on PhantaFriends also sparked speculation regarding the number of trains the ride will have. We know F.L.Y. has 3 maintenance bays so a minimum of 4 trains is guaranteed. However might it actually have 5 trains? Colorado Adventure also only has 3 bays yet had 5 trains (until 2002 when the 5th was deemed surplus to requirements, removed and placed in storage for spare parts). I believe Blue Fire at Europa has 3 bays but also 5 trains?
Plus with the station being completely enclosed underground parked trains would be stored protected from the elements at all times.
So it would just depend on whether there is actually a dark ride bit in the first place, and would it be a block section in the layout?
Because then: 1. Station Load Platform 2. Dark Ride 3. 1st launch 4. 2nd Launch 5. Station Off Load Platform.
However perhaps its not even necessary. With just 4 trains I think F.L.Y. is likely to surpass Taron's throughput of 1200pph with there being 10 rows per train rather than Taron's 8 rows, and almost certainly a slightly shorter layout (dark ride section could result in a similar ride duration though).
Of course this is all just theories for now! Just have to wait and see.
