FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Korey Kiepert, (513) 948-8400, info@thegravitygroup.com

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

Timberliners are available for purchase in time for the 2009 operating season through The Gravity Group’s sister company, Gravitykraft.

Additional information about The Gravity Group, LLC and the Timberliner coaster trains is available at their website: www.thegravitygroup.com.

About The Gravity Group

The Gravity Group, LLC is the wooden coaster design firm that amusement parks look to for top ten coaster designs - including the #1 rated Voyage wooden coaster at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. The Gravity Group is currently designing China’s first wooden roller coaster.

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Press Release PDF

Timberliner Logo

Timberliner postcard

Be sure to take an early lunch on Tuesday, November 18.  At 11:30AM we will be posting some historic news on Gravitycast.  This will coincide with a press conference scheduled at our IAAPA Expo Booth (#3719).  If you happen to be in Orlando attending the show, be sure to come for this big news.  It’s Paul Bunyan big…

(a brief diversion from our major announcement: Just like we like T words for clues like Timber, T also stands for Tuesday which will be a big day for TGG.  now back to our regular scheduled programming)

The Fireball at the new Happy Valley Shanghai is nearing an important milestone in his young life. No, his voice isn’t changing. Nor is he going on his first date (although we’ve caught him staring at the shot towers going in nearby).

Young Fireball reaching toward the sky.

The Fireball is experiencing a growth spurt. The crew has just set the tallest portion of the ride into place, which stands 108 feet (33m) tall. In the photo above, which was taken a few days ago, the structure was towering over the job site at 104 feet (31m) tall.

Then the crew prepared to set the final portion of the tallest bent. This is always a momentous occasion in the development of a wood coaster. Just as the train will pick up speed once it passes this point of the ride, so will the construction. Smaller bents can be assembled and installed more quickly than larger ones, so from here on out, construction can progress at a faster pace than it has over the last couple of weeks.

These are now the foremost Chinese authorities on wood coaster construction.

In the early planning phases of the ride, the people at Happy Valley suggested that the coaster should resemble a “giant wall of bamboo”. I don’t know about the bamboo part, but the “giant wall” is definitely beginning to take shape. In the photo below, the three tallest lift hill bents can be seen, topped with several flags. The flags represent (from right to left) OCT Regional (OCT is the company that owns the Happy Valley parks), Quebec, OCT China, MVR’s Canadian bank, China, and Canada. I guess it’s about time The Gravity Group gets a flag made.

108 feet (33m) above the ground.

The station is coming right along as well. The park will be handling the design and construction of the building that will surround the station deck. Based on the artist’s renderings that I’ve seen, the entire coaster entrance, including the station, will be very nicely themed in typical Happy Valley style.

This won't be recognizable once the theming is finished.

So we are all very proud of our little Fireball here at The Gravity Group. And even though his life will be filled with ups and downs, we think he’s on the right track.

There is something exciting just around the corner.  We can’t wait to say TIMBER!

Korey and Anthony discuss various topics ranging from the project in China to the recent Golden Ticket Awards in this episode of the podcast.

 

 Gravitycast Episode 2 [17:09m]: Play Now | Download