I tried this string in the Rollercoaster Tycoon forum but got no bites. I asked the fans of PC amusement parks, if any broke away to do real models. There is a site with a few HO scale Rollercoasters. I thought it would be fun to try them out.

I used to have the Spacewarp model that had white plastic wire tracks and ran marbles on them. It was really a good toy. You could create some pretty crazy layouts. I used to start it up on the pool table with a bunch of hills/turns and then have a big drop off the table down into several loops on the floor. Of course, I'd have to ducktape all the "bases" to the table or the floor so they wouldn't sway around. It was still flimsy, but a great toy none the less.
I think I still have it somewhere in the attic, I think I had two whole sets but I can't remember.

My sister's family had Spacewarp. I remember it as a fussy thing, but a fun way to kill an afternoon. I have more experience with Hotwheels which is a simpler form of that concept. I would love to see a video of the coasterdynamix models in action. The Dragon version can be expanded and its layout changed. I assume that since the trains are attached to the track, it would be less frustrating than the marble (steelie) which liked to hide under where ever it could roll.

Mikey Mad

Other than CoasterDynamix, the only *realistic* coaster models are from the German model railroad company Faller, who have all sorts of other amusement rides as well. They have two I think: a Wild Mouse based on the Mack version (not too different from certain Maurer-Sohne models -- the one at Dorney for example) and some sort of Big Dipper portable fairground type. I built the Wild Mouse last winter. It needs to be absolutely level to complete the circuit, and the lift system tends to stick but I think that's my fault but I don't have the time or patience to fix it. I've heard the Big Dipper derails easily so I haven't bought it. (The mouse isn't solidly upstopped either, just side-stopped, so it can derail in the event of a collision which can happen due to either valleying or premature disconnect from the lift. The lift is weird, it looks sort of like a Schwarzkoph portable lift but it the cars attach via a magnet instead of a chain dog.)

Hello,

After reading your post below, I'm curious if you are interested in selling your spacewarp toys if you still have them. If you want to respond, emailing me directly at cisco1018@gmail.com is best for me. Thank you.

Cisco

> I used to have the Spacewarp model that had white plastic
> wire tracks and ran marbles on them. It was really a good
> toy. You could create some pretty crazy layouts. I used to
> start it up on the pool table with a bunch of hills/turns
> and then have a big drop off the table down into several
> loops on the floor. Of course, I'd have to ducktape all the
> "bases" to the table or the floor so they
> wouldn't sway around. It was still flimsy, but a great toy
> none the less.
> I think I still have it somewhere in the attic, I think I
> had two whole sets but I can't remember.

I make models with hot wheels track. I have tons that I stockpiled in their trackset heyday. Grizzly is up in my living room now. Pacing is a little fast and I had to cut out one bunny hop each way, but other than that, it is pretty spot on for Hot Wheels(even 7 car trains.) You'll have to check it out on myspace since I can't figure out how to get pictures up here.

Paul

Oh i can chip-in something here.

I have the Faller Big Dipper. Yes, it's quite hard to make, and it is indeed VERY time consuming (im actually only about half way done) but it really is a joy to seen running, and VERY rewarding. I like this model because it's pacing seems abit slower and more magestic than the other coaster models around. The great thing here is, once you've finished the coaster you can pretty it up all you want. Im thinking of adding in tunnels and some fake flora, it'll look so cool! Now i just need to get my mate to put that little lift hill motor together for me...

There really are nowhere near enough model rollercoasters! Im not talking about kinex, or lego coasters or those FAKE model rollercoaster that don't actually run....they don't count!
We need more running, operational model rollercoasters!

Happy coastering

-Ry

Just completed in time for opening day at KD. Hot wheels model of the Premier Spaghetti bowls. (I said Joker's Jinx just because that is what's closest to here, plus I didn't bother to enclose it. No launch and no inversions since my ceiling is not high enough to invert a 6 car train with no upstop wheels. The rest is pretty close to spot on. It was really challenging getting the supports to weave around the track at the lower levels, but I started from the ground up. Pacing isn't bad except I would like a little more power at the end.

Walkthrough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2RGRWBcZNA

Cycling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZuX92Cfbq4

Also on my myspace page if you want to say "hi"

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=133493886

I'll see some of you at opening day this weekend. Ride on!

"New" (actually, it's kind of old because I have had it up since Christmas, but never got around to filming it until last week.) hotwheels model. This Hydra: 'Da' Revenge at DorneyPark.

No upstops means no inversions and the cobra roll is a little slower than I wanted it, but the rest is pretty spot on. (and it's my 1st music video:) That was fun trying to set the clips to line up with the song. I would have done more work with that, but Windows Movie Maker keeps crashing my computer everytime I would add a clip. It took the entire Superbowl to get all the "running" clips in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD1cf93LAOc

Since I already have the three 8 car trains, I think Medusa is up next. I'm going to wait until after I go to Gradv opening day and intersperse clips from the actual ride in there. Anyone have song suggestions for the Snake lady?

Paul

That's freaking amazing!

But do you know what would not only be cool, but look almost like the real thing, made out of Hot Wheels track? A Flying Turns. If I still had my Hot Wheels stuff I'd try it.

I have done the KD Avalanche in the past. The problem with flying turns is that there is very little straight track in them, and hot wheels cars do not handle curves well (lots of friction due to the lack of guide wheels.) Nonetheless, I was able to pull off the Premier Spaghetti bowls, so I'm sure it is possible. Maybe once Knoebels finally gets theirs operational, that may be a possibility.

Paul

Here is a link to a video of a Faller coaster model i built. It saves time if you go simple and make your own design.

> Here is a link to a video of a Faller coaster model i
> built. It saves time if you go simple and make your own
> design.

Really cool. How long did it take to build? I suppose it's easier to build simple designs, but I personally find it more satisfying recreating existing designs. Plus, it's more fun!

Paul

The coaster can be completed in just a few hours. I paint the flexible plastic "track". Its blue in the video. The actual rail is pink with the kit and can't be painted due to flaking when its bent and it would make extra friction. The main thing is glueing the track pieces and letting them dry. The original Faller design is nice but it has problems with curving drops. I have 2 other custom faller coasters and they run great without needing adjustments like the original kit can require.

Okay, this is ticking me off now. I finally finished editing my El Toro video, but Youtube told me that the song I used, Let's Go by Trick Daddy is licensed, so they cut my audio. I tried manipulating the sound track, but it still got flagged. I suppose I could just stick any other song in there, (my Hydra video uses Evanescene's "Going Under" with no licensing bull, but Windows Movie maker crashes my computer like crazy and I don't have any more time to edit it. (I fit the clips with the music beats. I suppose I could also just strip all the music from it, but just hearing Hotwheels roll around is pretty boring, too. Well, here it is, emmasculated.

I did build and film Big Bad Wolf, but after this latest, I may do it without music just so I don't have to spend as much time trying to get it up here.

Paul

PS
By the way, if you want to see the original video, Facebook didn't bother it (go figure!) Here's the URL, but I think you may have to be my friend in order to view it.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/video/?id=1037552606

Awesome stuff! Great job!
btw, Paul, can you send me an e-mail telling me your FB name? I can't see the vid.

* This Post Has Been Modified *

I just walked in after a day at GAdv and I'm winding down. More to come tomorrow. But thanks for bringing back those long ago memories of a coupla hours ago when I closed down Toro with my sixth ride of the day.

When I clicked that Facebook link, I got Josh's vid of D'back's splash. I'm still learning about Facebook..what'd I do wrong?

Mike

> Awesome stuff! Great job!
> btw, Paul, can you send me an e-mail * This Post
> Has Been Modified *

Search Paul Hilliard. It should come up.

Mike, I don't know why you got someone elses' video instead of an error message. That link is directly from my url (the el toro video will be the 1st one. I'm going to just change the song and see if it will work that way on youtube. Regular Crazy Train by Ozzy ought to go through just fine.

Paul

> Mike, I don't know why you got someone elses' video instead
> of an error message. That link is directly from my url (the
> el toro video will be the 1st one.

When the link is clicked, it goes directly to your friends' latest videos. That's why Mike saw mine. So, it's probably true that you have to be friends on facebook in order to see vids.

-Josh

Not my 1st choice, but it works. I'll get to work on that Big Bad Wolf video, hopefully it will be done by the end of the month.

Paul

Uh oh, Sony Music may be onto this one. The audio is intact tonight, but they may strip it by morning. See it while you can!!

Paul

Big Bad Wolf

I completed this Labor Day Weekend, but didn't have time to edit the video until this past weekend. I think the howling is a nice tribute to the howls that used to be heard in the village in 80's/early 90's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHbgu9U6hFo

Paul