Is this the end of SOB!?

http://www.wlwt.com/news/20345973/detail.html

TAER IT DOWN!

Seriously!!!

This ride has been nothing but a maintenance and safety problem since it first opened.

CF can break the world record for the world's largest bonfire if they implode this thing and set it on fire!

They should remove it and use the space for a better wood coaster. Let GCII or Gravity Group build something much better on that piece of land.

> TAER IT DOWN!

> Seriously!!!

> This ride has been nothing but a maintenance and safety
> problem since it first opened.

> CF can break the world record for the world's largest
> bonfire if they implode this thing and set it on fire!

> They should remove it and use the space for a better wood
> coaster. Let GCII or Gravity Group build something much
> better on that piece of land.

As much of a semi-lonely voice in the wilderness I have been, supporting SOB over the years, I have a hunch you may get your wish in 2011.

Mike

* This Post Has Been Modified *

> As much of a semi-lonely voice in the wilderness I have
> been, supporting SOB over the years, I have a hunch you may
> get your wish in 2011.

For the bonfire or the ride removal? Or both?

> As much of a semi-lonely voice in the wilderness I have
> been, supporting SOB over the years, I have a hunch you may
> get your wish in 2011.

> For the bonfire or the ride removal? Or both?

I'm sure the Guiness people would appreciate the bonfire, but I figure safety issues will prevent that from happening. I was referring simply to the removal.

Mike
>

I hope SOB doesn't get torn down until I can ride it. I was 1 week too late this year. The only way I see them replacing that thing is if they build something with the same records that it set. People praise the GCI coasters (which I have no complaints) but the car design is what makes them so smooth. People are getting too soft these days and the new smoothness of the rides being built don't do it for me. If they do get rid of SOB let me buy it hahahaha but really let GCI put one of their trains on it to prove that it is a good ride but has a lousy car design for it's extreme nature. Oh and ditch the trim brakes on Beast while their at it.

* This Post Has Been Modified *

> Oh and ditch the trim brakes on
> Breast while their at it.

Now THAT would make a GREAT themed coaster!!! :-)

Mike

> As much of a semi-lonely voice in the wilderness I have
> been, supporting SOB over the years, I have a hunch you may
> get your wish in 2011.

> Mike
> * This Post Has Been Modified *

You know I'm with you. I feel for those who had less-than-stellar rides, but SoB never gave me anything but good, fast, record-breaking rides. Everytime.

No pain. No bloody knees. Just pure fun. And the loudest lift chain in coasterdom methinks!

I love you Son of Beast...and all who made it possible. If you are put to rest, at least you gave ME your ALL.

:(

~Momma Son of Beast

> You know I'm with you.

That's why I said SEMI-lonely.

Your post nearly brought a tear to my eye. SOB was my favorite coaster for quite some time.

Mike

Please do not kill the son!!!!....Unless you bring in The Gravity Group to build an even better coaster on that plot of land.

Another article on the matter...

So they say that the ride experience may not be "enjopyable" well with all of the money they have spent on the ride, why not try one more time with some new trains? Why not let GG try their trains on it???
>May

> So they say that the ride experience may not be
> "enjopyable" well with all of the money they have
> spent on the ride, why not try one more time with some new
> trains? Why not let GG try their trains on it???
> >May

If I was GG I wouldn't want my trains running on that! LOL

Does SOB get retracked every year?

> Does SOB get retracked every year?

Yes. They completely retrack it every year since it has opened. .... ............... yeah...

> Does SOB get retracked every year?

> Yes. They completely retrack it every year since it has
> opened. .... ............... yeah...

And they still have trouble keeping it in gauge throughout the season.
The problem is not the trains, it seems to be the structure.

I believe it never fully recovered from the collapse that occurred during its construction (which was the area of the second hill, where the "jolt" first appeared), but its problems are more widespread than just that one spot.

I agree totally with you Rob. Every time SOB issues come up it all stems from problems with the structure. IMO I do think the ride should be removed, I also have a hard time saying that but in retrospective the many attempts to try to fix this problematic coaster is the problem itself. Considering if my memory serves me right that there was a lawsuit against the ride maker over the issues of the ride being built.

As the basic problem to the coaster is the overall structure holding the track up. It doesn't seem to have been design correctly to be able to handle the loads.

One option that I have been thinking about is how about take down the SOB carefully and inspect the vast amount of lumber and recycle it into another mind blowing woodie. If they do that, I think they could be able to build a better SOB. A possible marketing scheme could be a brand new built wooden coaster made from mostly recycled lumber. Son of Beast 2.

I absolutely LOVE that idea!!!

SOB 2 rebuilt at the same location with recycled lumber from the original SOB.

You could address all the problems with the original and make an even better layout to boot!! And it could still be the tallest and fastest "woody" in the world.

I've always felt a good way to keep the first drop a "record breaking" length, without having to build up so HIGH, would be to have the first drop go down into the ground (like on the original BEAST) only much deeper. Like, say... maybe 30 or 40 feet down into the earth... would that be possible??

SOB's whole problem is the top of the second hill thru the Rose bold. Tear down the rose bowl and midcourse. Straight over the second hill a couple more outbound hills and carousel turnaround. Some low to the ground floaters to the helix in the Horseshoe and be done with it.

The ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN THE FIRST DROP. They can keep their record of height, drop and speed. Even length.

Chuck, who defended the ride early but sometimes himself finds my brain rattling in the rosebowl or my gut going thru my arse. Your not supposed to pull heavy g and shake for any amount of time. Voyage gets away with it cause it happens in split seconds, Not 6-10 seconds at a time on both passes of the Rose Bowl.

> I agree totally with you Rob. Every time SOB issues come up
> it all stems from problems with the structure. IMO I do
> think the ride should be removed, I also have a hard time
> saying that but in retrospective the many attempts to try
> to fix this problematic coaster is the problem itself.
> Considering if my memory serves me right that there was a
> lawsuit against the ride maker over the issues of the ride
> being built.

> As the basic problem to the coaster is the overall
> structure holding the track up. It doesn't seem to have
> been design correctly to be able to handle the loads.

> One option that I have been thinking about is how about
> take down the SOB carefully and inspect the vast amount of
> lumber and recycle it into another mind blowing woodie. If
> they do that, I think they could be able to build a better
> SOB. A possible marketing scheme could be a brand new built
> wooden coaster made from mostly recycled lumber. Son of
> Beast 2.

That's a great idea Chuck, get rid of that helix and put some airtime hills in.
I kind of wish they would do something similar to the Beast, remove the break shed and let it run further out past Racer's turn around, add some hills and more track instead of hitting the breaks so hard.

Oh yes GG would love to put Timberliners on SOB.
The steering would nullify the jostling in turns, And the shocks would eliminate the wash boarding/Jack hammering.
And if they made people love SOB.. Imagine how many they could sell.

I love the idea of trying out Timberliners on SOB. I hate the idea of tearing down everything on SOB except for the lift hill, and adding some airtime hills. I guess that's the answer to every problem with any coaster; add airtime hills. KingDaKa relability woes.....They should have added another air hill.

> That's a great idea Chuck, get rid of that helix and put
> some airtime hills in.
> I kind of wish they would do something similar to the
> Beast, remove the break shed and let it run further out
> past Racer's turn around, add some hills and more track
> instead of hitting the breaks so hard.

I've said for a long time they could design some hills in Beast (OLD MIDCOURSE) to make it travel the same exit speed. It is no longer used as a midcourse but a speed check. How bout a double up???????? Or better yet, Double up, Double down! Its only like 400ft long lol

I think the future of Son of Beast is pretty obvious. I'd be curious to overlay a steel coaster on the strucutre.

I like the idea of tearing down SOB and salvaging the wood.
Then use the best of that wood to (re) build a new woodie.
Much smaller in size/scope, of course.
Remember, smaller (than SOB, Mean Streak and the failed Hercules) is usually always better for woodies.

Mike B.

* This Post Has Been Modified *

Talk inside the park (nothing official, of course) is that it is coming down.
The wood is ten years old and weathered, and so has little actual value.
Any attempt to dismantle it would cost significantly more... my guess is it will be torn down and some of the materials salvaged for repair work elsewhere.

> Talk inside the park (nothing official, of course) is that
> it is coming down.
> The wood is ten years old and weathered, and so has little
> actual value.
> Any attempt to dismantle it would cost significantly
> more... my guess is it will be torn down and some of the
> materials salvaged for repair work elsewhere.

Rob, The park is putting feelers as to what can be done. I know this for a fact. I highly doubt the ride reopens as is but the getting rid of the rose bowl and out and back is a far more viable option than even demolition. To taer it down would not be like a normal wood coaster. Quite honestly, It would require Implosion of all higher than 80ft parts or a giant crane with wrecking ball. The whole Horseshoe second helix structure is massive in itself. Lets not forget its the worlds largest free standing wooden structure.

I can almost guarantee you that it would not be called SOB if and when it ever reopens. Also a lot of the wood is not interchangable with the other wooden coasters in the park. The Bents are 4X4 where Beast and Racers are 4X2. Straight out and back with trains that have shocks under the seats could work, Elminate guage problems and keep much of the infastructure.

The wood is supposed to be protected by a 30 stain.
Chuck

The real problem with SOB is Cedar Fair.
You got the worlds tallest fastest coaster then you want to give it a small Budget for upkeep.

I do not care what anyone inside or outside the park has said.
SOB has never been completely re tracked.
I ride it every year, opening day-and my eyes can easily see the small areas of Patchwork.

And that is part of the problem, it is a patchwork coaster.
Now it is almost 10 years old, any lesser woodie would be re tracked by now. But CF does not want to spend any money on it.
That is a shame- at it's Best it is top 10 worthy in my book.

Yea they made a big deal at my hometown park that they retracked the Timber Wolf. Ha I rode it opening week and maybe 25% of it was redone. If they would do the whole thing it would be really smooth and faster as well. If they do tear down SOB I want a piece of the wood.

When I was at the park on Monday, I had a 2 hour rain delay. I spoke to many people there, ranging in age from 16 to 60, and none had anything good to say about SOB. Many said the first hill was awesome but the rest of the ride was so bad it wasn't worth it. Many also said they had minor injuries (knee banging, neck/back pain, etc) after riding. Not bad enough to report it but bad enough that they never rode it again. That is the main problem here, it's the average rider that they need to cater to and if it's too rough/painful for them, it's not worth it for the park. I can't speak for the ride b/c I have never ridden it, but they need to change something (track, layout, trains) to make it more enjoyable to the public in general. I have to say it is really nice to look at and that first drop looks awesome. Hopefully they can do something besides tear it down, it just seems like such a waste to just trash it.

Jen

Whatever Happens I will always have fond memories of SOB.

If nothing else I think the Name is dead...
If it gets reworked it will get renamed-Why keep a name that has a bad Rep.
And considering what a great job CF did of giving Generic names to the other rides, I vote for "Big Woodie"
Then they can resurrect there original souvenir cups, And they will make more sense.

And before the next person calls it a failure, remember it did everything it was suppose to do.
It is the tallest, Fastest second longest wooden coaster.
It did successfully loop.
No where did it ever say it would run daily, and always be smooth.

> And before the next person calls it a failure, remember it
> did everything it was suppose to do.
> It is the tallest, Fastest second longest wooden coaster.
> It did successfully loop.
> No where did it ever say it would run daily, and always be
> smooth.

That makes zero sense, but it made me laugh a little bit..

I am just stating that it did everything that Paramount said it would.

> When I was at the park on Monday, I had a 2 hour rain
> delay. I spoke to many people there, ranging in age from 16
> to 60, and none had anything good to say about SOB.

A friend of mine was a ride-op on Racer a few years ago and she never rode SOB because of the horror stories she heard about it. I sent her the recent link about its possible closure and she told me she can't believe it is still standing.

That's not good when your own employees are scared to take a ride on it.

> No where did it ever say it would run daily, and always be
> smooth.

But why would a park not want it to run daily?

That makes absolutely no business sense. Especially when you invest X amount of millions of dollars on an attraction. No park in their right mind would have a business plan to build a record breaking coaster only have it to work whenever it wants to.

> But why would a park not want it to run daily?
> That makes absolutely no business sense. Especially when
> you invest X amount of millions of dollars on an
> attraction. No park in their right mind would have a
> business plan to build a record breaking coaster only have
> it to work whenever it wants to.

Kingda Ka, anyone?

> But why would a park not want it to run daily?
> That makes absolutely no business sense. Especially when
> you invest X amount of millions of dollars on an
> attraction. No park in their right mind would have a
> business plan to build a record breaking coaster only have
> it to work whenever it wants to.

> Kingda Ka, anyone?

Did SF really want to build that coaster to have it just sit there?

Right now KI is making more money not Running it.
just like Twisted twins at KK.
The cost to inspect, and run SOB is extensive each day- I think they were looking for an excuse to shut it down.

They have put little in to it since CF bought the park, Meanwhile the classic Beast had tons of work done to it in the off season.

Besides right now opening SOB up would be inviting Lawsuits from every other rider...

I disagree. Cf will likely try and fix it due to their tallest fastest hyph from the ride ambassador while you board. CF only took over KI 2 Years ago so I see them trying to fix it or just keep it closed while they try and put some sissy coaster in it's place.

> I disagree. Cf will likely try and fix it due to their
> tallest fastest hyph from the ride ambassador while you
> board. CF only took over KI 2 Years ago so I see them
> trying to fix it or just keep it closed while they try and
> put some sissy coaster in it's place.

You need to make up your mind. Are they going to fix it or are they going to tear it down? I don't see where you're disagreeing with anyone.

I'm with you MommaBeast! I loved SOB too and eventhough I did get a beating now & then, I still found the "sweet seat" and got GREAT "make up" sex!!!!! On SOB!

> As much of a semi-lonely voice in the wilderness I have
> been, supporting SOB over the years, I have a hunch you may
> get your wish in 2011.

> Mike
> * This Post Has Been Modified *

> You know I'm with you. I feel for those who had
> less-than-stellar rides, but SoB never gave me anything but
> good, fast, record-breaking rides. Everytime.

> No pain. No bloody knees. Just pure fun. And the loudest
> lift chain in coasterdom methinks!

> I love you Son of Beast...and all who made it possible. If
> you are put to rest, at least you gave ME your ALL.

> :(

> ~Momma Son of Beast

I don't see them putting any more money into this ride, for example for reprofiling. It's my gut feeling that SOB will be SBNO for the entirety of the upcoming 2010 season.

Considering the demise of BBW and the "spare parts" discussion in that thread, I suspect that 2010 may also be Flight Deck's final year of operation, and one year later, during the 2011 season, both rides will be removed and ground work begun on the NEXT BIG THING for KI's 40th anniversary in 2012.

> I don't see them putting any more money into this ride, for
> example for reprofiling. It's my gut feeling that SOB will
> be SBNO for the entirety of the upcoming 2010 season.

I wonder how much it cost the company to insure SOB. it's got to be astronomical.

> Considering the demise of BBW and the "spare
> parts" discussion in that thread, I suspect that 2010
> may also be Flight Deck's final year of operation,

I feel like the other Arrow suspendeds are doomed. Especially with Eagle's Fortress in Korea being shut down since January with no sign of re-opening. Hayabusa in Japan closed down in 2005 as well so it seems like a matter of time with the others. Flight Deck opened a year (1993) after Eagle's Fortress and Hayabusa so they are all about the same age-wise.

I think that Cedar Fair's decision will be based on one thing alone.....saving money and recouping their losses.

Which is the more frugal: The cost of removing and replacing such a large wooden structure? And how much will they spend replacing it? If that's the case, don't bet on a record-breaker. Or is it to re-track, fix, replace, re-profile, etc. the existing ride?

I know that several coaster companies outside the park have been contacted.
They are going to submit there proposals and prices to the park.
The park then will choose the lowest bidder.
If the bid, of course is within there budget.

I can give no details about which companies are involved.
because it is not by any means finalized.

But it least it does show that CF is not willing to intermediately pull the plug.

Besides SOB is SBNO, and Mean Streak keeps running. ugh talk about rough, and at this point not even exciting.

They need an Intamin application. Rebuild in the fashion of El Toro at SFGA.

Has anyone heard anything as of lately? Surely if they plan on fixing it up by next season they have prospects.

The trains are back on the track.
They ran several circuits last week.
You're guess is as good as mine, But I would assume some people rode it, and are evaluating the situation.

> The trains are back on the track.
> They ran several circuits last week.
> You're guess is as good as mine, But I would assume some
> people rode it, and are evaluating the situation.

That's either a start or a tease lol.

Any latest CF gossip?

Lawsuit has been filed. Who didn't see this coming. But this was from the first mishap which lead to the loop removal.

A trial will begin Thursday, Oct. 15 for a woman suing the owners of Kings Island for injuries she claims she received during a ride on the Son of Beast in 2006.

The jury trial is one of two scheduled in Warren County Common Pleas Court during the next two months involving the roller coaster incident that sent 27 people to the hospital in July 2006.

Jennifer Wright of Defiance, Ohio allegedly suffered a hip injury that her attorney claims will require several replacements over her lifetime. She is asking the jury to force Kings Island to pay for punitive damages.

The jury first has to find Kings Island caused Wright’s injuries, then it will consider if the park should be punished. Wright’s case was originally coupled with five other cases relating to the same incident, but the other plaintiffs have all settled.

“The defendants, Cedar Fair and PKI, acted with conscious disregard for the rights and safety of the plaintiff by failing to exercise care in the inspection, maintenance and condition of the Son of Beast,” her Springboro attorney John Scaccia wrote in the complaint.

Sandusky-based Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island from Paramount on May 22, 2006.

Scaccia said he can’t discuss details of the case, but added Kings Island hasn’t made any “worthy” settlement offers. In his pre-trial statement, Scaccia says his client’s medical bills have already topped $24,000 and future bills could be as high as $157,541 for three hip replacements.

Scaccia hired SEA LTD., the same company used by the Ohio Department of Agriculture — the state agency responsible for inspecting amusement park rides — to investigate the accident.

Another case, filed by the Schmidt family of Hamilton, is scheduled to go to trial on Nov. 2. The mother and father were off of work for many weeks after the roller coaster ride, Cincinnati attorney Michael Weisensel said. He said they are still in settlement talks with the amusement park.

Attorneys representing Kings Island said they do not discuss pending litigation.

My memory of the timeline is a little hazy here, but was CF even the operator of Kings Island when the loop removing accident took place. 2006 seems like the park was still under the Paramount regime. (It can't be that far off.)

Sucks that Cedar Fair runs the risk of getting hooked for this if the park was still in Paramount's hands.

Paul

I bet they find that CF didn't operate the park for that period. Large scale coorporate change overs take time.

While CF may not have owned the park at the time, as the owners of the park now they take on any liabilities that the park had at the time of purchase- including lawsuits like this. At least that's how I understand it. While the park may have been a division of Paramount at the time, I would think that division would essentially be responsible for itself, and since that division became part of CF, then that's why it falls that way. At least that's my unexpert understanding. :)

The one thing that has me thinking.....How is a park liable for design problems?? Example, when a car has a problem or design flaw the dealership doesn't get sued but the manufacturer. I can understand if the whole loop accident was caused by a maintanence problem but I thought is was a design oversight. This just upsets me. Likely CF will just throw $$ at them to make it go away. Society sucks!

CF bought the park in May 2006 and the accident was in July 2006.

> The one thing that has me thinking.....How is a park liable
> for design problems??

Well KI (at the time) wanted to build this giant woodie in the first place. No other manufacturer went to them and said "Hey, we have a 200-foot tall woodie in our product catalog." "Would you like to buy and build it?" The park sought out companies to bid for the project and eventually RCCA (now out of business) was pretty much the only company that would be hired for the project. GCII and others didn't want to touch it, and who could blame them? The ride is a disaster!

From what I gather the lift hill isn't the issue. Maybe they need to put trim brakes on it since CF is good about that.

> From what I gather the lift hill isn't the issue. Maybe
> they need to put trim brakes on it since CF is good about that.

As it is, the train barely makes it thru the second half of the course.