Coaster Models

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

http://www.coasterdynamix.com

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

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

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S5L-O7BkQ8

> 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.

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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

Okay, new model of KD's Anaconda has been submitted to Youtube, but they are down. You can see it on my facebook page, if you are a friend. Hopefully it won't get rejected because I used Instruments of Destruction from the 1986 Transformers the Movie (Welcome to the Jungle was already rejected.) It already got flagged by Facebook, but I submitted a grievance and for now they are allowing it.

Anyone with some "creative" LEGAL methods around music copyrights? I own the movie, but I don't think that gives me license to use the music, does it?

Paul

It's up :)

Wow - good work! I especially like the descending figure eight.
Thanks for sharing (proof there's a good reason to save boxes!)
PS - I usually mute youtube videos that have background music.

> Wow - good work! I especially like the descending figure
> eight.
> Thanks for sharing (proof there's a good reason to save
> boxes!)
> PS - I usually mute youtube videos that have background
> music.

>
Thanks, Rob. The butterfly loops came out great (since like the real Anaconda, they are also non-inverting, lol). I totally understand where you are coming from with the music. It is a love-hate thing for me. I hate other people's music in coaster povs with a few exceptions. I used to do my videos without it, but it never got the attention of my non coaster enthusiast friends until I started putting them to music. Like a certain amusement park chain in bankruptcy, No one around here has been really concerned, so I started "playing to the lowest common denominator". It is more fun to try to "script" out the shots and film them before putting it together. Without the background music, that part of the creative process is lost.

I'm kinda restricted to old 90's, 80's, and 70's tunes since Youtube has been cracking down on enforcing the copyrights on "current" music. Ironically, youtube approved this last one, while facebook rejected it initially. (my El Toro video with the Trick Daddy song was the reverse.)

I'll try to upload the raw video footage for you to at least have the "roar" of the trains, but the music does a good job of masking that the audio is out of sync with the pictures sometimes.

Thanks for the comment,
Paul

> I'll try to upload the raw video footage for you ...

Don't bother, but thanks anyway. It's just a matter of personal preference. Usually my wife and I are on our laptops together in front of the TV, and something with music starts up and we just mute it automatically. Besides, a lot of what ppl use for background music is annoying anyway.... too raucous and discordant (gosh, I sound so old! As I think it was Airbear said here... "you kids get off my lawn!)

Unless the music is what the video is about - like a concert or performance.

Steel Force at DP. I needed something BIG to do during our "Snowcation" at the beginning of the month :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GkCQJde59E

Can't wait to do I-305 in April!! (I'm starting to plot the layout now.)

Paul

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This got left out, for some reason

Okay, this one has been a year in planning (dropping an 8 car train into a low turn from an "incredible height" isn't any easier with models!), but here is my recreation of I-305. My fellow wresting fans will recognize Limp Bizkit's "Rollin" from the Undertaker's motorcycle years.

This time, I built the whole ride and tweaked supports when it got stuck during testing. I had a GREAT recreation of the final turn sequence into the brake run, but had to alter it when the train didn't have enough juice to get past the 3rd hill trims. It took me 2 hrs extra hours of the 2nd day to get the ride where I wanted it. Pacing is better than I thought I could get from, but I wish I could have got more "airtime" from the 3rd hill. (at least I didn't have to "trim" the 1st drop in order to keep the train from flying into oblivion like I had initially thought I would.)

I should start my own thread since it's been awhile since anyone else has had any models to share, lol!

Paul

Where are the trim brakes on the first drop?

Great video!

> Where are the trim brakes on the first drop?

> Great video!

Didn't need them :) (but if I did, I have some cardboard I can add to the sides of the track that can slow the train down to keep the rear cars from flying up.)

Thanks for watching!

Paul

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