SKY ROCKET
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
APRIL 19, 2010 |
| Welcome back to another construction update for Kennywood's newest coaster, Sky Rocket. It's been several days since our last update and I wanted to apologize for that, but to make up for it, I'm posting a longer than usual update today. If I said a lot has happened since our last update, it would probably be the understatement of the year. It seems like since the last update, the steel workers have put their turbo jets on and are putting up this coaster extremely fast. Let's get to the pictures shall we? |
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We'll start this update off with a few pictures that were taken a few days ago. I wanted to post this picture because it shows you just how much the end of this coaster towers over the midway. The supports in the background are those after the bunny hill and lead into the first brake run or "slow down zone". |
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Another older picture, but it gives you another idea of how high the brake run is over the midway and how low to the ground the launch is. Also note the platform for this brake run has also been installed. |
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Here's a closer look at the first brake runs platform. If I'm not mistaken, the gap in the fence will be where the stairs will be to access the platform. |
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I wanted to post this picture becuase it shows the transition from the spineless track to the spined track on the ascent up the first hill. |
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Also in the last few days, the final pieces of track have also showed up. This piece looks to be the lead out of the top hat, the coaster's first inversion. |
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The second of the two pieces of track that arrived in the final shipment. This piece most likely belongs to the entry to the barrel roll, the second inversion on the coaster. |
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Along with the cargo container containing the coaster's PLC, these components have also been installed. The object in the back is the coaster's "flywheel generator" which is going to help produce power to operate the LSMs. |
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A closer look at the components for Sky Rocket. Not really sure what this stuff controls, but hopefully it satisfies your daily dose of nerd shot. |
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Moving on to the actual construction area, they have made significant progress on ending of the ride. This BEAUTIFUL structure is now up and belongs to the coasters overbank before the surf curves. |
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Another angle of this very elaborate support structure. I really can't tell you why this overbank has a lot more supports the the others, but I'm assuming it either has something to do with the height or the speed of the train at this area of the track. I'm hoping for the latter myself. |
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One last look at this interesting structure. If you look closely you can also see the entrance to the brake run after the final bunny hill. |
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Along with the second overbank, they have also made significant progress on the supports for the corkscrew, the final inversion on the coaster. |
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Another angle of the where the corkscrew element will be. Take note of how it flys overtop the bunny hills. This is probably my favorite looking portion of the ride so far. |
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I like how this element looks so much, I'm going to give you several more pictures of it! |
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Ahh, okay this is probably enough pictures of the corkscrew area. Here you can see all the progress they have made on a good portion of the layout after the MCBR. If I'm not mistaken, all of the supports from the corkscrew to the surf curves are now installed as well. |
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Nothing new here, but what lies beyond it you ask??? |
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That's right folks, launch track is now installed! Not only that, but just about all the launch is now installed and electrical work has began for the launch's LSM motors. |
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Looking down the semi-long stretch of launch track. Just think, in a few weeks trains should be speeding passed this area when testing begins. |
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Oh, hello there Mr. Premier Rides worker. From this point forward I shall call you Mr. Bob. As you can see here, Mr. Bob is measuring the levelness of the launch track. |
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If you look closely, this piece of track hasn't even been bolt into its support yet. I'm assuming this piece of track is pretty newly installed. Also, by the label S7, this tells me this is the second to last piece of launch track on the coaster. So like I said, just about all the launch track is now installed. |
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Every few feet of launch track there are these metal boxes now installed. I believe these are the junction boxes that will power the LSM motors once all the eletrical work is hooked up. |
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If you look closely, they have now installed the brackets that will mount the LSM motors. Check out the Kennywood Connection forums for pictures of the LSM motors that are now on site! |
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Currently standing over top the park's entrance tunnel. As you can see, special suports were needed to ensure no footers were dug where the tunnel is. Can also get a good look at the first brake run from this angle as well. |
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I apologize for the blurriness of this photo, but I still wanted to post it to give you a good idea on the progress they've made on the launch so far. With one more piece of track to go, it'll be any day now that work begins on the first hill of the coaster. |
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And we will finish up this update with the last piece of launch track loaded and ready to be taken over to the construction site. This indicates that the launch should be most likely done by tomorrow, and installation of LSM motors should shortly follow. |
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Thanks for checking out today's Sky Rocket Construction Update brought to you by Kennywood Connection. Stay tuned for another update in the coming days as more supports and track start to rise at Kennywood! |
Thank you to KWC member Myself for providing the pictures used in today's construction update! |
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