Six Flags Magic Mountain updates

[CreditCrazy]

If you're wondering when Track B was been open, I know it was running February and March 09.

[Jake]

You may very well be fight, Chris, I don't know when the last time side B was open. CreditCrazy may be correct, and if so, that would mean it has been quite some time since B was open. So perhaps Magic Mountain has recently started using side B for parts?

Edit: According to Six Flags' Twitter account, they have very special plans for Superman: The Escape that will be announced soon. Does this mean we'll see a Bizarro treatment?

[Tomas]

Screamscape:

Bizarro / Superman - Rumor - (2/5/10) According to a post on Coasterdom, based on an interesting Tweet by Six Flags, it seems that some new changes are in the works for Superman: The Escape. While this could have something to do with why the Superman figure has been missing from the top of the tower for so long, they believe that last years rumors of a conversion of Superman into a Bizarro themed ride are also very possibly coming to pass.
I heard this rumor myself from my own sources and as I understood it the idea from last year was that one side of Superman would be altered to feature a new Bizarro themed car that may run backwards. Then they would finally get both sides of the ride able to launch simultaneously once again, as this has been a major headache for the ride from Day 1. Anyone know more?

[Jake]

Here's a link to the post: http://www.coasterdom.com/2010/02/03...ecome-bizarro/

I think the idea that Screamscape suggests in their little blurb is a very good one. Although I do not know if it is feasible to launch a track backwards, as far as comfort and safety is concerned, it as least a good idea conceptually.

[mach1000]

If there were to be a Superman / Bizarro upgrade.....with one side being Superman and the other Bizzaro...this would give SFMM grounds to claim having 18 coasters correct?

If that were the case I guess it would be safe to assume that Bizarro would be the "new" coaster for 2011?

[CreditCrazy]

Changing one side from Bizarro to Superman doesn't make it a new coaster. Both sides are already there, so SFMM already has 18 (soon to be 19) coasters.

[mach1000]

Changing one side from Bizarro to Superman doesn't make it a new coaster. Both sides are already there, so SFMM already has 18 (soon to be 19) coasters.

That is kinda what I figured.

[Tomas]

I am really interested to know SFMM's next addition.

[Tomas]

Screamscape:

Bizarro / Superman - Rumor - (2/8/10) A reader was kind enough to point out a major flaw in the concept of transforming Superman: The Escape into having a backwards running “Bizarro” side. While I believe that the force of the launch could be handled in reverse, even with the addition of a new Over The Shoulder (OTS) restraint system if deemed necessary, the true problem lies with Superman’s emergency brake run behind the station.
Most people have not experienced this system in action, and even fewer have witnessed it from the outside since the station is clear of all guests until the train returns to the loading station, but in the rare case that Superman’s LSM powered braking system fails to stop a car that is rushing backwards into the station, the car will pass through a hanging barrier and into a section of track lined with natural earth magnets that will stop it in it’s tracks very quickly. You can see this short section of outdoor track behind the station in this aerial photo of the ride posted to Joyrides.
If a “Bizarro” car, running backwards, were to ever blast through into this emergency brake run, the riders would likely be thrown forward into their restraints (lap bars or even OTS if added) with such extreme force, that it would not only hurt, but also possibly cause serious injury.

[Tomas]

Screamscape:

Bizarro / Superman - Rumor - (2/10/10) While the whole subject of adding a Bizarro side to Superman is suddenly very popular, I’m told that the issue of a backwards car hitting the emergency brakes is not as bad as first thought. First hand accounts from many who have experienced it claim that it was not at all a jarring experience, but more like what riders have become accustomed to today by the quick but smooth stops on other rides with magnetic brakes, such as Xcelerator at Knott’s. However the jury is still out on if the ride would ever run backwards or not since the entire ride system may have to be put under review one again before being cleared to run that way.