DragonKhan

Yes, I also posted this in the other thread: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/120925-fairground-sets-rumours-and-discussion/&page=33 There are very few coasters with an elevator lift to begin with, and Cannibal is the only one of those with inversions. Amazing ride btw. I had the pleasure to riding it.

The slope not being steep doesn't say anything about it being inspired by a steel or wooden coasters. Many wooden coasters are steeper, and many steel coasters are less steep. I'd argue they went with a 45 degree slope out of convenience for the system, as you can combine sloped pieces it different ways, as shown in this new loop coaster as well by combining two bottom drop pieces together to make a 90 degree slope. The link I shared is not a list of "crazy mouse" coasters (spinning cars and VERY different layout). It's the Wildcat model. Very similar looks and layout compared to the Lego coaster, typical steel structure, tubular tracks, and the drops aren't very steep either. I'd actually say they are pretty much the same 45 degrees as the Lego coaster. True, it uses individual cars instead of trains. But when following that logic, trains on wooden coasters look nothing like it either and are usually much longer as well. Out of my head, I can't really think of any coaster with trains made out of 3 short cars. I'd argue the biggest give-away that this isn't inspired by wooden coasters is the structure. In my eyes, it's clearly a steel structure that you can see on many non-permanent/movable coasters on fun fairs (Lego even went so far and included the braces on the ground level typical for such coasters). If Lego would've gone for a wooden structure, I'm sure they would've made that more obvious with using brown colors (maybe white), instead of grey/red/blue. You seem extremely convinced about it being inspired by wooden coasters. Is there any official source to that that I may have missed? But anyway. It might be fun to speculate what coaster might've inspired the new loop coaster? I'd say none really as I think they just wanted to do loops really, but if we'd look for a coaster with an elevator lift that also does inversions, there's literally just one. "Cannibal" in Utah (which actually is a REALLY good ride as well): https://rcdb.com/11579.htm Which makes me think that I'll probably want to build a tower around the elevator as well. :D

The problem with banked turns (twists) is the fact that a car has two fixed axles. They would have to be articulated to navigate such a twist without getting stuck. And while it's absolutely true that Lego makes parts that can be "recycled", it's not the only thing that speaks against such a more elaborate design of tracks and suitable cars/trains. There's the obvious cost, but also the fact that such an elaborate design becomes a LOT more finicky. And many people were already frustrated with the original coaster and not getting it to run well. I disagree. The original coaster is much more resembling classic fun fair coasters like the Wildcat: https://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=10954 I also wouldn't read too much into the track profile. I don't think they were going for any real inspiration there and just designed a track suitable for the purpose. Giga coaster? That'd just make it taller. And I'm not sure how much 300ft would translate into Lego. I think it's a safe bet that we're not going to see that. Same with the inverted coaster. As mentioned, a more elaborate system like that wouldn't make sense, even when it's technically possible. And the coaster in your photo is nothing similar at all. The "elevator" is just a freefall tower attached to the side of the coaster. The coaster itself just accelerates horizontally, shoots up that tower, and falls back down. https://rcdb.com/140.htm There's actually quite a number of such vertical elevators, but this isn't one.

I didn't mean to imply it's new, just that there's another such piece in addition to the one being used already. :) Edit: To answer the rest: You're not going to see banked turns or corkscrews. At least not with those cars. The Loop pieces are possible because you "turn" into the skewed piece. You don't twist into it. For the cars, the track is essentially always "flat" (other than the vertical movement ofc).

Ohhhh! Clever! Extra pieces that are going to be very useful anyway plus still being used in the set! Awesome! And if I see it right, there's another straight, small drop piece as well!

About as expected, but as a coaster freak, I must say it kinda looks horrible! But I suppose folks wanted loopings, and to make that work for most people they gotta do it with that height. And then an elevator lift was a must as well anyway. When it comes to just looks though, the previous coaster looked MUCH better. Still, excited for a second big coaster, which I certainly didn't expect to begin with. The most interesting thing about the set though are the corners with slopes. Those are going to be so incredibly useful for about any coaster creation! Just makes me wish for them in red though. The looping piece (used twice on the big loop, and four times on the small one I suppose) also looks like is slightly shifts for the loop. I guess two studs per piece? Makes me wonder how smooth the entry and exit of those pieces will look like. Also interesting: The slight descend on the track in the station. I wonder how they designed that without too much bending and stretching. Edit: Also intriguing: So if I see it correctly, the set only uses "drop bottom" pieces. Six I think. And obviously there's not any "drop top" pieces. However, In one of the official photos (where the set is getting constructed) there's several of such top pieces visible in the foreground. I doubt Lego would include them in the photo when they wouldn't be included in the set, especially since it's also a new color. So do they just add those pieces because those pieces usually come in pairs anyway, or will there be alternate builds? In any case, more tracks included would be awesome!

It's most definitely based on classic fairground coasters. Those steel coasters don't have tubular supports. Personally, I think the classic "Wildcat" ride is the most fitting inspiration: https://rcdb.com/10954.htm

This video just got released and is probably of interest here. It quickly shows the inside mechanics and the interactivity with the Mario figure. This is fantastic! I can't wait to build my own levels for it!

And that one has probably been inspired by the Tower of Terror, like several similar theme park drop attractions. But you're probably right with that Legoland attraction. That makes a lot of sense. Walkthrough attraction with a very small drop tower with effects in the end. I still would've preferred the classic funfair ghost ride though.

I agree that a ghost ride is an essential part of a fairground, but you'll never see such a building on a fairground. So considering that it really isn't all that fitting. To find such an elaborate haunted house, you'd have to look at Disney theme parks. I was hoping for the classic ghost ride you can find on any fairground. Rickety cars zipping through a short and flat course through a dusty old building with cheap looking jump scares. Essentially like you described. THAT would be so much more fitting. It also probably would've been smaller, cheaper, and probably more fun with a mechanized ride section. There's plenty of large coasters on temporary funfairs. I'm quite confident the Lego coaster is modeled after the 'Schwarzkopf Wildcat', one of the most common models out there (also on US fairs). But there's even larger coasters with several inversions that exist on European funfairs. But you're right with thinking about this set being inspired by a theme park ride like Tower of Terror. If there is any kind of drop effect in this building, then the Tower of Terror clearly is the inspiration. But even if not, the full mansion clearly points to a theme park attraction.

Or it could just be access to the top room in the tall spire. Which is a common trope with such haunted house mansions (and a highlight of this set). I'd just find the inclusion of a drop tower in such rather odd, not that I personally would mind it.

Is there anything actually pointing to this being a drop tower? Personally, I doubt it. A motorized elevator seems much more likely imho. Also: I really don't see this as a fairground ride, so the labeling strikes me as very odd. You don't find elaborate buildings like that even on the biggest fairs (and rarely in amusement parks). And there doesn't seem much of a "ride" here either. It seems to be just a classic walk-through haunted house. Considering the piece count I do expect lots of details and effect though!

The rumoured ride from the background is not a freefall tower though, but a "star flyer". They are basically chair swing rides on a tower. You don't drop, you slowly ride up and down while spinning. They're only thrillrides if you're afraid of heights. :) THIS! In my opinion, a freefall tower is the most plain and boring looking fun-fair ride there could possibly be. A classic chair swings ride or pirate boat ride I'd love to see MUCH more! :) So I hope the rumours are false and are just coming from the assumption of the ride in the backgrounds is a freefall tower.

Impressive! I was wondering how long it would take until someone would try exactly that. It's more than just ugly though! And it's quite costly too. Because if I see it correctly, the loop requires the "valley piece" 8 times. The "hill piece" counterpart is rather unusable for such unorthodox builds since you can't connect it to anything else but the 45° slope I suppose?

You really can't compare a marble run (as awesome as it is) to a roller coaster (which has carts with wheels). There's several major differences which are important. I tried to explain some of them previously, but I suppose I have failed there ... Of course it'd be theoretically possible to create new tracks and (more importantly) suitable trains, but what's the point of the current system then? I'd consider a new system highly unlikely, especially with third party systems with flexible tracks already on the market. Lego obviously goes for the playability of the coaster. A loop doesn't fit that in any case, otherwise it would've already happened ... You seem to understand it. I'm also expecting some MOC creations with some out-of-the-box thinking to make some inversion possible. But there will be some rather unorthodox techniques that need to be used which you'll never see in an official set.

I've already explained why that won't happen. Especially not the small size that'd be needed to combine it with the system. It'd be way to tight and the twisting track at the entry and exit (the track does not go straight, but has to offset itself slightly to the side) would cause the train Lego is using to jam. It might be possible if the loop is large enough (less harsh twisting track where the train could get stuck), but then the first drop (and the whole ride) would be beyond huge. People need to get their loops out of their heads.

I honestly see plenty of possible alternative track layouts.

Almost. It's not so much the amount of g-forces, but the rate the g-force changes. Circular loops are possible (and do exist), as long as the radius doesn't change to suddenly. Doesn't matter for Lego figures though, they can take the forces. Good luck with the loop. I'm wondering myself if the offset and the entry and exit of the loop can be little enough that the twisting track can be managed by the cars. Possibly, but there's probably a lot of tweaking needed.

I've heard oh so many people saying how they have patience and are good with models, just to hear them later yelling at the model how crappy it apparently is. So I'm always hesitant about suggesting these models to even experienced model builders. Coasterdynamix has brought out many great models (the company was founded by coaster enthusiasts after all). However they were not really successful since most people just couldn't get them to work right. It's the very reason model coasters are rare. It's almost like the holy grail of scale models. Especially their H0 scale wooden coaster was insane to get to work because of the small scale. I've uploaded a video of mine some years ago and I couldn't believe the hundreds(!) of people that asked me about tips and if I could construct theirs. The K'Nex coasters are not a very good reference. They are rather simple in comparison. Not surprisingly since they are also considered a toy. Why am I saying all this? Well, as a warning about the frustration I guess. Even if you're certain of your ability you will come across plenty of frustration and countless hours of stupid little things you'll try to get to work. The CDX blocks coaster is a bit easier to work with than the previous "roller coaster factory" and it's definitely a set I'd recommend for the curious, but it's still far from easy. One should definitely not try too hard or else you're really setting yourself up for frustration. Loops and crazy twists look awesome, but you're better off with just building a simple figure-8 first.

Doubt it they'll push the limits. That's really what the CDX kit is for. And I agree with you about Lego keeping it simple. I also love that because I know when Lego brings something out, it'll work right away! 100% my thinking! I won't be able to afford more than one set, but knowing how much some AFOLs will dive into this gets me really excited. There were already many great coaster creations with CDX and other custom systems. With an official system now this is going to be crazy cool!

It won't happen. It just won't. Because of what I've said already ... It especially won't happen with the current trains. I think many people here are thinking of a roller coaster model way to simple. Anyone who has worked with any kind of coaster model knows how problematic it can be. Lego has already acknowledged the CDX product and how it's not something they will produce. CDX is for those who are willing to put much more effort in constructing an excessive coaster. The Lego coaster is for those who just want to build a coaster and have fun.

Obviously I don't know for sure, but I'd answer both of those questions with "probably". By the way ... Am I the only one that is excited about the support structure seemingly being very flexible? It might not be the prettiest, but with all those connectors I can't shake off the feeling that Lego made them purposely very flexible so other track layouts are easy to build.

Yup, to a large part this is true. Also most modern roller coasters have articulated cars like that. I've also mentioned that earlier: There's an important detail though. When using one axis per cart, the first two axes can't be allowed to move vertically or horizontally relative to each other. They can only allowed to "twist". This ensure a stable front car ("zero-car" in coaster speak) that delivers the required stability to the freely attached carts that follow. This principle is also used in the CDX coaster. Anyone who has a set probably knows what I'm talking about. If you skip that important leading car the whole train will jam. You can also observe that in videos of CDX coasters (or any model or real coaster with articulated trains) if you watch how differently the first two carts move relative to each other compared to the other carts. Now to the question why Lego isn't doing that. Well, have you had the chance to play around with some coaster model set with flexible track? Let's put it that way, it's not exactly an activity for the impatient. While it would offer many more possibilities, it would not really be suitable as a toy for kids or impatient adults. It requires quite a bit of skill and a ton of patience (but then, the reward is amazing). I'm quite certain that the reason Lego isn't bringing out flexible track, banked turns/inversions (and with all that, the previously explained articulated trains) is not the lack of will, but simply to keep it simple enough that their customers can just construct the set and then have fun playing with it right away instead of fiddling around for hours to make it work.

No hard feelings, but I think the version of FLP is actually more accurate. The steep slope clearly works better. (you can't compare the ratings in RCT though, since different styles of coasters get rated differently, even with the exactly same layout) You, Sir, just gave me a tremendous idea! It will be done!

Flexible track would create many more possibilities, but it would be a nightmare to make work nicely, especially in the hands of kids. It would just cause a tremendous amount of frustration. It was quite clear to me that if Lego would come out with a roller coaster, the track will be rigid. It makes the system "playable". The reason they have the studs right side up all the time is geometry an simplicity. And if you look at one of the alternative builds from the pirate coaster you can see that you actually can use the tracks "off-slope". So it seems Lego was thinking along and you can use straight track pieces for the lift with some smart SNOT building. Pretty awesome if you'd ask me. I'm not seeing how two curves could create a vertical drop though. You do realize that the carts "wrap around" the track to ensure it won't derail?