Construction Update 10/22/10

The Zippin Pippin roller coaster structure now includes some turns!

The structure for turn 1 and turn 3 is about 75% complete as of today.  The roller coaster structure is even more impressive now and really makes a statement at Bay Beach.  It was a beautiful fall day today but this weekend it's going to turn cold and wet; hopefully that won't slow the crews down too much next week.  Let's get to the pictures of all of the new additions since last week.

The big addition this week is the structure to support turn 1 and turn 3.  Turn 1 is at the start of the ride, it carries you around a 180° turn and into the lift hill. Turn 1 runs right through the structure of turn 3 which is nearly directly above it.  Turn 3 is an elevated turn that comes right after the uphill after the first drop, it is another 180° turn that ends with another drop that then takes you to the out and back part of the roller coaster.  Enough words here is what it all looks like.

The overall turn structure looks like this.  The upper portion is turn 3 and if you look near the bottom you can see the opening in the structure for turn 1.

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If you look closely near the start of turn 1 you can see the slight downhill that gives the train enough momentum to get around turn 1 and into the chain lift.

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This next shot is standing right where the center of the track would be very near the front car as the roller coaster is about to start it's circuit.

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The structure for the loading platform is also taking shape, these cantilevered beams will support the loading platform. I believe sections of track for moving trains on and off the track will be stored under the cantilevered platform and be able to roll into the main line of the track for adding and removing trains.

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There are still several bents laying around the turn 3 area to help complete the turn. I would expect turn 3 to be complete by next week, assuming the weather doesn't slow things down too much.

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This next shot is standing outside of turn 3 looking towards the West, what an awesome structure!

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This picture is taken outside of the transfer/loading platform area looking south. This opening in the structure will be used to get trains into and out of the ride; this is required because these sections are inside of the main structure of the ride.

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These "V" shaped steel pieces will allow "V" shaped rollers to shuttle sections of track into the roller coaster circuit and out of it. This will allow trains to be added or removed from the track.

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From Zippin Pippin Construction

I couldn't resist leaning into the bottom of the first drop and getting another image looking up the first hill and up the uphill leading into turn 3.

From Zippin Pippin Construction

From Zippin Pippin Construction

All of the footings are now in place for turn 2, this is an elevated turn right after the lift hill before the first drop.

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All of the standing structure is visible in this view taken looking East.

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This familiar view looking down the brake run heading into the transfer station is now enhanced with the addition of turn 3 in the background.

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Earth moving continues out in Zone 3, no actual footings or forms are in place yet but they are starting to mark some areas and some rebar has been moved to the extreme end of the out and back.

From Zippin Pippin Construction

From Zippin Pippin Construction

From Zippin Pippin Construction

This next picture gives you an idea of the amount of bank near the end of turn 3, one would have to assume the train will be picking up some good speed in this area!

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The break between the footings in this area will be the entrance and exit to the roller coaster queue.

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These concrete pads are the foundation for the backup generator and the lift motor.

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This section of the blueprint shows the areas above.

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I noticed a curved section of a ratchet bar I hadn't seen on site before. This should be the last section of ratchet bar right at the top of the lift hill, where this section ends should also be the bent many of the people of Green Bay signed a few weeks ago.

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Of course I had to take one last picture of the standing structure before leaving the site, that's all for this week, be sure to check back again next week for more news.

From Zippin Pippin Construction