Scott & Carol Present - Getting A Rocky Mountain High!

When New Texas Giant opened in 2011, many roller coaster enthusiasts argued about what type of coaster it should be classified as. The rest of us just made our way to Texas to ride.  It was like nothing else before it, but that was just the beginning. Seven years and sixteen coasters later, the creative people at Rocky Mountain Construction are going strong.

Fred and Allan talk about where they come up with their ideas about construction methods.

The end result can look like this, with some media day riders.

                                                                   

Both of these pictures show how RMC strengthens the existing wood structure for the dynamics of the new ride.  The gray steel seamlessly bolts into what is left from Georgia Cyclone.

                                   

                       

A very impressive on ride video set-up for media day. Some of the media were a little bit green back in the station.  

Above is some live action from last summer in the track shop.

This huge, very heavy piece of track is being moved for inspection before going to the next step, being blasted and painted.

A very brief look at operations inside the paint shop.

One can imagine during new hire training, "Those heavy pieces of track aren't going to move themselves." And then a little voice inside says, "They are very heavy, be careful." Once they are blasted, they are moved to the paint booth and inspected before the painting begins.

RMC has two examples of the X box track on display outside of one of their buildings.  Sadly no testing the day we visited, we would have volunteered to ride.

Since they can be seen from the highway, we are sure it is an "eye catcher." It sure isn't easy to find your way into the industrial park. We had to call for help, twice.

This is an example of the making of a part, from blank to finish.

 

Here is what is left over after several blanks were machined from a single sheet of steel. After the leftovers are too small to be used, the rest, along with the machining scrap, is recycled.

               

 

 

There is something oddly soothing about watching CNC machinery in action, especially when you know that the products will eventually bring great joy to roller coaster riders. 

  

  Wheels are provided from a third-party supplier.

The formula for different polymer blends are proprietary, but they are based on load factors, speed, and ambient temperature.  Sometimes noise factors into play for special situations.

Here are two tables of parts for trains for new roller coasters opening in 2018, that you can't ride unless you live outside the United States.

This is the other end of the table, with the train car side panels.

The end result is something like this, which we experienced at Kings Dominion at the grand opening event for Twisted Timbers.

                                                                           

RMC prides itself on customer service. Due to their rapid expansion, they have purchased a new warehouse building that is much bigger so they can keep all of their service parts organized together to be better responsive to their customers' needs.

So with twenty projects announced (and more in the works) in less than ten years, Rocky Mountain Construction is set to have a very bright future.  And that means more great rides for all of us, I wonder how they will surprise us next?