Soooo close!
As we inch closer and closer to opening some aesthetic touches are being made on RailBlazer. While no testing has been done and some changes have been made to RailBlazer's paternal twin coaster in San Antonio, we do know a date has been set by the park, but I can't tell you... mostly cause I don't know it, but hopefully soon we will.
To tunnel or not to tunnel...While walking in it's already evident that the rockwork for RailBlazer is pretty much coming to the last leg. The one question that many people have been wondering: what happened to the tunnel.
Well, for the lack of a real explanation I'll try and give my best guess as to why: clearances. While riders rush through the course there's a lot that goes into making sure each part of the ride, track, support or otherwise, is out of the way of the rider envelope. Because of this, the tunnel was reduced to what seems to be a 1/4th or a 1/3rd of what we saw in the animations. The rest as you can see in our last update is more a canyon with a cutout in the event a train vallies. |
Next up is the addition of multiple new lamp posts scattered around the site soon to light the queue. These seem to have a nice national park feel. I hope they'll also show up around White Water Falls and the surrounding area for a nice flow into the theme RailBlazer embodies.
Speaking of White Water Falls, the entrance has received a little love in the form of a brand new, and very aesthetically pleasing, sign.
Like I mentioned hopefully that lamp off to the left will be replaced with the ones found around RailBlazer's queue.
Like I mentioned hopefully that lamp off to the left will be replaced with the ones found around RailBlazer's queue.
As we move on to a quick view of the webcam, we can see there are a few leftover lamp posts (bottom middle) in the staging areas.
Nearby, Backyard Bands and BBQ was going on (runs April 7th & 8th) to celebrate the backyard park feel of RailBlazer. You can find out all about it here.
The newest development here is, the photo booth off to the left which will let riders buy or add their (likely silly) photos to their FunPix account.
I want to of course clarify that I did not make this hole in the scrim. If you want photos, look between, but don't tear things...
I want to of course clarify that I did not make this hole in the scrim. If you want photos, look between, but don't tear things...
Here's a bit of rockwark prep. You can see the mesh underneath the rebar which holds the concrete and allow for the rebar to embed itself in the cured concrete and is then painted. The whole things is sort of like papier-maché.
Off to the right is the future train barn where hopefully none of the trains will ever need to sit this summer because we need three train ops with something like this. Also, it seems the park has opted for a fence and not railings to keep areas blocked off. Hopefully it's the same open fence we've seen on
Gold Striker. In addition, the base and posts for the RailBlazer sign have been constructed, but that sign will likely be one of the last pieces added to the finished product.
(Again, this is through the hole someone made in the scrim.)
Gold Striker. In addition, the base and posts for the RailBlazer sign have been constructed, but that sign will likely be one of the last pieces added to the finished product.
(Again, this is through the hole someone made in the scrim.)
Also, the brand new renovated bathrooms to the right of White Water Falls have opened! Hooray! They have a more streamlined, high end feel.
They even had a joke grand opening too! lol. But minus 5 points for the ribbon not being toilet paper.