Ask the Experts / GCI coaster?

Hi, I plan on playing around with some wooden coaster layouts, and have decided that a GCI style coaster will fit best. Wooden coasters are my worst designed coasters, and I am wondering if any realism enthusiasts would be willing to give me some tips on some of the most common or must have elements for a GCI coaster, as I want it to be unique but still retain some authenticity. I have looked at lots of pictures, but it's really no help to me, as I generally suck at layouts in the first place lol.

Thanks if you can help me!

I'll take care of ya.

Okay here are two links:

First here is a list of all 15 of the GCI's around the world directly from Roller Coaster Data Base website (RCDB.com). In case you didn't know, here you can see all the facts and pictures of the roller coasters.

GCI's- RCDB


And as for me telling you about Great Coasters International, I'll just give you the website where you can find all the information you need to know.

GCI Website

Good luck and hope it helps.
-JDP

Number 1, never a straight drop and always has plenty of overbanks, twisting drops, not many airtime hills

Edited by Goliath123, 29 July 2009 - 12:24 AM.

^Not many air time hills huh? One that's wrong, two have you seen the layout for Prowler?
-JDP

Woops, i meant first drop is never straight, i was refering to GCI's in general for airtime hills, their trains are designed for turns.

Tight turns.

Ummm...Goliath GCI have done a straight drop.

El Toro at Freizeitpark Plohn has a straight drop which then goes into a turn. When interviewed GCI said they done it 'for all those straight drop enthusiasts out there'

Wacky pre-lift segments are quite common with GCI.
Station fly-bys have also been common recently.

Most of all, have one of these turns...

http://rcdb.com/ig2451.htm?picture=3

...they're great.

(High Fives for Louis and Comet!)
-JDP

I'll just keep to muself then I bettere look up my coasters better

^Too right

(High Fives for Louis and Comet!)
-JDP

Wooooooooo!

*Shoots self*

Start high and finish low. One of the hallmarks of GCI designs are that they seem to increase their speed the whole way through. There aren't many points where the train seems to visibly slow near the end. See Thunderhead at Dollywood for a good example, where everything after the station fly-by is on the ground. Airtime hills are used sparingly, although not out of the question as seen on El Toro and Prowler. Always a prelift section, even if it's just a bit-- they never go straight to the chain. That's about it, I suppose.. everybody else has done a pretty good job with it.

Number 1, never a straight drop and always has plenty of overbanks, twisting drops, not many airtime hills

He said not many not none at all. Geez.

Lots of going over and under itself and twisty coolness. Things like fan turns and overbanked hills are quite common.