Ok ... I was just looking over some recent photos of the American Eagle and noticed that they added some (what appears to be) cross-bracing at the bottom of the first drop. Was this done to create some kind of faux tunnel at the bottom of the first drop or was there truly some structual issue? I believe there were rumors a few years back out the integrity of the ride ...
This forum is really taking me back. I rode the Eagle when it first opened and remmber waiting in line a full 3.5 hours. Those were the days!
American Eagle Question
American Eagle Question
Randy V.
Gurnee will always be my home park...
Gurnee will always be my home park...
Hi, Randy,
Based on my casual observation, it appears that the American Eagle originally had supports in that area, but on the sides -- not OVER the tracks at the bottom of the first drop. As I seem to recall, the bracing was changed some years ago and placed over the tracks at the bottom of the first drop as you are observing now. Aesthetically, I preferred it the original way because of the unobstructed view all the way to the bottom of the first drop and beyond. I don't know what structural issues or other reasons may have called for this change.
Steven
Based on my casual observation, it appears that the American Eagle originally had supports in that area, but on the sides -- not OVER the tracks at the bottom of the first drop. As I seem to recall, the bracing was changed some years ago and placed over the tracks at the bottom of the first drop as you are observing now. Aesthetically, I preferred it the original way because of the unobstructed view all the way to the bottom of the first drop and beyond. I don't know what structural issues or other reasons may have called for this change.
Steven
The footers are still there in the ground from the supports too.steven wrote:Hi, Randy,
Based on my casual observation, it appears that the American Eagle originally had supports in that area, but on the sides -- not OVER the tracks at the bottom of the first drop. As I seem to recall, the bracing was changed some years ago and placed over the tracks at the bottom of the first drop as you are observing now. Aesthetically, I preferred it the original way because of the unobstructed view all the way to the bottom of the first drop and beyond. I don't know what structural issues or other reasons may have called for this change.
Steven