The Rising Uncertainty of Rocky Mountain Construction
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- The story of Rocky Mountain Construction is a success story. How a man flipped the Roller Coaster industry upside-down, bringing his little company from Garage to Greatest. But RMCs success didn’t come from rave reviews or the bottomless pit of Golden Ticket Awards, it came because they were a problem solving company.
Fred Grubb began the company in 2001 as a rides builder and wooden coaster repairman. By operating as a wood coaster renovation company, he saw a side of the business most are unaware of. Parks would return to the same coaster year after year to replace sections of wood to keep the coaster running smooth.
He offered the alternative steel rail solution, requiring less attending too and better equipped to handle higher forces. Talking about handling higher forces, the track can be bent in ways wood track could not, paired with the advances in Computer Design handled by coaster design veteran, Alan Schilke… you have the winning formula.
And win they did!
Every next installment had more and more anticipation, until around 2018 when that excitement reached its peak, and it seems every ride after that has been in is it the world's greatest coaster debate.
If you want to get out of the business, it’s better to sell while the company is at its height, and that’s exactly what Fred did. Fred sold the company and both he and Alan retired.
So, after a decade in the widely considered Number One spot reaching an all time peak with their hyper hybrids, followed by lack of successful innovation in the more recent years, with a change of leadership, the world running low on coasters to remodel, and intense hybrids ben its own niche with a select clientele… What about RMCs future is certain?
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RMC need a standard steel coaster option that can be used for multiple types of rides, and that is what the T-rex is. With the T-rex track they could compete with Intamin/Mack/Vekoma style launch and mega coasters. What they need to do is sell just one of them of a good size and suddenly they are able to compete in a larger part of the market - and importantly they should make it clear they don’t need to be completely insane and intense, that they could make a more standard hyper coaster for example.
RMC reviving the T-Rex, but making it smaller is their best bet right now
Thank you for saying this, claiming the T-Rex was a sequel to the Raptor that relied on its success to succeed is what happens when a coaster enthusiast shares their opinion without the business sense to back the claim.
I’m confused. They build rides like arie force one. A full steel coaster that people love. There is really no need to design, test and build a new style of steel coaster when they already have a formula that is very well received
@@ZinojnIt can only last so long, the GP has no idea Aire-Force has a steel structure just by looking at it. Once a lot of the regional parks have the I-Box beasts and raptors they’ll kind of lose their luster from a “newness” perspective. Some fresh versatile models and they don’t have this problem any more
@@Ddilly you could say the same about B&M. RMC models don't actually seem to age nearly as fast. Other than the topper track models, how many Ibox models are rough?
Idk, just don't really understand the point of this video. That's all 🙃
Best video you’ve ever made. Easily!
Incredible video. Gave this video a well deserved like. I believe that RMC should diversify, by trying their hand again at a launch coaster, but their best bet is going to China. The Gravity Group and GCI are having incredible success in this market, and RMC is probably waiting like a vulture for one of the Chinese woodies to get rough, then they will pounce. I think the reason they haven't sold any of their new models, however, is because companies may be weary of buying a new prototype from RMC, after what happened with Lightning Rod. But if one park gets an RMC, they will go flying off the shelves
Not only that, but the Raptors aren't aging well.
@@johnulmerRacing oh yeah. They've torn themselves to bits, kinda like the topper track coasters.
Absolutely loved this video. While RMC is a beloved coaster manufacturer by roller coaster enthusiasts, I do believe this much to be true. Many people asked why I didn't LOVE RMC and this explains why. They need to diversify the catalogue. What they did what the conversions was definitely great for its time and I still enjoy all of their rides. But I am just waiting for something new! I think the critical part is also understanding the direction parks are going in and what they are buying. Thank you for such a great video!
I’d suggest a coaster from the 1920s should not be RMCd.
They need to fix that coaster some how and some way. If this retrack doesn’t work they may be out of options. In its current form it is the worst wooden coaster I’ve ridden by quite a bit.
Wild Moose can be made into a fun themed indoor coaster family approved
I think they need to show their track is desirable even when not used for an extreme style. Floater air machines too. They missed a sort of opportunity to show some admirable restraint on Arie Force, the problem with the ending is not comparison to other RMCs but that is the only major coaster there. Also someone suggested a Wild Moose for Lost Island and I thought about how a compact footprint is probably the last thing they need. It still looks like good hardware for a basic medium size coaster, but whether small parks can really afford it I don't know.
I have severe reservations about single rail. TRex looks hard to construct and only suited to huge installations, as the track must be large compared to the trains. I don't know why they don't ever use a box spine with Ibox though, as the spine would be similar to their rails.
Interesting video which I enjoyed, so I’ve added a subscription towards your target.
Note that there are currently no raptors in Europe, but once those in WalibiH are built we could see them popping up all over the place in small parks there (unless the intamin hot racer beats them to the punch there)
I heard they even had a invert wooden coaster concept
They’ve been talking about Trex track for years but until someone actually installs one its just that talk.
As a coaster enthusiast I love all coaster content. This however is not amusing at all. Have you ridden Arie? If you have, why would you question RMC ability to make original world class coasters?
9:42 it's not about questioning RMCs talent, it's about how the market will dry and they don't have much else to fall back on
I can confirm many parks have issues with their RMC coasters and will never buy from them again. It makes sense to sell the company
Companies seem to rarely succeed, at least to the same degree, without the visionary and passionate leaders that grew the business. Maybe they were able to establish a solid culture and management but the odds of RMC doing anything special again are kinda low.
Hey leave Shivering Timbers alone. It's better than Steel Vengeance already, no RMC necessary.
how is it better than steel vengeance?
@@wedwardscat More airtime, stronger laterals, the most wild out of control feeling of any coaster I've ridden. It's really the best as is, RMCing it would be a huge down grade .
Steel Vengeance is fun but it's too smooth. And those lapbars are way too bulky for you to ever feel you're in any danger of coming out of your seat.
Shivering Timbers kinda feels like you were lucky to survive.
Like a thrill ride should.
“And energylandia collects coasters like infinity stones”
This is the best joke I’ve heard all day and that has seriously turned my otherwise bad day into a good one
RMC will survive by continuing to expand to foreign markets.
Maybe... maybe. Those are expensive for them to build, ship across the world then send their teams across the world for months to build. Then maintenance and support. Expensive and now you're not competitive with local manufacturers. Theyd need a deal like Arrow did with Vekoma. Or like RMC did with Vekoma for some of the European RMCs. Got to have a deal or just not competitive. You'll only get one offs like the Japanese one.
I think they should design a new thrilling log ride. Seems like a lot of parks could use one.
Because of what RMC can do, I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to make a log flume with a loop or an overbanked turn on it and actually getting it to work somehow
Walibi Holland is getting two new Raptors in 2025, one thrill, one family! With Untamed Walibi will be the only park with three RMC‘s 🎉 Good thing I can just drive there. I wish we would see more ground up build hyper hybrids like Zadra!!! That thing is brilliant and just pretty to look at! 😍
Can't wait to try it :D
The Magic Mountain Wounder Woman trains are way more comfy than the OG raptor. That train is one of my favorites. It makes you feel safe so the GP likes it, the shoulder straps do not lock, and you sit high enough for kids and tall people to both fit. If you are 6' you are not fitting in the OG raptor trains without leg pain.
My only RMC raptor is WW and my legs were dying the whole time as you have to split them awkwardly
and they still kind of suck. lol. Intamin Hot Racer trains appear to have a better grasp on human anatomy
the wild moose is a problem solving coaster. It repairs Wild Mouses & uses the supports of the old coaster while offering a compact thrilling family RMC. I think Wild Moose will be as successful as the hybrids
that’s what I thought, and the moose may offer much higher capacity which is the mouse’s biggest downfall IMO
Great video. Kept my attention the whole time. RMC has some great products but they need to branch out. Also gave you a sub. You deserve alot more. This was a very in depth video and I learned some stuff about RMC
A wild moose is welcome Michigan's Adventure. I'm already subscribed
First we need to RMC Wolverine Wildcat + add some track to that.
@@jandrew1994 I'll take the titan track on the whole thing
Michigan's Adventure really just needs to not be owned by Cedar Fair/Six Flags. Unfortunately, any development there competes with Cedar Point, as the latter draws a large part of its attendance from Michigan. So developing there is kind of counterproductive. Really needs a new owner that is actually interested in driving that competition for it to get new rides.
There’s plenty of untapped market share left. In the U.S. there are plenty of parks that don’t even have any type of RMC yet, much less two types. Then there is the international market. So I think they have a long ways to go.
Frankly these days I question B&M’s market more. Most parks that want an inverted have one, or a flying coaster, or a dive coaster, they tend to be too expensive for the smaller parks or for family rides, and they have built only one surf coaster so far and I am not even sure how many parks want one. So, I am wondering where they go from here too. 🤔
B&M has a flawless record for safety and reliability, they ain't going anywhere when they are a safe and sustainable choice for parks; their products put good return on the parks that buy them, same can be said about Vekoma's products. If you're safe & reliable, then you're always going to have a place in the industry
@@one2many1030 With what rides? Again B&M is a rather saturated market at this point. It’s not like they have nowhere to go. But it’s not the boom days anymore either when no one had an inverted or hyper from them and parks were buying them up like crazy.
@@gregg5958 Last year B&M had the surprise hit. of the year with the Surf Coaster, revitalizing the stand-up model and their train design to give riders unique fashions of air-time, and these new train concepts are being implemented in their new LSM launched family coasters. They got two family inverted coasters on the way, and their Dive Coasters and Wing Coasters remain popular and in-demand. And I suspect we'll get a new B&M Giga coaster long before we ever see a real T-Rex model. You're crazy to ever question the validity and sustainability of B&M's current and future product line lol
They'll probably continue making money from maintenance.
But yeah, parks building ground-up will probably go with Vekoma. Cheaper and more variety.
I did not know that RMC got sold
You do know Wildcat at Lake Compounce will re-open this year with a full Gravity Group prefabricated track right?
Not sure how you managed to make this video and not realize this
i used wildcat as an example cause i know it well being at an old home park of mine
I think Oak’s amusement park is actually looking at a Wild Moose.
6:29 finally someone commenting on the raptor restraints, I rarely see it but the ejector combined with the forces makes it hurt
walibi holland orderd 2 raptors for the 2025 season. After the succes of untamed
i think rmc still has a bright future ahead with enthusiasts alot of the time saying this woodie needs i box and that one too and rmc is still a young company by which i think they will stay for a long time
Well, many fans demanded remakes of F-Zero and Banjo-Kazooie.
Wasn't the RMC-Larson deal a merger? Also I find it tough to believe that Schilke is really retired, the new CEO of RMC Darren hangs out with him a lot still. It doesn't seem like Larson has a huge influence on them.
Go ride jersey devil. It doesn't have strong forces at all
all i’ll say is bgt is my home park and iron gwazi is f*ing amazing
8:00 isnt that getting the same treatment Grizzly at KD got?
That was the gravity group.
Any RMC that has full steel rails is a steel coaster not a hybrid. They have very few hybrids. A hybrid would use both track types so Lightning Rod and Tremors are hybrids.
another amazing vid !!! great job :)
Walibi Holland will get 2 single rail coasters from RMC next year, 1 family friendly and 1 thrilling
I feel like it’s easy to forget just how new RMC is. Think of Steel Vengeance to RMC like Millennium Force to Intamin. A HUGE step that will lead to a few risks and eventual success down the line. Granted, RMC’s prototype launch coaster failed, but I see the raptor becoming a very viable option for parks of all sizes within the next 5 years or so.
Fun fact. RMC also made mini golf courses at one point
Also I think people don't talk about the merger. Six flags was their go to park for a while and kinda still is or was until the merger. Cedar Fair refuses to work with RMC so at least in the states besides a few parks that already have an RMC. Where are they going to go for a hybrid job. what parks. Hershey park has one. Dollywood, silver dollar City, funspot, BG. They all have RMCs. Unless cedar fair can get over their stubbornness with the company then we might see the end of RMC. At least in the states
The thing about RMC's core problem-solving business of transforming deteriorating woodies is that they've got significant competition now. The steel retrack product is RMC's competitor to GCI's Titan Track, which seems to be getting more business. And now, Gravity Group has a precut *wood* retrack product conceptually similar to Intamin's old prefab coasters like El Toro, but for retracking your old coaster. That's a competitor to Topper Track, and judging from what's already out there in the field, it seems to be a more technically successful one. That's what Lake Compounce actually used on Wildcat already, and it seems to be working great.
Walibi Holland is building two RMC raptors for 2025, one Family and one thrill. So hopefully we'll have a good example soon.
I think 2020 sort of put the brakes on a lot of projects. With the higher cost of materials and higher costs to finance, I think a lot of parks are sort of in this "wait and see" for new projects. Going with your point of "doing what they do best and focus on roller coaster repairs," and I think that will be what they do for awhile. MANY wooden coasters built in the 1980's/1990's/early 2000's are showing their age, and I think this is where RMC could thrive which is repairing said old rides.
I think RMC’s biggest issue is reliability, since Cedar Fair has basically written them and Intamin off because of it. It’s a damn shame, too.
They seem to struggle with structural integrity on their more ambitious projects. Perhaps they’ve just pushed wooden structures as far as they can go, but it’s still a turn off for parks.
To me, I don’t see why Cedar Fair is so mad, I understand that SteVe is a money pit, where they are doing carpentry work on it constantly, but it’s widely considered the best coaster in the world. To me, that’s worth it for your flagship park. The corpos obviously disagree lol.
I disagree with your comment on the raptor restraints. I don't know if you've collected Stunt Pilot at Silverwood but its got incredibly comfortable restraints. Being Canadian, I haven't gotten to try the older Raptor models at Six Flags, but I imagine that issue was resolved already.
So... You think RMC should basically nerf the t Rex and make it even less appealing
I like how to 2 main points people bring up about the T-rex were both misinterpretations/twisting the truth of what RMC originally claimed. Just shows how smart most of us coaster nerds really are.
RMC is well connected with Vekoma and S&S. RMC also recently acquired Larson International.
I don’t understand the hate on the wild moose. I think it would be a perfect fit for Carowinds over near Copperhead Strike so they can gut the boardwalk around Carolina Cyclone and Fury 325 and pull that area out of the gutter.
IMO the I-beam in-line single rider car trains have traction in the 20s. Coaster enthusiasts now seek them out and the ride is more legitimately thrilling when it's experienced in an individual rider setting. Just make them higher and longer.
That’s because Rmc doesn’t really offer a lot when it comes to coaster options that’s what I feel is the only thing holding them back is more variety
Wait..RMCs bin sold? What?! When did this happen?! :O
walibi holland is getting two raptors, one more family version and a thrill one for next year
I'd take a wild moose at Darien Lake, put it up right next to Moose on the Loose
Did you seriously just suggest the full RMC treatment for a 95yo coaster? 🤮
RMC need to give coaster express in warner park madrid a remake
The thing is that RMC is selling niche things while still not being nuts like Intamin (Just look at the SA coaster).
Vekoma is on the other hand one that can build snappy rides that are beloved without pulling up high numbers.
The fact that Intamin does the crazy things, and actually makes them work, makes them the best coaster manufacturer. Also, with them not being afraid to break the 300' mark, then the 400' mark, and now 600' has pushed the industry to new heights and forces than ever before. You can thank Intamin for B&M gigas, Mack multi launches, and now apparently whatever else Zamperla starts putting out. Intamin will forever be the coaster manufacturer that innovated the industry into the great rides we see today.
Mild moose seems super interesting to me, its based on those weird pre lift elements they do
There are a lot of old woodies in europe and a lot of places that could use a rmc in europe so maby they can focus on europe
They’re starting to run into the same issues b&m has been running into.
RMC raptor restraints are the most comfortable restraints I’ve ever sat in (minus the new intamin ones) and that’s saying a lot on the other hand those hybrids train/restraints need some tweaking especially for bigger guests!
What about the clamshells?
Nothing compares to the clamshells@@coasternamegenerator5611
@@coasternamegenerator5611 also very comfortable
Clamshells from B&M, and the Intamin T-bar are the absolute best restraints ever. The new Intamin restraints are very comfortable as well. And the Mack ones like on Copperhead Strike aren't bad. But no. The T-bar is the best ever.
Just a couple corrections.. it's wild mouse like mickey mouse not wild moose. And aire force one is pronounced Air Force one not Airy force one.
You are joking I hope.
I wish RMC would have gotten ahold of Son of Beast before they tore it down.
It wouldn't have worked. The structure couldn't take the forces of the Premier trains, imagine Steel I-Box and those trains.... They would have to drastically added footers and superstructure that wasn't there before
Bruh I like your vid and understand your point. I’m coming from an enthusiast pov and I don’t want RMC do dumb down their rides. KEEP THEM INTENSE!
Not every Intamin wants to rip your face off, and they are the best coaster manufacturer out there.
@@Spike-sk7ql intamin is in a whole different bracket compared to RMC though
while you make a really good point with this video and I do believe RMC should look into more innovations, there are two very important things I think youve missed on their survaval into the future.
First, you said they are really known for just their hybrids, converting wood to wood and steel but we've seen that they can do more than just add ontop of the existing structure (Zadra is a clear example of this).
Second, Gravity Group and GCI exists. Why is this important? They have both been doing wooden coasters for decades now with great success. They each are really known for one kind of coaster, and I feel like RMC can follow this logic and improve on it.
Like I said, I love the video and want the best for this company
Is it sad that I don't even know the ramifications of a Wild Moose at one of my nearby parks?
I mean, Fun Spot already has one of those.
I think the problem with the T-Rex's over shoulder/lap bar hybrid restraint design is not just it's design, and how hard it is to get in and out of (looking at you, Ice Breaker), but that harnesses need to be designed with as few moving parts for casual riders who have no idea how to properly buckle a four or five point harness (even though I honestly think that they are not THAT hard to figure out!). AND they need to be simple enough for the crew to quickly determine whether or not they've been buckled correctly.
I think it's unfortunate that five-point harness like those on the Slingshot and Skyscraper can't be used on more rides. I just love how they can be adjusted to conform to your body, and they are easily one of the most comfortable kinds of restraints available.
The wildest, craziest coaster out there is not marketable to the general public. I think that's why Jersey Devil and Wonder Woman (MM) are way less thrilling than the original Raptor prototype. Hopefully the two Raptors coming to Walibi Holland do a good job of showcasing the Raptor's versatility as a coaster model. It will be good for parks to have the idea that it can be as gentle or as crazy as you want it to be.
As for the T-Rex, It is very difficult to be marketable when you aren't differentiated from your competitors. RMC has to either provide the same thing but cheaper, or a coaster far greater than it's predecessors. I have no idea what the cost of a T-Rex coaster would be. If it is too expensive, then they can't really just tone down the layout to be a little less intense, or parks would just opt for the tried-and-true B&Ms and Intamins. I don't know if the "bigger, better, more intense" marketing of the T-Rex is just due to the coaster-enthusiast passion of the designers, or if it is the only way they can truly differentiate the product from the rest of the market.
🙏 P r o m o s m
They need to keep doing IBOX Hybrids, that's their bread and butter and their best coasters. Their Raptor model is mid tier at best.
The trash the Raptor didn’t take off was because it was a 1 person per row ride. A lot of people take friends or family to a park and to ride separate from your friends or family is a serious problem.
RMC doesnt sell topper track anymore. Discontinued for the Retrax or whatever its called. But a new but classic log flume would be great. Or a solid mine train. Go back to Arrows roots. And a solid normal steel coaster thats not wood structure or 1 seat across. And not a crazy intense thrill ride.
Iron Gwazi was the best ride I've had since I first got into coasters. Maybe they can expand to other rides?
They need to fix their restraints. Bucket seats with lap bar like the other big boys.
They do have 3 new coasters planned for 2025. I believe all 3 are raptors including one that is a combo at Walibi holland. One side will be the traditional crazy raptor and the other will be family centric. I think the raptors will be a big selling point going forward but you do make a great point about what they are good at- fixing coasters. One other thing I struggle with is you have the family coaster so high but I think that market has more competition than maybe anything else. Vekoma, Intamin, even B&M is putting out family rides on top of gravity group. I think the family model will struggle.
Haha the RMC outlaw run… make a t shirt that says RMC el toro
Also I think Jersey Devil and SFMM’s Wonder Woman are an attempt to make the ride less intense.
That’s probably true but Jersey Devil tends to get dumped by enthusiasts saying that it’s too tame since it is not that intense when comparing it to Wonder Woman at Fiesta or the near clone of it at Magic Mountain
solid video man!
Great quality video!
Very interesting video. I’ve been thinking about the “fall off”. Not completely, they will still be around, but I think their dominance and prime are past us. There’s less conversions available. It seems lots of parks are opting to only retrack certain sections of wooden coasters with Gravity Group or Titan Track or 208. It does not seem like RMC is a great company to work with between the structural issues and all the single rail issues. I can’t imagine they will get many projects like Fire in the Hole. The market is focusing heavily on families right now and that is just not what the conversions or the single rails are.
A lot of these points are egregious. It's a coaster enthusiasts viewpoint on a multi-million dollar company.
im a coaster enthusiast im not smart enough to know what egregious means
Honestly it’s one of the more fair views I’ve seen from an enthusiast
I work at a park and rmc does not have a good reputation, their rides are unreliable, are terrible with their programming, and are maintenance nightmares, which is part of the reason cedar fair won’t work with them and with the merger seeming to have cedar fair come out on top they’re going to be hit hard, and they’re seriously overrated
I think the raptors in Walibi Holland will be the start of the raptors 2.0 with one of the 2 being a family raptor coaster.
On the matter of the RMC not selling wild: I've heard that for maintenance they are quite a nightmare. Due to the forces they suffer quite some wear and tear on several parts.
RMC can stick to building Rollercoasters from the ground up. But leave the Wooden Rollercoaster Restoration in The Very Capable Hands of The Gravity Group!! By destroying the Traditional Wooden Rollercoaster, I appropriately name the company, Ruin My Coaster,(RMC) BTW, Marty Moose Rollercoaster is the proper name.🤣
the raptor models do not have the capacity to dumb them down for the GP, so let them be intense and niche.