What is up with these coasters?

[aennilQ]

Why is it that every coaster in Japan, I think, have these railings along the course? Is it some strange regulation there in Japan? Thats the only place I have seen it. Its not like the coaster is ever going to stop at these points, theres no brakes or anything. Is it for better access for maintenence? Does anyone know?

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/4639/surfcoaster24nf.jpg

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/7628/bandit152cm.jpg

[JayAC]

They do look wierd don't they? It's strange when you watch on-ride videos of Japan's coasters when there is a pathway along the track.

[okinawaboy11]

Eh, I think it might be just Togo and Meisho's coasters.

[Dattu]

To make people feel safer? You know... In case they get thrown out of the car, they'll slam into the railing instead of flinging onto the ground.



In other words, I dunno...

[aennilQ]

lets see.... *looking at rcdb*

Fantastic Coaster Rowdy @ Hirakata(WTF?) has railings, and is Meisho...

Monkey Coaster @ Japan Monkey Park(WTF??) has railings, and is Senyo Kogyo...

Go Go Coaster @ Chiba Zoo Dream World(Are you kidding?)doesn't have any, and is Vekoma...

Screw Coaster @ Nara Dreamland(Hmmm.. Screw...) yes, and is Arrow...


Mixed results... Hmm... interesting..

[SnooSnoo]

Togo... horrible designers.

[okinawaboy11]

^ I like Shockwave at PKD thank you very much! :-p

[BoRJoYZeE]

Togo not bad designers, just need some tweak here and there but they are not that bad.

But I think the railings is a requirement. EarthQuakes?

[FlyingPenguins]

Maybe the Japanese worry too much about safety... :p

[gentjt]

Maybe it's because when a car just happens to stall on a track, which has been known to happen, they are not stranded in the car until help arrrives. They can exit the cars and proceed down the rail to safety while the car malfunction is being fixed.

[aennilQ]

Well, its weird, because they even have it at the bottom of drops! What are the chances of a train stopping at the bottom of a first drop, one like Bandit, shown above? Extremely small, I would think. And even if a train did valley, yes, the people could get out, but what are you supposed to do with the train? It weighs alot, so its not like you could push it the rest of the course or something. its just weird, that they have these platforms at places where a train will NEVER stop.

But then I get started about the maintenence aspect. I know that Primeval Whirl at AK has things like those, but they fold down and away when theride is moving. So that makes me think that its for maintenence. Who knows.

[skippytim]

http://www.trips-n-pics.com/pics/moviepark/128_5.jpg
A lot of times I see wooden coasters, so im not too shocked there.
Thats bandit ^^

[Rohn Starr]

You'll find that it's more for maintenance rather than riders. The maintenance workers really do need a quick way to check out the track prior to opening that day, so the easiest way is to have the railings.

[Alpengeist]

^Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. I agree, I think it's more for maintenance use.

[FlyingPenguins]

But wouldn't it be difficult to walk down the side rail at a 60-degree angle, even with stairs?

[ACK!]

Not if your careful.

[aennilQ]

I meant Bandit @ Yomiuriland

[IvanEnema]

But wouldn't it be difficult to walk down the side rail at a 60-degree angle, even with stairs?You're clipped on, it'd be like walking down a ladder

[ACK!]

You're clipped on, it'd be like walking down a ladder

I fell off of a ladder once and separated my shoulder. :(