Is it possible that when maintenance is re-tracking the Timber Wolf that they aren't basing their wood cuts off what the design says, but rather just copying the pieces that they pull off? If they are just copying pieces it could explain why the track is still pretty rough.

What would be nice is if they took the top two boards on the track and shaped them to the proper radius and then stick them up on the curve. Another big thing that could fix the ride in it's current state is to get guide wheels that touched the track at all times, or had less play between the track and wheel. It would eliminate loads of shuffling.

Anyone know the exact procedure?

This is as far as my understanding when it comes to tracking wooden coasters so take it with a grain of salt.

Wood coaster track pieces are not shaped when they are added, for example they don't take a piece of wood and then cut it into a 180 degree arch and then lay that on the bents.  (that would be a huge waste!), they take normal 2X4's (I think) lay them out flat, and then cut the excess off.  Many times these pieces will be laid at a diaginal, especially on curves.  If it makes it easier I will use an example. 

If laying wooden coaster track was like making a 3-layer round cake.  What the construction works are doing is making 3 square cakes, laying them on top of each other, and then cutting around the edges to make it round. 

BTW you certainly in the best of circumstances wouldn't want them to only replace two layers (obviously if that's the only option its better then nothing), you would want them to replace as many layers as possible.  I believe T-wolf was built with 8 layers of track, and then when it was re-tracked that was expanded up to 11-12 layers (someone correct me if I am wrong).  The more track that is replaced the longer the track re-tracking job will last, and the longer the coaster will remain smooth.

Jennifer

So I know Prowler is obviously the main topic nowadays, but I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be more re-tracking done for 2009 and what areas they are going to work on?

And we are still waiting for that diagram AyTrane

When Brandon and I did our drive around the park Wednesday, he stated that "yes" they were going ahead with schedule on retracking Timberwolf (they are contracted to do a certain dollar amount of work each year for a set number of seasons) but at this time he was unaware exactly where they were doing work this season.

why would anyone ride timberwold next year...

I wish they would install a few magnetic brakes on TW.  I don't mean mid-course but just at the end of the ride.  Putting one on the transfer track before the station would make for a much more comfartable braking in the station.

The 2nd drop is getting completely replaced (all layers).  Work began today.

They might be working on other sections as well. 

Yeah, exactly. I would take Timber Wolf over Screamin' Eagle any day. (Night is a different story.) It's a little rough if you're wimpy, maybe. It's not painful, like old wooden coasters can so easily be. And the retracking as already helped a ton. Imagine what another off-season will do.

Timber Wolf is my favorite ride in the park and I can't wait to see what this retracking is gonna do for it. A nice retracking is gonna be amazing for Timber Wolf that's all I know. April 18th can't come soon enough!

^Well you can pretty much say...
ANY coaster named G.A.S.M. = teh sux

Well Viper at SFMM is ok, but for the most part, no.

Vortex at Kings Island, aside from the exit of the corkscrew?

Jason I have the same problem -- you have to sit in the nose of a car so that you can have more leg room, the back of a car is terrible for trying to fold your legs into -- and that goes for any type of Arrow train.

As far as woodies go, I guess I am jaded, but really the only wooden coasters that I like are GCI built.  I think the Millennium Flyers have a lot to do with that, but besides that they are better built and engineered.  There are some select few woodies (Legend & Raven) that I do like that are not GCI built, but the list is few and far between.

sounds like to much work to me

Leg room is only half of the problem.  My torso doesn't fit either.  So I have to bend in an awkward way to fit thus reducing my ability to absorb forces.

Oh I forgot about the fact that your torso is longer than mine yet we are practically the same height.