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Water Ballast Dummies

M

MrTJ

Roller Poster
Dear Coasterforce Community,

I hope this finds you well!
I have been a big fan and avid reader of this forum since I was a teenager, some fiften years ago, and I am excited today to be posting her for the first time! Hello everyone!
I am writing with a rather niche query, and I hope that your collective expertise on theme parks might shed some light.

I'm interested in acquiring a particular water ballast dummy that many parks use when testing rollercoasters and other attractions. There are many different varieties of dummy, but the one shown in the picture here is, in my opinion, the most beautiful, and the one I'm after. I've done some tentative research so far; I know they are very often used by B&M, but I'm still unsure if B&M are producing them themselves, or acquiring them from elsewhere.

If anyone on this forum happens to know anything about these dummies, I would be hugely grateful and excited to hear more. Perhaps they are available to order / source?

Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Have a great day all, I look forward to your answer!

MrTJ

B&MExample8.jpg
 
MrTJ said:
Dear Coasterforce Community,

I hope this finds you well!
I have been a big fan and avid reader of this forum since I was a teenager, some fiften years ago, and I am excited today to be posting her for the first time! Hello everyone!
I am writing with a rather niche query, and I hope that your collective expertise on theme parks might shed some light.

I'm interested in acquiring a particular water ballast dummy that many parks use when testing rollercoasters and other attractions. There are many different varieties of dummy, but the one shown in the picture here is, in my opinion, the most beautiful, and the one I'm after. I've done some tentative research so far; I know they are very often used by B&M, but I'm still unsure if B&M are producing them themselves, or acquiring them from elsewhere.

If anyone on this forum happens to know anything about these dummies, I would be hugely grateful and excited to hear more. Perhaps they are available to order / source?

Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Have a great day all, I look forward to your answer!

MrTJ

View attachment 36705
Click to expand...

I wish I could help, sadly I can't.

But that blue ink you can see on the back, is a "Property of B&M" stamp, that you see on these in online photos. So they're definitely a B&M variant. But I expect you know this, since most online images of these dummies, some showing the stamp, all appear to be taken in the same shed. (Intimidator apparently.)

Whether they outsource the manufacture of them or not, who knows. Really interesting question though, I hope you find an answer.
 
Nicky Borrill said:
I wish I could help, sadly I can't.

But that blue ink you can see on the back, is a "Property of B&M" stamp, that you see on these in online photos. So they're definitely a B&M variant. But I expect you know this, since most online images of these dummies, some showing the stamp, all appear to be taken in the same shed. (Intimidator apparently.)

Whether they outsource the manufacture of them or not, who knows. Really interesting question though, I hope you find an answer.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your reply and your insights!
You’re right about the stamp. I was watching a video of Taron testing earlier, from 2016, and the same dummies appear. But since Black Mumba is right around the corner, perhaps Phantasialand happened to have some hanging around anyway.

I have an inkling B&M might produce them themselves; some of the aerodynamic / curvy characteristics of their design do remind me of, say, B&M‘s invert wheel covers, which I also love stylistically. I have written to B&M, but am not too hopeful for a response. Let’s see!

Thanks again.
 
Glad you’re posting in @MrTJ!

To add to the backseat speculation; I would highly suspect those water dummies are outsourced to another manufacturer, but to designer specification to make sure the simulated legs, thighs, hips, etc. allow for best-snug fit. In which case I wouldn’t be surprised if they are manufactured as needed/not easy to come by.

FWIW, I have definitely seen this water dummy used at Cedar Point (https://www.roto-power.com/product/bart), but usually on Millennium Force as a t-bar only application. Again, basically a dummy that can fit the design of the restraints.
 
Most test-dummies seem to be somewhat manufacturer specific, and I believe those are as well.
Afaik, there are only 2 manufacturers that really sell those dummies outside the industry, those being Testmankeni and Roto Power.

Do you want to use them, or just have one for your collection? Because to use them, their belly looks quite thick, which will cause issues with some restraints. The Roto Power Bart has incredibly thick legs, which is still gives us headaches to this day.
 
What I find most interesting about these dummies, is that they do appear to be designed specifically to work with B&M OTS, B&M Vest and also the B&M clamshell restraints, with some very obvious design elements allowing their multi purpose use. The gap in the legs for example, allowing for a centre poled lap restraint, i.e the clamshell. The stubby arms ensuring the shoulder area is wider.

The only other one I can find that would seem to be able to handle all 3 types of restraints, is on the link @Hyde posted, on a different product page though, and it's fittingly called the 'versa' bart. It has the thigh gap for the clamshell, and would seemingly fit all other types of restraint too. https://www.roto-power.com/product/versa-bart it's quite close to the one you're looking for, although it has some key differences that may put you off.
 
The Versa-Bart has some issues with lap bars, its legs are very thick. Many coasters won't allow a dispatch because the restraint isn't closed enough, some won't even close at all.
With B&M clamshells, the restraint isn't even able to get into the first ratchet. Trust me, we tried :-)
 
Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate it very much.

Trax, thank you for the tip; I don't plan to actually use them in the intended way. I am, like all of us here, a big theme park enthusiast, and on the one hand would like to own one for the sake of owning one... however, I am also an artist, and am hoping to work with these dummies in my studio, since I find them so aesthetically interesting.
Nicky Borrill, I'm glad you've pointed that out! I can see it now, how the form is informed by said requirements. And yes, you're right, the Versa model does come close, although definitely lacks that B&M magic!

I might have to think outside the box a little.
I live in Frankfurt, Germany, not too far from Europa Park & Phantasialand. I wonder if I can befriend anyone working at these parks who might lend a helping hand!

Have a good weekend all
 
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