Problematic Roller Coasters - Loch Ness Monster - A Truly Legendary Attraction

[@catipto]

I went to Busch Gardens on a middle school field trip in the late '90s. We got stuck on the first lift hill for about 20 minutes. My super-shy friend in front of me, who says maybe 20 words a day, somehow got through the restraints, reached into his pocket, unfolded the park map, and shouted out "WHERE DO YOU GUYS WANT TO GO NEXT?"

[@Hikaru_owl]

That's amazing

[@toasty3492]

Lmao 😂

[@waluigiwaluigireal]

Better have said “ALPENGEIST!”

[@luckylooch9696]

@@waluigiwaluigireal I was more so thinking the Big Bad Wolf. Oh... :(

[@iamlegend9133]

@@luckylooch9696 the big bad wolf didn't close until '09, so they probably did ride it at some point during the trip

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

When it comes to problematic coasters, it doesn't get more simple than Arrow Dynamics coasters~~ I never expected Nessie as a part of this series, but it was entertaining to learn ~

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@studio732jrl2 That's what I was thinking too~ X2 is a perfect coaster for an episode in this series. The complexity of that ride is perfect to talk about. The more I listen to all this physics knowledge that Lord ElToroRyan has, the more interested I become. People don't know about the physics and engineering that happens when building a coaster, but it's important, especially when it came to Arrow Dynamics coasters, because of the limitations and engineering processes back in the day. I'd say X2 and Orient Express should be some of the Arrow Dynamics coasters to be next in this series.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@@twistedcheese1 We got a Magnum XL-200 problematic coasters video, so that explains how Arrow's hyper coasters were problematic~ Pretty similar stuff from this video to be carried over to that one

[@JohnDoe-nn7up]

X2 would be a 5 hour long mega documentary if Ryan did it 😂

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@@JohnDoe-nn7up I'd still watch it :D

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@@JohnDoe-nn7up Every video Ryan does, I watch it multiple times to even understand some of the physics terms that he uses. As someone who is not an engineer and Ryan being an engineer, it always intrigues me to what he says.

[@iTzNikkitty]

Seeing those trains synced up in the interlocking loops has to be one of the most beautiful elements I've ever seen on a coaster. To be able to experience something like that first hand nowadays would be simply unforgettable.

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

This was my first adult coaster and I still love it nearly 40 years after I first rode it. I was heartbroken when The Big Bad Wolf was replaced but I think I might actually riot if they pull out Nessy. She's a wonderful old girl with what I hope is plenty of life left in her.

[@erebusmint]

Yes! The Big Bad Wolf was so fun, I can still remember the thrill of riding it as a kid

[@heatherduke7703]

The Big Bad Wolf was awesome, I don’t understand why they took it out

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

@@heatherduke7703 they could no longer maintain it and I've been told they could no longer get insurance for it. The Wolf was designed and first construction was done by one coaster company that went bankrupt and then taken over and completed by a different company that also went bankrupt. For the last 20+ years the coaster was in operation BG was completely on their own when it came to maintenance and replacement of worn out parts. The nature of the coaster's design also made maintenance more difficult than the older but still running Loch Ness Monster. Additionally only one or two other coasters were ever built with that suspended free swinging car design. All of this just made it impractical to keep the Wolf running any longer. I absolutely HATE that things ended up that way but I understand why it happened. I don't believe BG would have pulled it out if there was any way at all to keep it running.

[@heatherduke7703]

@@ashleighelizabeth5916 So sad 😭

[@griffon106]

i have a feeling that they'll keep nessie there even after she closes. considering she's the icon of the park and the first major coaster at busch gardens, she'll probably remain there as a landmark/photo spot for years to come. if they do end up bringing her down, they'd better make a new ride with interlocking loops as a tribute or else i'll be rioting too

[@CodyGfuel]

This was my first “big roller coaster” I ever went on and holds a special place in my heart

[@spittinvenom9843]

Mine too. Got to ride it with my boy and it holds a place in both our hearts.

[@jagmaida5074]

Me too I was 11 or 12 and I think Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain in Florida were the only coasters I had ridden.

[@crappozappo]

Same here!

[@SpasticTheMonkey]

Same here

[@N_Drogyny]

I may live in New York, but this was the first "big kid" coaster I rode back when I was only 8. Love to see Nessie getting more attention, she deserves it.

[@ccoder4953]

Reducing the jerking as roller coasters transition from one section to another is minimizing the 3rd derivative. If you plot position vs time, first derivative is velocity. Second derivative is acceleration. Third derivative is change in acceleration, which actually has the technical term jerk. See, calculus does have real world applications.

[@jonny-b4954]

To be fair it say the manufacturing and fabrication skill is more important than math

[@ccoder4953]

@@jonny-b4954 It's some of both. He mentioned that this old roller coaster was all circle segments and straight lines and it wasn't until computer aided design came in that we started to do better designs that were more comfortable. Doing the math on a whole roller coaster by hand (remember this is 3 dimensions) is possible, but time consuming. Computers help alot with that and with helping us to optimize the track shape to smooth acceleration changes. And derivatives are the sort of thing the computer will calculate to help engineers analyze forces and stresses. It's actually pretty easy to do in a simulation. The manufacturing and fabrication skills are also important because it's more difficult to make shapes that aren't just circle segments and straight lines. It probably could have been done, but it would have been difficult, expensive, and time consuming. He said that manufacturers were bending rails around wooden forms. No reason those forms couldn't be just about any shape we want. But then the forms would be custom to just about every piece of track. Not sure exactly what modern manufacturers use, but I'd guess its some sort of computer controlled bending equipment.

[@SECONDQUEST]

@@ccoder4953 the other person isn't wrong. Doesn't matter how good your math is if you can't weld two pieces of track together correctly.

[@ccoder4953]

@@SECONDQUEST I'm not saying he was. But to make a truly smooth ride you do actually need good math. I'm sure the welders from Arrow who built Loch Ness Monster were excellent welders and fabricators. That's not why the ride isn't as smooth as modern rides. If you watched the video, Ryan mentioned that Loch Ness Monster is all straight lines and semi-circles. The reason it is somewhat rough is that if you go from a straight section to semi-circular section, you experience a sudden change in acceleration, even if the transition itself is glass smooth. That change in acceleration is, mathematically, referred to as jerk. Modern roller coasters ease that transition. To do that requires much more mathematics to figure out a track shape that minimizes sudden changes in acceleration and much more advanced fabrication techniques to make complicated bends with a continuously changing curvature. That's all really difficult (but not impossible) to do by hand. Which is why computers are very helpful to make modern roller coasters smoother.

[@munchenonyou3774]

@@SECONDQUEST theres no conflict man. You need both to make an effective and enjoyable coaster. Theyre equally important.

[@aguyyouneverknew]

This ride has a special place in my heart. I was extremely tall as a child, so even when I was only about 5 or 6 I was able to go on this. While I was on the ride, my hat fell off during the first loop (for some reason I wasn't told to store it off ride), and that, plus my very thin frame made me start thinking that I could fall out of the seat and that, combined with my dad trying to bribe - then force - me to ride it again later in the day completely traumatized me from rollercoasters. Fast forward 20-some years, and Loch Ness is one of the first inverting roller coaster I rode on in that time, and this time I loved it. Haven't looked back on rekindling my love for rollercoasters since then.

[@gerarddip]

I find the whole bit about the “horse collar” restraints hilarious. I never realized that. I wonder how many people got hurt! If you sit on the far left seat of Apollo’s Chariot, you can reach down and hit the grass on the low left turn at the start of the helix. It stings!

[@tylergeosano4043]

"instead of trusting millions of riders with various IQ levels" - lmao. Great video as usual dude, one of my favorite series on YT, always looking forward to new videos.

[@nexpro6118]

It looks like every 5 to 10 years, its been taking longer to load/unload and dispatch trains. I think this trend is happening due to people becoming more dumb and lacking common sense and not paying attention. These things get worse in people in america every 5 to 10 years. This is causing lines to be so long because of the large amount of time to get the trains dispatched being full of idiots, ignorant, not paying attention, no common sense people. Lol ugh. These same people then complain on how Long lines are.....God help america.

[@fairbrookmanor]

Great comment lol. Imagine trying to trust IQs and attention spans of 2023!

[@JL-to9vg]

And blood alcohol content! ... or general sobriety, now that other substances are increasingly becoming legal

[@markkalzer907]

I saw a B block brake stop during regular operations this season! I wasn’t on the train but I could see it from the park pathways. I took a few pictures. I informed panicked onlookers about the nature of block zones! “For those who don’t know, a block zone is a…”. I recall I took a few pictures and posted it to your discord! I saw them evacuate riders down the stairway. It was a light crowd day in early August and it happened late afternoon. Surprisingly the ride did reopen later that day.

[@parkds]

Not only an amazing coaster but also perfectly integrated into its environment and topography.

[@Just.A.T-Rex]

Omg yes! Even the entrance into the platform is one of the best. I wish they’d update the scene though and make it a bit more immersive

[@colinschmitz8297]

You're analysis is second to none! You give not just analysis on the ride experience and history on the ride and park but also provide such detailed background on the manufacturing, operations, and other details. Awesome job Sir!

[@hopejordan2997]

I'm so thankful that I got to ride Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf. 2 of the most memorable coasters I've ever been on

[@jstorm7922]

One of my very first coasters I ever rode. This park was my home park. Once rode this 26 times in a row!

[@heritagehuntress9553]

This brought back such wonderful memories! I got to ride this coaster back in the 1990s on my eighth grade trip to Washington DC. To this day I consider it the best roller coaster I have ever been on. I think I repeated the ride about seven times the day we were at Busch Gardens. One of the highlights--not only of the ride but of the whole trip--was going on the Loch Ness Monster in the dark. During the slow part of the ride that winds through the woods, fireflies twinkled in the trees. Fireflies do not live in the Pacific Northwest, so this was the first time I had ever seen them.

[@griffon106]

i go to busch gardens every year and i always go on loch ness at least once. my mom used to go on this ride as a kid with her parents, so it's really cool that nessie has entertained 3 generations of my family!! although it usually leaves me with multiple bruises and back problems, i simply cannot make a visit to busch gardens without riding it at least once

[@Datura981]

I broke my ear drum open on Loch Ness and spent about two weeks pretty much deaf. I had swimmer's ear, mom told me not to get on, she looked away and I queued up with our family friends' kids. The ear incident wasn't even the last time I rode it. Last time I think was the late 90's, I wanna say 97 or 98? It was a mess by then, super rough. My first coaster was Big Bad Wolf and I was *so* pissed the adults wouldn't let me on Loch Ness for another year. I still have family photos of my dad and my aunts on it in the 80's, and one around of me and my dad. We always tried to cheese at the camera on the loop. Thank you for bringing back some fond family memories. ❤

[@Kumba9]

I worked on Nessie in late mid to late 80s. During this time, we used photoelectric sensors for train block positioning. Until they were updated with new computer and proximity switches, the photoelectric eyes were reliable, but challenging due to environmental factors such as moisture/rain on the lenses, or objects causing a block set up. One such issue was the park had resident peacocks that tend to sit on those sensors and often would relieve themselves onto the sensors and causing block setup. It took awhile, but eventually the zoo keepers and engineering came up with a safe and suitable solution to that issue. Also, during the 3 train operation during the early to mid and late 80s, the computer system did not stop train when it arrived into the station. Ride operators were trained to stop the train by using the last axle to match up to the back metal plate on load side of the platform. If the train wasn't stopped within that time, it would move directly out-of the station again and head up to the first lift. One last note. Even with the trim brake on the drop before first vertical loop, the train in the station would be dispatched as soon as the previous train cleared A block ( top of lift 1). Then both trains could enter both vertical loops simultaneously. One of the primary reasons for the trains being stopped to enter both loops at same time in later years was the computer programming was changed. Engineering also wanted to reduce the stress on the track and supports within both vertical loops and reduce off season maintenance in those areas.

[@evil_me]

I remember when basically every ride was timed for the trains to cross at the loops.

[@nexpro6118]

It looks like every 5 to 10 years, its been taking longer to load/unload and dispatch trains. I think this trend is happening due to people becoming more dumb and lacking common sense and not paying attention. These things get worse in people in america every 5 to 10 years. This is causing lines to be so long because of the large amount of time to get the trains dispatched being full of idiots, ignorant, not paying attention, no common sense people. Lol ugh. These same people then complain on how Long lines are.....God help america.

[@johanlenox]

me too! i wonder what was different then

[@dnmitch]

I feel like it could be done again with proper training…..

[@matthewwoodson2016]

@@dnmitch computer doesn’t let them cross anymore, can’t release the trains early enough.

[@dnmitch]

@@matthewwoodson2016 So the crazy thing about computers - is you can program them. Hence your use of the word “anymore”.

[@trappedintime]

I haven't seen a single one of these that didn't have all the info on the ride and all relevant park history. These are straight up documentaries. Great stuff man.

[@Juuchan17]

I'm not so much of a coaster enthusiast (though I LOVE riding them when I am able), but man, this is one of my favorite classic coasters EVER. Every time I go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, I almost always get a ride on Loch Ness Monster! Thanks for making such an informative video! I didn't know much about the technical terms and such, so I learned a lot of new stuff that really makes me appreciate these coasters that I ride a lot more! Keep it up!

[@Girldad70616]

I have experienced the dueling coasters in the interlocking loops 1 time as many times as I have ridden it. It occurred probably about 30 years ago but it in ingrained in my memory, it was pretty cool to experience

[@nexpro6118]

It looks like every 5 to 10 years, its been taking longer to load/unload and dispatch trains. I think this trend is happening due to people becoming more dumb and lacking common sense and not paying attention. These things get worse in people in america every 5 to 10 years. This is causing lines to be so long because of the large amount of time to get the trains dispatched being full of idiots, ignorant, not paying attention, no common sense people. Lol ugh. These same people then complain on how Long lines are.....God help america.

[@rulerofthemoon]

I was about 13 when ads started running in Philly for this ride. In the commercial I recall, an old fisherman was in a boat searching for the monster. It was dark and he's holding a lantern, looking down at the water. Suddenly, the train comes screaming down the hill and the camera pans for the big reveal. Very well done spot and apparently not on the internet.

[@catipto]

Nessy lives in the cave! I remember seeing some kind of glow-in-the-dark paint or lights of the monster's long body as the train spirals. They removed them at some point after the '90s, then replaced them with flashing lights and roars in 2018. As Ryan said, this is a coaster built prior to computers. Either the ride is rougher after 45 years of operation, or my body's 36 years of operation is more prone to pain.

[@IsolatedModder]

No, it's definitely become a little bit more of a rough ride over the years. I rode it as a kid and growing up, and the same thing has happened with Alpengeist as well. I can't even ride Alp without my head being bounced around in the head holsters. LN is aging comfortably, but after 20 years of riding a coaster, you'll definitely notice subtle differences.

[@sherajoyner2583]

@@IsolatedModder can definitely agree with this i went this year in October and I definitely feels different. The thing that keeps me away from Alp is it would always break down rode it a long time ago and it got stuck.

[@IsolatedModder]

@@sherajoyner2583 As much as I love the rides I rode as a kid, Alp just...it's not aging well (although it is cool to see the timeline of age by the differences of the airbrushing on the track covers above the seats), plus, with the addition of Verbolten and Griffon (and even Apollo's Chariot still being around), and the new Pantheon, I feel like it's about time to consider a replacement. My head was bounced around so much one time, and with having helix piercings in both ears...whew. That was not a fun ride. Lost a couple of captive beads. :( Even with Da Vinci's cradle now being retired, and having been around long enough to have rode Drachen Fire and the Wolf, I welcome a change.

[@jaball77]

You had me at "centripetal acceleration." 😍

[@Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

Never expected to see nessie on problematic roller coasters. But I’m pleased. Great video as always!

[@Chillguy99]

Spectacular! I am a huge Arrow fan so I was fascinated by the rich history of this ride and the amount of detail you put into the ride operations is very impressive. I was also encouraged by the extensive work Busch Gardens has done on Loch Ness Monster. It does seem like they intend to keep it around and will not be pulling that "reached the end of it's service life," nonsense like what happened to Vortex. This is one of the last large-scale Arrow loopers still standing and I am very grateful to Busch Gardens for the many years of hard work put into maintaining this classic coaster. My one criticism of the park is that the trains no longer duel in the loops. However I agree with Ryan in the video that this could be done during a coaster event and I do believe it would be financially beneficial to the park to make that happen. It would also be a big marketing win for the park if the coaster event was inclusive enough so that the general public could see the two trains full of riders pass through those loops simultaneously. I am sure it would get a big round of applause from spectators.

[@nexpro6118]

It looks like every 5 to 10 years, its been taking longer to load/unload and dispatch trains. I think this trend is happening due to people becoming more dumb and lacking common sense and not paying attention. These things get worse in people in america every 5 to 10 years. This is causing lines to be so long because of the large amount of time to get the trains dispatched being full of idiots, ignorant, not paying attention, no common sense people. Lol ugh. These same people then complain on how Long lines are.....God help america.

[@eaglescout1984]

Love this coaster. And it has such an amazing history. How many other 40 year old steel coasters are still exciting and maintained well enough to operate today? Especially ones as ambitions as Nessie. I don't think they can get rid of it without an absolute riot from the coaster community. Another quick side note on Busch Gardens Williamsburg, it is has been voted most beautiful theme park in the world for 32 years straight because of how well they blend theming and nature.

[@kamthescholar]

my home park six flags Darien lake still has its arrow coaster named the viper. It was the first coaster with 5 inversions when it released in 1982

[@kamthescholar]

also just remembered that a year after the viper released at Darien lake, dragon mountain released at marine land in Niagara Falls which also was an arrow coaster which was the longest coaster in the world when released in 83, it also happens to be the first and only ever have a bow tie element

[@dakryptkeepa6968]

Been riding this coaster for 20 years now and its still an all time favorite! Thanks for covering it

[@FanOfVacuums2]

Being a native Williamsburg resident, I like seeing these Busch Gardens videos. I basically grew up going there and had plenty of friends who worked there. Also, I loved the Le Mans Raceway! Anybody who was around Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1978 will tell you how astoundingly smooth and thrilling Loch Ness Monster was, being unlike anything in the area at the time. Big Bad Wolf was also a local legend. I still see people in the park searching for it and asking about it not knowing that it is gone.

[@maudiusorelius1739]

I grew up around there and have ridden that ride hundreds of times, and it is still great! Its my first stop in the park every time, right by the front entrance. I also had the "pleasure" of riding Drachen Fire when I was a kid. I swear it nearly broke my neck.

[@Ruby4233]

Going to Busch Gardens was a mandatory part of every summer of my childhood. I love the Loch Ness Monster. I last got to go back in 2018 and was so happy it was still there when other staples of my childhood (like the Big Bad Wolf) were gone. A true icon!

[@rustiharris6776]

I agree on the suggestion to ride- My husband grew up in the area in the 80's, and I first rode it with him when we moved back to be closer to his family, and it's an absolute gem of an old coaster. It's still his favorite in the park on pure nostalgic factor, but I think it makes a great coaster for all ages. Bringing the little ones on it for their first "big" coaster rides has been a tradition in the family for a long time now, but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable coaster on its own, with a lot of charm befitting of her age!

[@SakuraStallion]

This is my Home Park and let me tell you... I will never get over how perfect this park is.

[@AdventuresWithAlex]

Would absolutely pay for a coaster enthusiast event to experience dueling interlocking loops 😍💸

[@weeabooper]

I used to love this ride when I was a kid. I went back to BGW for the first time in a while this summer, and while I do feel those jerky transitions, I still love the nostalgia it gives me. The funny thing is, I was on the ride behind some young kids (probably somewhere from 7 to 10?) marathoning it with their parents while I was in line and I think that its nostalgic value alongside its appeal to the young is what will hopefully keep it running for many years to come

[@robdcx]

I rode this repeatedly in the early 80s when the trains hit the interlocking loops at the same time. It really added something to the ride and was very disorienting.

[@nexpro6118]

It looks like every 5 to 10 years, its been taking longer to load/unload and dispatch trains. I think this trend is happening due to people becoming more dumb and lacking common sense and not paying attention. These things get worse in people in america every 5 to 10 years. This is causing lines to be so long because of the large amount of time to get the trains dispatched being full of idiots, ignorant, not paying attention, no common sense people. Lol ugh. These same people then complain on how Long lines are.....God help america.

[@Reportinglivefrommysofa]

This is my all time favorite nostalgic coaster. Just as much as i love the ride i always loved all the details they put into the waiting line area for it

[@taegra]

Rode this coaster a few days ago and the refurbished track is _so smooth_

[@falcoshimmer-flare]

@taegra Pemear Rides refurbished Nessie last year with several new track

[@rickpontificates3406]

Ron Toomer (RIP) designed one of my favorite rides, Viper. Up to that time, it was the most twisted mass of rollercoaster steel I had ever ridden and I LOVED the way it went up into the very high first vertical loop.

[@nexpro6118]

Viper at Magic Mountain?

[@rickpontificates3406]

@@nexpro6118 Yep.

[@JTCPingas]

Crazy that Loch Ness Monster has lasted far longer than Orient Express at World's of Fun, which was my childhood Arrow looper.

[@TrueRaz]

I miss having a picture of the monster at the bottom of the monster's lair, even if is was cartoony. If only they could replace it with something more modern.

[@dindog22]

fantastic job as always Ryan. you're one of the reasons I know way more about roller coasters than I should. I'm not really an enthusiast but I really nerd out over how they work

[@MeowMaeda]

thank god they are retracking this. its a classic and the only reason i stopped riding it was because of how rough it was. I can only hope Premier Rides retracked right.

[@denverleatherboy]

I remember when this coaster first opened. Busch Gardens is where all teens in my high school worked in Summer. Their coasters were my first coasters ever. I recently rode the LNM when I went home, it's still a decent ride all these years later. I worked in BG when Drachen Fire was open, I worked selling gifts outside the newly opened Questor ride simulator and watched at least 1 person a day puke on the ride. I miss BG and can't wait to ride Pantheon.

[@AlbinoReindeer]

I always wished I got to ride Dracken Fire but I was to young when it was removed. My stupid ass bought year tickets in June and only used them once this year🤦🏼‍♀️

[@denverleatherboy]

@@AlbinoReindeer There are some pretty great POV videos online. But, if you have ever ridden an SLC boomerang you have experienced SIMILAR pain to Drachen Fire. It was a terrible coaster. I have ridden every coaster BGW has ever had, including Wildkatzen and Glissade (my fave old coaster they had) but I have yet to make it home for Pantheon. I worked in Italy Gifts just after Festa Italia was added selling murano glass and capodimonte roses. I am GLAD BG didn't sell to Cedar Fair, as they have RUINED Kings Dominion.

[@AlbinoReindeer]

@@denverleatherboy I’m definitely going to look for one after this video. My dad always told me Drachen Fire was terrible. My mom & I are the only ones who never worked at Busch. My dad did construction and paved the walkway to the entrance to the park and a few other places inside the park. 1 sibling worked Oktoberfest games & the other worked Dark Kastle and Hall-o-scream under Pompeii. I tried to slip in for Halloscream for a few years in high school but didn’t make it in. I haven’t gotten to ride Pantheon either. Anything built after Invadr honestly. I love Kings Dominion but every time I go half the food is open and the bathrooms are always a mess. I love KD but BG is so much closer and more visually aesthetic. Both places food is pricy, I appreciate BG nailing the themes but I do love a cinnabun and Panda Express🫢

[@heatherduke7703]

I was there in September and the Pantheon got closed for the day right as I came up to the entrance 😢

[@griffon106]

@@heatherduke7703 yeah pantheon closes a lot. mainly bc that vertical spike is a magnet for lightning

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

This is one of Ron Toomer's best creations in my opinion~ He made so many legendary Arrow coasters, and he deserves to be respected for implementing engineering practices that were revolutionary back in those days, despite only working with such little technology. I mean 130 feet tall and a 114 foot drop at 55 degrees and speeds of 60 mph was unheard of back in 1978, and at the time, it was the tallest coaster in the entire world. Loch Ness Monster shows what Arrow Dynamics was capable of outside of their smaller looping coasters and showed that without them, coasters wouldn't be where they are today.

[@bisem433]

Your technical analysis is unparalleled! Loch Ness is definitely on my bucket list for 2023.

[@falcoshimmer-flare]

It got a major refurbish last season

[@jackattack5928]

I’ve said for years how spoiled I am to have BGW as my home park. Great job on the video Ryan, love the in-depth controls analysis.

[@mcblaze1968]

I rode this probably 1000 times. We had season passes in '78. The back car and then the front seats are the best places to sit. The front because of the view, the back because you got whipped around in really fun ways.

[@davidwright2706]

The Loch Ness Monster underwent a major refurbishment at the end of the 2023 season having much of the old track replaced with new modern track. Hopefully this will fix many of the problems with the constant radius turns of the old system. As a life long Virginia resident who spent much of my childhood visiting Bucsh Gardens I can hardly wait to experience the difference with the new system.

[@SpringoStar]

Oh, that original set up was very fast. Shame they tamed her. I was lucky enough to be one of the few to hit that double loop with the coasters together a few different times. My family split up on purpose to experience that. It was AMAZING! The Fire and Ice dragon ride in Islands of Adventure was very similar. Shame they tamed and destroyed that one. Amazing coaster. I miss that ride just as much as the Big Bad Wolf. It was WILD back then! Glas she is still alive though! I agree! I will riot too if they close her! She's a great coaster!

[@skrounst]

I AM SO HAPPY! This was my first real roller coaster. I rode it first back in about 1995ish. I was 7 and had never experienced anything like it. The loops over the water are so effing majestic!

[@christianvennemann9008]

Oh, God. I rode this in 2018 and this thing gave me a massive headache worse than a hangover 🤣

[@CrazyBear65]

Thanks for producing this video. I rode the Loch Ness Monster with my dad several times when it was brand new, first season. Mom was chicken. I was 12. Busch Gardens was cool then, and so was colonial Williamsburg. Now it's kind of an aggravating place to have to drive through to get to a job site and back. They also have certain unique building codes, due to the whole colonial thing. But the Monster still lives and breathes, unlike some coasters that are gone now. _RIP Big Dipper. RIP Geauga Lake._ Respect for the monster. 🤘 _"Double Loop and Corkscrew too! Only at Geauga Lake!"_ I miss Geauga lake.

[@ayanadixon4763]

Can't think of a better birthday present than a problematic roller-coaster video. Thanks for making my day.

[@ElToroRyan]

Aw glad I could contribute! Happy birthday! 🥳🥳

[@Stephen_12]

Happy b-day

[@TrainMaster2004]

yoooo birthday twins

[@NoFallToggled]

Ryan, thank you so much for taking your time to make documentaries about roller coasters and being the main reason I am a coaster enthusiast :) Loch Ness Monster was the second inverting coaster I have been on (after SooperDooperLooper), and was the introduction to extreme rides for me when I was 8. Once again, thank you so much for all your effort!

[@jamarjobs]

Every time at the beginning, I complain about the video length, and then end up watching the entire video. Great work bro.

[@maxmuster3297]

I always enjoy your videos. I love to learn about all the facts you're gathering. And I really appreciate it when you're adding the numbers for meters and km/h. :)

[@finchkid716]

Hey, Ryan. I have watched all your Problematic Roller Coaster videos several times over. Your videos are so well-done and educational. Please keep making them! 😀

[@zacdavid184]

This was so good-- as always-- and a Problematic Roller Coasters on Big Bad Wolf would be like Christmas!!

[@brentruvio6556]

Such a legendary rollercoaster, and it's getting restored and retracked this year. I love it. It's still my favorite coaster of all time

[@jracer7189]

I don’t know what it is but man I really love arrow loopers

[@user_314_andmore]

i love the in-depth knowledge this video gives the viewer! never knew i wanted to know some of this

[@OriginalPineapplesFoster]

Ryan, you're so good at explaining the most basic concepts so that those who don't know them understand, and those who DO know them appreciate the refresher. 👍🍍

[@hannahgreenwell3929]

I absolutely love this ride, rode it almost 10 times when my family went in the mid 2000s. Still one of my favorite rides 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@WaldameerEnthusiast.]

Ever since i found your channel i have been fantasizing about a Lochness Problematic Coasters video.... The day has finally come.

[@flushit.]

Wow, the deteails you're going into are just amazing. Good work, very much appreciated.

[@MichaelMyers3000]

I love this legendary ride. It was one of my first looping coasters I got to ride and I have a soft spot in my heart for this ride.

[@Specialguy29]

What a ride, this was my first big coaster and has earned its place as my permanent number 25, this ride can always make me smile. It’s a trusty legendary coaster that has served as a rite of passage for Virginians, here’s to the next 45 years

[@kasseemsmith9175]

Another great video!! The Loch Ness monster was the first roller coaster I ever rode as a kid and made me fall in love with roller coasters.

[@fieldfilmz]

Great video! You really did your research. What's funny is that it seems like LNM was less of a problematic coaster and more of "It was built in the 70s and this is what it takes to keep it going." LNM was the only coaster that I did not operate during my tenure at the park, but it still holds a place in my heart as probably the most iconic ride at BGW. IMO, Griffon is much more of a problematic ride operationally, but the lift 2 setup problem does make LNM unique for the park. Just FYI, LNM runs a PLC-5 from allen bradley, one of the oldest models of PLC that they made in the late 80's and early 90's (and yes, there was a PLC-1 and 2, but I have never seen one still in use). They were superceded by the SLC500 series, which you showed in your clips of the electrical panel. AB came out with the ControlLogix series in the early 2000's and the GuardLogix series safety processors in the late 2000's, which is the current standard of PLC used in most American parks. Speaking as a controls engineer, I very much prefer the new Control/Guardlogix L8 series to the older PLC's, such as the PLC-5, SLC500, and early ControlLogix L5's and L6's

[@CanobieCoaster]

Great video! I always thought the brake run before the tunnel was short and that explains why.

[@sapper931]

I went to Busch Gardens all the time in my child hood, my parents and siblings all rode this together and now I took my own family from our new home In North Dakota to share this experience with them. Always will hold a special place in my heart.

[@erick2853]

Just rode it today twice on member only day. The front was pretty gosh darn great. The back is a bit rougher but you definitely get more ejector moments. The atmosphere and theming was pretty fantastic too.

[@sarahwillacker4135]

Busch Gardens is my home park and Loch Ness Monster holds such a special place in my heart. It was the first inverting coaster I ever rode! It’s a wonderful ride, and I would also pay serious money if they ever offered an event to experienced dueling trains in the interlocking loops!! ❤

[@grgmcln]

Ryan, your voice is now a timeless part of my nostalgia for theme parks. Bless you Sir.

[@nastkillaa]

Dope video. I really enjoy how deep you go into your explanations

[@beccamarie783]

The Loch Ness monster was my first roller coaster back in 2008ish and it sparked my love for thrill rides.

[@CarrYouTube]

Just rode it this year on St Patrick’s Day! Rode it twice cause it was one of the three open that day. (Cold day) One of the best ride experiences I’ve had. This roller coaster still gets the job done!

[@PsychoticSicarius]

I rode lochness in 2010 with the boy scouts for the 100th anniversary of boy scouts! By far absolutely loved this coaster! It and apollos chariot were my introduction into larger coasters which sparked my love of rollercoasters!!!!!

[@michaelcoburn2975]

Thanks for covering this coaster man. It used to scare me when I was young going to Busch Gardens, but it was great when i finally got the courage. It's such beautiful looking coaster. I do miss the Big Bad Wolf

[@JakeCoasters]

This was the first coaster I ever rode...Even today it's still a great ride!

[@MattMcCoasters]

Great video! This was also my first larger coaster. I distinctly remember crying getting on and laughing getting off and running to the entrance to do it again. I have been a coaster nut since.

[@PawPawsSpeedshop]

Absolutely love the video! This was my first ever roller coaster. We had season passes with my grand parents every summer and spent most evenings at Busch.

[@AlbinoReindeer]

Sometimes I love that Newport News is my hometown. Even though we didn’t get Busch Gardens it’s nice to be so close to such a pretty & clean park. Lochness is a must every visit! This is an amazing break down!

[@TheCountofToulouse]

I rode the hell out of this coaster. From March to May of 1995, I went to Busch Garden 3 times. One day it was overcast with spotty rain and almost NO one was there. We rode it over and over, trying all the different spots. The BACK was incredible. That FIRST drop pulls at warp speed from the back and it's game on from there.

[@mcb187]

We used to live in Hampton, VA, and this was and still is my second favorite ride of all time, only behind I-305. No visit to BGW was complete without a ride on it! Can’t wait to hear what problems there were, and how they fixed the !

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

Grew up in Hampton Roads and I considered myself a coaster aficionado. Loch Ness is still my favorite roller coaster and I have ridden a lot of them. Probably because she is the first coaster I rode that went upside down. My best friend is deathly afraid of roller coasters and we got him to ride it, after we got off he went towards the entrance and was like you guys coming lol. It didn't kill his fear but he will ride Nessy anytime we go to BGW. If they ever take it down, I hope they rebuild it in the same spot. Thanks for the video!

[@greggriffin8020]

I LOVE this ride for multiple reasons and I hope it stays at BG for a long, long time. It is the signature centerpiece of the park.

[@kiera_rdh6697]

This is an amazing video! Your problematic roller coaster series is the most educational coaster content on KZbin.

[@HollywoodandWine101]

Loch Ness monster is one of the smoothest arrow coasters to date. So happy to have it just down the road at my home park!

[@SoTiredOfYourBS]

You just gained another subscriber. Wow! The information followed with explanations and examples along with comparisons .. AMAZING! THANK YOU for being so thorough. 💯💜💯💜💜💜💯💯💯💜💯💜💯🤓🤓 Xoxoxo

[@snowskii]

This was my first rollercoaster as a child. Hello nostalgia!!!

[@mattjones4285]

It's always the first stop for us when we go to Busch Gardens, never gets old riding Nessie.

[@keithhanisek2465]

I remember riding this thing back in like '88-'89. It was awesome. My cousins and eye talked about it for weeks afterwards.

[@jayhughes1141]

This was done very well. One of my favorite coasters from my home park. I've only experienced the two trains during the loop once in my life and only seen it probably three times in person. Very rare but glad to know it's possible again. Thanks for the fun video, new subscriber here! Would love to hear about Big Bad Wolf and my all time favorite ride Drachen Fire. Keep up the great work.

[@heather1980]

This was such a wonderful video! Thanks Ryan!

[@cloveradelaide]

This ride is so special to me. It was my first ever real roller coaster as a kid. It was the same for several of my friends. I have so many happy memories with this ride and honestly the theme park in general

[@freashapples]

Are the loops intense? I’m trying to get over my fear and my home park is Busch gardens Williamsburg. Never been on anything with loops and I’m too scared to.

[@Posirep]

@@freashapples Not really, BUT Griffon...despite being double the size of Loch Ness Monster, has far less intense inversions

[@cloveradelaide]

@@freashapples as far as “intense” goes the ride is pretty tame. There are definitely more intense rides at the park. However, since loch ness is so old, the ride isn’t very smooth and you can 100% feel the g-forces going into and out of the loops. You also do get jostled around quite a bit throughout the duration of the ride. With that being said: Loch ness was my first roller coaster (as i mentioned) and i was TERRIFIED of loops as a kid. I’m not a roller coaster enthusiast by any means but i have ridden several other roller coasters in my life time after my introduction to the roller coaster world by Loch Ness. With that being said, i have to agree with the other replier saying Griffin is a good ride. Griffin is one of the smoothest roller coasters i’ve ever been on and had such a pleasant ride experience. It feels like you’re riding a magic carpet. The dead hang followed by a straight down drop can be a little intimidating at first, but it truly is a wonderful riding experience.

[@amandarhodes9123]

I've been on this ride back in the early 90's. I used to live in Virginia before I moved to Oregon. I also have been on the drachenfire to. Good to see this ride still exists