Project Infinity: Model Roller Coaster with Advanced PLC Safety Control System

The most technically advanced model roller coaster ever built! This is one of the first model roller coasters to focus on the computer control systems that help keep riders safe on todays modern scream machines. Featuring a Rockwell Automation Guardlogix L81ES Safety PLC control system this model roller coaster is truly like no other. I have spent two years designing, building, and programming this model and am super excited to share it with everyone.
Check out the full demo video here: • Project Infinity: Full...
New Coaster Plans Here: • I'm Building a Roller ...

[@GenuineNPC]

This dude's gonna design my next favorite b&m coaster

[@JaredHolladay]

I’m happy to work for B&M on their controls if they’ll have me lol!

[@heyogie3840]

@@JaredHolladay no do rmc man

[@JaredHolladay]

@@heyogie3840 Hell yeah! RMC for the win. RMC and Intamin are my favorite manufacturers.

[@ChacingEleets]

@@JaredHolladay Intamin ftw lol, huge respect to you my guy, extremely impressive

[@nicolea2839]

Intamin is better in my opinion

[@MrJohnweez]

I got to say, this is an awesome senior design project. One of my favorites.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! I am super happy with the end result!

[@ianadams9016]

@jared holladay if i.m jealous then the thing that I'm jealous of is awesome. Good job jared

[@Tucker.Showkeir]

This is amazing! I am a ride operator at a Disney park and I recognize many of your PLC controls and this has been a really cool look at the type of ride I operate. I also operate a flat ride that uses a PLC and VFD to operate. Maybe I’ll take a look into that engineering degree after all…

[@JaredHolladay]

You definitely should! I am a controls engineer in the amusement industry now and absolutely love the job!

[@kylegriffith1944]

I just finished my senior design and let me tell you that mine came no where close to this. You did amazing and I can’t imagine where it will take you.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! I hope it takes me far but at the very least its given me a lot of ideas for future models!

[@richardday9454]

Just saw this project today 07/07/21 being prepared for display at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. Really cool senior project.

[@JaredHolladay]

Glad you were able to stop by! Sorry it wasn't running. I was actually on the phone with them working through some maintenance procedures.

[@TheSulross]

if every high school had this set up, it would go a long way to motivate students to be interested in the relevant fields underlying this model

[@JaredHolladay]

Right! That’s my goal with these models! I just need to get the cost to build them down a little and the maintenance to be a little easier so schools have the ability to purchase models like these!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

The USM is a nice feature! Great work!

[@GamerBoss-fn2mo]

what's the usm btw fan here :)

[@kyleworrall]

@@GamerBoss-fn2mo unsupervised show mode it’s around 14:00

[@cookieflavoredoreo4685]

As a high school senior who’s dream is to eventually do something with roller coaster design, and who doesn’t like coding. I’m am absolutely astounded at this project and am extremely jealous. I’m am fascinated at the level of detail, and how every scenario is thought of; the automatic transfer table, train rest periods, auto storage, and others in unsupervised display mode is incredible and absolutely amazing to me. You are an inspiration and I truly hope to have my senior project be as highly detailed, designed and flushed out as yours is.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! You could certainly do something like this as a senior design. Just talk to your school's faculty members about what you want to do. I was in my electronics lab and got to talking to our lab professor about this idea I had and the rest is history. Thinking through every possible scenario is done on just about every ride out there. Its very important to ensure that you have a plan to ensure the system reacts safely to every different scenario. This is because at the end of the day a ride system is responsible for keeping people safe.

[@miguelr.5999]

When you have passion for your job, it´s like playing a game.

[@JaredHolladay]

That is a very true statement! I haven't my goal is to have a job that doesn't feel like a job. this project was certainly way more fun than it was work.

[@briansaunders7064]

As a former cedar point ride operator, THIS IS AMAZING AND INSPIRING!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@JaredHolladay]

You are welcome! Glad to hear a fellow former ride operator finds this cool! I'm sure you've spent your fare share behind the controls of a real coaster in your time at CP!

[@briansaunders7064]

@@JaredHolladay better to be behind the controls (in the AC) vs checking restraints ;)

[@djs2356]

At age 12 I made a working roller coaster for marbles. I made it from junk stuff / scrap wood, long abandon & forgotten in the basement. The track was made from empty paper towel rolls cut in half length-wise to form a trough.... lots of cuts and Elmer's glue to form working loops, high-banked curves. An old aquarium filter motor's spinning wheel mounted on its side would 'launch' each marble into the course. ............. Boy did I get in trouble for using that old junk in the basement. Thanks a lot Dad.

[@equinox1353]

Man, you’re doing an amazing job, I’d love to see more videos about your works

[@WasatchWind]

Fantastic project. Found myself being impressed over and over again.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! Impressive is what I’m going for!

[@Yoshi_Joshi]

Love this! The amount of time and effort that has gone into this can only be fuelled by passion. Good job Jared!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thanks! Yeah it was a senior design but you’re right it’s also been a project I’ve always wanted to do! Being able to use this small scale setup with the real equipment was so fun because I got to learn all about that real deal equipment which is something I’ve always been interested in!

[@crazyguy5880]

This is too cool! I have always been super fascinated with the PLC controls and seeing a model and someone getting to play with and show all the controls is awesome. This model is SUPER detailed. Great work.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thanks! I personally haven't seen someone actually try to replicate the controls of a coaster with all of the safety features in a model before. Most models I see on the internet are by mechanical engineering students who make way cooler layouts than I did here but the electrical system is usually lacking.

[@MittyThemeParks]

This is truly incredible! It is amazing to see where playing with K'nex as a kid can take you! I still remember taking my first K'nex coaster home as a kid!

[@YungWiz91]

Just genius !! Great work , can’t wait to see what more you have in store

[@trx47rtr]

This is incredible my guy, very well done!

[@jakaboy26]

What an impressive project! Bravo Jared!

[@buffit_8345]

Wow Jared! This is really amazing! I built a robot years ago when I was still in high school but never did anything close to what you've figured out here. Great job man! This is just mind blowing. Keep up the good work! :-)

[@Littlefreetime]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I worked maintenance at a amusement park dealing with those very systems. The realism of your machine is spectacular! Its all there and then some! WOW!

[@avgeekforty]

Great job. Can’t wait to watch the full length video.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

What a masterpiece and a beautiful build too. Thanks for posting this as well. Have a nice day.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much!

[@davidzimmer742]

Your roller coaster is awesome, super cool!

[@AlsAutoandAppliance]

Very well-done project!

[@VicTransportExpeditions]

this is epic! Literally actual hardware on a model 🔥🔥

[@JaredHolladay]

You bet! Nothing but the best for this crazy contraption!

[@Themushroomb0y]

Holy hell this is amazing work!

[@1B.H1]

I’m very impressed on everything you’ve done, keep up the amazing work🔥

[@rabeckenycarter788]

That is incredible! Excellent introduction to STEM!

[@MandJGames]

Very impressive!! Look foreword to seeing more in the future.

[@andrewleonard3623]

I haven’t seen anyone else on KZbin do something like this. I’m impressed.

[@OverKillPlusOne]

Awesome project! And getting the deep dive in creating your own drive means you certainly understand more than most about how the underlying systems work. This is really important when things don’t work correctly. Knowing what is actually going on between the PLC and VFD, understanding the protocol (be it MODBUS or whatever) is important for advanced engineering on control systems, not just coaster!

[@JaredHolladay]

Oh yes it most certainly is! My current job isn't in the amusement industry but I am in controls. I use the stuff I learned from this project every day.

[@Free_Samples]

I can’t wait to ride on one of your real life coasters in the future. You are a talented young man, great job!

[@alanblasczyk1779]

Excellent Job young man !

[@d.h.7559]

Wow. Real nice work. Go on 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Mosku94fin]

That HMI looks awesome, and it gave me some ideas for my own HMI projects. Very well done project, keep up the good work.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! I'm glad I could give you some inspiration. I have borrowed a lot of ideas from my days as a ride operator at Kings Island to make this HMI.

[@denniswyliejr9304]

Fantastic work Jared !!!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thanks so much!

[@frankozehoski6235]

Dude, this is an amazing project! I'm currently a junior in an automation engineering major, though mine is geared towards HVAC controls for the most part. I recognized the Rockwell Automation controls you used, as I have used them in some of my labs. One of my dream careers was the roller coaster park industry, and just watching this video reignited my drive to get myself there in the future!

[@user-pw6qe7ur4q]

Great job. We need more engineers like you in the US.

[@metagoat]

This is the best senior design project I’ve ever seen and you did a great job presenting it. I hire a lot of engineering college grads at my work and I wish I could hire you into my team, but you will clearly have bigger and better opportunities ahead of you!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much!

[@downtownRY]

Absolutely Incredible. You have a very bright future ahead of you!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you!

[@Kerozen911]

This is awesome! You are a great engineer, full of passion. I hope one day I can ride in a roller coaster you've designed

[@IntenseCity]

Unbelievably incredible! Wish you loads of success in life with the talent of yours.

[@LevsInventions]

Awesome work Jared! Looks like a very complex challenge :)

[@JaredHolladay]

Thanks so much it’s been a ton of fun to put together!

[@uranium2359]

That is so cool man.... I love this.

[@z185284]

Gotta say, this is cool. Thanks for making this a real thing.

[@JaredHolladay]

You are welcome! The idea was stuck in my head for way too long I'm glad to have it out there as a physical object now as well.

[@keytron888]

Thats one of the coolest project I've ever seen on KZbin! Keep up the good work and awesome projects!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! I have big ideas for what's next!

[@baileywilliams79]

This is absolutely fantastic, I work on rollercoasters and it’s absolutely spot on! Your a very intelligent person and you’ll go far!

[@LPgamemusic]

i have literally worked coasters in real life whose PLCs aren't even this detailed. this is magnificent! bravo!!!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! I too have spent some time at my local theme park as a ride operator! I added some of the features I would've liked my ride to have had to this model!

[@lonnymoore2622]

very impressive . exelent work on that roller coaster .

[@muh_tee_us]

Hey man, I have been working in automation and programming Allen-Bradley for 10 years. Great job on this project! Beautiful work, solid engineering and design!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much!

[@gavincurtis]

I repaired many of those PLCs, even have one in my parts to use for something someday..?. Upgraded older units to LED backlight and the faded/low contrast of the color LCDs are from 3 (or 6) bad SMD electrolytic capacitors in the RGB driver section. They go open and do not allow the RGB video signal to pass to the LCD very effectively, especially when cold. Cannot program like you, AWESOME work!

[@TheRcbthree]

this is sick! great work.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you!

[@ItsMrVillager]

Very cool! Love the music also! So professional.

[@JaredHolladay]

thank you so much!

[@travelintyler.]

I like the way you go over what you do man, nice

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you!

[@vitamoravek]

8:46 I was expecting "For those of you who are unfamiliar, a block zone is a section of ride that only one train may occupy. At the end of a block zone is a method to stop the train in case the block zone ahead is still occupied. This is the safety system that prevents roller coaster trains from colliding with one another."

[@JaredHolladay]

I love Eltoro Ryan's videos! I'd be so down to have this thing show off some of the safety features of coasters in one of his videos

[@jasonebeling6347]

You're amazing. Great job. I love roller coasters

[@nathanmoormann4882]

Excellent work! Very thorough design for sure.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! It's been a super fun project to put together!

[@fellstar]

Nice Work!

[@clobbyhops]

Now this is ingenious, love to have one in my home 😃👏

[@777WOY]

Amazing your tenacity is inspiring thank you

[@doublersides]

Very impressive and informative

[@taylorcontrols915]

This model is absolutely epic! Very impressive one engineer to another. I believe you will go far in your career!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much! I had a super fun time building it and I’ve already started my full time engineering job! This project was definitely one hell of a resume builder haha!

[@taylorcontrols915]

@@JaredHolladay I will say that I am super jealous of you getting those Allen-Bradley Controls donated to you from Rockwell, I work with those controllers all the time and I know they are definitely not cheap! (Nor the software) I have a few Allen-Bradley PLCs in my personal collection and my own software but even though they were second hand, it was still over $1000 just for them.

[@aanikosman]

Wow you inspire me. Thank you !

[@JaredHolladay]

You are very welcome! That is one of the big goals this project aims to accomplish!

[@user-wk4np7fh2v]

Good work Jared, ya love to see it

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you so much!

[@Whatchamawhozit]

As a former ride operator, for a wooden roller coaster, what you have done is amazing. The coaster I operated was older, converted from manual operation to pneumatic when it was relocated. The block system was run by sensor tech originally, no PLC but in the last 25 years since I worked at the park it has been upgraded to full PLC control and contains enhanced safety features such as dual operator dispatch. The block zones are the load/unload platform, Lift, final brake run. As this is an older coaster with a curved brake run, it runs on skid brake technology, including the load platform. WHen the coaster originally was built it contained an additional brake on the second turn around, which served more as a trim than a block zone. However it could have been modified to a block zone but the rides momentum for the 2nd half would have been boring. This brake run is very similar to Hershey Park's comet brake run which sits on the turn around above the station. When the owner of the park purchased the ride and relocated it, the trim was removed completely as there was no benefit for the brake run during early operations as the ride only operated with one train... came with 2, but both trains underwent a massive overhaul which required a ground up rebuild, the 2nd train took longer than expected. This coaster is known as one of the Comet Triplets, designed by Herb Schmeck, out of the comet triplets, all of which are operating to this day, it is the only one to still operate with Buzz Bars which allow the rider to experience insane ejector airtime. It is also the only one of the triplets that do not require the rider to wear a seat belt. It amazes me the advancements in PLC and safety technology since I worked at the park in the early 90's compared to what they use today... honestly it could really run like your Unsupervised Mode... but obviously that cannot happen due to insurance and safety regulation but the new control system is programmable to be fully automated, and pretty much as, the only operator input is required for dispatch and getting the train perfectly aligned with the load gates. For those who haven't figured it out, the ride I am talking about is The #1 Wooden Roller-coaster in the world... The Phoenix at Knoebels in Elysburg, PA

[@mattyparkminipark]

Wow, very impressive! I love to build model amusement rides and you've inspired me to take them to the next level. Control panels! Nice job and best wishes :)

[@JaredHolladay]

Gotta make sure the ride is safe for all those little lego guys! I love building the coasters but the electrical system implementation and software is definitely my favorite part without a doubt!

[@stikbotforzafilmsandmore]

I am astonished by that

[@TheCatMan777]

Great Job!

[@paullee107]

Thanks for sharing. I’m gonna watch the longer video and just love this. I never chased my [technical] dreams. Change the world, kid. You’re a motivation to me; and I’m twice or more your age. Thank you.

[@GreenBoxMedia]

This is insane I love it!

[@JaredHolladay]

Haha I’m glad!

[@mnichenzhi]

great impressive your work! I used to work in Amusement industry as engineer, you are doing very well.

[@susangrasso9486]

NICE!!!! Thank you for sharing your work. I hope I can use it to inspire some of my students at Hughes STEM

[@JaredHolladay]

Happy to! Sharing my projects with others (specifically students interested in STEM fields) is by far one of my favorite parts of making them. If any of your students have any questions send them my way. I'm happy to answer anything they've got.

[@WhatsTheT]

Super dope man!!!

[@byehello8258]

damn. That is as good as it gets. awesome job.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank You!!!

[@TranceKitsune91]

I love this! Awesome work and great explanation. Easy to follow and understand. You're very talented! ^^

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! Gad you enjoyed it!

[@frankbishop4961]

Yea you are gonna be the next builder for all of us haha nice job man

[@clhessiv]

Nice work

[@ThejacksClouk]

Epic project, very cool, congrats from France !

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! Glad to hear the folks over in Europe have caught wind of my project!

[@kry_official8095]

really beautiful

[@wakkowarner7391]

I repair both plc's and hmi's so it's great to see them in practical use. I also know how much 'fun' it can be to program them so you've done a stellar job here. I'm guessing you didn't use ladder logic :)

[@JaredHolladay]

Haha thank you! All of the block system logic actually is written in ladder logic! the Arduino is only there to take the motor speed data from the PLC and turn it into PWM for the motors.

[@Manticore_007]

How to get kids interested in Engineering: show them this video. Awesome!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! I was inspired to become an engineer waiting in lines at the amusement park watching the rides run! A huge goal of mine is to create opportunities like I had to spark that engineering light bulb in younger students who are trying to find their paths.

[@Manticore_007]

@@JaredHolladay I already shared this video on my LinkedIn, I love it, I love it, I love it 👌🏻

[@Minocoaster93]

wow, insane project 😱 AMAZING

[@JaredHolladay]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed! It was super fun putting it together!

[@jmml2065]

Nice job. You're going to achieve your dream !!!

[@023188]

That’s awesome! Please keep going, hope one day could see your design on a huge real coaster.

[@JaredHolladay]

Would love to build this thing for real we just gotta get a park on board haha!

[@TubeCody]

Good lord, this is incredible

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you!

[@gumloon]

Outstanding!

[@Joe_1971]

Nice job.!!

[@pocdabeno1974]

Brilliant!

[@berndeckenfels]

Years of experience, passionate adding details … just imagine how hard it must be to design full scale (but custom) rides with the same excellence (but real danger to people and money)..

[@jumbo6498]

Hey Jared, nice model roller coaster with advanced PLC safety control system.

[@JaredHolladay]

Hey thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KSGproyeckt]

Great job

[@northwestmechanic8991]

You build coasters better then the actual manufacturers do. Heck yeah man, keep it up. 👍.

[@OldePhart]

How cool is that! Do what you love and you never work a day in your life! Would love to see your PLC code for this. I can only imagine its as polished as everything else in this. Onward to the longer video!

[@arkthefennecfox2366]

this is fascinating

[@CausticCatastrophe]

This is very well made and explained.

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you!

[@DGAFORLIFE]

Very impressive!!! Hope you got a A+ on this!!!

[@JaredHolladay]

I did have no fear lol.

[@wickedphant0m]

This is incredible!

[@JaredHolladay]

Thank you! It was super fun to put together!

[@Stephen-iw8wb]

I've got a feeling that you'll have no problem finding your dream job.

[@justcaps]

On rollercoasters a block zone is a section of ride that only one train may occupy at a time. At the end of a block zone there is a method to stop the train, in case the block zone ahead is still occupied. This is the safety system that prevents rollercoaster trains from colliding with one another. Let’s look at the block sections on [coaster].

[@JaredHolladay]

Gotta love problematic coasters from ElToroRyan! He makes some great videos. This model is a great way to showcase what he's talking about in those videos.