The Rising Uncertainty of Rocky Mountain Construction

The story of Rocky Mountain Construction is a success story. How a man flipped the Roller Coaster industry upside-down, bringing his little company from Garage to Greatest. But RMCs success didn’t come from rave reviews or the bottomless pit of Golden Ticket Awards, it came because they were a problem solving company.
Fred Grubb began the company in 2001 as a rides builder and wooden coaster repairman. By operating as a wood coaster renovation company, he saw a side of the business most are unaware of. Parks would return to the same coaster year after year to replace sections of wood to keep the coaster running smooth.
He offered the alternative steel rail solution, requiring less attending too and better equipped to handle higher forces. Talking about handling higher forces, the track can be bent in ways wood track could not, paired with the advances in Computer Design handled by coaster design veteran, Alan Schilke… you have the winning formula.
And win they did!
Every next installment had more and more anticipation, until around 2018 when that excitement reached its peak, and it seems every ride after that has been in is it the world's greatest coaster debate.
If you want to get out of the business, it’s better to sell while the company is at its height, and that’s exactly what Fred did. Fred sold the company and both he and Alan retired.
So, after a decade in the widely considered Number One spot reaching an all time peak with their hyper hybrids, followed by lack of successful innovation in the more recent years, with a change of leadership, the world running low on coasters to remodel, and intense hybrids ben its own niche with a select clientele… What about RMCs future is certain?
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[@benjacobs574]

RMC need a standard steel coaster option that can be used for multiple types of rides, and that is what the T-rex is. With the T-rex track they could compete with Intamin/Mack/Vekoma style launch and mega coasters. What they need to do is sell just one of them of a good size and suddenly they are able to compete in a larger part of the market - and importantly they should make it clear they don’t need to be completely insane and intense, that they could make a more standard hyper coaster for example.

[@Lemonaidz7]

RMC reviving the T-Rex, but making it smaller is their best bet right now

[@RennSpd]

Thank you for saying this, claiming the T-Rex was a sequel to the Raptor that relied on its success to succeed is what happens when a coaster enthusiast shares their opinion without the business sense to back the claim.

[@Zinojn]

I’m confused. They build rides like arie force one. A full steel coaster that people love. There is really no need to design, test and build a new style of steel coaster when they already have a formula that is very well received

[@Ddilly]

@@ZinojnIt can only last so long, the GP has no idea Aire-Force has a steel structure just by looking at it. Once a lot of the regional parks have the I-Box beasts and raptors they’ll kind of lose their luster from a “newness” perspective. Some fresh versatile models and they don’t have this problem any more

[@Zinojn]

@@Ddilly you could say the same about B&M. RMC models don't actually seem to age nearly as fast. Other than the topper track models, how many Ibox models are rough? Idk, just don't really understand the point of this video. That's all 🙃

[@CarlileCoasters]

“And energylandia collects coasters like infinity stones” This is the best joke I’ve heard all day and that has seriously turned my otherwise bad day into a good one

[@milesandvoyage4145]

Walibi Holland is getting two new Raptors in 2025, one thrill, one family! With Untamed Walibi will be the only park with three RMC‘s 🎉 Good thing I can just drive there. I wish we would see more ground up build hyper hybrids like Zadra!!! That thing is brilliant and just pretty to look at! 😍

[@peterhelmer6252]

I think they should design a new thrilling log ride. Seems like a lot of parks could use one.

[@ulrichwarthen]

Because of what RMC can do, I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to make a log flume with a loop or an overbanked turn on it and actually getting it to work somehow

[@zanzabar4ky7]

The Magic Mountain Wounder Woman trains are way more comfy than the OG raptor. That train is one of my favorites. It makes you feel safe so the GP likes it, the shoulder straps do not lock, and you sit high enough for kids and tall people to both fit. If you are 6' you are not fitting in the OG raptor trains without leg pain.

[@zeadux2095]

My only RMC raptor is WW and my legs were dying the whole time as you have to split them awkwardly

[@wickedphant0m]

and they still kind of suck. lol. Intamin Hot Racer trains appear to have a better grasp on human anatomy

[@HYDRAdude]

RMC will survive by continuing to expand to foreign markets.

[@jonny-b4954]

Maybe... maybe. Those are expensive for them to build, ship across the world then send their teams across the world for months to build. Then maintenance and support. Expensive and now you're not competitive with local manufacturers. Theyd need a deal like Arrow did with Vekoma. Or like RMC did with Vekoma for some of the European RMCs. Got to have a deal or just not competitive. You'll only get one offs like the Japanese one.

[@DieselDucy]

Great video. Kept my attention the whole time. RMC has some great products but they need to branch out. Also gave you a sub. You deserve alot more. This was a very in depth video and I learned some stuff about RMC

[@JewishSingers]

the wild moose is a problem solving coaster. It repairs Wild Mouses & uses the supports of the old coaster while offering a compact thrilling family RMC. I think Wild Moose will be as successful as the hybrids

[@zachb1598]

that’s what I thought, and the moose may offer much higher capacity which is the mouse’s biggest downfall IMO

[@sairosekk]

A wild moose is welcome Michigan's Adventure. I'm already subscribed

[@jandrew1994]

First we need to RMC Wolverine Wildcat + add some track to that.

[@sairosekk]

@@jandrew1994 I'll take the titan track on the whole thing

[@marinadavatelis4607]

another amazing vid !!! great job :)

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

I think Oak’s amusement park is actually looking at a Wild Moose.

[@andori_AB]

Great quality video!

[@Aerolandaircraft]

Incredible video. Gave this video a well deserved like. I believe that RMC should diversify, by trying their hand again at a launch coaster, but their best bet is going to China. The Gravity Group and GCI are having incredible success in this market, and RMC is probably waiting like a vulture for one of the Chinese woodies to get rough, then they will pounce. I think the reason they haven't sold any of their new models, however, is because companies may be weary of buying a new prototype from RMC, after what happened with Lightning Rod. But if one park gets an RMC, they will go flying off the shelves

[@johnulmer1622]

Not only that, but the Raptors aren't aging well.

[@Aerolandaircraft]

@@johnulmer1622 oh yeah. They've torn themselves to bits, kinda like the topper track coasters.

[@ThemeParkHorizons]

Best video you’ve ever made. Easily!

[@gregg5958]

There’s plenty of untapped market share left. In the U.S. there are plenty of parks that don’t even have any type of RMC yet, much less two types. Then there is the international market. So I think they have a long ways to go. Frankly these days I question B&M’s market more. Most parks that want an inverted have one, or a flying coaster, or a dive coaster, they tend to be too expensive for the smaller parks or for family rides, and they have built only one surf coaster so far and I am not even sure how many parks want one. So, I am wondering where they go from here too. 🤔

[@one2many1030]

B&M has a flawless record for safety and reliability, they ain't going anywhere when they are a safe and sustainable choice for parks; their products put good return on the parks that buy them, same can be said about Vekoma's products. If you're safe & reliable, then you're always going to have a place in the industry

[@gregg5958]

@@one2many1030 With what rides? Again B&M is a rather saturated market at this point. It’s not like they have nowhere to go. But it’s not the boom days anymore either when no one had an inverted or hyper from them and parks were buying them up like crazy.

[@one2many1030]

@@gregg5958 Last year B&M had the surprise hit. of the year with the Surf Coaster, revitalizing the stand-up model and their train design to give riders unique fashions of air-time, and these new train concepts are being implemented in their new LSM launched family coasters. They got two family inverted coasters on the way, and their Dive Coasters and Wing Coasters remain popular and in-demand. And I suspect we'll get a new B&M Giga coaster long before we ever see a real T-Rex model. You're crazy to ever question the validity and sustainability of B&M's current and future product line lol

[@me-myself-i787]

They'll probably continue making money from maintenance. But yeah, parks building ground-up will probably go with Vekoma. Cheaper and more variety.

[@joels1986]

Wild Moose can be made into a fun themed indoor coaster family approved

[@vividvx]

solid video man!

[@inthesky3833]

I feel like it’s easy to forget just how new RMC is. Think of Steel Vengeance to RMC like Millennium Force to Intamin. A HUGE step that will lead to a few risks and eventual success down the line. Granted, RMC’s prototype launch coaster failed, but I see the raptor becoming a very viable option for parks of all sizes within the next 5 years or so.

[@_xxjasterxx_]

RMC raptor restraints are the most comfortable restraints I’ve ever sat in (minus the new intamin ones) and that’s saying a lot on the other hand those hybrids train/restraints need some tweaking especially for bigger guests!

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

What about the clamshells?

[@johnulmer1622]

Nothing compares to the clamshells​@@coasternamegenerator5611

[@_xxjasterxx_]

@@coasternamegenerator5611 also very comfortable

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Clamshells from B&M, and the Intamin T-bar are the absolute best restraints ever. The new Intamin restraints are very comfortable as well. And the Mack ones like on Copperhead Strike aren't bad. But no. The T-bar is the best ever.

[@StamfordBridge]

I’d suggest a coaster from the 1920s should not be RMCd.

[@alantrotter2077]

They need to fix that coaster some how and some way. If this retrack doesn’t work they may be out of options. In its current form it is the worst wooden coaster I’ve ridden by quite a bit.

[@dindog22]

I did not know that RMC got sold

[@Cadillacvserieshybridfan]

i think rmc still has a bright future ahead with enthusiasts alot of the time saying this woodie needs i box and that one too and rmc is still a young company by which i think they will stay for a long time

[@tabletkidofficial]

Well, many fans demanded remakes of F-Zero and Banjo-Kazooie.

[@shakerboy010]

Walibi Holland will get 2 single rail coasters from RMC next year, 1 family friendly and 1 thrilling

[@anthonygalvan3750]

Absolutely loved this video. While RMC is a beloved coaster manufacturer by roller coaster enthusiasts, I do believe this much to be true. Many people asked why I didn't LOVE RMC and this explains why. They need to diversify the catalogue. What they did what the conversions was definitely great for its time and I still enjoy all of their rides. But I am just waiting for something new! I think the critical part is also understanding the direction parks are going in and what they are buying. Thank you for such a great video!

[@moiraatkinson]

Interesting video which I enjoyed, so I’ve added a subscription towards your target.

[@nateblake7422]

RMC is well connected with Vekoma and S&S. RMC also recently acquired Larson International.

[@javelinmaster2]

The thing is that RMC is selling niche things while still not being nuts like Intamin (Just look at the SA coaster). Vekoma is on the other hand one that can build snappy rides that are beloved without pulling up high numbers.

[@Spike-sk7ql]

The fact that Intamin does the crazy things, and actually makes them work, makes them the best coaster manufacturer. Also, with them not being afraid to break the 300' mark, then the 400' mark, and now 600' has pushed the industry to new heights and forces than ever before. You can thank Intamin for B&M gigas, Mack multi launches, and now apparently whatever else Zamperla starts putting out. Intamin will forever be the coaster manufacturer that innovated the industry into the great rides we see today.

[@johnpatterson4272]

IMO the I-beam in-line single rider car trains have traction in the 20s. Coaster enthusiasts now seek them out and the ride is more legitimately thrilling when it's experienced in an individual rider setting. Just make them higher and longer.

[@NathanHydra]

Note that there are currently no raptors in Europe, but once those in WalibiH are built we could see them popping up all over the place in small parks there (unless the intamin hot racer beats them to the punch there)

[@koolbob23]

Wasn't the RMC-Larson deal a merger? Also I find it tough to believe that Schilke is really retired, the new CEO of RMC Darren hangs out with him a lot still. It doesn't seem like Larson has a huge influence on them.

[@Yikes_its_Psychs]

8:00 isnt that getting the same treatment Grizzly at KD got?

[@TJ85234]

That was the gravity group.

[@utahcoasterenthusiasts]

Any RMC that has full steel rails is a steel coaster not a hybrid. They have very few hybrids. A hybrid would use both track types so Lightning Rod and Tremors are hybrids.

[@Posirep]

You do know Wildcat at Lake Compounce will re-open this year with a full Gravity Group prefabricated track right? Not sure how you managed to make this video and not realize this

[@ThemeParkMedia]

i used wildcat as an example cause i know it well being at an old home park of mine

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

Bruh I like your vid and understand your point. I’m coming from an enthusiast pov and I don’t want RMC do dumb down their rides. KEEP THEM INTENSE!

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Not every Intamin wants to rip your face off, and they are the best coaster manufacturer out there.

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

@@Spike-sk7ql intamin is in a whole different bracket compared to RMC though

[@d4m4s74]

Walibi Holland is building two RMC raptors for 2025, one Family and one thrill. So hopefully we'll have a good example soon.

[@jamesbarrett4539]

all i’ll say is bgt is my home park and iron gwazi is f*ing amazing

[@Dmv216661]

Mild moose seems super interesting to me, its based on those weird pre lift elements they do

[@alantrotter2077]

They do have 3 new coasters planned for 2025. I believe all 3 are raptors including one that is a combo at Walibi holland. One side will be the traditional crazy raptor and the other will be family centric. I think the raptors will be a big selling point going forward but you do make a great point about what they are good at- fixing coasters. One other thing I struggle with is you have the family coaster so high but I think that market has more competition than maybe anything else. Vekoma, Intamin, even B&M is putting out family rides on top of gravity group. I think the family model will struggle.

[@jackdunnigan9]

I wish RMC would have gotten ahold of Son of Beast before they tore it down.

[@MrLbhall16]

I don’t understand the hate on the wild moose. I think it would be a perfect fit for Carowinds over near Copperhead Strike so they can gut the boardwalk around Carolina Cyclone and Fury 325 and pull that area out of the gutter.

[@CorbincordelL]

That’s because Rmc doesn’t really offer a lot when it comes to coaster options that’s what I feel is the only thing holding them back is more variety

[@ssmows6]

Iron Gwazi was the best ride I've had since I first got into coasters. Maybe they can expand to other rides?

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

Wait..RMCs bin sold? What?! When did this happen?! :O

[@WeePee831]

the raptor models do not have the capacity to dumb them down for the GP, so let them be intense and niche.

[@swankytiger694]

walibi holland orderd 2 raptors for the 2025 season. After the succes of untamed

[@assemblyrequired7342]

Is it sad that I don't even know the ramifications of a Wild Moose at one of my nearby parks? I mean, Fun Spot already has one of those. I think the problem with the T-Rex's over shoulder/lap bar hybrid restraint design is not just it's design, and how hard it is to get in and out of (looking at you, Ice Breaker), but that harnesses need to be designed with as few moving parts for casual riders who have no idea how to properly buckle a four or five point harness (even though I honestly think that they are not THAT hard to figure out!). AND they need to be simple enough for the crew to quickly determine whether or not they've been buckled correctly. I think it's unfortunate that five-point harness like those on the Slingshot and Skyscraper can't be used on more rides. I just love how they can be adjusted to conform to your body, and they are easily one of the most comfortable kinds of restraints available.

[@devdoesitbest6974]

while you make a really good point with this video and I do believe RMC should look into more innovations, there are two very important things I think youve missed on their survaval into the future. First, you said they are really known for just their hybrids, converting wood to wood and steel but we've seen that they can do more than just add ontop of the existing structure (Zadra is a clear example of this). Second, Gravity Group and GCI exists. Why is this important? They have both been doing wooden coasters for decades now with great success. They each are really known for one kind of coaster, and I feel like RMC can follow this logic and improve on it. Like I said, I love the video and want the best for this company

[@stevejones3774]

As a coaster enthusiast I love all coaster content. This however is not amusing at all. Have you ridden Arie? If you have, why would you question RMC ability to make original world class coasters?

[@ThemeParkMedia]

9:42 it's not about questioning RMCs talent, it's about how the market will dry and they don't have much else to fall back on

[@ryanleeuwis1602]

There are a lot of old woodies in europe and a lot of places that could use a rmc in europe so maby they can focus on europe

[@Sonic-gy7kq]

A lot of these points are egregious. It's a coaster enthusiasts viewpoint on a multi-million dollar company.

[@ThemeParkMedia]

im a coaster enthusiast im not smart enough to know what egregious means

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

Honestly it’s one of the more fair views I’ve seen from an enthusiast

[@sportsMike87]

They’ve been talking about Trex track for years but until someone actually installs one its just that talk.

[@Hangtime_Davi64]

The wildest, craziest coaster out there is not marketable to the general public. I think that's why Jersey Devil and Wonder Woman (MM) are way less thrilling than the original Raptor prototype. Hopefully the two Raptors coming to Walibi Holland do a good job of showcasing the Raptor's versatility as a coaster model. It will be good for parks to have the idea that it can be as gentle or as crazy as you want it to be. As for the T-Rex, It is very difficult to be marketable when you aren't differentiated from your competitors. RMC has to either provide the same thing but cheaper, or a coaster far greater than it's predecessors. I have no idea what the cost of a T-Rex coaster would be. If it is too expensive, then they can't really just tone down the layout to be a little less intense, or parks would just opt for the tried-and-true B&Ms and Intamins. I don't know if the "bigger, better, more intense" marketing of the T-Rex is just due to the coaster-enthusiast passion of the designers, or if it is the only way they can truly differentiate the product from the rest of the market.

[@jonny-b4954]

RMC doesnt sell topper track anymore. Discontinued for the Retrax or whatever its called. But a new but classic log flume would be great. Or a solid mine train. Go back to Arrows roots. And a solid normal steel coaster thats not wood structure or 1 seat across. And not a crazy intense thrill ride.

[@MyLifeAsBrandon]

The trash the Raptor didn’t take off was because it was a 1 person per row ride. A lot of people take friends or family to a park and to ride separate from your friends or family is a serious problem.

[@jandrew1994]

They need to keep doing IBOX Hybrids, that's their bread and butter and their best coasters. Their Raptor model is mid tier at best.

[@zfxpedals]

I'd take a wild moose at Darien Lake, put it up right next to Moose on the Loose

[@robertdennard615]

Just a couple corrections.. it's wild mouse like mickey mouse not wild moose. And aire force one is pronounced Air Force one not Airy force one.

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

Also I think Jersey Devil and SFMM’s Wonder Woman are an attempt to make the ride less intense.

[@Cat3465]

That’s probably true but Jersey Devil tends to get dumped by enthusiasts saying that it’s too tame since it is not that intense when comparing it to Wonder Woman at Fiesta or the near clone of it at Magic Mountain

[@smote_his_ruin]

They need to fix their restraints. Bucket seats with lap bar like the other big boys.

[@nathanielp5959]

They’re starting to run into the same issues b&m has been running into.

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

Haha the RMC outlaw run… make a t shirt that says RMC el toro

[@danthecoasterman22]

Very interesting video. I’ve been thinking about the “fall off”. Not completely, they will still be around, but I think their dominance and prime are past us. There’s less conversions available. It seems lots of parks are opting to only retrack certain sections of wooden coasters with Gravity Group or Titan Track or 208. It does not seem like RMC is a great company to work with between the structural issues and all the single rail issues. I can’t imagine they will get many projects like Fire in the Hole. The market is focusing heavily on families right now and that is just not what the conversions or the single rails are.

[@carysage]

Hey leave Shivering Timbers alone. It's better than Steel Vengeance already, no RMC necessary.

[@2are2]

how is it better than steel vengeance?

[@carysage]

@@2are2 More airtime, stronger laterals, the most wild out of control feeling of any coaster I've ridden. It's really the best as is, RMCing it would be a huge down grade . Steel Vengeance is fun but it's too smooth. And those lapbars are way too bulky for you to ever feel you're in any danger of coming out of your seat. Shivering Timbers kinda feels like you were lucky to survive. Like a thrill ride should.

[@schagerbaantje]

I think the raptors in Walibi Holland will be the start of the raptors 2.0 with one of the 2 being a family raptor coaster. On the matter of the RMC not selling wild: I've heard that for maintenance they are quite a nightmare. Due to the forces they suffer quite some wear and tear on several parts.

[@mikekgasda]

Go ride jersey devil. It doesn't have strong forces at all

[@Hennisphere]

I can confirm many parks have issues with their RMC coasters and will never buy from them again. It makes sense to sell the company

[@John-up4wz]

🙏 P r o m o s m

[@toddjones1480]

Did you seriously just suggest the full RMC treatment for a 95yo coaster? 🤮

[@jmuench420]

Companies seem to rarely succeed, at least to the same degree, without the visionary and passionate leaders that grew the business. Maybe they were able to establish a solid culture and management but the odds of RMC doing anything special again are kinda low.

[@ellexking9136]

RMC can stick to building Rollercoasters from the ground up. But leave the Wooden Rollercoaster Restoration in The Very Capable Hands of The Gravity Group!! By destroying the Traditional Wooden Rollercoaster, I appropriately name the company, Ruin My Coaster,(RMC) BTW, Marty Moose Rollercoaster is the proper name.🤣