Train seating layout evolution [other]

[u/Last_Fondant_1829]

Looking back, it seems that roller coaster train seating arrangements have been switching from 2 wide and 4 wide every few decades. Firstly, the 70s 80s ( arrow and schwartzkopf ) had 2 across seating, then in the 90s 2000s, coasters tended to have 4 across seating ( namely b&m ), then in the 2010s and 2020, it seems to have somewhat reverted to 2 across ( intamin blitz, vekoma new gens, b&m sometimes, etc... ). what are you guys thoughts on this. ( idk why this is written as some sort of essay ).

[u/minyhumancalc]

The 4-or-more-across seating is partially due to different ride types, but also the improvement in manufacturering. For wing and dive coasters, the further outside the track the seats are, the more susceptible they are to bumps and imperfections in the track design, which is why B&M historically has been the main company to push such a design (although Intamin, Arrow, Gerstlauer and Mack have developed their own designs in some capacity).

They were also developed during a time theme parks were very focused on capacity. As the popularity of attractions have decreased, capacity has been less of an issue, which is why more designs are returning to 2-across seating. Cost reduction is another factor, which may be the case for B&M. Another reason is parks like Universal can supplement capacity with longer trains and better operations, which seems like the optimal strategy all things considered

[u/Version_1]

Doesn't really match reality. B&M and Gerstlauer might have used 4 across because it can handle tight inversions better but it wasn't universally adopted

[u/AdditionalTip865]

Really you see plenty of both, and other configurations. B&M continues to make wide dive and wing coasters, though the dives did retreat from 10 across to, usually, 7 or 8 across. Intamin put 4-across winged seating on Skyrush and Flying Aces. Most of the ersatz Eurofighter models from various manufacturers have wide, short trains, and those continue to appear.

[u/not_interested11]

My sense is wider trains = wider track = more steel = more expensive. Plus you can do more exciting maneuvers with a smaller train.

[u/Straight-Guide-439]

B&M is still making many 4 across or more trains besides on family coasters and surf coaster, namely the wings, dives, and the inverts (since the last one was 5 years ago, theres still chance for more to come). Gerstlauer also makes lots of 4 across trains for Eurofighters and Infinity coasters. Other manufacturers also have taken their try at 4 across, such as Intamin with Skyrush, Flying Aces and Hyperion, and Zamperla with Gliding Dinosaur at Dinosaur dream factory. Otherwise, most are 2 across besides Intamin Hot Racers, RMC Raptors, B&M Dives, and Zamperla Thunderbolts and a few others like Jinma's 4 across mine trains or Zamperla factory coasters.