If i had to guess it was maybe 2006. I think i rode it once with the loop and once without and didn't like it either time. But that was just me. Its been a long time but i remember it feeling like the train poked me right under the shoulder blade.
I may have liked it if i rode it more than twice but i hurt myself the first ride and never really wanted to go again.
Also i cant believe that it isn't any slower especially the final part with the 2 tunnels back to back. It feels so much slower.
That's super interesting. I remember hearing rumors about the low quality wood but i didn't know it was true.
As for the Beast yeah it definitely feels slower but its probably just because I was so used to the way it was before. I even noticed the roaring sound in the tunnel being quieter which i guess could be from better wheels or a smoother track rather than lack of speed.