Friction, drag, and why speed drops
Air and wheels steal energy — designers account for it on every hill after the first drop.
After the biggest drop or launch, trains slow down because energy goes into:
- Air resistance (worse at high speed, worse with wind)
- Wheel and bearing friction
- Track vibration (especially on wood)
That is why a coaster with one huge stat may feel “fast only once,” while a compact layout keeps forcing direction changes at moderate speed.
Trim brakes intentionally remove energy so the next element does not overspeed safety margins.