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Xref: bloom-picayune.mit.edu rec.roller-coaster:3301 news.answers:4336 Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!eff!news.byu.edu!gatech!swrinde!news.dell.com!pmafire!geoff From: geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) Subject: rec.roller-coaster: Essential roller coaster and newsgroup info Summary: This document contains info on roller coasters, amusement parks, and the history and future development of both. Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster,news.answers Followup-To: rec.roller-coaster Reply-To: geoff@pmafire.inel.gov Organization: WINCO, Idaho Falls, Idaho Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Date: 01 Dec 92 17:47:23 GMT Message-ID: <roller-coaster-faq_723232043@pmafire.inel.gov> Supersedes: <roller-coaster-faq_723231609@pmafire.inel.gov> Expires: 15 Jan 93 17:47:23 GMT Lines: 990 Archive-name: roller-coaster-faq Last-modified: Tue Dec 01, 1992; 10:46:40 MST Welcome to REC.ROLLER-COASTER! This article is posted monthly to rec.roller-coaster and news.answers. It answers some of rec.roller-coaster's frequently asked questions by providing definitions of common terms used when discussing roller coasters, a glossary of frequently-used acronyms, information on organizations that further the hobby of roller-coaster riding/research, and lists of the biggest/best/whateverest roller coasters around. This posting was originally compiled by Dave Rounds (dave@bcco.com), then maintained by Bill Buckley (buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com), and has now fallen into my hands (geoff@pmafire.inel.gov). Comments and questions are most welcome via e-mail to Geoff. [This is my first posting since I've taken it over from Buck, and I've changed a few things. If anyone spots any errors I may have made in all my editing, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd let me know. Thanks.] Contents: -------- I. Newsgroup Charter -- rec.rollercoaster II. Common abbreviations III. Definitions of Roller-Coaster terms IV. Roller Coaster/Amusement Park Organizations A. American Coaster Enthusiasts - ACE B. Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club - MACC C. Western New York Coaster Club - WNYCC D. First Drop - U.K. Coaster Club E. National Amusement Park Historical Association - NAPHA F. National Carousel Association - NCA V. General Information, Questions/Answers, Comments, etc. A. Books on Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks B. Magazines C. Roller Coaster Designer Info Designers of Wooden Coasters Designers of Steel Coasters D. Roller Coaster Record Holders Current Wooden Coaster Record Holders Current Steel Coaster Record Holders E. 1991 Classic Coaster Roster F. Inside Track ``Top Coasters'' Readers Survey G. List of Endangered Coasters in USA -- as of July 1992: -------- I. Newsgroup Charter -- rec.rollercoaster rec.roller-coaster Roller coasters and other amusement park rides. rec.roller-coaster is an unmoderated newsgroup which passed its vote for creation by 184:72 as reported in news.announce.newgroups on 21 July 1991. This newsgroup is for the discussion of any amusement park rides, including but not limited to, roller coasters. Other topics include park operating times/season schedules, admission prices, latest attractions, future expansion efforts, etc. II. Common abbreviations A lot of things discussed on rec.roller-coaster are in acronym form. This is because writing out ``Six Flags Over Texas'' several times in a posting is tedious, at best; ``SFoT'' is much easier to write. Here are some abbreviations you're likely to see in discussions on rec.roller-coaster. Those items marked with an asterisk (*) are defined in the definition section later below. ACE - American Coaster Enthusiasts BG--TDC - Busch Gardens, The Dark Continent (Now ``Busch Gardens Tampa'') BG--TOC - Busch Gardens, The Old Country (Now ``Busch Gardens Williamsburg'') CI - Coney Island CP - Cedar Point DL - Disneyland *ERT - ``Exclusive Ride Time'' GASM - Great American Scream Machine *GP - General Public IAAPA - International Assoc. of Amusement Parks and Attractions IT - Inside Track KD - King's Dominion KI - King's Island MACC - Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club NAPHA - National Amusement Park Historical Assoc. *POP - Pay One Price RC - Roller Coaster *SBNO - Standing But Not Operating SCBB - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk SFGAd - Six Flags Great Adventure SFGAm - Six Flags Great America SFAW - Six Flags Astroworld SFMM - Six Flags Magic Mountain SFoG - Six Flags over Georgia SFoMA - Six Flags over Mid-America SFoT - Six Flags over Texas TC - Texas Cyclone *TPM - ``Theme Park Mentality'' WDW - Walt Disney World WNYCC - Western New York Coaster Club WoF - Worlds of Fun III. Definitions of Roller-Coaster terms Below is a list of coaster terms used by enthusiasts when discussing coasters, etc. This should help in following along with the discussions and/or impressing friends and relatives with your knowledge of roller coasters. Cross-references to other definitions in the list are enclosed in angle brackets <like this>. Airtime - Describes the sensation of coming out of your seat when riding a coaster. This effect is usually felt while riding in a front seat when cresting a hill or in a back seat when descending. Banked Turn - A turn in which the tracks are tilted laterally to allow trains to turn at high speeds without undue discomfort to the riders. Brakes - Every coasteraholic's nightmare! ...used to slow the train, they are located strategically in the circuit to control speeds in areas where excessive speed may be undesirable (note that ``undesirable'' and ``unsafe'' are not necessarily synonymous in this case, see also <Theme Park Mentality>). Brakes are usually located in the center of the trackwork, and not on the cars themselves. There are several different types of brakes used on a coaster, they are: Check Brake - A safety device that allows more than two trains to be on the same circuit, as part of the ``block'' safety system. These are usually brakes on a ride which don't necessarily slow down the train, but separate one block from another. Should a train try to enter another block when it is occupied, the safety system will <set-up> the ride. Scarf Brake - Used only to slow down a train, and are usually pre- set. The difference between a Scarf brake and a Trim Brake is that a Trim Brake can stop a train if needed, while a Scarf brake can only slow one down. Trim Brake - A brake used to slow the train running the track. This is used when the coaster exceeds recommended operating margins. It is also used when the train is causing too much wear on the track from excessive speed. Brake Run - A flat stretch of track, usually two to three train lengths, at the station approach, where inbound trains are halted. Since it is very difficult to stop a train with wet brakes, this area is usually covered to keep the brakes dry during a rainstorm. Boomerang - There are two different meanings for this term. 1. A type of coaster manufactured by Vekoma. It is a variation of the <shuttle loop> where you are hoisted up an incline, released and sent through the loading station into a semi-loop arrangement (as in definition 2 below) that inverts you twice, then into a <vertical loop>. After this the train heads up another incline and stops. The train is then pulled further up the second incline and released backwards, goes back through the loop and semi-loop and returns to the station. 2. An element used in a looping steel coaster that inverts you twice and also acts as a turnaround. You enter going up and to the left then the train twists upside down and follows through in an upright U-shape, you twist upside down and to the left again, exiting upright heading back the direction you came from. Camel Back - A series of two or more hills, each slightly smaller than the preceding one. Car - A unit or part of a coaster train, it usually carries between two and eight passengers. Chain Dogs - A catch or pawl device beneath the train cars which engages into the chain lift. Chain Lift - The rolling chain that carries the train to the crest of the lift hill. Check Brake - A safety device that allows more than two trains to be on the same course. If there is a problem in one ``block'' of track, the check brake will not allow the following train(s) to continue the trackwork. Circuit - A completed journey on a coaster track. Classic Coaster - A term used to describe a coaster which is operated and maintained in a ``classic'' sense. These coasters usually run traditional trains, void of ratcheting lap bars, seat dividers, head rests, side bars, and other modern restraint/safety devices. ``Classic Coaster'' is also an official status given to coasters operating in the above manner by the American Coaster Enthusiasts. Corkscrew - A coaster configuration that includes a horizontal spiral or helix in which riders are turned upside down one or more times. Dog Leg - A left or right jog or offset in the otherwise straight, flat portion or trackwork. Double Dip - A hill that has been divided into two separate drops by a flattening out of the drop midway down the hill. Elevated Curve - A type of curve, usually found on an Out-and-Back, where the curve descends in height as it curves. These curves are normally banked as well (See Banked Turn). Exclusive Ride Time - Usually part of an organized Coaster Club's event. An ``ERT'' consists of a block of time, usually before and/or after a park is available to the <general public>, in which only the members of the coaster club are allowed to ride. This allows the hard-core enthusiast more rides in less time. Parks usually make sure their coaster(s) are running better for such events, making them even more appealing. Fan Curve - There are two somewhat contradictory definitions of ``fan curve'' floating about. 1. A curve with spoke reinforcements radiating from a central point to the circumference of the track. 2. A curve that enters the turn while ascending, and exist the turn while descending. These are usually more thrilling than a flat turn (See <Elevated Curve>). Figure Eight - Layout of a coaster resembling the numeral eight, thus allowing both right and left turns. Fine' Del Capo - A portion of track that quickly ducks under an overhead support in such a way as to give the rider a feeling of imminent decapitation. Can also refer to the portion of track that first enters a tunnel or covered brake run. Those of you who've studied music or Latin may recognize the term as Latin for ``end of the head.'' :^) First Drop - Usually the highest and most exciting drop on a coaster, most often following immediately after the chain lift. First drops are usually angled at about 50 degrees. Flat Turn - A turn in which the trackwork remains virtually flat (i.e. the opposite of a <banked turn>). It usually gives the riders the feeling that the coaster may tip over, due to <lateral gravity>. Flying Turns - A term from the original trackless coaster design. This coaster resembles a bobsled run with the trains running in a U shaped trough. The flying turns from the 1920s and 30s used Cypress wood for its trough and maintenance was high. Newer versions of this type use steel for the trough. General Public - Literally refers to the non-enthusiasts who attend a park. The term is used to connote those park patrons who like their roller coasters a little (or a lot) less wild than the average enthusiast does. Gully Coaster - A coaster that makes use of the natural terrain and gives an added feeling of speed by keeping the track close to the ground through the ups and downs. Helix - Corkscrew-shaped loops on either a vertical or horizontal plane. Hump - Sometimes used in reference to a coaster hill. Inversion - any part of a steel roller coaster <circuit> that turns you upside down. Inverted - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track. The cars on this type of coaster are rigidly connected to their wheel assembly (Compare with <Suspended>). Interlocking Loop - Two <vertical loops> that intertwine like two links on a chain. An example would be the two loops on the Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. Lateral Gravity - Those forces which pull you to the side of the car (or slam you, as the case may be), often found on <flat turns>, and often eliminated with <banked turns> (especially on newer roller coasters). Loading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers board the coaster trains. Long Line - 2400 people waiting in front of you to ride a coaster! Machine - Term sometimes used in reference to a roller coaster. Manual Brake - A hand-operated <station brake>, where the train is stopped by the muscle power of the operator. Most often found on <classic coasters>. Sometimes, the operator may not apply enough force and the train will overshoot the station. If you're on board when this happens, you'll be one of the lucky ones getting a free ride! Negative G's - (Short for ``Negative Gravity'') See <Airtime>. Out and Back - A style of roller coaster. The name describes the general configuration of the ride, basically an elongated oval in which the train goes out to a turnaround and then returns to the station. The truest form of this would have no other curves besides the turnaround. Another way to do this would be to put a couple 90 degree turns in the ride giving it a L-shape. In general out and backs have higher speeds than designs with more tight turns. Parabolic - A coaster hill that has an almost continuous curve and very little, if any, straight track. Pay One Price - An amusement park admission which includes all rides and shows. The alternative is for every ride to require a separate ticket (or tickets, as the case may be). Positive G's - Those forces which pull you downward, often appearing at the bottom of hills, and in steel looping elements. Racer - Any coaster that runs two trains that leave the station at the same time and ``race'' other, most often on parallel tracks. Ratchet - A claw-toothed steel bar running on certain inclines that prevents a train from rolling backwards. The ratchet causes the clanking sound associated with the chain lift (also referred to as the ``anti-rollback'' device or ``Rachet Dogs''). The ratchet itself does not stop the train. This is done by a device affixed to the bottom of the car which catches in the ratchet. Set-Up - A term used to describe a breakdown or those circumstances when a ride operator shuts down the ride with a train cycling. Shuttle Loop - A type of coaster where the train travels forward out of the station through a vertical loop then up an incline of track that ascends high into the air. The train then plummets backwards through the loop and through the station, usually to another steep incline, which returns the train to the brake run. Side Friction - A coaster with guide rails located above and on the outside edge of the running rails, instead of using guide <wheels>. Slammer - A very abrupt, rough drop that sometimes occurs after a major hill (an extreme example of <Airtime>). Speed Dip - A small hill taken at high speeds usually lifting riders off their seats (see <Airtime>). Speed Run - A series of speed dips, usually on the way back from the turnaround on an <Out and Back> coaster. Spiral - A 360-degree turn. Standing But Not Operating - A roller coaster which is no longer operating but has not been destroyed. Preservation efforts by the American Coaster Enthusiasts, and others, often will focus on these coasters because of their status. They could be torn down at any time, and the lack of maintenance will cause their condition to deteriorate rapidly. Station - A building that houses: ride operators, brake and chain lift controls, brake run, loading and unloading platforms, train storage area, and often, the train maintenance workshop. Station Brake - Standard gear on EVERY coaster. Used for deceleration on return to the station (See <Brake Run>). Steel Coaster - Generally, any coaster with tubular steel rails supported with steel framing. Some coasters classified as steel actually have wooden framing. Cars usually have nylon wheels that impart a smooth, quiet ride. Suspended - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track. The cars on this type of coaster are designed such that they are free to swing relative to their wheel assembly (Compare with Inverted). Swoop Turn - A fast turn that incorporates a dip and a return to the crest of the next hill while turning. Theme Park - A park, usually of large size, which has one or more ``themed'' areas, with Rides and Attractions keyed to the theme of their location within the park. Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Fiesta Texas are all excellent examples of theme parks. Theme Park Mentality - A derogatory (but sometimes applicable) term which implies a set of overly strict, safety conscious rules and operation procedures. These policies are there to please the <general public> and the park's insurance company, not the hard-core enthusiast. :^) Traditional Amusement Park - A park which still holds aspects of its origins in today's modern society. Most Traditional Parks grew out of ``Picnic Parks'' which were located at the end of trolley lines. Kennywood, Whalom Park, and Lakeside are all excellent examples of Traditional Parks. Train - A series of two to seven cars hooked together to make a circuit of the coaster track. Turnaround - Usually the turn located farthest from the station (usually on an <Out-and-Back> style coaster) after which the trains begin their return. Twister - Just like it sounds. The configuration of this type of coaster is varied and has multiple turns, often in a Figure 8 layout. The Coney Island Cyclone, the Riverside Cyclone, Mr. Twister, and the Texas Giant are good examples of a twister. You can expect the unexpected. A good twister will disorient you! Unloading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers unload from the coaster train. Modern coasters have combined the loading and unloading platforms into one quick-moving operation. Vertical Loop - A nearly closed vertical turn of 360 degrees in which riders are turned upside down in a transitional curve in a near- vertical plane. Wheels - A coaster car uses 3 different types of wheels: Guide Wheel - A set of wheels which guide the train so that it does not leave the track sideways (also known as Side-Friction wheels). Road Wheel - A wheel that actually rides on the top of the track. Upstop wheel - A set of wheels which ride underneath the track to keep the train from jumping off or leaving the trackwork (also referred to as ``Undershot'' or ``Underside'' Friction wheels). Wild Mouse - A small steel coaster featuring small cars (big enough for two adults); sharp, unbanked turns; quick, steep drops (heavy on the airtime); and, in general, a very rough and wild ride. Wooden Coaster - Generally, any coaster with laminated wooden rails, to which flat steel rails are attached. Supporting members are usually wooden, however, some coasters classified as wooden actually have steel framing (e.g. Crystal Beach Cyclone, Coney Island Cyclone, and Frontier City's Wildcat!). IV. Roller Coaster/Amusement Park Organizations A. American Coaster Enthusiasts - ACE The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization that was established to promote roller coasters, preservation, and documentation, and information. The annual fee is $50 for an individual. There are lower rates when joining as a couple or a family. Membership includes four high-quality magazines a year and newsletters approximately every six to eight weeks. Get-togethers include an annual convention and usually two or three conferences. In many cases these events coincide with the opening of a new roller coaster and they almost always will feature some Exclusive Ride Time. Membership forms can be obtained by writing to: American Coaster Enthusiasts P.O. Box 8226 Chicago, IL 60680 or sending e-mail to ga06+ace@andrew.cmu.edu, which is the address of ACE membership director Gary Aulfinger. It may take a few weeks for Gary and his ``lovely assistant'' Tracy to process and send the form, so be patient. B. Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club - MACC The Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club is a fairly good sized regional club. It is based out of the Virginia area, but members are welcomed from any state. There is a monthly newsletter called the Grizzly Gazette which keeps members up to date on club activities, etc. Among these activities is the annual Screamfest convention, usually held in early Spring. 1991's SCREAMFEST convention occurred at King's Dominion, Doswell, VA. As usual, the highlight of this event is the exclusive ride time available only to club members. The annual membership fee is only $15 for an individual. There may be be a couple and/or family rate, but you'd have to inquire. For membership, please send a check (payable to Steve Thompson) to the following address: Steve Thompson 7532 Murillo Street Springfield, Virginia 22151 ATTN: MACC C. Western New York Coaster Club - WNYCC The Western New York Coaster Club (WNYCC) is a fairly good sized regional club. It is based in the Buffalo/Rochester area, but there are many members from just about every state. Meetings are held in Batavia, NY, between Buffalo and Rochester. There is a monthly newsletter called the Gravity Gazette that keeps members up to date on club activities. The Gravity Gazette centers around articles written by the members themselves, giving a very intimate, inclusive feeling to the newsletter. Among these activities are an annual Coasterfest (usually on Memorial Day weekend). The '90 and '91 Coasterfests were held at Darien Lake to celebrate the opening of the Predator and included a side trip to Seabreeze Park as well. As with events of other clubs, you can expect to get in some exclusive ride time. Most of the time there is *at least* one dinner included in the registration fee. The annual membership fee is only $15 for an individual and $20 for a couple. The membership address is: Membership Director 724 East 6th Street Erie, PA 16507 ATTN: WNYCC D. First Drop - U.K. Coaster Club Coaster clubs are not confined to the U.S.! There is a club in the United Kingdom with a bi-monthly newsletter, which keep tabs on all the coasters across ``the pond''. There has actually been quite a bit going on in the U.K. The address is: First Drop Coaster House 68 Dellfield Crescent Cowley Middlesex UB8 2EU England The membership rate, payable in check, postal order, or International money order is: Europe - 6 pounds U.S.A. - $15 E. National Amusement Park Historical Association - NAPHA NAPHA Is a non-profit organization formed in 1978 to preserve and display items of amusement park memorabilia (past and present), document park history, enable people with common interest in parks to meet and exchange ideas, and in the future, to open the Amusement Park Historical Society. Membership per year is $25.00/individual, $30.00 for Family or corporate membership (USA). International rates are $35.00 individual, and $40 for family and corporate memberships. Check or money order can be made payable to ``N.A.P.H.A.'' Membership includes 6 newsletters/year, park discount tickets, and an annual convention, usually held in IL. For membership, write to: National Amusement Park Historical Association P.O. Box 83, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 F. National Carousel Association - NCA The National Carousel Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the hand-carved wooden carousels. This group is not really coaster-related, but an item of nostalgia which may be of interest to readers. The NCA's annual membership fee is $18.00, and the club offers a magazine/newsletter arrangement similar to the ACE schedule: 4 magazines/year (Merry-go-Roundup), and 6 newsletters/year. A yearly convention is also standard fare. Inquires for more information on the organization, or for membership requests should be sent to: National Carousel Association P.O. Box 307 Frankfort, IN 46041 V. General Information, Questions/Answers, Comments, etc. A. Books on Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks GUIDE TO RIDE -- published by ACE in 1991. Lists the MAJOR roller coasters located in North America. Features photos of most rides, and a full description of each. Ordering info: $17.95 US and Canada $21.95 all other countries American Coaster Enthusiasts c/o John Page 6108 Sherman Drive Woodridge, IL 60517 THE AMUSEMENT PARK GUIDE -- written by Tim O'Brien. Lists most every amusement park on this continent! Lists parks alphabetically by state then Canada and Mexico. Published mid-1991 but includes some rides to open in 1992. Ordering info: Cost: $12.95 The Globe Pequot Press ``A Voyager Book'' ISBN 0-87106-300-x GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN THEME PARKS -- published by AAA. Lists selected Amusement and Theme parks. Not all parks in either category are listed. Parks are listed by region. Lists all rides and attractions by name including description. Published Spring 1990. Available in most book stores in the TRAVEL section. B. Magazines Rollercoaster! -- is the quarterly magazine of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and is included with ACE membership. See the section on ``Organizations'' above for further info. Inside Track -- is a magazine that is worthwhile for new information on roller coasters and amusement parks in general. It is a newspaper format, published monthly, and very professionally done. Along with news on new coasters, there is info on park closings, coaster designers and amusement ride innovations, and a section called APtv (Amusement Park Television) that'll give you info on videos and feature movies with coasters and parks in them. Inside Track is highly recommend for those that want to keep tabs on what's happening in the Amusement Park Industry. For a subscription in the US send your address and $15 to: Inside Track P.O. Box 369 Hammonton, NJ 08037 If anyone knows the rates for subscriptions outside the US, I'd be glad to add the info. At the Park -- is published by Yellow Dot Publishing, and is by-and- large the brainstorm of long-time ACE corporate member Allen Ambrosini. This is more a journal for the amusement park industry than for the average coaster enthusiast; however, the magazine is TOP NOTCH in design and format (contains excellent 4-color photographs of today's top coasters and parks!), with very well-written articles, and a sensible, enjoyable layout. You'll learn much more about the industry as a whole. It's a highly recommended as an addition to ACE News or Inside Track. A one year subscription (5 issues) costs: USA: $17.95 (airmail -- $27.95) Canada and Mexico: $25.95 (airmail -- $30.95) Outside North America: $25.95 (airmail -- $54.95) Send your name and address to: At The Park Magazine P.O. BOX 597783 Chicago, IL 60659-7783 E Ticket -- is published two or three times per year, and features stories focused primarily on the Disneyland of the 50s and 60s. (The full title of the magazine is ``The `E' Ticket -- Collecting Theme Park Memories.'') Though Disneyland is the primary focus, the magazine covers other California parks as well, such as Pacific Ocean Park and Knott's Berry Farm. Each issue is about 35 pages long. For a sample issue, send $6 to: The ``E'' Ticket 20560 Alaminos Drive Saugus, CA 91350 Again, if anyone has info about ordering from outside the US, I'd be happy to add it. Amusement Business -- a weekly publication which covers ALL aspects of the entertainment industry: water parks, amusement parks, theme parks, traveling carnivals, state fairs, concerts, sporting events, trade shows, ANYTHING to do with public supplied entertainment! AB is always on the ball about the latest and hottest news!! AB is a bit pricey, though -- for pre-paid credit card orders, you get a discounted yearly subscription rate of: $85.00 - USA $105.00 - Canada $115.00 - Overseas But consider the fact that this price includes about 55 issues/ year! There are also rates for a half-year (6 months) subscription, but I don't have them readily available. Inquiries, information, and subscriptions can be sent to: Amusement Business Subscription Dept. P.O. Box 41527 Nashville, TN 37204-9945 C. Roller Coaster Designer Info Designers of Wooden Coasters CURRENT: Custom Coasters Inc. (Mike Boodley) -- Builders and Designers John F. Pierce and Assoc -- Designers and Builders Roller Coaster Corp. of America (Michael Black) -- Builder PAST: Allen, John -- Designer and Builder Baker -- Designer and Builder Bitler, Oscar -- Cobb, William J. -- Designer and Builder Dinn, Charlie (Dinn Corp.) - Builder Fehr, Carl -- Harton, T.M. -- Hoover, Frank -- IAD (International Amusement Devices) -- Designers and Builder Keenan, Vernon -- Designer and Builder Leis, Edward -- Looff -- Designer Lorenz & Williams -- Miler -- Designer Miller, John -- Designer and Builder Mitchell, James T. -- Moran, George -- NAD (National Amusement Devices) -- Designers and Builders Pierce, Fred -- Prior and Church -- Designers PTC (Philadelphia Toboggan Company)-- Designers and Builders Rosser -- Designer Schmeck, Herbert -- Designer and Builder Sink, Amandus -- Summers, Curtis D. -- Designer Thompson, Marcus A. -- (Harry G.) Traver Engineering Co. -- Builders and Designers Vaszin, Aurel -- Vesco, Paul -- Vettel, Andrew -- Vettel, Edwin -- Designer and Builder Designers of Steel Coasters Arrow Dynamics (Ron Toomer) Bollinger & Mabillard (B&M) Intamin AG MACK OD Hopkins Schwarzkopf, Anton (BHS) SDC Corp. of Italy Sensei TOGO of Japan (RCCA/TOGO overseas) Vekoma International Zamperla Zierer D. Roller Coaster Record Holders Current Wooden Coaster Record Holders STEEPEST - (61.2 degrees) Rattler, Fiesta Texas HIGHEST - (179 ft., 6 in.) Rattler, Fiesta Texas LONGEST DROP - (176 ft.) Rattler, Fiesta Texas FASTEST - (73 m.p.h.) Rattler, Fiesta Texas LONGEST CIRCUIT - (7400 ft.) The Beast, King's Island OLDEST - (1902) Leap The Dips, Lakemont Park MOST FAMOUS - (1927) Coney Island Cyclone Current Steel Coaster Record Holders STEEPEST - (60 degrees) Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point HIGHEST - (205 ft.) Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point LONGEST DROP - (225 ft.) Steel Phantom, Kennywood FASTEST - (80mph) Steel Phantom, Kennywood LONGEST CIRCUIT - (7450 ft.) The Ultimate, Lightwater Valley BIGGEST LOOPING COASTER - (188 ft.) Viper, Magic Mountain MOST LOOPS - (7) Viper, Magic Mountain GASM, Great Adventure Shockwave, Great America HIGHEST G FORCES - (+6.5g) Mindbender, Fantasyland Drier Looping, Germany Moonslaut Scramble, Japan MOST TRAINS ON CIRCUIT - (5) Thriller, Stuttgart Fair MOST DEMENTED SHUTTLE LOOP - Weiner Looping, Flamingoland (UK) E. 1991 Classic Coaster Roster Big Dipper - Camden Park; Huntington, W. VA Big Dipper - Geagua Lake; Aurura, OH Blue Streak - Cedar Point; Sandusky, OH *Blue Streak - Conneaut Lake Park; Conneaut Lake, PA Coaster - Arnolds Park; Iowa Cyclone - Astroland; Coney Island, NY Cyclone - Lakeside Park; Denver, CO Cyclone - William's Grove Park; Mechanicsburg, PA Jack Rabbit - Kennywood Park; W. Mifflin, PA Kiddy Coaster - Playland; Rye, NY La Montana Rusa - Chapultepec Park; Mexico City, MEX Lil' Dipper - Camden Park; Huntington, W. VA Little Dipper - Kiddie Land; Melrose Park, IL (New) Roller Coaster - Hillcrest Park; Lemont, IL Roller Coaster - Joyland; Wichita, KS Roller Coaster - Playland; Vancouver, BC, Canada (New) Roller Coaster - Western Washington Fair; Puyallup, WA (New) Rollo Coaster - Idlewild Park; Ligonier, PA Screechin Eagle - Americana Park; Middletown, OH Starliner - Miracle Strip; Panama City, FL Thunderbolt - Kennywood Park; W. Mifflin, PA Wildcat - Frontier City; Oklahoma City, OK (New) * Currently SBNO F. Inside Track ``Top Coasters'' Readers Survey Many people want to know which is the best/wildest/awesomest/scariest coaster in the world (or at least US). We can't answer that for you, but we can pass on to you the results of the Inside Track magazine reader's survey. This is an annual survey, the most recent version of which was published in the August 1992 issue of Inside Track. Just because a coaster is highly-ranked on this list doesn't mean *you* will think it's best, but it does mean that lot of coaster enthusiasts like it, and you probably will too. Rankings from past years are given as well, to give you some idea of how things change from year to year. If a column contains '-', it indicates that coaster didn't place in the rankings for that year, for whatever reason (it was new, it didn't get enough votes, etc.). Also note that the 1992 survey lists the top 50, 1991 listed the top 40, and 1990 listed the top 20. +----------------------------------- 1992 Rank | +------------------------------- 1992 Vote Total | | +-------------------------- 1991 Rank | | | +----------------------- 1990 Rank | | | | +-------------------- Ride name, Park, Location V V V V V 1 (733) 3 3 Texas Giant, Six Flags over Texas, TX 2 (606) 2 4 Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point, OH 3 (526) 5 1 The Beast, Kings Island, OH 4 (463) 1 2 Timber Wolf, Worlds of Fun, MO 5 (347) 7 5 Phoenix, Knoebel's, PA 6 (305) - - BATMAN -- THE RIDE, SFGAm, IL (New in '92) 7 (278) 6 6 Cyclone, Coney Island, NY 8 (274) 10 7 Thunderbolt, Kennywood, PA 9 (179) 4 - Thunder Run, Kentucky Kingdom, KY 10 (151) - - The Rattler, Fiesta Texas (New in '92) 11 (148) 16 - Steel Phantom, Kennywood, PA (New in '91) 12 ( 78) 8 9 Predator, Darien Lake, NY 12 ( 78) 16 14 Grizzly, King's Dominion, VA 13 ( 76) 9 8 Mister Twister, Elitch Gardens, CO 14 ( 74) 13 11 Big Bad Wolf, Busch Gardens, VA 15 ( 71) 34 - Mean Streak, Cedar Point, OH 16 ( 70) 11 18 Giant Dipper, Santa Cruz, CA 17 ( 69) 35 19 Georgia Cyclone, SFoG, GA 18 ( 68) 29 - Roller Coaster, Playland, BC 19 ( 66) 24 - Blue Streak, Conneaut Lake, PA 20 ( 65) 32 - Cyclone, Lakeside, CO 20 ( 65) - 20 Wild One, Wild World, MD 21 ( 61) 14 - Blue Streak, Cedar Point, OH 22 ( 60) 12 12 Mindbender, Fantasyland, Alberta 22 ( 60) 23 16 Racer, King's Island, OH 23 ( 57) 11 10 Hercules, Dorney Park, PA 23 ( 57) 17 - Vortex, Wonderland, Canada 24 ( 54) - - Arkansas Twister, Magic Springs, AK (New in 92) 25 ( 51) 22 - Ninja, Magic Mountain, CA 26 ( 50) - - Drachen Fire, Busch Gardens, VA (New in 92) 27 ( 49) 14 - Giant Dipper, Belmont Park, CA 27 ( 49) 19 13 Viper, Magic Mountain, CA 27 ( 49) - - Screamin' Eagle, SFoMA, MO 28 ( 43) 20 - Iron Wolf, Great America, IL 29 ( 40) 30 - Yankee Cannonball, Canobie Lake, NH 30 ( 38) - - Swamp Fox, Family Kingdom, SC (New in 92) 30 ( 38) 21 18 G.A.S.M., Great Adventure, NJ 30 ( 38) 30 - Matterhorn Bobsled, Disneyland, CA 31 ( 37) 22 12 Cyclone, Riverside, MA 32 ( 36) 33 15 Mindbender, SFoG, GA 33 ( 34) 40 - Space Mountain, Walt Disney World, FL 34 ( 32) - - Ultra Twister, Astroworld, TX 35 ( 31) 29 - Anaconda, King's Dominion, VA 35 ( 31) - - Adventure Express, Kings Island, OH (New in 91) 36 ( 30) 18 - Screechin Eagle, Americana, OH 37 ( 29) 38 - Big Thunder Mtn Railroad, Disney, FL 37 ( 29) 36 - Comet, Hersheypark, PA 38 ( 28) 32 - Big Dipper, Geagua Lake, OH 38 ( 28) - - Vortex, Carowinds, NC (New in 92) 39 ( 26) 31 17 Shockwave, Great America, IL 40 ( 25) - - Greezed Lightnin, Astroworld, TX 41 ( 23) 33 - Colossus, Magic Mountain, CA 41 ( 23) - - Vortex, King's Island, OH 42 ( 22) 25 - Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens, VA 43 ( 21) 40 - Roller Coaster, Arnold's Park, IA 44 ( 20) - - Rebel Yell, King's Dominion, VA 45 ( 18) 28 - La Montana Rusa, Mexico City, MX 45 ( 18) 33 - Montezooma's Revenge, Knott's, CA 46 ( 16) - - Wildcat, Elitch Gardens, CO 46 ( 16) - - Tornado, Adventureland, IA 47 ( 14) - - Thriller, German Fairs 47 ( 14) 26 - Texas Tornado, Wonderland, TX 47 ( 14) 39 - Grand National, Blackpool, UK 48 ( 13) - - Jack Rabbit, Kennywood, PA 49 ( 12) 39 - Thunderhawk, Dorney Park, PA 50 ( 11) - - Big Dipper, Blackpool, UK 50 ( 11) - - Le Monstre, La Ronde, Canada 50 ( 11) - - Sea Serpent, Wildwood, NJ 50 ( 11) - - Excalibur, Valleyfair!, MN - - 15 - Revolution, Magic Mountain, CA - - 33 - Dragon Mountain, Marineland, Canada - - 37 - Wildcat, Lake Compounce, CT - - 38 - Gemini, Cedar Point, OH - - 39 - Space Center, Phantasialand, Germany - - 40 - Bandit, Yomiuriland, Tokyo, Japan - - 40 - Psyclone, Magic Mountain, CA - - 40 - Sidewinder, Hersheypark, PA G. List of Endangered Coasters in USA -- as of July 1992: Legend: DAMA - Damaged and non-operational DEMO - Demolished/Destroyed SBNO - Standing But Not Operating STOR - Dismantled and in storage ASSURED TO BE SAVED SBNO -Comet: 1946 Twister; Lincoln Park; N Dartmouth, MA SBNO -Leap The Dips: Side Friction; Lakemont Park; Altoona, PA COASTERS WITH A CHANCE STOR -Shooting Star: Out-and-Back (from Lakeside Park) STOR -Comet: Dbl Out-and-Back (from Crystal Beach) COASTERS IN DANGER OPER -Wildcat: 1926 Out-and-Back, Elitch Gardens; Denver, CO OPER -Coaster: Twister, PNE; Vancouver, BC SBNO -Blue Streak: Out-and-Back, Conneaut Lake, PA SBNO -Thunderbolt: 1925 Twister, Coney Island, NY SBNO -Mighty Lightnin: 1958 Wood, Rocky Glen; Moosic, PA SBNO -Jumper: 19?? Jr. Wood, West Point, PA SBNO -Red Streaker: 19?? Jr. Wood, Willow Mill; Mechanicsburg,PA SBNO -Jack Rabbit: 1910 Out/Back, Idora Park; Youngstown, OH DAMA -Wildcat: 1927 Twister, Idora Park; Youngstown, OH COASTERS WE'VE RECENTLY LOST FOREVER DEMO -CNE Flyer: 1956 Oval, CNE; Toronto, Canada DEMO -Speedway: 1937 Out/Back, Eldridge Park; Elmira, NY DEMO -Valley Volcano: 1956 Jr. Wood, Angela Park; Hazleton, PA DEMO -Tornado: 1968 Out/Back, Panama City, FL DEMO -Mountain Flyer: 1929 Out/Back, Mountain Park; Holyoke, MA DEMO -Coaster: 1931 Out/Back, Harvey's Lake, PA ************************************************************************* Contributors: Mark Wyatt (Inside Track) buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com geoff@pmafire.inel.gov swain@aludra.usc.edu Tom_-_Obszanski@cup.portal.com betsyp@apollo.hp.com Editorial Assistance: Nora G. geoff@pmafire.inel.gov Tom_-_Obszanski@cup.portal.com Disclaimer: I make no warranty on the information contained here-in. Comments, corrections and questions are welcome via e-mail to geoff@pmafire.inel.gov. You may redistribute this information freely as long as it is distributed in its entirety. You may not charge, either directly or indirectly, for this information. -- Geoff Allen \ Please remain seated and keep your hands and arms uunet!pmafire!geoff \ above your head at all times. Enjoy your ride. geoff@pmafire.inel.gov \