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| Statistics | |||||||||
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics | ||||||||
| Product | Launched Loop | ||||||||
| Type | Steel - Launched - Shuttle | ||||||||
| Track layout | Shuttle loop | ||||||||
| Riders per train | 20 | ||||||||
| Height | 56 feet | ||||||||
| Drop | 47 feet | ||||||||
| Top speed | 45 mph | ||||||||
| Length | 635 feet | ||||||||
| Track inversions | 1 | ||||||||
| Rider inversions | 2 | ||||||||
| Duration | 1:06 | ||||||||
| G-Force | 4 | ||||||||
| HELP | |||||||||
Thunderbolt Express was a steel launched shuttle roller coaster that was located at Kings Island in Ohio and then Camden Park in West Virginia, USA.
History
The ride first opened on April 16, 1977 as the Screamin' Demon at Kings Island in Kings Mills, Ohio, USA. It was the first Arrow Dynamics Launched Loop to open to the public and the first looping roller coaster at the park. The attraction was later renamed to just Demon. The ride was removed in 1987 following the opening of Vortex. The launch was so loud that it could be heard from the nearby Timberwolf Amphitheater. As of a result of noise complaints, it would remain closed during concerts.[1]
At the end of the 1987 season, it was sold to Camden Park, where it operated from 1988 to 1999 as the Thunderbolt Express. Thunderbolt Express closed in 1999 due to a circuit board problem. There was a sign in front of the Thunderbolt Express that stated the ride was under repair and would reopen in 2002. However, these repairs never happened. After standing but not operating for five years, the ride was taken down in November 2004.
Design
The ride had a single vertical loop located between two elevated platforms. Riders were launched forwards, through the loop and into the second platform. The train was then launched backwards, through the loop and back to the station.
Trains
Single train with 5 cars. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 20 riders per train.
References
- ↑ "In 1977, Kings Island unleashed a Demon". Kings Island.
External links
- Thunderbolt Express on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
