Alpen Blitz (Six Flags Great Adventure)

Powered coaster in the United States
Alpen Blitz
Six Flags Great Adventure
Location Jackson, New Jersey, USA
Status Defunct
Operated 1976 to 1978
Statistics
Manufacturer Schwarzkopf
Product Alpenblitz II
Designer / calculations Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH
Type Steel
Riders per train 40
Hourly capacity 1,200
Propulsion Continually Powered
Inversions 0
HELP

Alpen Blitz was a sit-down powered roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure from 1976-1978.[1] It was built by Anton Schwarzkopf.

History

At the end of 1974, it was determined that Six Flags Great Adventure needed two additional roller coasters and an additional log flume ride to accommodate huge crowds. Two compact and inexpensive coasters were bought: Jumbo Jet and Big Fury. Big Fury opened in the spring of 1975 while Jumbo Jet is believed to have never opened due to technical difficulties beyond economic repair. The ride was removed a month after it was built by the end of August in 1975. To replace Jumbo Jet, Alpen Blitz was purchased and was built on the site Jumbo Jet was to have occupied.[citation needed]

Alpen Blitz was introduced in 1976.[2]

By 1977, construction had began on a looping coaster, Lightnin' Loops. At that point, Six Flags purchased the park. After the 1978 season when "Lightnin' Loops" opened, it was decided that Alpen Blitz was no longer needed. Maintenance issues secured the decision, and Alpen Blitz was sold and removed to make room for other flat rides. Big Fury was also sold and replaced with the Wild Rider at the end of the 1977 season. It isn't known what became of the Alpen Blitz or Big Fury.

The Alpen Blitz site was later occupied by the Haunted Castle, which burnt down in 1984. The site was vacant for several years until the construction of Autobahn. The space is now occupied by Cyborg Cyber Spin.

Design

The ride was driven by electric motors at the front and back ends of the train. The drive units could be clearly seen as a series of articulated boxes at the front and back ends of the train. It required 180 kW of power to run, and weighed 76 tons. It packed up into four 40 foot-long containers.

Train capacity

Single train with 10 cars. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 40 riders per train.

References

  1. GreatAdventureHistory.com - Alpen Blitz page
  2. "Jungle-Adventure in N.J." Daily News.
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