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| Description | A roller coaster that runs without a fixed track. The train travels freely through a trough. Both wooden and steel bobsled coasters have been built. |
| First | Flying Turns - 1930 |
| Oldest in Operation | Schweizer Bobbahn - 1985 |
| Latest | Flying Turns - 2013 |
| Manufacturers | Intamin - Mack Rides |
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A Bobsled roller coaster is one that, for the most part, does not have a fixed track; instead, the train travels freely through a U-shaped trough. Bobsled coasters do not reach high speeds, preventing the car from flying off the trough during turns. Thus, bobsled coasters are relatively small.
The train configuration on a Bobsled coaster.
History
The first real bobsled roller coasters were built in the 1920s to 1940s and were made out of wood. These were known as Flying Turns coasters. None of these remain, with the last being Bobsled at Coney Island, demolished in 1974.
The first steel bobsled roller coasters opened in 1984 and were built by Intamin. The following year, Mack Rides introduced their bobsled model. Arrow Dynamics also offered a bobsled roller coaster called the Space-Chase[1] and a prototype was built, but none were sold. The idea continued to be popular into the 1990s, however, no new steel bobsled roller coasters have opened since 2001.
Long after the last wooden bobsled coaster was demolished, Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, USA opened the first modern equivalent, Flying Turns. It was originally planned to open in 2007 but was delayed due to multiple issues. It finally opened in 2013.
Video Games
All three RollerCoaster Tycoon games and Thrillvile have Flying Turns and other Bobsled coasters available in-game.
A track style called bobsleds is available in NoLimits and its sequel.
List of existing bobsled coasters
| Name | Amusement Park | Location | Manufacturer | Opened | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | Pleasure Beach Resort |  |
Mack Rides | 1988 | Operating |
| Bobbahn | Heide Park |  |
Mack Rides | 1994 | Operating |
| Flying Turns | Knoebels |  |
Built in-house | 2013 | Operating |
| La Vibora | Six Flags Over Texas | |
Intamin | 1986 | Operating |
| Reptilian | Kings Dominion | USA | Mack Rides | 1988 | Operating |
| Schweizer Bobbahn | Europa Park | |
Mack Rides | 1985 | Operating |
| Trace du Hourra | Parc Astérix |  |
Mack Rides | 2001 | Operating |
References
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