Psyké Underground

Roller coaster in Belgium
Watch the on-ride POV
Psyké Underground
Walibi Belgium
Location Wavre, Walloon Brabant, Wallonia, Belgium
Coordinates 50°41′52″N 4°35′27″E / 50.697812°N 4.590812°E / 50.697812; 4.590812
Status Operating since 1982
Statistics
Manufacturer Schwarzkopf
Product Shuttle Loop (Flywheel)
Designer / calculations Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH
Type Steel - Launched - Shuttle - Enclosed
Track layout Shuttle loop
Propulsion LIM launch (formerly flywheel launch)
Height 42 metres
Top speed 85.3 km/h
Length 220.1 metres
Track inversions 1
Rider inversions 2
Drop angle 70°
Duration 0:35
G-Force 3
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Gerstlauer (2013-present)
Schwarzkopf (1982-2009)
Riders per train 28
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Psyké Underground is an enclosed steel launched shuttle roller coaster located at Walibi Belgium in Wavre, Walloon Brabant, Wallonia, Belgium. It first opened in 1982 as Sirocco.

History

Originally called Sirocco, the ride opened in 1982. The vertical loop was enclosed for the 1999 season to due to noise complaints. In addition, the coaster was renamed Turbine that same year.

Turbine closed in 2008 and reopened in 2013 as Psyké Underground. It was given a renovation, including a new Gerstlauer train, a new LIM launch to replace the flywheel launch and enclosing the spikes to further reduce noise. The ride is now completely enclosed, making it the first and only indoor shuttle loop. It also has the ability to operate on rainy days.[1]

Design

The former Turbine sign.
Elements

Colour scheme

Originally opened with yellow track and supports, this was repainted to green track and supports when becoming Turbine. The final repaint was when the ride became Psyké Underground, receiving black track and supports.

Trains

Single train with 7 cars. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 28 riders per train. Originally opened with a Schwarzkopf train. This was replaced with a Gerstlauer train for the 2013 season, as part of the remodel.

Incident

On Wednesday 27 August 1997, the train stalled at the top of the loop, leaving riders stuck upside-down. Nobody was injured in the incident.[2]

Images

Turbine

References

  1. "Derde leven voor achtbaan in Walibi".
  2. "Riders of Belgian roller coaster stuck upside down for 1 1/2 hours".

External links


Articles on Walibi Belgium