Roller Coaster (Lagoon)

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Roller Coaster

Lagoon
Location	Farmington, Utah, USA
Coordinates	40°59′05″N 111°53′39″W / 40.98471°N 111.894191°W / 40.98471; -111.894191
Status	Operating since 1921
Cost	$75,000
Rider height	Minimum: 46 inch Min. unaccompanied: 50 inch

Statistics

Builder

Colorado/Colonial Construction Co.

Designer / calculations

John A. Miller
Harry C. Baker

Type

Wooden

Track layout

Double Out and Back

Propulsion

Chain lift hill

Height

62 feet

Top speed

45 mph

Length

2500 feet

Inversions

0

Rolling stock

Manufacturer

Great Coasters International (2018-present)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1976-2017)
National Amusement Device Company (1954-1975)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1921-1953)

Riders per train

24

The Roller Coaster is a wooden roller coaster located at Lagoon in Farmington, Utah, USA. It was designed by John A. Miller and Harry C. Baker and opened in 1921, making it the sixth oldest roller coaster operating today.

History

When it opened in 1921, the Roller Coaster was the second coaster to be built at Lagoon.

Only two years after its construction, the Roller Coaster required replacement of multiple foundation blocks from damage due to major flooding in the area.^[1]

In 1953, a fire damaged the Roller Coaster, and burnt down the rest of the park. The lift hill and station had to be rebuilt. The lift hill was rebuilt to match the original structure, while the station was rebuilt in a Post War Streamline Moderne style of architecture.^[1]

On July 30, 2005, American Coaster Enthusiasts recognized the roller coaster as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.^[2]

In the mid-2000s, the park decided not to continue painting the Roller Coaster white; now using natural colored treated wood to replace older portions as needed to increase durability and longevity, meaning it will turn brown as the wood is gradually replaced.

Name

From its conception, the attraction held a variety of informal names, but did not have any one specific name assigned to it by the park. Common names of the attraction have included Roller Coaster, White Roller Coaster, Lagoon Dipper, Silver Coaster, Giant Coaster, and Lagoon Roller Coaster.^[1]

Design

Elements
Chain lift hill Hill Hill Hill Micro bunny Double-down Hill

The ride begins with a turn out the station which leads to the lift hill. Guests reach heights of 60 feet before plummeting down the first drop and over a hill, then back up again into the west turn. A series of airtime hills follow, getting smaller as the velocity of the train drops. There are two more turns, then the train returns to the station.

Wasatch Fault and Farmington Canyon

Due to the roller coaster's location along the Wasatch Fault near Farmington Canyon, multiple improvements have been introduced to the structure throughout the years to prevent catastrophic collapse or damage due to fault activity or earthquakes. Among these improvements, the addition of newer bolts and specially designed gusset plates allow for greater stability and flexibility during times of seismic activity without compromising the strength or integrity of the overall structure.^[1]

Electronics

2001 saw the introduction of a new computerized control system within the station. These changes included the addition of a steel transfer track to allow for storage of a second train.^[1]

Trains

2 trains with 12 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in a single row, for a total of 24 riders per train. For the 2018 season, the Roller Coaster received new trains from Great Coasters International.

Images

The transfer track

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 "Utah MPS Lagoon Roller Coaster". National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, between 2013–2017. The National Historic Places Register. United States National Archives. September 7, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
↑ "Coaster Landmark - Roller Coaster". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved 2025-06-08.