Weight drop launch

Greezed Lightnin', a coaster with a weight drop launch

A roller coaster with a weight drop launch stores potential energy in a heavy weight that is pulled to a height. The train is launched using the spike of energy provided by letting the weight fall to the ground.

The weight drop launch is believed to be the first ever launch system, alongside the electric motor (utilized by Arrow Dynamics). It was introduced on Schwarzkopf's Shuttle Loop model in 1977. It was superseded by the flywheel launch.

External links

• A detailed article on Schwarzkopf's counterweight launch on Schwarzkopf Coaster Net

• 

  Weight drop launch on the Roller Coaster DataBase.

Roller coaster descriptions

Basic elements

Brake runStation

Advanced elements

HillHeadchopperInversionsPre-DropTunnel

Propulsion

Lift hill(CableCatch carChainElectricElevatorFerris wheelFriction wheelSpiral)Powered launch( CounterweightFriction wheelFlywheelCompressed air launchElectric winch launchHydraulicLIMLSM)

Technology

Block brakesOn-ride cameraOn-ride soundtrackTest seat TrainTrackTransfer trackWheel assembly

Other

Chicken exitExclusive ride timePOVQueue lineRollbackTheming

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