Xcelerator

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Xcelerator

A train launching into the top hat element.
Knott's Berry Farm Location Buena Park, California, USA Park section Boardwalk Status Operating since June 22, 2002 Cost $13,000,000 USD Replaced Windjammer Surf Racers
Statistics
Manufacturer	Intamin
Type	Steel - Launched - Hyper
Riders per train	20
Hourly capacity	1330
Propulsion	Hydraulic launch
Height	205 feet
Drop	200 feet
Top speed	82 mph
Length	2202 feet
Inversions	0
Drop angle	90°
Duration	1:02
HELP

Xcelerator is a steel launched roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, USA. Xcelerator opened on June 22, 2002 as Intamin's first hydraulically-launched roller coaster. The ride is a prototype Accelerator Coaster located in the same area of the park where Windjammer Surf Racers once operated. This is the tallest and fastest roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm.

History

In December 2001, Knotts Berry Farm announced that they would be building Xcelerator. It would be the first coaster on earth to use a hydraulic launch system.

While Xcelerator was set to open in May 2002, the opening was delayed to June 22.

Design

Elements
Hydraulic launch from 0 - 82 mph in 2.3 s 205 foot tall outside top hat

Following the hydraulic launch, riders travel over a 205 foot tall outside top hat.

Trains

A train inside the station

2 trains with 5 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 20 riders per train. Riders are secured by lap-bar restraints.

Rollbacks

Occasionally, the train will not make it over the hat element. The train will launch, make it part way up the hill, and roll back into the launch. This is safe and can happen on any launched roller coaster.

Incident

On September 16, 2009 during the launch a cable snapped. A man and his 12-year-old son were hit with debris while sitting in the front row and subsequently taken to hospital, with the 12-year-old suffering damage to his leg. A settlement between the family and Knott's was reached in 2011.

Trivia

• The final round of the cancelled Cartoon Network game show, Brainrush, took place on this coaster. The final contestant would have to spit out answers fitting under a certain category (ex. American Idol winners) while riding. They would then gain the option to double their money in a final round where they would be asked only one question. If contestants answered their question right, the coaster would launch, but if they didn't, they would be forced off without getting to ride. In addition, contestants would always receive the opportunity to earn extra money by eating some type of meal before the ride.

Photo Gallery

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  The entrance in 2017

External Links

• 
  Xcelerator on the Roller Coaster DataBase.