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Roller Coaster Manufacturers |
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There are hundreds of roller coaster manufacturers. Here are some of today's top builders. |
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Arrow Dynamics Inc. |
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Arrow Dynamics Inc. is one of the leading producers of steel coasters in the world. They are the main producer of mine train rides and are also a leader in the production of suspended (swinging) coasters. Arrow invented the corkscrew coaster in 1975 and the launced loop coaster in 1977. Arrow is not just a roller coaster company. They have designed several people moving machines and rides. Arrow also invented the log flume and shoot-the-chute attractions seen at many parks today. (Unfortunatly, I have heard that Arrow has filed for bankruptcy.) |
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This is Trailblazer at Hershey Park, one of Arrow's many mine trians. |
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Great Coasters International |
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Great Coasters International (GCI) is one of the fastest growing wooden coaster manufacturers in the world. GCI began with a bang, designing Wildcat ant Hersheypark. It brings new meaning to the word 'twister'. Since Wildcat, GCI hasn't slowed down a bit! They went on to design Roar at Six Flags Marine World. Then they went on to design Lightning Racer, my favorite wooden coaster. GCI has a bright future ahead as their company keeps growing and growing. |
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A night shot of Lightning Racer is the only GCI picture I have. This is taken from the Wild Mouse |
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Roller Coaster Corporation of America (RCCA) |
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The RCCA is an Atlanta based company that has played a major part in roller coaster evolution. They have designed some very famous roller coasters including Ratter at Six flags Fiesta Texas, White Canyon at Tokyo's Yomiuriland Amusement park, and Son of Beast at Paramount's King's Island. They also built Germany's first wooden roller coaster (Wild, Wild West) at Warner Bros. Movie World. |
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The Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags over Georgia is an RCCA built ride. |
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S & S Power, Inc. |
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S&S Power is the leading manufacturer of vertical launch rides found at almost every amuesment park in the world. Their Space Shot (R) and Turbo Drop (TM) rides are very popular. These became the forerunners to Hypersonic XLC, the world's first air-launched coaster which S&S debuted in March of 2001. This is an ultimate scream machine which launches riders to high-speeds very quickly before ascending a vertical hill cresting the top, and diving straight back towards earth. S&S followed this creation by opening Dodompa in December of '01. It quickly grabbed the record of world's fastest coaster at 106.9 mph, which has stood until recently when Top Thrill Dragster opened at Cedar Point with 120 mph. I have read that they tested this coaster much faster than this, but kept it at this speed because the latter was too intense. Recently, S&S has expanded to wooden coasters, which is an interesting jump from steel coasters. I believe that S&S has recently bought the bankrupt Arrow Dynamics Inc. This partnership will undoubtebly lead to great things to come in the future. |
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No picture on file. Does anyone have a picture I can use? If so, please e-mail me at [email protected] |
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Vekoma International |
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Vekoma has developed many coaster types in the last years, and is still developing today. They have invented coasters such as the boomerang and the SLC (suspended looping coaster). Vekoma has created the Flying Dutchman, which was the first 'flying' coaster. They seem to have a very bright future ahead with new designs like the Super Invertego, which is similar to their original boomerang, just bigger and inverted! This has already debuted at several parks. Six Flags is one of the most recent parks to buy one of these. they have opened at three Six Flags parks as Deja Vu. They are also developing a tilt coaster which takes riders to the top of a lift hill, tilts them vertically (straight down) and then drops the train. One of these is currently operating at Discovery World. Check out pictures at www.coasterforce.com Vekoma looks to have a bright future.
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Ninja, a five inversion coaster at Six Flags over Georgia. |
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More companies coming soon. |
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