X2- 4th Dimension Roller Coaster

The X2, in Six Flags Magic Mountain, is the first "4th dimension" roller coaster to be made. Manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the trains seats are independent in their own movement. While you are already being taken on a track that is frightening to many,  the seats pitch 360 degrees forward and backward in a controlled spin, achieved by having four rails on the track. Two rails are to run the trains along the track, and the other two are for spin control. The X2 and Tatsu are considered Six Flags Magic Mountain's two signature coasters, with lines often reaching and exceeding two hours.
X2's lift hill climbs 175 feet, with the tallest point above ground reaching 190 feet. The first drop is 215 feet, and sloped at a nerve-racking 88.8 degrees. This allows the train tor each a maximum speed of 76 mph. The ride length is estimated at 2:00 long, covering a span of 3,610 feet. The ride also has 2 inversions, two "raven turns",  one back flip, and a twisting front flip. First being called simply X, with many renovations and changes to the train done over time, the ride's name has been since changed to X2. I would be thrilled by the opportunity to ride such an innovation, but Six Flags Magic Mountain is all the way in Valencia, California. For now, it appears as if my roller coaster experiences will have to be limited to the east coast.

Intamin- Innovations in the Roller Coaster World

Intamin is a manufacturing company, best known for their part in making roller coasters and other amusement rides. The company name is an abbreviation for INTernational AMusement INstallations. Intamin has its U.S. division in Glen Burnie, Maryland, with its main headquarters in Wollerau, Switzerland. and is headed by Sandor Kernacs.

The Jr. Gemini, Intamin's first coaster

They are a major contributor in the amusement park industry, supplying around 22 styles to a wide variety of theme parks. They produce around 5-7 roller coasters a year. Their first roller coaster installation was in my personal favorite park, Cedar Point. The ride was called the Jr. Gemini, debuting in 1979. Since that ride they have installed over 70 coasters in several countries around the world. They are credited for building the first rapids ride, Thunder River, at the no-longer existing AstroWorld. They also marketed the first Freefall experience and Drop Tower.
Intamin has impacted the world of roller coasters so much over the years. Their new creations in design and technology are allowing coasters to go faster and higher. They created the first hydraulic launch system that allows rides to be shot as speeds as high as 150 mph, then climb a very steep incline. They manufactured the only two Strata Coasters (roller coaster over 400 ft) in existence. they have manufactured many roller coasters in popular amusement parks like Cedar Point, Six Flags, as well as international parks. Intamin is constantly setting the bar for the newest and most technologically advanced roller coasters around.

Top Thrill Dragster

The Top Thrill Dragster is a roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It is currently the tallest ride at Cedar Point, and the second tallest in the world. It was the first of two strata coasters in existence, the only other being the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Kingda Ka is the tallest roller coaster in the world, but I digress. I'm writing about the Top Thrill Dragster because I have been to Cedar Point twice, and have been on it multiple times. The ride, though being dangerously high, supports only a small waist bar to keep you in your seat. Other than that, you are free to look around and put your hands up as much as you want, if you're not scared that is. Chances are you won't be able to put your hands up until you're at the top due to insanely high speeds.                                                                                                                                                           The Top Thrill Dragster was opened on May 4th, 2003 for $25,000,000. The ride's height it 420 feet, with the drop being 400 feet. At the start of the ride you wait for what feels like forever at a light, waiting for it to go green. That's where the name comes from. It is themed to depict Top Fuel Drag Racing, a sport that is famous for its shots off the starting line. When the light turns green, you propel forward, maxing out at 120 mph in only 3.8 seconds. From there you rise straight up, briefly ride over the top of the ride, and fall back down at a 90 degree angle, doing a corkscrew at the same time. The ride is only 17 seconds long, as the circuit only includes the climbing of the hill and the drop.

Canada's Wonderland Unveils New Coaster

Word is spreading fast that Canada's Wonderland has released a new roller coaster. It's called the Leviathan. This would add to their current selection of 200 attractions, including side stalls and arcades. This isn't just any new roller coaster, this is breaking some records. It stands at 306 ft tall, with a top speed of 92 mph, making it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. It's also the first roller coaster by manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard to exceed 300 ft. For years, Cedar Point and Six Flags Magic Mountain have been battling for the title of most thrill rides. Currently, Canada's Wonderland is tied in second place with Cedar Point, but it has the most roller coasters for a park outside of the United States.
I think it is great for Canada that they are moving up in an industry so relevant to today's cultural interests. With all the publicity Leviathan has gotten, the attendance for the park will only increase. And with yearly attendance rates at around 3 million per year, things are looking up for Canada's Wonderland. It was such an anticipated unveil that they had what is called a first rider auction. Sort of self explanatory, people from all around the world could bid to get to be some of the first people to ride the Leviathan. The highest bid was a single seat for $1,000. I would jump on the bandwagon and go to Canada's Wonderland, if only it wasn't 11 hours away.

Roller Coasters for Dummies

A roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. This blog will be focusing on some of the most amazing roller coasters around the world. For those of you who don’t know, there are two main types of roller coasters, wooden and steel. Almost like a specialized railroad system, it consists of a track that rises in designed patterns, some including inversions, or a loop, causing the rider to briefly go upside down. Most roller coasters have multiple cars in which passengers sit in and are restrained. Cars on a typical roller coaster are not self powered. Standard full circuit coasters are pulled up with a chain or cable on the lift hill. The lift hill is the incline in which the cars are raised to the height of the roller coaster. Not all roller coasters possess a lift hill, however. Some use a launch mechanism such as compressed air to propel the car faster and on a shorter track. Amusement parks featuring roller coasters are prominent all around the world, and no more than in America. Ever since some of the first in the late 1800’s, people have fallen in love with the thrill of being taken for a spin on the world’s finest roller coasters.

About Me

Welcome to Nick’s Roller Coaster Blog. This is a blog about some of my favorite roller coasters, and the best of their kind around the world. I am a freshman in high school who has always loved the thrill of a good ride, with aspirations to ride many more in the future.