Gold Rusher
Specific Type: Mine Train
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Six Flags Magic Mountain contains one of the largest collections of roller coasters than anywhere in the world. The popular California park situated north of Los Angeles has been around since 1971. The park's first roller coaster that debuted when the park opened was a mine train style coaster that is still running today known as Gold Rusher.
Gold Rusher is located in the movie district at Magic Mountain and it snakes its way around the popular and tall Superman launching roller coaster. There are numerous qualities within Gold Rusher that make it a unique ride. The 2,590 foot roller coaster twists and turns through the trees, as well as underneath, around, and parallel to other rides in the park. A large percentage of the track on the mine train roller coaster actually goes along with the very hilly terrain of the Six Flags park. Riders can get very easily turned around during the two and a half minute ride on this Arrow Dynamics model roller coaster. A peak height of seventy feet is reached and riders top out at thirty-five miles an hour throughout the journey. Each of Gold Rusher's 4 trains can accommodate up to 30 people, allowing for a maximum ride capacity of 1,750 riders per hour, however it is quite rare the coaster runs all four trains simultaneously. Guests are taken out of the station slowly and around an immediate 180 degree turn to the left, down a straight-a-way where the coaster's non-running trains are stored nearby, and then around a ninety degree turn to the right into the first of two lift hills. Up the entire lift hill the track does not get any more than a foot off the ground due to it is climbing up a hill. Once at the top of the lift, the trains take a short dip down underneath the soon-to-come second lift hill of the ride, and then curves rightward 270 degrees going underneath a two sections of the park's log flume as well as a over a small pond area. The second lift hill immediately follows after this wide curve and the trains are on their way up the lift to prepare its riders for the longer portion of the ride. Riders get a fantastic view of Superman: Escape From Krypton's tall towers heading up the lift. Once a top the lift, trains re-gain their speed with a small dip back to terrain level. Once again, the track is completely dependent on the terrain as there are barely any supports holding the track up in the air at this point. A 180 degree wide turn to the left and an immediate ninety degree turn to the right puts the trains into a mid-course break run slowing it down for the next part of the ride. Following the break run is a sharp and downward turn to the left. Another 180 degree turn to the right puts riders facing the same direction they were coming out of the break run moments before. A short dip and straight away precedes a ninety degree turn to the right. After this turn, yet another break run follows. The final part of the twisty and hilly mine train experience follows this break run. The final section consists of a downward 540 degree helix to the left taking trains directly back into the station. Even though the ride is the oldest coaster in the park, Gold Rusher is enjoyed by many guests at Six Flags Magic Mountain. |
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