Kanonen
Specific Type: Accelerator Coaster
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When the genius designer, Anton Schwarzkopf, introduced the idea of flywheel technology to the roller coaster world, people became fascinated with the idea of launching a roller coaster instead of using the conventional chain lift. In a few short years, manufacturers had come up with ways of using magnets better known as LIMs or LSMs to launch coaster faster than ever imagined. Then in 2002 Intamin AG of Switzerland developed a technic that used a hydraulic launch system. This was first put to use in Xcelerator at Knott’s Berry Farm. The idea was a success and new installations of this ride are being seen every season. For 2005 Liseberg Park in Goteberg, Sweden is adding one more to the Rocket Coaster count. After a successful year with Balder, their 2003 wooden coaster from Intamin AG, the park once again returned to Intamin for their next coaster. Kanonen, which is Swedish for cannon, stands at a mere 78-feet but has another twist. This coaster is the first Rocket Coaster with a vertical loop, taking from the pages of
2004's Storm Runner at Hersheypark. The Intamin launch system sends riders hurtling are 46-mph through 1,640-feet of blue Intamin track. Kanonen includes three elements, including two inversions. They are a 78-foot tophat, a 67-foot vertical loop, and a zero-g roll. Liseberg guests enter the queue line and travel to the loading platform. One by one, the trains are launched out of the station until it’s their turn. Riders board the Intamin coaches and secure the over-the-shoulder restraints and the seatbelt. Once the all the riders are secure and the all-clear signal is given, the Intamin magic kicks in. The train is rocketed out of the station reaching a top speed of 75 mph. The train hurtles down a long straight stretch of track towards the 78-foot tophat. Before entering the first element, the track crosses over a body of water, and then slams riders into the tophat while they are preoccupied. Riders then soar upward reaching 90-degree before rolling to the outside of the element. Riders scream over the top of the tophat and soar downward 90-degrees. The track makes a slight bump and then the Intamin coaches are sent screaming into the first vertical loop on a rocket coaster. Riders are sent head over heels as they cruise through the 67-foot loop at a steady pace. The train rockets out of the loop and around a gently sloped 180-degree turn. The track then twists suddenly and the train rips through a downward 180-degree turn. The track then rises again as the train races around, completing the turn. The track bends as it goes past the loop almost putting the coaches completely on their sides. The track straightens out and the trains complete a 180-degree upward turn. Riders scream through the center of the loop, which is pretty common, and then completes a inline twist. After riders are rolled 360-degrees, the train completes a 180-degree turn made up of two 90-degree turns separate by a straight piece of track. As the train reaches that straight stretch of track, the brakes kick on and bring the train to a stop. Riders are then slowly allowed to roll around the final turn and return to the station. The restraints are released and riders are set free to explore the rest of Liseberg Park. |
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