Specific Type: Terrain Coaster
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It is hard to believe that rollercoasters have been going upside down for over 150 years. The looping rollercoaster was first introduced as early as 1848 in Paris, France as a temporary installation called Centrifugal Railway. The Centrifugal Railway featuring a circular vertical loop, and was not a complete circuit, but not really a shuttle coaster either. This style of coaster was built and traveled around Western Europe. To “test” their safety cars were often sent through the loop with glass bottles of water or eggs to prove they were safe for passengers. Ultimately these early looping coasters were not successful because of extreme discomfort for riders. The first permanent installation was the Flip Flap Railway at Coney Island New York in 1895. Flip Flap Railway featured a circular vertical loop and unlike its European counterparts was a full circuit. It was also very uncomfortable for riders capable a pulling approximately 12 g's. These forces were more than uncomfortable, and at times seriously hurt the riders. Flip Flap railway was closed in 1901, however the same concept was tried several more times in the early part of the 20th century. The idea was eventually discarded, not because of the injuries or discomfort, but the low capacity made it difficult for ride operators to turn a profit.
Fast forward about 70 years and jump over to the west coast and the idea of the vertical loop was about to be revived in Valencia, California at Magic Mountain. Magic Mountain tapped Anton Schwarzkopf to build a steel roller coaster with a vertical loop for the 1976 season. What they came up with was called the Great American Revolution to honor America’s Bicentennial. The ride set a new standard by elongating the loop into a more teardrop shape. This made the ride experience much more comfortable. In 1981 the ride’s name changed to La Revolución this time to honor the Mexican Revolution. In 1988 the ride’s name changed again this time simply to the Revolution. Unfortunately the coaster trains were retrofitted with OTSR for the 1992 season replacing the much loved lap bars, for insurance purposes. Then for the 2016 season a major renovation was done. The coaster was repainted and the trains were replaced with new models. These new trains would bring back the much loved lap bars and the ride’s name would change yet again to the New Revolution, featuring a VR experience during the premier year. The ride experience begins climbing up the 113 foot tall lift that follows the slope of the mountain. At the top the track turns to the right and follow the terrain back down a tree lined path at 55 MPH. After the drop riders experience an airtime hill, and then another as the train follows the mountain and weaves between the trees. A large graceful turn brings you around as the train gathers speed and climbs the mountain. At the top riders see an old sign that reads, “Place Head Against Headrest”, and the train dives again this time completing a 90 foot tall vertical loop. The train makes a graceful left turn back into the trees. As riders emerge from they are now weaving in and out of Tatsu’s support structure, and then are thrust into a dark 144 foot long tunnel. When your eyes adjust back to the bright light you are passing through the middle of the vertical loop. Finally the train turns into a helix before hitting the brake run and completing the 3,457 foot long circuit. Next time you are at Six Flags Magic Mountain make sure you leave time for a spin on the ACE Coaster Landmark, The New Revolution. |
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