Specific Type: Accelerator Coaster
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It all started back in 1976 when a Sandusky, Ohio amusement resort called Cedar Point introduced a revolutionary new steel coaster to the world - Corkscrew, a triple-inversion ride of 85 feet high and 55 miles per hour. Since then, Cedar Point has been transformed into a skyline of world record-smashing coasters, each one becoming progressively taller, faster, and more extreme, 1978's Gemini reaching 125 feet with a 60-degree drop and speeds of 60 MPH; Magnum XL-200 of 1989 becoming the first ever mega-coaster at 200 feet high and 70 miles an hour; and finally, 2000's Millennium Force the first giga-coaster at over 300 feet, with an 80-degree, 93-MPH first plunge. Now, on May 4th, 2003, the word 'extreme' was redefined by Cedar Point once again when the park pulled the wraps off of Top Thrill Dragster, the new tallest, fastest steel coaster on earth, which became the world's first coaster to climb to 42 stories in height to make it the first ever strata-coaster. Dominating over the other surrounding 16 coaster tracks with an eye-catching vertical tower, Dragster launches off at gut-wrenching speeds of 120 miles per hour and rises up above all others to a monumental height of 420 feet above the planet's surface, with a completely vertical twisting ascent - and descent. Created by Intamin AG, the manufacturer of four of the Point's other steel coasters including Millennium Force and 2002's Wicked Twister as their second 'Rocket Coaster' after the prototype Xcelerator in Calfornia, this strata-monster deploys a hydraulic launch to rocket 12-passenger trains off at the incredible initial velocity of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds, and magnetic brakes to slow the coaster back into the station after completing the tower. With 2,800 feet if skeletal red and white Intamin-signature box track, the ride on Top Thrill Dragster takes less than a minute from start to finish, but that short ride will be one to never forget.
After passing through the turnstiles of Cedar Point, thrill seekers have no problem finding their way to Dragster, the centrally-situated yellow tower of the ride visible from all parts of the park - and for miles around. Once through the queuing line, guests pile into one of six sleek four-car, two-abreast trains and secure safety belts and lap restraints before it's clear for takeoff. The train rolls out of the station and stops in the launch area, preparing to blast off. All at once, the inevitable launch rockets passengers forward like a cannon, the parallel midway and alternating red and white of the track below a blur as the train eats up the horizontal track in a matter of seconds and accelerates like a dragster to the 120-mile per hour mark. At the end of the launch track, the 90-degree transition from horizontal to vertical begins and keeps up until riders are facing skyward, being carried forward at an appreciatable clip of speed. Rocketing towards the heavens, the coaster begins the first vertical twist of 90 degrees and takes the train swiftly towards the pinnacle. After completing the twisting action, the red track starts to level, and as the train flies over the top, a breathtaking view of Cedar Point greets riders: the once king of coasters Millennium Force over 100 feet below straight ahead and the Sandusky Bay just beyond. But before long, the rails aim right back where they came from - straight down.Top Thrill Dragster takes on the rolling plunge back down and throws thrill seekers for an earthbound spin of 270 degrees. Spiraling straight down at an ever-increasing velocity the train regains a terrific rate of speed once again and the ground rushes up at riders. In seconds, the bottom pull-out is reached and passengers are pressed into their seats at the bottom, and as the train rushes forward, the brakes take control of the train and slow it around a final U-turn back to the start. If you're a thrill seeker, Cedar Point is the place to be! |
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