Trailblazer
Specific Type: Mine Train
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In 1974 Hershey Park had to cut their expansion plans because of the energy crisis that was giving the United States a lot of problems. Even though most of the attractions planed for 1974 were put on hold until the next year, the Trailblazer project was a go. The park contacted Arrow Development Company of Clearfield, Utah and started to design a layout that would use the terrain in an underdeveloped section of the park. The Trailblazer was to be first major coaster to be added in the park in eighteen years. Construction started during the winter and wrapped up a week
later because of delays. The ride opened to the public on the second week of June and was an instant hit with Hershey guests. The Trailblazer was a state-of-the-art mine train coaster with 1,874 feet of red and black track twisting through the natural terrain of the section of the park, which would later become known as Pioneer Frontier. TheTrailblazer has since been passed up by thrill ride technology, but it still remains a favorite at Hershey Park with thrill riders seeking lesser thrills and small children looking to become thrill seekers. The ride starts out by riders picking their seat in one of the five cars and securing the lap bars. The brakes release and the train drifts out of the station. The train rounds a 180-degree turn and passes through the car storage shed. Once the train exits the shed, the lift locks on and carries the train to the summit of the ride. The chain disengages and the train starts it’s decent down the small first drop. The mine cars slowly pick up speed and whip through a single helix and into a straight stretch of track. Riders notice Indian theming and then see a small hill up ahead. The train crests the small hill and drifts towards the final element of the ride. The train climbs slightly upward and then rolls into a downward double helix. The train swirls around faster and faster dizzying riders. The train finally whips out of the helix and into what look like an abandoned mine. The trains round a turn and you see the lights of the station. The train then slows to a stop until the next train leaves then the train drifts into the station. The lap bar unlocks and riders exit the once state-of-the-art ride that still packs a punch. |
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