Suspended Looping Coaster

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Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC)
250px
Blue Tornado in Gardaland, Italy, a 765m extended SLC with a helix
Status In Production
First manufactured 1994
No. of installations 39
Manufacturer Vekoma
Vehicle type Roller coaster train
Height restriction 130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
Type Steel - Inverted
Lift system Single chain lift hill
Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) at RCDB

The Suspended Looping Coaster (or SLC) is a model of steel inverted roller coaster built by Vekoma. There are at least 39 different installations across the world. The minimum rider height requirement is 130 centimetres (4 ft 3 in).

History

The first Suspended Looping Coaster installation was El Condor at Walibi Holland in the Netherlands.[1] It was initially designed to run with ten cars in each train. Trouble with this configuration lead to the trains being shortened to eight cars to a train.[2] T2 at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was the second prototype model Suspended Looping Coaster and the first in the United States.[3] Like El Condor, it was designed to run with ten cars in a train, though T2's trains were shortened to seven cars for similar reasons.[2]

The roller coaster is considered to still be in production as the latest new installation (i.e. not relocated) was Dragon in Clouds in 2009 at Happy Valley, Shenzhen [4][5]

Ride

Layouts

File:Vekoma SLC.png
The layout of most Suspended Looping Coasters is the 689m Standard. The additional dotted helix is found only on some extended models.
File:Hangmancroped.jpg
Hangman at Wild Adventures is of the 689m Standard layout.

There are several different layouts of Suspended Looping Coasters although most feature a similar pattern.[2] The ride starts by taking riders up a 33.3-metre (109 ft) chain hill.[6] Once at the top, the train goes down a steep, banked turn to the right where it enters the first inversion element - a roll over. A roll over (also known as a Sea serpent roll) first features a Sidewinder quickly followed by a reverse sidewinder.[7] Upon exit from this element, the train goes up a hill which features some banking at the top before descending and approaching the ride's next inversion - a sidewinder.[6] A sidewinder is similar to an Immelmann loop however it features a half loop followed by a half corkscrew (rather than an inline twist).[8] From the exit of this sidewinder, the train goes into a sharp helix before entering the ride's final two inversions - inline twists. These two twists are followed one after the other. A banked curve to the right turns the train back around to face towards the station. At this point some models feature an additional helix to the left while others simply continue straight into the brake run.[6] The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing for "footchoppers".

Vekoma have also manufactured two custom Suspended Looping Coasters: Fly - The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is really just a standard SLC with custom station and supports) and Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island.[9]

Name Number of installations First installation Last installation
662m Prototype 2 1994 1995
689m Standard 26 1995 2015
765m Extended w/Helix 5 1995 1999
787m Extended 2 1997 2007
Shenlin 2 2002 2006
Shenlin w/Helix 2 2006 2009
Custom 2 1995 2002
41 1994 2015

Trains

File:Vekomawheels.jpg
Close up of an SLC wheel assembly

Many Suspended Looping Coasters operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with as few as seven cars. Poorly maintained, poor track layout or most likely non-exact track manufacturing can cause SLCs riders to experience painful "head banging", whereby the head hits the Over the Shoulder Restraints. They also use very small plastic seats with little or no room for a person to move. Contrary to popular belief,[citation needed] the wheel spacing on the trains (the 'gaps' between the side friction wheels, up-stop wheels, and the track) adds little to the roughness of these rides.[citation needed] Vekoma is currently manufacturing new trains with convenient hip harnesses. Unlike the first generation of trains, this modification will make the overall ride experience more comfortable.[citation needed]Vekoma also make vest-like harnesses that allow to rider to sit more comfortable riding. The only two known places to have these trains is at Morey's Piers,[10] and at Isla Magica in Spain. In 2012, Lethal Weapon - The Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World reopened as Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy. The newly opened ride runs with trains manufactured by Kumbak and uses less restrictive harnesses which are similar, but not identical to, the vest-like restraints found on the SLCs at Morey's Piers and Isla Magica.[11]

The Suspended Looping Coaster is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters, however unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLC's use two-across seating.

  • Kumalitrain.jpg

    A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster train seats riders 2 across.

  • A Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Roller Coaster train seats riders 4 across.

Installations

There are at least 39 different installations across the world which have been located at 47 different theme parks.[12]

Name Park Opened Status Model Image
Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy Warner Bros. Movie World 1995 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix 100px [6]
Batman - The Ride Six Flags Mexico 2000 Operating 689m Standard 100px [13]
Blackout Suzuka Circuit 1995-2007 Closed 689m Standard
Blue Tornado Gardaland 1998 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix 100px [14]
Cape Cobras Ratanga Junction 2010 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [15]
Condor Walibi Holland 1994 Operating 662m Prototype [1]
Desafió Parque de la Costa 1999 Operating 689m Standard 100px [16]
Dragon in Clouds Happy Valley Chengdu 2009 Operating Shenlin w/ Helix 100px [17]
Ednör – L'Attaque
In Storage
Formerly Serial Thriller		 La Ronde
Great Escape
Six Flags AstroWorld		 2010
2005
1999		 Operating
2009
Closed 2005		 689m Standard 100px [18][19][20]
F2 Fright Flight Nasu Highland Park 1995 Operating 689m Standard [21]
FireWhip
Formerly Blackout		 Beto Carrero World
Suzuka Circuit		 2008
1995		 Operating
Closed 2007		 689m Standard 100px [22][23]
Formerly "Top Gun" Now Flight Deck Canada's Wonderland 1995 Operating 689m Standard 100px [24]
Fly - The Great Nor'easter Morey's Piers 1995 Operating Custom 100px [25]
The Gauntlet Magic Springs and Crystal Falls 2004 Operating 689m Standard Gauntlet roller coaster, Magic Springs and Crystal Falls (2004).jpg [26]
Golden Wings in Snowfield Happy Valley Beijing 2006 Operating Shenlin w/ Helix [27]
Hurricane Rusutsu Resort 1995 Operating 689m Standard [28]
Infusion
Formerly TraumaTizer		 Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Pleasureland Southport		 2007
1999		 Operating
Closed 2006		 689m Standard 100px [29][30]
Jaguar Isla Magica 1997 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [31]
Kong
Formerly Hangman		 Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Opryland USA		 1998
1995		 Operating
Closed 1997		 689m Standard 100px [32][33]
Kumali Flamingo Land 2006 Operating Shenlin Kumali.jpg
Kumba Superland 2001 Operating 689m Standard 100px [34]
Limit Heide Park 1999 Operating 689m Standard 100px
Mayan Adventure Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village 1997 Operating 689m Standard [35]
Mind Eraser Darien Lake 1997 Operating 689m Standard 100px [36]
Mind Eraser Elitch Gardens 1997 Operating 689m Standard [37]
Mind Eraser Six Flags America 1995 Operating 689m Standard Mind Eraser (Sidewinder).JPG [38]
Mind Eraser Six Flags New England 1997 Operating 689m Standard 100px [39]
MP Xpress Movie Park Germany 2001 Operating 689m Standard 100px [40]
Nio Mitsui Greenland 1997 Operating 689m Standard [41]
The Odyssey Fantasy Island 2002 Operating Custom Jubilee Odyssey.JPG [42]
Raptor Fantasilandia 2009 Operating 689m Standard 100px
Roller Coaster Dream Park 1999 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [43]
Serial Thriller Six Flags Astroworld 1999-2005 Closed 689m Standard Serial Thriller
Snow Mountain Flying Dragon Happy Valley Shenzhen 2002 Operating Shenlin [44]
Suspended Looping Coaster SuZhou Amusement Land 2003 Operating 787m Extended [45]
T3
Formerly T2		 Kentucky Kingdom T2 1995-2010 T3 2015 Operating 662m Prototype [46]
Thunderhawk Michigan's Adventure
Geauga Lake		 2008
1998		 Operating
Closed 2007		 689m Standard Thunderhawk Michigan's Adventure.jpg [47][48]
Titánide Terra Mitica 2003 Operating 689m Standard 100px [49]
Twisted Typhoon Wild Adventures 1999 Operating 689m Standard 100px [50]
Vampire Walibi Belgium 1999 Operating 689m Standard 100px [51]
Vortex
Formerly Pusing Lagi		 Siam Park City
Jerudong Park Playground		 2007
1997		 Operating
Closed 2006		 787m Extended Jerudong2004-Roller coaster.jpg [52][53]

Yet-to-be-named 689m Standards are set to open in Al Zawra'a Dream Park in Iraq and Energylandia in Poland in 2015.[54][55]

Similar roller coasters

Shenzhou Coaster is an inverted roller coaster at Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park in Beijing, China. The train and track are similar to the Suspended Looping Coaster design by Vekoma, but the ride was instead designed and manufactured by Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment. The track layout is unique. There have been several problems with other models with the same layout. These coasters are known for having bad pacing in parts of the ride. For example: The "Hanging Roller Coaster" at Crab Island in China stalled before the rides Sidewinder stranding 12 people for 3 hours. Other SLC's in China are sometimes manufactured by Hebei Zhongye Metallurgical Equipment which are known for being more poor than the BSA models. HZM has tried to smooth out the transitions but have made the rides experience much worse. These new models cannot open when the wind speed is greater than 15 mph.[56]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/showmag.php?mid=gfsrf#/page22/
  11. ↑ http://rcdb.com/1122.htm
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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