Thursday, May 19, 2011

Top thrill dragster

Everyone who knows me in real life, knows I'm a huge rollercoaster fan, and I'm always looking for the most extreme versions of them (I should live in the United States, since the best ones are always in America). I thought I already knew the most extreme one, aptly called X2 (at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California) but this one, the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Ohio, looks even more extreme!

In its station, two trains are loaded simultaneously before both are dispatched to a separate track to wait for the launch. Each one is launched individually while two more enter the station to receive more passengers. While there, the ride's theme song, "Ready to Go" by Republica, is played.

To the left of the track is a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message is played to the riders to; "keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train is prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect is played and its magnetic braking fins are lowered from the launch track. It then launches, accelerating to a speed of 190 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees counter-clockwise before climbing over the 130 meter hill. Upon descending, the track twists 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.

Fantastic!

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