Son of Beast (roller coaster)

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Son of Beast

Location Kings Island
Type Wood
Status Nonoperational (Under inspection) expected to open for the 2007 season
Opened May 26, 2000
Manufacturer Roller Coaster Corporation of America
Designer Werner Stengel
Track layout Terrain
Lift/launch system Chain lift hill
Height 218 feet (66.4 m)
Drop 214 feet (65.2 m)
Length 7,032 feet (2,143.4 m)
Max speed 78.4 mile per hour (126.2 km/h)
Duration 2:20
Max Vertical Angle 55.7 degrees
Capacity 1000 riders per hour
Cost $20,000,000 USD (estimated)
Max G force 4.5
Height Restriction 48 inches (121.9 cm)
Son of Beast at RCDB
Pictures of Son of Beast at RCDB

Son of Beast is a wooden roller coaster located at Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Son of Beast is billed as the sequel to The Beast. At the time of its introduction, Son of Beast was the only woodie in the top 10 categories (worldwide) that are dominated by steel-based coasters for track length, height, speed, and drop.

The sign located at the entrance of the ride features a large wooden box covered with chains, rope, and metal straps. The front of the box is ripped open, suggesting a large creature of some sort tore its way out. The words, "Son of Beast" are located in the center of the hole. As part of a marketing campaign for the ride before its debut, the same box was placed next to a footpath in the park. Beastly growling and snarling noises came from inside the box and it shook violently, as if something inside was trying to escape.

It is believed that the cars from the now demolished Hurricane: Category 5 coaster from the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion will be used on this ride.

Contents

[edit] Facts

[edit] Design team

  • Designer: Werner Stengel
  • Construction: Roller Coaster Corporation of America / According to various sources - Kings Island crews were used to construct the structure - which some say could have caused the failure. [1]
  • Train Design & Manufacturer: Premier Rides

[edit] Statistics

  • Official debut: April 27th, 2000
  • Height: 218 ft
  • 1st drop: 214 ft at a 55.7 degree angle
  • 2nd drop: 164 ft (50 m) at a 43.4 degree angle
  • 3rd drop: 150 ft (45.7 m) at a 37.3 degree angle
  • Top speed: 78 mph (126 km/h)
  • Acceleration: 4.5 g (44 m/s²)
  • Inversions: 1 x 118 ft (36 m) vertical loop (removed December, 2006)
  • Helixes: 2 x 540 degree Helixes (one left, one right; hills/valleys incorporated in both)
  • Max banking of helixes: 68.9 degrees
  • Track length: 7,032 ft (2143 m)
  • Duration: 2 minutes, 40 seconds
  • Number of trains: 3 (36 passengers each)
  • Passenger's restraints (cars): Wide lap bar
  • Hourly capacity: 1000 guests
  • Land area: 12 acres (49,000 m²)
  • Timber used: 1.65 million board feet (3,900 m³)
  • Cost: $20,000,000 USD (estimated cost, park officials won't confirm actual cost)

[edit] Materials used

  • Main Structure: Southern Yellow Pine
  • Track Piles: Douglas Fir
  • Loop Structure: Steel
  • Loop Track: Wood

[edit] World records set

  • Fastest wooden roller coaster
  • Only looping wooden roller coaster (The loop is being removed for the 2007 season.)
  • Tallest wooden roller coaster
  • Tallest wooden roller coaster drop (1st and 2nd drops beat the previous record)
  • Longest looping roller coaster (Steel or wooden)

[edit] 2006 Incident

Main article: Incidents at Cedar Fair parks

On July 9, 2006 at 4:45 PM, a structural failure that created a bump in the track, caused 27 injuries and required rescue units to enter the scene. Most of the injuries were of the chest or neck. 17 people were released from hospitals within five hours of the accident and 2 were admitted. None of the injuries were life-threatening. The ride has since been shut down until the State of Ohio completes its investigation. After an inspection done the following day they said that the accident was caused by a crack or split in the wood. The park has completed repairs of the ride but the state is asking for extensive testing to be done to ensure it does not happen again. The park has said the ride may not reopen till next season.[2] [3][4] [5] [6]

As of December 2006, the park has removed the loop portion of the ride so that they can use lighter trains; they plan to reopen Son of Beast for the 2007 season. [7]

[edit] External links

Roller coasters at Kings Island

Adventure Express - The Beast - Face/Off - Fairly Odd Coaster - FireHawk - Flight of Fear - Italian Job: Stunt Track - Little Bill's Giggle Coaster - Racer - Rugrat's Runaway Reptar - Son of Beast - Top Gun - Vortex -
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