Wicked Twister
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| Wicked Twister | |
 Wicked Twister |
|
| Location | Cedar Point |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel - Inverted - Launched |
| Status | Open |
| Opened | May 5, 2002 |
| Manufacturer | Intamin AG |
| Model | Twisted Impulse Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | LIM Launch track |
| Height | 215 feet (65.5 m) |
| Drop | 206 feet (62.8 m) |
| Length | 2,700 feet (823 m) |
| Max speed | 72 mile per hour (115.9 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 40 seconds |
| Max Vertical Angle | 90 degrees |
| Capacity | 1000 riders per hour |
| Cost | $9,000,000 USD |
| Height Restriction | 52 inches (132.1 cm) |
| Wicked Twister at RCDB | |
| Pictures of Wicked Twister at RCDB | |
Wicked Twister is a steel roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
This 216-foot-tall ride consists of one train operating on a double-ended track. Both ends of the towers (track) are designed with 450-degree vertical twists to provide an exciting ride experience. Between the towers a horizontal track section incorporates the load and unload area as well as the linear induction motor propulsion system (LIM section).
The train consists of 8 cars carrying 4 passengers each, 2 persons side by side for a total of 32 persons.
Wicked Twister's feature theme song is "The Winner" by the Crystal Method
[edit] The ride
At the beginning of the ride, the linear induction motors propel the train forward out of the station during its first launch at 50 mph, which carries the vehicle approximately halfway up the front tower. After stalling out and reversing, the train enters the LIM section again, where the train is accelerated during its second launch to 63 mph in the backward direction so that the train climbs almost all the way up the rear tower. The train then stalls and drops forward before re-entering the LIM section where additional thrust is added as the train gains to 69 mph during its third launch, causing the train to rocket further up the front tower than the previous time. Stalling and reversing, the train plummets and re-enters the LIM section where the LIM launch the train for the fourth time, making the train reach a maximum speed of 72 mph to travel a maximum 206 feet up the rear tower. With the one more final pass forward through the LIM section, the train goes up the front helix once more before the train reverses. As it travels back toward the station, brakes are applied and finally stop within the station platform. Unlike some rides like this kind, the floor does not drop out underneath the train when the ride starts and back up when it stops. Riders must jump a bit to reach their seats when loading. It is still the fastest coaster of its type in the world.
[edit] Safety Systems
Wicked Twister has many additional safety systems installed due to the fact that it passes the station multiple times, and high speeds. The first of these systems is a "light curtain", named for the nature in which it operates. Two emitters and two receivers are place on each side of the ride station. Each emitter sends a thick, invisible beam of light towards the receiver on the other side. If at any time this beam is broken during ride operation, it will automatically emergency stop. Another safety system is installed under the station, attached to the automatic platform gates. If an individual places too much downward vertical force, or shakes the gates, the ride emergency stops. Yet another safety system installed are located on all other gates on the ride, including entrance and exit. The gates are electromagnetically sealed while the ride is in progress, to ensure guests do not enter.
[edit] External links
| Roller coasters at Cedar Point |
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Blue Streak - Cedar Creek Mine Ride - Corkscrew - Disaster Transport - Gemini - Iron Dragon - Jr. Gemini - Magnum XL-200 - Mantis - Maverick - Mean Streak - Millennium Force - Raptor - Top Thrill Dragster - Wicked Twister - WildCat - Woodstock Express |
