Topple Tower

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Scale display model of a Topple Tower

Timber Tower at Dollywood in operation. This installation is enhanced with the use of water effects

A Topple Tower is an amusement ride produced by HUSS Maschinenfabrik. The ride was designed during the early 90's, and first went into operation in 2005.

1 Design and operation
2 Incidents
3 Appearances
4 References

[edit] Design and operation

The Topple Tower consists of a single 40-person circular gondola, centred around an 18 metre tower. Passengers sit in the gondola, facing outward. When the ride cycle is started, the gondola is raised towards the top of the tower, and begins to rotate at between 9 and 11 rpm. When the rotating gondola reaches the top of the tower, the tower itself begins to rock back and forth.

[edit] Incidents

On June 16, 2007, the Topple Tower installation (Known as Timber Tower) at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA became stuck after a faulty safety sensor engaged. The tower was in an upright position with the gondola at the top. The safety system would not let operators override the sensor, leaving 44 passengers stranded on the ride, some for as many as 3 hours. ^[1]

[edit] Appearances

Belgium - At least one Topple Tower operates in Belgium. El Volador, located at the Bellewaerde theme park, was the first Topple Tower in the world to go into operation.
Canada - A Topple Tower operates at Marineland in Niagara Falls Ontario.
China - At least one Topple Tower operates in China.
Denmark - A Topple Tower operates at Djurs Sommerland
France - At least one Topple Tower operates in France.
United States - At least one Topple Tower operates in the U.S.A. including the Timber Tower, which opened in 2006 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.