A Topple Tower is an amusement ride produced by HUSS Maschinenfabrik. The ride was designed by Mr. Theo van Orsouw of van Orsouw Amusement Rides Design Service ( ARDS ) Berghem, the Netherlands Patent Pended nr: PCT/EP2002/012698 Nov. 13 2002, and first went into operation in 2005.
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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.
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 40 passengers stranded on the ride, some for as many as 3 hours. As of the 2011 season, the Timber Tower is not operating and is slated to be removed at the end of the season.[1]