| Xpress | |
| Xpress | |
| Location | Walibi Holland |
|---|---|
| Park section | Hollywood The Main Street |
| Status | SBNO |
| Opened | April, 2000 |
| Type | Steel - Launched |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Family Launch Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | LSM |
| Height | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Length | 3,267 ft (996 m) |
| Max speed | 55.9 mph (90.0 km/h) |
| Inversions | 3 |
| Duration | 100 sec. |
| Capacity | 1200 riders per hour |
| Acceleration | 0 − 55.9 mph in 2.8 seconds |
| Height restriction | 3 ft 11 in (119 cm) |
| Xpress at RCDB | |
| Pictures of Xpress at RCDB | |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
Xpress is a steel roller coaster at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands. It was launched as Superman The Ride in April 2000. The name was changed to Xpress in the season of 2005. It is the first LSM-coaster in Europe.
After the train has been locked and checked, it slowly advances out of the station to the launch area. The train goes through a tunnel, where the passenger waits until the countdown starts. After the countdown, the trains, which exist out of 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train, are accelerated from 0 - 55.9 mph in 2.8 seconds, after which, the ride follows. It first climbs into a roll over loop which is actually 2 inversions. You begin by climbing into a half loop, followed by a half corkscrew, another half corkscrew and ending with a half loop. Then the train plunges into numerous turns and helixes and the 3rd inversion, a 360 degree corkscrew. The train than passes in through a mid course break run, makes a few turns then travels into the final break run and re-enters the station.
The Xpress / Superman was initially to be called "Riddler's Revenge" and was painted green at the factory. Shortly before the ride was installed, it was decided that Europeans know of Batman, but not necessarily all of the related villains. So the track was repainted with red and blue supports and given a Superman theme. The station was given the theme of the Daily Planet offices.
The ride was launched in April 2000 in the theme park Six Flags Holland. After the name of the park was changed to Walibi World, the name of the ride was also changed to Xpress. This happened in 2005.
The Xpress has nearly the same track layout as the "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster" models at Disney Parks. The Xpress' layout is a bit more spacious to compensate for a higher speed launch due to the trains being lighter without the musical hardware.
In 2011, small cracks were found in the stators, and their metal inside started to rust. New stators have been ordered, and will be delivered in February 2012. Therefore, the coaster has been standing but not operating for the whole season. In August 2011, Walibi Holland decided to re-paint the track, to get rid of the old Superman colors.