Suspended Looping Coaster

Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC)

Blue Tornado in Gardaland, Italy, a 765m extended SLC with a helix
Status In Production
First manufactured 1994
No. of installations 39
Manufacturer Vekoma
Vehicle type Roller coaster train
Height restriction 130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
Type Steel - Inverted
Lift system Single chain lift hill
Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) at RCDB

The Suspended Looping Coaster (or SLC) is a model of steel inverted roller coaster built by Vekoma. There are at least 39 different installations across the world. The minimum rider height requirement is 130 centimetres (4 ft 3 in).

History

The first Suspended Looping Coaster installation was El Condor at Walibi Holland in the Netherlands.[1] It was initially designed to run with ten cars in each train. Trouble with this configuration lead to the trains being shortened to eight cars to a train.[2] T2 at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was the second prototype model Suspended Looping Coaster and the first in the United States.[3] Like El Condor, it was designed to run with ten cars in a train, though T2's trains were shortened to seven cars for similar reasons.[2]

The roller coaster is considered to still be in production as the latest new installation (i.e. not relocated) was Dragon in Clouds in 2009 at Happy Valley, Shenzhen [4][5]

Ride

Layouts

The layout of most Suspended Looping Coasters is the 689m Standard. The additional dotted helix is found only on some extended models.
Hangman at Wild Adventures is of the 689m Standard layout.

There are several different layouts of Suspended Looping Coasters although most feature a similar pattern.[2] The ride starts by taking riders up a 33.3-metre (109 ft) chain hill.[6] Once at the top, the train goes down a steep, banked turn to the right where it enters the first inversion element - a roll over. A roll over (also known as a Sea serpent roll) first features a Sidewinder quickly followed by a reverse sidewinder.[7] Upon exit from this element, the train goes up a hill which features some banking at the top before descending and approaching the ride's next inversion - a sidewinder.[6] A sidewinder is similar to an Immelmann loop however it features a half loop followed by a half corkscrew (rather than an inline twist).[8] From the exit of this sidewinder, the train goes into a sharp helix before entering the ride's final two inversions - inline twists. These two twists are followed one after the other. A banked curve to the right turns the train back around to face towards the station. At this point some models feature an additional helix to the left while others simply continue straight into the brake run.[6] The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing for "footchoppers".

Vekoma have also manufactured two custom Suspended Looping Coasters: Fly - The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is really just a standard SLC with custom station and supports) and Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island.[9]

Name Number of installations First installation Last installation
662m Prototype 2 1994 1995
689m Standard 26 1995 2015
765m Extended w/Helix 5 1995 1999
787m Extended 2 1997 2007
Shenlin 2 2002 2006
Shenlin w/Helix 2 2006 2009
Custom 2 1995 2002
41 1994 2015

Trains

Close up of an SLC wheel assembly

Many Suspended Looping Coasters operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with as few as seven cars. Poorly maintained, poor track layout or most likely non-exact track manufacturing can cause SLCs riders to experience painful "head banging", whereby the head hits the Over the Shoulder Restraints. They also use very small plastic seats with little or no room for a person to move. Contrary to popular belief, the wheel spacing on the trains (the 'gaps' between the side friction wheels, up-stop wheels, and the track) adds little to the roughness of these rides. Vekoma is currently manufacturing new trains with convenient hip harnesses. Unlike the first generation of trains, this modification will make the overall ride experience more comfortable.Vekoma also make vest-like harnesses that allow to rider to sit more comfortable riding. The only two known places to have these trains is at Morey's Piers,[10] and at Isla Magica in Spain. In 2012, Lethal Weapon - The Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World reopened as Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy. The newly opened ride runs with trains manufactured by Kumbak and uses less restrictive harnesses which are similar, but not identical to, the vest-like restraints found on the SLCs at Morey's Piers and Isla Magica.[11]

The Suspended Looping Coaster is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters, however unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLC's use two-across seating.

Installations

There are at least 39 different installations across the world which have been located at 47 different theme parks.[12]

Name Park Opened Status Model Image
Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy Warner Bros. Movie World 1995 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [6]
Batman - The Ride Six Flags Mexico 2000 Operating 689m Standard [13]
Blackout Suzuka Circuit 1995-2007 Closed 689m Standard
Blue Tornado Gardaland 1998 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [14]
Cape Cobras Ratanga Junction 2010 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [15]
Condor Walibi Holland 1994 Operating 662m Prototype [1]
Desafió Parque de la Costa 1999 Operating 689m Standard [16]
Dragon in Clouds Happy Valley Chengdu 2009 Operating Shenlin w/ Helix [17]
Ednör – L'Attaque
In Storage
Formerly Serial Thriller
La Ronde
Great Escape
Six Flags AstroWorld
2010
2005
1999
Operating
2009
Closed 2005
689m Standard [18][19][20]
F2 Fright Flight Nasu Highland Park 1995 Operating 689m Standard [21]
FireWhip
Formerly Blackout
Beto Carrero World
Suzuka Circuit
2008
1995
Operating
Closed 2007
689m Standard [22][23]
Formerly "Top Gun" Now Flight Deck Canada's Wonderland 1995 Operating 689m Standard [24]
Fly - The Great Nor'easter Morey's Piers 1995 Operating Custom [25]
The Gauntlet Magic Springs and Crystal Falls 2004 Operating 689m Standard [26]
Golden Wings in Snowfield Happy Valley Beijing 2006 Operating Shenlin w/ Helix [27]
Hurricane Rusutsu Resort 1995 Operating 689m Standard [28]
Infusion
Formerly TraumaTizer
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Pleasureland Southport
2007
1999
Operating
Closed 2006
689m Standard [29][30]
Jaguar Isla Magica 1997 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [31]
Kong
Formerly Hangman
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Opryland USA
1998
1995
Operating
Closed 1997
689m Standard [32][33]
Kumali Flamingo Land 2006 Operating Shenlin
Kumba Superland 2001 Operating 689m Standard [34]
Limit Heide Park 1999 Operating 689m Standard
Mayan Adventure Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village 1997 Operating 689m Standard [35]
Mind Eraser Darien Lake 1997 Operating 689m Standard [36]
Mind Eraser Elitch Gardens 1997 Operating 689m Standard [37]
Mind Eraser Six Flags America 1995 Operating 689m Standard [38]
Mind Eraser Six Flags New England 1997 Operating 689m Standard [39]
MP Xpress Movie Park Germany 2001 Operating 689m Standard [40]
Nio Mitsui Greenland 1997 Operating 689m Standard [41]
The Odyssey Fantasy Island 2002 Operating Custom [42]
Raptor Fantasilandia 2009 Operating 689m Standard
Roller Coaster Dream Park 1999 Operating 765m Extended w/ Helix [43]
Serial Thriller Six Flags Astroworld 1999-2005 Closed 689m Standard
Snow Mountain Flying Dragon Happy Valley Shenzhen 2002 Operating Shenlin [44]
Suspended Looping Coaster SuZhou Amusement Land 2003 Operating 787m Extended [45]
T3
Formerly T2
Kentucky Kingdom T2 1995-2010 T3 2015 Operating 662m Prototype [46]
Thunderhawk Michigan's Adventure
Geauga Lake
2008
1998
Operating
Closed 2007
689m Standard [47][48]
Titánide Terra Mitica 2003 Operating 689m Standard [49]
Twisted Typhoon Wild Adventures 1999 Operating 689m Standard [50]
Vampire Walibi Belgium 1999 Operating 689m Standard [51]
Vortex
Formerly Pusing Lagi
Siam Park City
Jerudong Park Playground
2007
1997
Operating
Closed 2006
787m Extended [52][53]

Yet-to-be-named 689m Standards are set to open in Al Zawra'a Dream Park in Iraq and Energylandia in Poland in 2015.[54][55]

Similar roller coasters

Shenzhou Coaster is an inverted roller coaster at Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park in Beijing, China. The train and track are similar to the Suspended Looping Coaster design by Vekoma, but the ride was instead designed and manufactured by Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment. The track layout is unique. There have been several problems with other models with the same layout. These coasters are known for having bad pacing in parts of the ride. For example: The "Hanging Roller Coaster" at Crab Island in China stalled before the rides Sidewinder stranding 12 people for 3 hours. Other SLC's in China are sometimes manufactured by Hebei Zhongye Metallurgical Equipment which are known for being more poor than the BSA models. HZM has tried to smooth out the transitions but have made the rides experience much worse. These new models cannot open when the wind speed is greater than 15 mph.[56]

References

  1. 1 2 Marden, Duane. "Condor  (Walibi Holland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Marden, Duane. "SLC  (662m Prototype)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  3. Marden, Duane. "T²  (Kentucky Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  4. Marden, Duane. "Dragon in Clouds  (Happy Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  5. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results - Model Line = SLC". Database Entry. RollerCoaster Database. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Marden, Duane. "Lethal Weapon - The Ride  (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  7. Marden, Duane. "Roll Over". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  8. Marden, Duane. "Sidewinder". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  9. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results - Model = SLC (Custom)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  10. http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/showmag.php?mid=gfsrf#/page22/
  11. http://rcdb.com/1122.htm
  12. Marden, Duane. "SLC". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  13. Marden, Duane. "Batman: The Ride  (Six Flags Mexico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  14. Marden, Duane. "Blue Tornado  (Gardaland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  15. Marden, Duane. "Cape Cobras  (Ratanga Junction)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  16. Marden, Duane. "Desafío  (Parque de la Costa)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  17. Marden, Duane. "Dragon in Clouds  (Happy Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  18. Marden, Duane. "Ednör - L'Attaque  (La Ronde)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  19. Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Great Escape)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  20. Marden, Duane. "Serial Thriller  (Six Flags Astroworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  21. Marden, Duane. "F2 Fright Flight  (Nasu Highland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  22. Marden, Duane. "FireWhip  (Beto Carrero World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  23. Marden, Duane. "Blackout  (Suzuka Circuit)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  24. Marden, Duane. "Flight Deck  (Canada's Wonderland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  25. Marden, Duane. "Fly the Great Nor'Easter  (Morey's Piers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  26. Marden, Duane. "Gauntlet  (Magic Springs & Crystal Falls)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  27. Marden, Duane. "Golden Wings in Snowfield  (Happy Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  28. Marden, Duane. "Hurricane  (Rusutsu Resort)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  29. Marden, Duane. "Infusion  (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  30. Marden, Duane. "Traumatizer  (Southport Pleasureland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  31. Marden, Duane. "Jaguar  (Isla Magica)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  32. Marden, Duane. "Kong  (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  33. Marden, Duane. "Hangman  (Opryland USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  34. Marden, Duane. "Kumba  (Superland Israel)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  35. Marden, Duane. "Mayan Adventure  (Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  36. Marden, Duane. "Mind Eraser  (Darien Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  37. Marden, Duane. "Mind Eraser  (Elitch Gardens)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  38. Marden, Duane. "Mind Eraser  (Six Flags America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  39. Marden, Duane. "Mind Eraser  (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  40. Marden, Duane. "MP-Xpress  (Movie Park Germany)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  41. Marden, Duane. "Nio  (Misui Greenland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  42. Marden, Duane. "Jubilee Odyssey  (Fantasy Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  43. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Dream Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  44. Marden, Duane. "Snow Mountain Flying Dragon  (Happy Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  45. Marden, Duane. "Suspended Looping Coaster  (Suzhou Amusement Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  46. Marden, Duane. "T3  (Kentucky Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  47. Marden, Duane. "Thunderhawk  (Michigan's Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  48. Marden, Duane. "Thunderhawk  (Geauga Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  49. Marden, Duane. "Titanide  (Terra Mitica Spain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  50. Marden, Duane. "Twisted Typhoon  (Wild Adventures)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  51. Marden, Duane. "Vampire  (Walibi Belgium)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  52. Marden, Duane. "Vortex  (Siam Park City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  53. Marden, Duane. "Pusing Lagi  (Jerudong Park Playground)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  54. Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Al Zawra'a Dream Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  55. Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Energylandia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  56. Marden, Duane. "Shenzhou Coaster  (Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 14 December 2010.

External links

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