Intamin Officially Enters the Single-Rail Market With <i>Big Dipper</i> in Australia

Intamin Officially Enters the Single-Rail Market With Big Dipper in Australia

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originally posted on 1/14/2022

Photo: Courtesy of Intamin. View full-sized image.

It is hard to believe that the single-rail coaster debuted four years ago. With the first two mirror-image prototypes from Rocky Mountain Construction opening at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) and California’s Great America (Santa Clara) in 2018, it was evident that there was a niche waiting to be capitalized on, both from a marketing and a financial standpoint.

For anyone who has watched the industry over the decades since ACE was formed, it’s no surprise to see another company follow in someone else’s footsteps (from swinging ships to log flumes to spinning coasters).

Intamin has dipped its toe in the single-rail pond with the opening of Big Dipper. With summer now under way in Australia, Luna Park (Sydney) has attracted visitors with its latest coaster.

With an appearance almost of stretched taffy, the single-rail track sports a bright orange color atop deep red supports. Passengers aboard seven-seat, single-rider trains experience two inversions within multiple twisted elements, along with a pop of airtime or two. A first launch sends riders on their way, and a rolling second launch helps the in-line trains to reach a top speed of 45 mph. According to Intamin, the ride packs 10 thrilling elements over two main areas of the park.

Photos: Courtesy of Intamin. View full-sized image.

View full-sized image.

Interestingly, whether it be an homage to or a fascination with the same name, this new Big Dipper is the third for Luna Park. The original operated from 1935 to 1979. It was a wooden coaster that was eventually closed because a 1979 fire to a nearby Ghost Train caused damage. In 1995, Arrow Dynamics supplied a 131-foot-tall looper that operated for a rather short time. It featured a vertical loop and a sidewinder. By early 2001, it ceased operation. However, this steel coaster was relocated elsewhere on the continent at Dreamworld (Queensland), where it is still flipping riders today as Gold Coaster.

Big Dipper is the third coaster at Luna Park to have that name.
Photo: Courtesy of Intamin. View full-sized image.

Big Dipper uses a tire-propelled launch to send riders aboard its two trains racing through the layout. This new genre of coaster from Intamin’s portfolio is dubbed Hot Racer. With neighboring buildings, the park has been cognizant of noise concerns in both selecting the coaster type as well as when entertaining guests. Of course, screams are beyond the control of the park.

Big Dipper joins the park’s 1995 Wild Mouse (a rare wooden version) and two other new steel coasters. Boomerang is a family shuttle coaster from Gerstlauer (seen in the United States as Rewind Racers at Adventure City [Anaheim, California]). The cutely named Little Nipper is a mini coaster from Preston & Barbieri. These two family rides opened in October. Big Dipper opened the day after Christmas.