originally posted on 5/12/2023
Photo: Harris Lanum. View full-sized image.
T3 To Be Retired at Kentucky Kingdom
Okay, so it wasn’t always the most popular coaster in the world, but it did have its footnotes in coaster history. When the suspended looping coaster (SLC) from (old) Vekoma became the rage in the second half of the 1990s, T2 was the first to debut in North America. Despite it being an aggressive ride, more than a dozen SLCs still appeared in North America.
After Walibi Belgium’s (Wavre) Condor debuted as the very first in the world in 1994, T2 followed in 1995. It was still the original prototype design. All other models following that were tweaked to an updated version, although they all still featured the same five inversions.
The park operated under the Six Flags umbrella from 1998 to 2009, and the coaster stood standing but not operating when it closed in 2009. When Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville, Kentucky) reopened under the direction of Ed Hart in 2015, T2 was renamed T3 and the original Vekoma trains were replaced with ones manufactured by KumbaK. While the restraints were less abusive and created a “better” ride, the track itself was still demanding.
Kentucky Kingdom has announced the coaster is being retired.
Photo: Courtesy of FuturoScope. View full-sized image.
Objectif Mars Catches Fire
On April 7, the lithium batteries under one of the cars on Objectif Mars at Futuroscope (Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France) caught fire as it returned to the station. Ride operators used fire extinguishers to take care of the blaze, but for a brief time, riders locked into the car were surrounded by flames. Two people were treated for minor burns. No doubt a frightening situation, the coaster remained closed following the incident.
Objectif Mars is a family spinning coaster with both indoor and outdoor sections. It was manufactured by Intamin.
Photo: Courtesy of Maurer Rides. View full-sized image.
Maurer Rides Introduces a… Biergarden Roller Coaster?
Just when one suspects they’ve seen everything, Maurer Rides introduces a new twist on its Spike coaster system.
The basic idea was to create a ride that leaves enough time for a leisurely roller coaster ride and a hearty beer. To reach younger and sportier target groups, the innovation team at Maurer Rides developed an interactive drive system. Using "bike chain" power, passengers sit as if on a bicycle, pedal and thus generate the energy for the drive to run the ride.
A coaster vehicle has up to 10 seats ("bikes") so that passengers can comfortably zip up and down in jovial company at full capacity. A special feature is that the already sustainably generated energy is also recouped during the descent to support the next ascent.
Enthusiasts may file this away in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” category. Perhaps the bachelor party and birthday celebration crowd can make it a hit. Never say never.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
ACE Members and Enthusiasts Raise More Than $4,500 for the NRCMA
The park-sponsored event Lone Star Coasterthon at Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, Texas) has typically been exclusive to ACE members. In 2023, Six Flags opened it to the general public as well. The offerings were spectacular, and as the park generally does, team members scavenged many items for auction. Whether the final auction winners were all ACEers or other coaster fans is uncertain, but the increased attendance helped drive up the bids. A fantastic total of $4,560 was raised for the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives. The auction took place on April 22.
Photo: courtesy of Great Coasters International, Inc. View full-sized image.
Bombay Express — Fully Built but Will Never Open
On April 20, Bollywood Parks Dubai (United Arab Emirates) announced the park would close permanently. The closure of a park is always sad news but this comes with a truly baffling twist. Bombay Express, a wooden coaster by Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII), was built in 2020 and is fully operational. However, the park never opened it, leaving both enthusiasts and GCII perplexed. A Zamperla children’s coaster was the only coaster operating at the park. Bollywood Parks Dubai opened in 2016.
Photo: courtesy of Great Coasters International, Inc. View full-sized image.
See footage here:
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
Rudy’s Rapid Transit Will See One Last Season
Since 1988, Rudy’s Rapid Transit has been the main coaster at Santa’s Village (Jefferson, New Hampshire). It is a large Zierer Tivoli coaster that formerly operated at Benson’s Animal Park in Hudson, New Hampshire, from 1981 to 1987. After four decades, Rudy’s shining nose will take its last flight come fall. Fortunately, the park has notified the public for those wishing to take one final ride — or perhaps their first. Fingers are crossed that its removal will provide space for something new and exciting from Santa.
Photo: Dustin Sprunger. View full-sized image.
Mindbender Cars From Galaxyland Arrive at Indiana Beach
While Indiana Beach (Monticello, Indiana) hasn’t made any official statements, cars from the now-defunct Mindbender at Galaxyland inside West Edmonton Mall (Alberta, Canada) have arrived in Indiana. Could it be for parts or will the rolling stock be refurbished for use? As of now, answers to those questions remain unanswered. The park has announced that a new name for the Schwarzkopf triple-loop coaster is now All American Triple Loop. While a certain amount of snark has been thrown around online (because the ride was designed and manufactured in Germany), ACE continues to applaud Indiana Beach's efforts to restore and preserve this masterful ride.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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