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Twisted Colossus U
The world’s longest hybrid wood/steel rollercoaster has made its debut at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California. Representing an estimated $15 million (€13.8 million) transformation of the park’s classic Colossus coaster, the attraction is one of two new offerings from Rocky Mountain Construction thrilling Six Flags guests in 2015.
Paul Ruben brings us the tale of both rides, and the company that helped create them
sing state-of-the-art “Iron Horse” I-section track, Twisted Colossus provides a kind of ride experience never before possible on wooden coasters, such as over-banked turns and inversions. The 1.5km-long (4,990ft/1,521m) attraction is also the first double circuit hybrid coaster, although the two trains only race alongside each other for a portion of the ride (previously they followed the same course) The track is in fact a continuous Möbius Loop, so that each train covers half the length before returning to the loading station. As a bonus to riders, then they continue up the other side of the lift hill for the second half of the ride. It’s like two rides in one! Although the two tracks are different in length, the two chain lifts travel at adjustable speeds so as to drop the trains off the top of the first hill nearly simultaneously.
High five!
Designed by Alan Schilke, Twisted Colossus stands 121ft tall (37m) with a 128ft (39m) first drop set at 80°. Elements can look forward to during the ride include a “Top Gun Stall,” an inversion where the train slows down upside down. It has the Western Hemisphere’s first “High Five,” where two trains pass through an over-banked turn facing each other with the illusion that riders can reach out and “high five”
Length Height Speed
Max angle Designer Supplier Trains
Track type Track layout First drop Cost
4,335ft/1,318m 125ft/38m
62mph/100kmh ?
Lorenz & Williams IAD
Morgan Manufacturing Wood Racing
115ft/35m $6 million
57mph/92kmh 80°
Alan Schilke
Rocky Mountain Construction Rocky Mountain Construction Steel
Möbius Loop 128ft/39m $15 million
each other. There is a Zero G Roll where the track twists 360°. Guests encounter a staggering 116ft (35m) drop at 80°. During the 4-minute-long ride, passengers reach a top speed of 57mph (92 km/h) and experience 18 moments of airtime. “The cutting-edge technology marries the best of both classic and modern coaster designs,” highlights Six Flags Magic Mountain park president Bonnie Rabjohn. “Twisted Colossus is definitely a twist on a traditional wooden coaster experience.”
Rabjohn rides the attraction frequently; it’s a short walk from her office. “It’s a must-ride and the fact that each side, blue track or green track, is a completely different ride experience is what I like the best,” she offers. “When you’re racing against another train, the sights and sounds of the train right next to you is quite the adrenaline rush. There is no other ride where the trains interact so closely together. You can almost reach out and touch the other train!”
4,990ft/1,520m 121ft/37m
Wooden legacy Twisted Colossus is the next generation of a beloved wooden coaster that has thrilled millions of Magic Mountain guests during its 36-year reign at the park. Colossus opened in 1978, built by International Amusement Devices for a cost of at the time of $6 million. Until its closure last year it stood 125 tall (38m) and was 4,325ft (1,318m) long – making Twisted Colossus slightly shorter in height but over 15% longer. Working with Rocky Mountain Construction, Six Flags has been putting steel tracks on wooden coasters over the past few years with great success. “We wanted to modernise our iconic ‘woodie’,” confirms Rabjohn. “Using the special Iron Horse Track, we were able to keep the DNA of the wooden structure. By adding the steel track, our guests have a brand new experience that is smoother, faster and quieter than your wooden coaster. It’s the best of nostalgia meets innovation Twisted Colossus is the focal point of the park’s newly themed Screampunk District which also includes a new theatre show, food venue and shopping area. It brings the California park’s coaster count to a world record 19. The public’s reaction to Twisted Colossus has been gratifying. “Our guests love Twisted Colossus,” Rabjohn reports. “Rocky Mountain Construction delivered big. “They’ve been a great company to work with, a true collaboration and a great partnership all around. We’re extremely pleased with what we’ve delivered and believe it will be a huge success.”
sixflags.com/magicmountain
32
JULY 2015
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