Great Coasters International continues the wooden coaster
building tradition North American editor Paul Ruben reports
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n 2018, Alton Towers opened a £16 million ($20 million) project, Wicker Man. It was the first wooden rollercoaster to be built in the UK in 21 years. Built by Great Coasters International (GCI), the 58 foot (18 m) tall coaster carries riders at speeds reaching 44 mph (71 kph) over 2,608 feet (795 m) of track, beginning with a 72 foot (22 m) drop. The structure features a human face and a towering ram’s head, both of which are engulfed in a blaze as the passenger train races through the middle. Wicker Man is the latest of 27 coasters that GCI has designed and built since its inception in 1994, including five in Europe and four in Asia. Their staff of engineers, project coordinators, and field construction supervisors has earned the reputation of being one of the most conscientious in the business. Although we are capable of designing and building any type of wooden coaster, Great Coasters International specializes in "twister" type rides. These convoluted designs, coupled with their own Millennium Flyer articulating coaster trains, create an experience that emulates the acrobatic thrills of a modern roller coaster while retaining the nostalgic look and feel of a timeless, classic attraction.
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Built with the operator in mind Though wildly popular with guests of all ages, the GCI coaster is also built with the operator in mind. The art and craftsmanship of constructing the track to exact specifications ensures a smooth ride for the guest and minimal maintenance for the operator. Their experience has also brought park owners for maintenance and repair work on existing coasters, both old and new. They welcome the opportunity to consult and work with a park’s maintenance staff to keep a wooden coaster running in top condition. You may fondly remember your first ride on the rickety
wooden roller coaster that you visited with your family on a hot day many years ago. The unequalled sights, sounds and smells of the classic wooden ride were not lost on GCI founders Clair Hain and Michael Boodley. With a combined 40 years of experience in the amusement park industry, and with the firm belief that wooden coasters would remain a staple attraction in every serious amusement facility, Hain and Boodley set out to create the new generation of wooden coasters. Though the company has gone through some changes - primarily with Boodley’s retirement, the company's principles remain the same.
JANUARY 2019
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