Ride Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
It’s all very seamless and smooth, creating an unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed again and again. It’s also unique in just how much structure is high up in the air, and the ride in general being so compact despite being a relatively long ride at 4,000 feet.” As a result, Gibas continues, “It’s fun! It’s a smooth, record-
breaking coaster. Our guests have been hyped and excited with very high anticipation. No matter how long the wait has been, it’s been worth it. The response has been almost universally positive.” The best part of the ride, Gibas believes, will “vary person
to person but some of the standout moments include that 220-foot-tall lift hill, high above the Monongahela River Valley and an incredible view, dropping into that 197-foot- high inversion. Then there is “the run out into the Lagoon and back, featuring a great airtime pop, the dive loop over the Lagoon bridge and heading back towards the rest of the coaster, but not before a Zero-G stall inversion over top of a midway where guests are walking around – another memorable stretch. There really are no down or disappointing moments in the ride, though, and I think that’s why the response has been so positive.”
family by taking the classic game day experience that Pittsburgh Steelers fans enjoy, and bring it to life in the park.” Designed by S&S - Sansei Technologies, The Steel Curtain
carries 24 riders in a train consisting of six four-passenger cars. It zooms across 4,000 feet (1,219 m) of track, crossing over midways and even through Kennywood’s Lagoon, a central gathering place at the National Historic Landmark amusement park since its opening in 1898. It hits a top speed of 76 (122 kph) mph and features a stunning 205 foot (62 m) drop coming out of that record-setting 197 foot inversion.
Incredible view “S & S is very proud to partner with the fine folks at Kennywood and Palace Entertainment on this record- breaking, iconic coaster,” says S & S Worldwide president Tim Timco. “A great deal of time and effort has been put into the design, engineering and construction of this terrific ride that we are confident will be worth the wait. What a tremendous addition to this celebrated amusement park!” “We felt this area need a new and exciting ride,” notes
Gibas, “and what better than a record-breaking coaster?” Gibas clarifies how is it different from other coasters. “First,
breaking the North American record for most inversions, which has stood at seven since 1988, including the world’s tallest inversion at 197 feet high. But they aren’t inversions for the sake of inversions or things that take away from the ride.
Intense yet re-rideable “Kennywood has always been known for the uniqueness of the coasters the park has built,” reflects Gibas. “Steel Curtain will be added onto that legacy. We are hoping for lots and lots more people to come here, and we’re hoping some people who have never been to the park or have not been here for a while will want to come for a visit.” Erecting Steel Curtain was not routine. “The Steel Curtain is
a custom coaster unlike anything else in the world,” Gibas reminds us. “Along with the stats listed above, a significant portion of the ride takes place high in the air – often more than 150 feet (46 m) high. Coupling these complexities with ongoing construction on Steelers Country’s other elements, the End Zone Café and Steelers Experience Building, not to mention standard park operations. There are many challenges with balancing timing between the various needs and timelines of all these projects simultaneously within a tight area of approximately three acres. And, of course, there was the weather. 2018 was the wettest year on record in the Greater Pittsburgh Area, and though not quite as bad in 2019, we have certainly had stretches where snow, rain or wind have slowed efforts.” The choice of S&S to build the ride was not immediate,
Gibas explains. “Our parent company, Palace Entertainment talked and negotiated with the top companies in the world for Kennywood’s 2019 coaster project, and we collectively felt the proposal from S&S was the best option. We asked them for something intense yet re-rideable that fits within a relatively compact area, with a goal to set the North American record for inversions. They delivered and were excellent to work with.” A traditional amusement park serving the greater Pittsburg
area, Kennywood offers a unique mix of modern thrills and classic rides, including seven roller coasters, a 14-ride Kiddieland, and several attractions that cannot be found anywhere else. Kennywood was founded in 1898 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It is owned and operated by Palace Entertainment, who owns and operates 21 major entertainment venues across 10 different states.
SEPTEMBER 2019 55
Steel Curtain
Fun Facts Records Set: 3 Height: 220 feet (67 m) - tallest roller coaster in PA Inversions: 9 - most in North America Tallest Inversion: 197 feet (60 m) - tallest in the world Speed: 76 mph (122 kph) Lift Angle: 50º Length: 4,000 feet (1,219 m) Duration: 2 minutes Passengers: 24
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
