Rocky Mountains and Top Thrill 2: Difference between pages

Coordinates: 41°29′18″N 82°41′34″W / 41.48833°N 82.69278°W / 41.48833; -82.69278
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{{Infobox roller coaster
{{Geobox|Mountain range
| name = Top Thrill Dragster
|map=RockyMountainsLocatorMap.png
| image = Ttd.jpg
|map_size=275
| caption =''Top Thrill Dragster''
|image=Moraine lake.jpg
| section = Top Thrill Dragster Midway (near Power Tower)
|image_size=275
| location = Cedar Point
|image_caption=[[Moraine Lake]], and the [[Valley of the Ten Peaks]], [[Banff National Park]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]
| type =Steel
|other_name=Rockies
| type2 =Launched
|country=Canada
| manufacturer =Intamin AG
|country1=United States
| designer = [[Werner Stengel]]
|region=British Columbia
| track = square-boxed structure with red and white paint and yellow supports.
|region1=Alberta
| lift = Hydraulic Launch
|region2=Idaho
| model = Stratacoaster
|region3=Montana
| status = Open
|region4=Wyoming
| opened = [[May 4]], [[2003]]
|region5=Utah
| height_ft = 420
|region6=Colorado
| drop = 400
|region7=New Mexico
| length = 2800
|parent=Pacific Cordillera
| speed = 120
|geology=[[Igneous rock|Igneous]]|geology1=[[Sedimentary rock|Sedimentary]]
| inversions = 0
|geology2=[[Metamorphic rock|Metamorphic]]
| duration = 17 sec.
|period=Precambrian|period1=Cretaceous |orogeny=
| capacity = 1,051
|highest=Mount Elbert
| cost = US$ 25,000,000
|highest_elevation_imperial=14440
| acceleration_mph = 120
|highest_lat_d=39|highest_lat_m=07|highest_lat_s=03.90|highest_lat_NS=N
| acceleration_in = under 4
|highest_long_d=106|highest_long_m=26|highest_long_s=43.29|highest_long_EW=W}}
| restriction = 52
{{For|individual mountains named Rocky Mountain|Rocky Mountain (disambiguation)}}
| rcdb_number = 1896
{{see also|Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains}}
}}


'''''Top Thrill Dragster''''' is a steel, hydraulically-launched [[roller coaster]] located at [[Cedar Point]] Amusement Park in [[Sandusky, Ohio|Sandusky]], [[Ohio]]. It was the first "Strata Coaster," loosely defined as a complete circuit coaster that is 400-499 feet tall. It was built by [[Intamin AG]] and debuted to the public on [[May 4]], [[2003]]. It is one of only 2 [[stratacoasters]] in existence, the other being ''[[Kingda Ka]]'' (2005) at [[Six Flags Great Adventure]] in [[New Jersey]].
The '''Rocky Mountains''', often called the '''Rockies''', are a [[mountain range]] in western [[North America]]. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 4,800 [[kilometre|kilometers]] (3,000 [[mile]]s) from northernmost [[British Columbia]], in [[Canada]], to [[New Mexico]], in the [[United States]]. The range's highest peak is [[Mount Elbert]] in [[Colorado]] at 14,440 feet (4,401 meters) above [[sea level]]. Though part of North America's [[Pacific Cordillera]], the Rockies are distinct from the [[Pacific Coast Ranges]] which are located immediately adjacent to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific coast]].


''Top Thrill Dragster'' was the second hydraulically-launched roller coaster built by Intamin AG, following ''[[Xcelerator]]'' at [[Knott's Berry Farm]], and it was the last one to use lapbars instead of over-the-shoulder restraints due to mechanical problems.
The Eastern edge of the rockies rises impressively above the [[Interior Plains]] of central North America, including the [[Front Range]] which runs from northern [[New Mexico]] to northern [[Colorado]], the [[Wind River Range]] and [[Big Horn Mountains]] of [[Wyoming]], the [[Crazy Mountains]] and the [[Rocky Mountain Front]] of [[Montana]], and the [[Clark Range (Canada)|Clark Range]] of [[Alberta]]. In Canada geographers define three main groups of ranges - the [[Continental Ranges]], [[Hart Ranges]] and [[Muskwa Ranges]] (the latter two flank the [[Peace River]], the only river to pierce the Rockies, and are collectively referred to as the Northern Rockies). [[Mount Robson]] in [[British Columbia]], at 3,954 meters (12,972 ft), is the highest peak in the [[Canadian Rockies]].


Top Thrill Dragsters main theme song is "Ready to Go" by Republica.
The western edge of the Rockies, such as the [[Wasatch Range]] near [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], divides the [[Great Basin]] from other mountains further to the west. The Rockies do not extend into the [[Yukon]] or [[Alaska]], or into central British Columbia, where the '''Rocky Mountain System''' (but not the Rocky Mountains) includes the [[Columbia Mountains]], the southward extension of which is considered part of the Rockies in the U.S. The [[Geography of the United States Rocky Mountain System|Rocky Mountain System]] within the United States is a [[United States physiographic region]].<!--there's an equivalent tier in Cdn geog classifications, I'll be back-->
==Geography and geology==


Top Thrill Dragsters catch phrase is "Race For The Sky"
{{See also|Geography of the United States Rocky Mountain System|Geology of the Rocky Mountains}}


The Rocky Mountains are commonly defined as stretching from the [[Liard River]] in British Columbia south to the [[Rio Grande]] in New Mexico. Other mountain ranges continue beyond those two rivers, including the [[Selwyn Range (Canada)|Selwyn Range]] in [[Yukon]], the [[Brooks Range]] in [[Alaska]], and the [[Sierra Madre]] in [[Mexico]], but those are not part of the Rockies, though they are part of the [[American cordillera]]. The United States definition of the Rockies, however, includes the [[Cabinet Mountains|Cabinet]] and [[Salish Mountains]] of Idaho and Montana, whereas their counterparts north of the [[Kootenai River]], the [[Columbia Mountains]], are considered a separate system in Canada, lying to the west of the huge [[Rocky Mountain Trench]], which runs the length of British Columbia from its beginnings in the middle [[Flathead River]] valley in western Montana to the south bank of the [[Liard River]]. The Rockies vary in width from 70 to 300 miles (110 to 480 kilometers). Also west of the Rocky Mountain Trench, farther north and facing the [[Muskwa Ranges]] across the Trench, are the [[Stikine Ranges]] and [[Omineca Mountains]] of the [[Interior Mountains]] system of British Columbia.
[[Image:PSP 021.jpg|300px|thumb|Mount Timpanogos, in the Wasatch Range, near [[Orem, Utah]].]]


==Records==
The younger ranges of the Rocky Mountains uplifted during the late [[Cretaceous]] period (100 million-65 million years ago), although some portions of the southern mountains date from uplifts during the [[Precambrian]] (3,980 million-600 million years ago). The mountains' geology is a complex of [[igneous rock|igneous]] and [[metamorphic rock]]; younger [[sedimentary rock]] occurs along the margins of the southern Rocky Mountains, and volcanic rock from the [[Tertiary]] (65 million-1.8 million years ago) occurs in the [[San Juan Mountains]] and in other areas. Millennia of severe erosion in the [[Wyoming Basin]] transformed intermountain basins into a relatively flat terrain. The [[Tetons]] and other north-central ranges contain folded and faulted rocks of [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] age draped above cores of [[Proterozoic]] and [[Archean]] igneous and metamorphic rocks ranging in age from 1.2 billion (e.g., Tetons) to more than 3.3 billion years ([[Beartooth Mountains]]).<ref name="USGS">{{cite book|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060927145110/http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/wm146.htm|chapter=Rocky Mountains|title=Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources|author=Stohlgren, T.J.|editor=M.J. Mac, P.A. Opler, C.E. Puckett Haeker, and P.D. Doran|year=1998|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
When ''Top Thrill Dragster'' first debuted, it set five new records:
|location=Reston, Va.}} (public domain source)</ref>
*First continuous-circuit roller coaster to go beyond 400&nbsp;feet in height
*First roller coaster to reach 120&nbsp;mph using a hydraulic launch system
*Highest drop of any coaster
*Fastest roller coaster in the world
*Tallest roller coaster in the world
It is still considered the fastest. dragster doesnt have a set speed. People have been quoted as saying it launched at 130 mph. And most acers will agree with this. However kinda ka is still taller, but is launched at the set speed of 128 mph.
''Top Thrill Dragster'' was the fourth roller coaster to break the 100&nbsp;mph speed barrier. It was preceded in this feat by ''[[Tower of Terror (Dreamworld)|Tower of Terror]]'' at ''[[Dreamworld]]'', Australia, ''[[Superman: The Escape]]'' at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] in Valencia, California and ''[[Dodonpa]]'' (located at [[Fuji-Q Highland]]).


The previous record holder for overall height was ''[[Superman: The Escape]]'' at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] in Valencia, California (415&nbsp;feet tall). ''Top Thrill Dragster'' broke this record at 420&nbsp;feet. Top Thrill Dragster's record was broken in [[2005]] when ''[[Kingda Ka]]'' opened at [[Six Flags Great Adventure]], standing 456&nbsp;feet tall.
Periods of glaciation occurred from the [[Pleistocene]] Epoch (1.8 million-70,000 years ago) to the [[Holocene]] Epoch (fewer than 11,000 years ago). Recent episodes included the [[Bull Lake Glaciation]] that began about 150,000 years ago and the [[Pinedale Glaciation]] that probably remained at full glaciation until 15,000-20,000 years ago.<ref name="USGS" /><ref name="Pierce79">{{cite book|last=Pierce|first=K. L.|year=1979|title=History and dynamics of glaciation in the northern Yellowstone National Park area|id=Professional Paper 729-F|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|location=Washington, D.C|pages=1-90}}</ref> Ninety percent of Yellowstone National Park was covered by ice during the Pinedale Glaciation.<ref name="USGS" />The [[little ice age]] was a period of glacial advance that lasted a few centuries from about 1550 to 1860. For example, the Agassiz and Jackson glaciers in [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]] reached their most forward positions about 1860 during the little ice age.<ref name="USGS" />


The previous record holders for the highest drop were the''[[Tower of Terror (Dreamworld)|Tower of Terror]]'' and ''[[Superman: The Escape]]'' with 325&nbsp;feet, also ''[[Steel Dragon 2000]]'' at [[Nagashima Spa Land]] in Nagashima, Japan, with 307&nbsp;feet.
Water in its many forms sculpted the present Rocky Mountain landscape.<ref name="USGS" /> Runoff and snowmelt from the peaks feed Rocky Mountain rivers and lakes with the water supply for one-quarter of the United States. The rivers that flow from the Rocky Mountains eventually drain into three of the world's [[Oceans]]: the [[Atlantic Ocean]], the [[Pacific Ocean]], and the [[Arctic Ocean]].<ref name="USGS" /> These rivers include:
[[Image:Grand Tetons11.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Cathedral Group]] of the [[Teton Range]] in [[Grand Teton National Park]], [[Wyoming]].]]
;Gulf of Mexico drainage
* [[Arkansas River]]
* [[Platte River]]
* [[Rio Grande]]
* [[Missouri River]]
* [[meghan River (Wyoming)|meghan River]]
* [[Yellowstone River]]
;Arctic Ocean drainage
* [[Athabasca River]]
* [[Peace River (Canada)|Peace River]]
** [[Parsnip River]]
*** [[Misinchinka River]]
* [[Finlay River]]
* [[Liard River]]
** [[Muskwa River]]
** [[Kechika River]]
*** [[Gataga River]]
** [[Toad River]]
;Northwest Pacific Ocean drainage
* [[Columbia River]]
** [[Kicking Horse River]]
** [[Blaeberry River]]
** [[Bush River]]
** [[Wood River]]
** [[Bitterroot River]]
** [[Kootenay River]]
*** [[Elk River (British Columbia)|Elk River]]
*** [[Bull River]]]
*** [[Vermilion River (British Columbia)|Vermilion River]]
** [[Clark Fork River]]
** [[Clearwater River (Idaho)|Clearwater River]]
** [[Coeur d'Alene River]]
** [[Salmon River (Idaho)|Salmon River]]
** [[Snake River]]
** [[Payette River]]
** [[Selway River]]
** [[Lochsa River]]
* [[Fraser River]]
** [[McGregor River]]
;Gulf of California drainage
* [[Colorado River (U.S.)|Colorado River]]
* [[Green River (Utah)|Green River]]
;Hudson Bay drainage
* [[North Saskatchewan River]]
* [[South Saskatchewan River]]
* [[Bow River]]
* [[Oldman River]]
* [[Red Deer River]]
The [[Continental Divide]] is located in the Rocky Mountains and designates the line at which waters flow either to the [[Atlantic]] or [[Pacific]] Oceans. [[Triple Divide Peak]] (8,020 feet / 2,444 m) in [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)]] is so named due to the fact that water which falls on the mountain reaches not only the Atlantic and Pacific, but [[Hudson Bay]] as well. Farther north in Alberta, the Athabasca and other rivers feed the basin of the [[Mackenzie River]], which has its outlet on the [[Beaufort Sea]] of the [[Arctic Ocean]].


The previous record holder for speed was Dodonpa, at 107&nbsp;mph. This record was broken by ''Top Thrill Dragster'', which reaches speeds up to 130 &nbsp;mph (depending on wind and other factors).
== Human history ==
[[Image:Rockies visible from CU Boulder.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Rocky Mountains visible from [[Boulder, Colorado]]]]
Since the last great Ice Age, the Rocky Mountains were home first to [[Paleo-Indians]] and then to the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous peoples]] of the [[Apache]], [[Arapaho]], [[Bannock (tribe)|Bannock]], [[Blackfoot]], [[Cheyenne]], [[Crow]], [[Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation|Flathead]], [[Shoshone|Shoshoni]], [[Lakota people|Sioux]], [[Ute Tribe|Ute]], [[Kutenai]] (Ktunaxa in Canada), [[Sekani]], [[Dunne-za]], and others.<ref name="USGS">{{cite book|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060927145110/http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/wm146.htm|chapter=Rocky Mountains|title=Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources|author=Stohlgren, T.J.|editor=M.J. Mac, P.A. Opler, C.E. Puckett Haeker, and P.D. Doran|year=1998|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
|location=Reston, Va.}} (public domain source)</ref> Paleo-Indians hunted the now-extinct [[mammoth]] and [[ancient bison]] (an animal 20% larger than modern bison) in the foothills and valleys of the mountains. Like the modern tribes that followed them, Paleo-Indians probably migrated to the plains in fall and winter for bison and to the mountains in spring and summer for [[fish]], [[deer]], [[elk]], [[root]]s, and [[berry|berries]]. In Colorado, along the crest of the Continental Divide, rock walls that Native Americans built for driving game date back 5,400-5,800 years.<ref name="USGS" /> A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that indigenous peoples had significant effects on mammal populations by hunting and on vegetation patterns through deliberate burning.<ref name="USGS" />


==The ride==
Recent human history of the Rocky Mountains is one of more rapid change.<ref name="USGS" /> The Spanish explorer [[Francisco Vásquez de Coronado]] — with a group of soldiers, missionaries, and African slaves — marched into the Rocky Mountain region from the south in 1540. The introduction of the horse, metal tools, rifles, new diseases, and different cultures profoundly changed the Native American cultures. Native American populations were extirpated from most of their historical ranges by disease, warfare, habitat loss (eradication of the bison), and continued assaults on their culture.<ref name="USGS" />
''Top Thrill Dragster'' dominates the Cedar Point skyline today, and is easily seen from nearly anywhere in the park, as well as surrounding locations near the Cedar Point peninsula. The towering structure consists of red and white Intamin 4 rail track that is affixed to a bright yellow support tower.


The entrance to the queue is a concrete gateway that leads underneath the launch track. The queue itself, however, never crosses under either side of the ride. Rather, it consists entirely of the space between both tracks. This makes for an interesting experience as trains speed by either side of the people waiting in line. Along the left wall of the queue area, facts about the ride are posted and compared to similar statistics on an actual drag race car.
[[Image:Rockies USA1.jpg|thumb|300px|Colorado Rockies]]
In 1739, [[France|French]] [[fur trade]]rs Pierre and Paul Mallet, while journeying through the [[Great Plains]], discovered a range of mountains at the headwaters of the [[Platte River]], which local [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] tribes called the "Rockies", becoming the first Europeans to report on this uncharted mountain range.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/events/1650_1800.htm PBS - THE WEST - Events from 1650 to 1800<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


[[Image:Top Thrill Dragster Sign.jpg|thumb|left|Queue sign.]]
[[Alexander MacKenzie|Sir Alexander MacKenzie]] (1764 - March 11, 1820) became the first European to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1793. He found the upper reaches of the Fraser River and reached what is now the Pacific coast of Canada on July 20 of that year, completing the first recorded transcontinental crossing of North America north of Mexico. He arrived at Bella Coola, British Columbia, where he first reached saltwater at South Bentinck Arm, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.
Near the end of the queue, the queue branches off into two sides. Riders may choose to follow the queue to the front or rear station. The two stations are connected, but riders are prevented from entering the other side of the station by a barrier. In the stations, two trains are loaded at the same time before both are dispatched into the waiting area outside of the loading area. There, the front train is launched first, and the second after that. While this is occurring, two more trains have entered the station and loading has begun again. Very rarely does loading take long enough to create a situation where there is no train ready to be launched. By the time two loaded trains have been dispatched, two more have already been filled to follow them. Because of this set up, the line moves rather steadily. Whenever it does stop, it often means that a rider has failed to meet the requirements necessary to ride, and loading was temporarily delayed, or the ride has broken down, in which case the line will not move for possible hours. Such pauses in queue movement are often followed by large moments of progress as two more trains are launched once things are sorted out.


Once riders actually enter the station, they will be asked to choose a secondary queue to wait in which corresponds with the position in the car where they wish to ride. Often, the longest queue is for the front seat, though many enthusiasts insist that the second is the best due to the possible discomfort from wind or bugs. When the riders are next in line, they are quickly instructed to enter the train as the gates before them open. There, they must fasten their seatbelt in such a way that at least a half an inch of slack in the belt can be exposed. If a rider is unable to do so, they are declared unable to ride. The seats are exactly the same as the ones used on ''[[Millennium Force]]'', and the exact same policy is enforced at both coasters. For those that fear being unable to ride after waiting in line, sample seats are provided at the entrance to both of these rides. While in the station the ride's theme song is played, which is "[[Republica]] - [[Ready to Go]]".
The [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] (1804-1806) was the first scientific reconnaissance of the Rocky Mountains. Specimens were collected for contemporary botanists, zoologists, and geologists.<ref name="USGS" /> The expedition was said to have paved the way to (and through) the Rocky Mountains for European-Americans from the East, although Lewis and Clark met at least 11 European-American mountain men during their travels.<ref name="USGS" />


[[Image:Top thrill dragster.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Drop]]
Mountain men, primarily French, Spanish, and British, roamed the Rocky Mountains from 1720 to 1800 seeking mineral deposits and furs.<!--"mountain men" seems US-language here; were these what Canadians think of as "voyageurs" and "fur traders"?--> The fur-trading [[North West Company]] established [[Rocky Mountain House]] as a trading post in what is now the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta in 1799, and their business rivals the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] established Acton House nearby. These posts served as bases for most European activity in the Canadian Rockies in the early 1800s, most notably the expeditions of [[David Thompson (explorer)]], the fourth European to follow the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. After 1802, American [[fur trader]]s and explorers ushered in the first widespread [[caucasian race|caucasian]] presence in the Rockies south of the 49th parallel. The more famous of these include Americans included [[William Henry Ashley]], [[Jim Bridger]], [[Kit Carson]], [[John Colter]], [[Thomas Fitzpatrick]], [[Andrew Henry (fur trader)|Andrew Henry]], and [[Jedediah Smith]]. On July 24, 1832, [[Benjamin Bonneville]] led the first [[wagon train]] across the Rocky Mountains by using [[Wyoming]]'s South Pass.<ref name="USGS" />
After all guests are fully secured by a seatbelt and lapbar, the two loaded trains roll forward to the launch area. To the left of the track is a "[[Christmas tree (disambiguation)|Christmas tree]]" light, similar those employed at a [[Drag racing|drag strip]]. At this time, a brief message is played to the riders: "Arms down, head back, and hold on!". Due to the unsafe nature of raising one's hands on such a roller coaster, the ride host will not launch the train if any riders are holding their hands up. The host may replay the "arms down" part of the message repeatedly until the guests lower their arms, and stop the ride altogether if a guest persists. Once the ride is prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect begins. At this time, the magnetic braking fins lower from the launch track, and the train rolls backwards a slight amount in order to connect with the launch car below the tracks. The lights on the tower itself and the small light fixture to the left of the track cycle from three yellows to a green light.
Thousands passed through the Rocky Mountains on the [[Oregon Trail]] beginning in 1842. The [[Mormon]]s began to settle near the [[Great Salt Lake]] in 1847. From 1859 to 1864, [[Gold]] was discovered in [[Colorado]], [[Idaho]], [[Montana]], and [[British Columbia]] sparking several [[gold rush]]es bringing thousands of prospectors and miners to explore every mountain and canyon and to create the Rocky Mountain's first major industry. The Idaho gold rush alone produced more gold than the California and Alaska gold rushes combined and was important in the financing of the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]. The [[transcontinental railroad]] was completed in 1869, and [[Yellowstone National Park]] was established as the world's first national park in 1872. While settlers filled the valleys and mining towns, conservation and preservation ethics began to take hold. [[Benjamin Harrison|President Harrison]] established several forest reserves in the Rocky Mountains in 1891-1892. In 1905, [[Theodore Roosevelt|President Theodore Roosevelt]] extended the [[Medicine Bow Forest Reserve]] to include the area now managed as [[Rocky Mountain National Park]].<ref name="USGS" /> Economic development began to center on [[mining]], [[forestry]], [[agriculture]], and [[recreation]], as well as on the service industries that support them.<ref name="USGS" /> Tents and camps became ranches and farms, forts and train stations became towns, and some towns became cities.<ref name="USGS" />


Once the green light displays a tire-screech sound is heard and the train begins its acceleration to 120mph in just 3.8 seconds.<ref name="accelerate">{{cite news
== Industry and development ==
| title = Top Thrill Dragster
Economic resources of the Rocky Mountains are varied and abundant. [[Mineral]]s found in the Rocky Mountains include significant deposits of [[copper]], [[gold]], [[lead]], [[molybdenum]], [[silver]], [[tungsten]], and [[zinc]]. The Wyoming Basin and several smaller areas contain significant reserves of [[coal]], [[natural gas]], [[oil shale]], and [[petroleum]]. For example, the [[Climax, Colorado|Climax]] mine, located near [[Leadville, Colorado]], was the largest producer of [[Molybdenum]] in the world. Molybdenum is used in heat-resistant steel in such things as cars and planes. The Climax mine employed over 3,000 workers. The [[Coeur d'Alene, Idaho|Coeur d’Alene]] mine of northern Idaho produces silver, lead, and zinc. Canada's largest [[coal]] mines are near [[Fernie, British Columbia]] and [[Sparwood, British Columbia]]; additional coal mines exist near [[Hinton, Alberta]]<ref name="USGS" /> and in the [[Northern Rocky Mountains|Northern Rockies]] surrounding [[Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia]].
| publisher = Roller Coaster Database
[[Image:Rig wind river.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A [[Drilling rig]] drills for [[Natural Gas]] just west of the [[Wind River Range]] in the [[Wyoming]] Rockies]]
| url = http://www.rcdb.com/id1896.htm
Abandoned mines with their wakes of mine tailings and toxic wastes dot the Rocky Mountain landscape. In one major example, eighty years of zinc mining profoundly polluted the river and bank near [[Eagle River (Colorado)|Eagle River]] in north-central Colorado. High concentrations of the metal carried by spring runoff harmed [[algae]], [[moss]], and [[trout]] populations. An economic analysis of mining effects at this site revealed declining property values, degraded water quality, and the loss of recreational opportunities. The analysis also revealed that cleanup of the river could yield $2.3 million in additional revenue from recreation. In 1983, the former owner of the zinc mine was sued by the Colorado Attorney General for the $4.8 million cleanup costs; 5 years later, ecological recovery was considerable.<ref name="USGS" /><ref name="Brandt93">{{cite journal|last=Brandt|first=E.|year=1993|title=How much is a gray wolf worth?|journal=National Wildlife|volume=31|pages=4­12}}</ref>
| accessdate = 2007-12-20 }}</ref> Near the end of the track is a sign which displays the speed that the ride was able to reach at that particular launch; it is usually a number between 120 and 124&nbsp;miles per hour. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity in less than four seconds, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline that has a 90-degree counter-clockwise twist that takes the train straight over the top of the 420&nbsp;foot hill, where riders will experience significant airtime (zero g-forces). On the way down the other side, there is a 270-degree clockwise twist that leads into the magnetic braking section that brings the train to a swift yet comfortable stop. The riders exit the train to their right, and the empty train proceeds into the loading area to be refilled.


[[Image:Top Thrill Dragster (Logo & Tower).JPG|thumb|right|200px|Top Thrill Dragster's logo and tower]] As ''Top Thrill Dragster'' grows older, Cedar Point is learning how to operate the coaster more efficiently and to minimize downtime. Even though there are six trains, usually only five are being used. The increase in operational efficiency is proven in the increased throughput since the ride debuted:<ref name="dragster">{{cite news
Agriculture and forestry are major industries. Agriculture includes dryland and irrigated farming and [[livestock]] grazing. Livestock are frequently moved between high-elevation summer [[pasture]]s and low-elevation winter pastures,<ref name="USGS" /> a practice known as [[transhumance]].
| title = Top Thrill Dragster
| publisher = Cedar Point
| url = http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/coasters/top_thrill_dragster/index.cfm
| accessdate = 2007-12-20 }}</ref>
*Riders in 2003: 562,438
*Riders in 2004: 943,313
*Riders in 2005: 953,945
*Riders in 2006: 994,531
*Riders in 2007: 1,082,218


Dispatch Interval: 1:03;
Human population is not very dense in the Rocky Mountains, with an average of four people per square kilometer (10 per square mile) and few cities with over 50,000 people. However, the human population grew rapidly in the Rocky Mountain states between 1950 and 1990. The 40-year statewide increases in population range from 35% in Montana to about 150% in Utah and Colorado. The populations of several mountain towns and communities have doubled in the last 40 years. [[Jackson Hole, Wyoming]], increased 260%, from 1,244 to 4,472 residents, in 40 years.<ref name="USGS" />
Load and Unload time: 4:15;
Ready and Idle time: 1:35;
Trip Time: 16.8 seconds;
Cycle Time: 10:27 seconds;
Capacity Per Train: 18;
Trips Per Hour: 58.4; {{Fact|date=February 2007}}


== Tourism ==
==Theme==
The theme of the roller coaster is based on the Top Fuel Drag Racing motor sport and many riders state that this ride feels exactly like a dragster starting to accelerate, however, the actual acceleration of a Top Fuel Dragster is far more significant than that of the ride. A real Top Fuel dragster usually weighs about one ton, while each empty train on Top Thrill Dragster weighs 5.3 tons.
[[Image:Reservoir in the Rocky Mountains.jpg|thumb|Snowmelt runoff fills a reservoir in the Rocky Mountains near [[Dillon, Colorado]].]]
[[Image:Longs Peak.jpg|thumb|right|Snowpack accumulation at {{convert|14255|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park (photo courtesy of USDA).]]
[[Image:Rocky Mountains.aerial view.no snow.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in summer]]
[[Image:Aerial Section of Snow Covered Rocky Mountain at Colorado.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in winter]]
[[Image:Rockiesfrotheair.JPG|thumb|Another Aerial view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the Summer, near [[Denver]]]]


==Rollbacks==
''See also:'' [[List of ski areas and resorts in the United States#Rocky Mountain States|List of U.S. Rocky Mountain ski resorts]], [[List of ski areas and resorts in Canada#Alberta|List of Alberta ski resorts]], [[List of ski areas and resorts in Canada#British Columbia|List of B.C. ski resorts]]
The speed of ''Top Thrill Dragster'' is controlled by a computer which regulates the speed of the launch in order to minimize forces as the train crests the hill. Occasionally, a train is not launched with enough speed to clear the crest. This tends to happen in cool, wet or breezy weather, when the wind is working against the train. When the track is wet or the weather is cold, the standard launch speed is typically not enough to force the train over the hill. The train's momentum can also be hindered by a good headwind. When this happens, the train will climb the hill, stop just short of the apex, and roll back down the hill in reverse, hence the name "rollback". To avert disaster, the launch track is equipped with retractable magnetic braking fins. After every launch these fins are quickly and systematically deployed, as if chasing the coaster train, to make absolutely sure to slow down a train that happens to roll backwards afterward to stop it safely and comfortably.


A sign near the split in the queue line warns that rollbacks are expected and safe, as systems are set in place to bring a rollback to a safe and comfortable stop.
Every year the scenic areas and recreational opportunities of the Rocky Mountains draw millions of tourists.<ref name="USGS" /> The main language of the Rocky Mountains is [[English language|English]]. But there are also linguistic pockets of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] languages.


These "[[rollback (roller coaster)|rollbacks]]" are something that many Cedar Point fans look forward to, and hope to receive at some point. Since the launch is arguably the most exciting and intense part of the ride, a rollback means you get the option to either ride it again without waiting in line, or exit the ride.
People from all over the world visit the sites to hike, camp, or engage in mountain sports.<ref name="USGS" /> In the summer, main{{Fact|date=September 2008}} tourist attractions are:


Intamin's term for this phenomenon is "short shot" rather than "rollback", but the term "rollback" is used almost exclusively in the parks that operate Accelerator Coasters, as well as in the coaster enthusiast community.
In the United States:
*[[Pikes Peak]]
*[[Royal Gorge]]
*[[Rocky Mountain National Park]]
*[[Yellowstone National Park]]
*[[Grand Teton National Park]]
*[[Glacier National Park (U.S.)]]
*[[Sawtooth National Recreation Area]]


On Friday, [[June 24]], [[2005]], the green train was launched with exactly enough momentum to bring it to rest at the top of the tower. It remained balanced there for nearly fifteen minutes with 16 passengers on board until a maintenance worker arrived via elevator, gave it a push, and sent it on its way.<ref name="stuck">{{cite news
In Canada, the mountain range contains these [[National Parks of Canada|national parks]]:
| title = Top Thrill Dragster Stuck at Top
*[[Banff National Park]]
| publisher = Xtreme Coastin
*[[Jasper National Park]]
| date = [[2005-06-24]]
*[[Kootenay National Park]]
| url = http://www.xtremecoastin.com/videos/misc_videos/ttdstuck_2005.htm
*[[Waterton Lakes National Park]]
| accessdate = 2007-12-20 }}</ref>
*[[Yoho National Park]]


==Weather==
Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta border each other and collectively are known as [[Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park]]. (See also [[International Peace Park]].)
''Top Thrill Dragster'' does not operate in any form of precipitation. The ride's control system operates via a series of proximity sensors that relay the location of the train by magnetic contacts, and the trains are propelled through flat sections of the track by friction wheels. Rain, or any other form of precipitation impedes the safe and efficient movement of trains through the holding and station positions. To re-open the ride, all precipitation must have stopped. Depending on the temperature, how long the ride was down, and how wet the tracks, trains, and friction wheels are, ride hosts determine how many test trains to send. Many times each train is sent around until it makes it over, however, in many instances once one train has gone over the tower the ride may be re-opened with riders. The determining factor in re-opening the ride to guests is how long the train takes to go over the tower, and the speed reduction on the ride's touch-screen. If trains are making it over the tower, but the speed reduction is still too high, trains will be loaded with fewer rows closed off from the back, normally the ride is re-opened with the last four rows closed, this is to ensure that the ride does not rollback, or rolls back fewer times than when sending full trains.


''Top Thrill Dragster'' can not operate in winds exceeding 35&nbsp;mph.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} An anemometer on top of the tower relays wind speeds to the ride's computer. Wind speeds above 35&nbsp;mph for approximately 5 seconds will disrupt normal operation of the ride, placing the ride into Manual mode. This is called an Auto Mode Stop. The ride's control panel notifies ride hosts of this and other faults by a trouble light, which is a red flashing or solid push button and light. The ride also has a high wind speed indicator that illuminated along with a warning on the rides touch-screen that alerts the ride host in the controls position that the ride has detected wind speeds greater than 20-34mph. High winds that cause the ride to stop, result in the ride being reset, a timer being started for approximately fifteen minutes. If within that fifteen minutes winds go above 35mph again, the fault is again reset and the timer re-started. Once fifteen minutes has elapsed with winds below 35mph the ride is re-started, however if wind speeds are persistently high, ride hosts may close off rows in the back of the trains to ensure the wind, and speed reduction will not cause rollbacks.
In the winter, [[skiing]] is the main attraction. A list of the major ski resorts can be found at [[List of ski areas and resorts in the United States#Rocky Mountain States|List of U.S. Rocky Mountain ski resorts]].


==Awards==
The adjacent [[Columbia Mountains]] in British Columbia contain major resorts such, [[Fernie Alpine Resort|Fernie]], [[Panorama Mountain Village|Panorama]] and [[Kicking Horse Resort|Kicking Horse]], as well as [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]].
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" bgcolor="white" colspan="31"|[[Golden Ticket Awards]]: Best Steel Coaster
|- style="background-color: #white;"
!align="center"|Year
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
!2007
!2008
|-
!align="center" style="background-color: #white;"|Ranking
|<center>11
|<center>7
|<center>7
|<center>10
|<center>9
|<center>9
|-
|}


==Climate==
==References==
{{reflist}}
The Rocky Mountains have a highland climate. The average annual temperature in the valley bottoms of the Colorado Rockies near the latitude of Boulder is 43 °F (6 °C). July is the hottest month there with an average temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). In January, the average monthly temperature is 7 °F (&minus;14 °C), making it the region's coldest month. The average precipitation per year there is approximately 14 inches (360 mm).


== External links ==
The summers in this area of the Rockies are warm and dry, because the western fronts impede the advancing of water-carrying storm systems. The average temperature in summer is 59 °F (15 °C) and the average precipitation is 5.9 inches (150 mm). Winter is usually wet and very cold, with an average temperature of 28 °F (&minus;2 °C) and average snowfall of 11.4 inches (29.0 cm). In spring, the average temperature is 40 °F (4 °C) and the average precipitation is 4.2 inches (107 mm). And in the fall, the average precipitation is 2.6 inches (66 mm) and the average temperature is 44 °F (7 °C).
*[http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/coasters/top_thrill_dragster/index.cfm CedarPoint.com - Top Thrill Dragster Official page]
*[http://www.thepointol.com/topthrilldragster.html ThePointOL.com - Top Thrill Dragster Unofficial Page]
*[http://www.pointpics.com/categories.php?cat_id=23 PointPics.com - Top Thrill Dragster Photo Gallery]
*[http://pointpics.com/categories.php?cat_id=232 PointPics.com - Top Thrill Dragster Construction Photo Gallery]


{{s-start}}
==See also==
{{s-bef|before=''[[Steel Dragon 2000]]''}}
*[[Geography of the United States Rocky Mountain System]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Notable roller coasters#Tallest steel roller coasters|World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster]]|years=May 2003 – May 2005}}
**[[Canadian Rockies]]
{{s-aft|after=''[[Kingda Ka]]''}}
**[[Southern Rocky Mountains]]
|-
***[[Colorado mountain passes]]
{{s-bef|before=''[[Dodonpa]]''}}
***[[Mountain peaks of Colorado]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Notable roller coasters#Fastest roller coasters|World's Fastest Roller Coaster]]|years=May 2003 – May 2005}}
***[[Mountain ranges of Colorado]]
{{s-aft|after=''[[Kingda Ka]]''}}
*[[Geology of the Rocky Mountains]]
{{end}}
*[[Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains]]
*[[Rocky Mountains subalpine zone]]
*[[Geography of North America]]
*[[Geology of North America]]
*[[Lists of mountains]]


{{CP Coasters}}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{-}}
{{Wide image|WasatchMountainsSaltLakeCountyWestSide.jpg|1113px|The Western Rocky Mountains provide an ideal setting for the [[Wasatch Front]] [[metropolitan area]] of [[Utah]], but they also prevent the population from expanding eastward.}}


{{coord|41|29|18|N|82|41|34|W|region:US-OH_type:landmark|display=title}}
==External links==
{{commons|Rocky Mountains}}
*[http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/parks/province/rockymtn.html U.S. Geological Survey website on the Rocky Mountains]
*[http://www.headwatersnews.org Headwaters News] - Headwaters News - Reporting on the Rockies
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50511frame.htm Colorado Rockies Forests ecoregion images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu] ([http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50511.htm slow modem version])
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50518frame.htm North Central Rockies Forests ecoregion images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu] ([http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50518.htm slow modem version])
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50528frame.htm South Central Rockies Forests ecoregion images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu] ([http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/50528.htm slow modem version])
{{-}}
{{Geography topics}}
{{Physical geography topics}}
{{United States topics}}


[[Category:Rocky Mountains| ]]
[[Category:Amusement park accidents]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Canada]]
[[Category:Cedar Point]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Colorado]]
[[Category:Geology of the Rocky Mountains| ]]
[[Category:Physiographic divisions]]
[[Category:Great Divide of North America]]


[[cs:Top Thrill Dragster]]
[[af:Rotsgebergte]]
[[de:Top Thrill Dragster]]
[[ar:جبال روكي]]
[[fr:Top Thrill Dragster]]
[[an:Montañas Rocosas]]
[[nl:Top Thrill Dragster]]
[[az:Qayalı Dağlar]]
[[ja:トップ・スリル・ドラッグスター]]
[[bn:রকি পর্বতমালা]]
[[sv:Top Thrill Dragster]]
[[zh-min-nan:Rocky Soaⁿ-lêng]]
[[be:Скалістыя горы]]
[[be-x-old:Скалістыя горы]]
[[bs:Stjenovite planine]]
[[bg:Скалисти планини]]
[[ca:Muntanyes Rocalloses]]
[[cs:Skalnaté hory]]
[[cy:Rockies]]
[[da:Rocky Mountains]]
[[de:Rocky Mountains]]
[[et:Kaljumäestik]]
[[es:Montañas Rocosas]]
[[eo:Roka Montaro]]
[[eu:Mendi Harritsuak]]
[[fa:رشته‌کوه راکی]]
[[fr:Montagnes Rocheuses]]
[[fy:Rocky Mountains]]
[[gd:Beanntainn Creagach]]
[[gl:Montañas Rochosas]]
[[ko:로키 산맥]]
[[hi:रॉकी पर्वत]]
[[hr:Stjenjak]]
[[id:Pegunungan Rocky]]
[[is:Klettafjöll]]
[[it:Montagne Rocciose]]
[[he:הרי הרוקי]]
[[sw:Rocky Mountains]]
[[la:Montes Saxosi]]
[[lb:Rocky Mountains]]
[[lt:Uoliniai kalnai]]
[[hu:Sziklás-hegység]]
[[mk:Карпести планини]]
[[mn:Хадат уул]]
[[nl:Rocky Mountains]]
[[ja:ロッキー山脈]]
[[no:Rocky Mountains]]
[[nn:Rocky Mountains]]
[[nrm:Montangnes Rotcheuses]]
[[oc:Montanhas Rocosas]]
[[pl:Góry Skaliste]]
[[pt:Montanhas Rochosas]]
[[ro:Munţii Stâncoşi]]
[[ru:Скалистые горы]]
[[simple:Rocky Mountains]]
[[sk:Skalnaté vrchy]]
[[sl:Skalno gorovje]]
[[sr:Стеновите планине]]
[[sh:Stjenovite planine]]
[[fi:Kalliovuoret]]
[[sv:Klippiga bergen]]
[[th:เทือกเขาร็อกกี]]
[[vi:Dãy núi Rocky]]
[[tg:Кӯҳҳои Серхарсанг]]
[[tr:Kayalık Dağlar]]
[[uk:Скелясті гори]]
[[zh-yue:洛磯山脈]]
[[zh:洛磯山脈]]

Revision as of 22:41, 10 October 2008

Top Thrill Dragster
Top Thrill Dragster
Cedar Point
LocationCedar Point
Park sectionTop Thrill Dragster Midway (near Power Tower)
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 4, 2003
CostUS$ 25,000,000
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin AG
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelStratacoaster
Track layoutsquare-boxed structure with red and white paint and yellow supports.
Lift/launch systemHydraulic Launch
Height420 ft (130 m)
Inversions0
Duration17 sec.
Capacity1,051 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 120 mph (0 to 193 km/h) in under 4 seconds
Top Thrill Dragster at RCDB

Top Thrill Dragster is a steel, hydraulically-launched roller coaster located at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was the first "Strata Coaster," loosely defined as a complete circuit coaster that is 400-499 feet tall. It was built by Intamin AG and debuted to the public on May 4, 2003. It is one of only 2 stratacoasters in existence, the other being Kingda Ka (2005) at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

Top Thrill Dragster was the second hydraulically-launched roller coaster built by Intamin AG, following Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm, and it was the last one to use lapbars instead of over-the-shoulder restraints due to mechanical problems.

Top Thrill Dragsters main theme song is "Ready to Go" by Republica.

Top Thrill Dragsters catch phrase is "Race For The Sky"


Records

When Top Thrill Dragster first debuted, it set five new records:

  • First continuous-circuit roller coaster to go beyond 400 feet in height
  • First roller coaster to reach 120 mph using a hydraulic launch system
  • Highest drop of any coaster
  • Fastest roller coaster in the world
  • Tallest roller coaster in the world

It is still considered the fastest. dragster doesnt have a set speed. People have been quoted as saying it launched at 130 mph. And most acers will agree with this. However kinda ka is still taller, but is launched at the set speed of 128 mph. Top Thrill Dragster was the fourth roller coaster to break the 100 mph speed barrier. It was preceded in this feat by Tower of Terror at Dreamworld, Australia, Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California and Dodonpa (located at Fuji-Q Highland).

The previous record holder for overall height was Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California (415 feet tall). Top Thrill Dragster broke this record at 420 feet. Top Thrill Dragster's record was broken in 2005 when Kingda Ka opened at Six Flags Great Adventure, standing 456 feet tall.

The previous record holders for the highest drop were theTower of Terror and Superman: The Escape with 325 feet, also Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land in Nagashima, Japan, with 307 feet.

The previous record holder for speed was Dodonpa, at 107 mph. This record was broken by Top Thrill Dragster, which reaches speeds up to 130  mph (depending on wind and other factors).

The ride

Top Thrill Dragster dominates the Cedar Point skyline today, and is easily seen from nearly anywhere in the park, as well as surrounding locations near the Cedar Point peninsula. The towering structure consists of red and white Intamin 4 rail track that is affixed to a bright yellow support tower.

The entrance to the queue is a concrete gateway that leads underneath the launch track. The queue itself, however, never crosses under either side of the ride. Rather, it consists entirely of the space between both tracks. This makes for an interesting experience as trains speed by either side of the people waiting in line. Along the left wall of the queue area, facts about the ride are posted and compared to similar statistics on an actual drag race car.

Queue sign.

Near the end of the queue, the queue branches off into two sides. Riders may choose to follow the queue to the front or rear station. The two stations are connected, but riders are prevented from entering the other side of the station by a barrier. In the stations, two trains are loaded at the same time before both are dispatched into the waiting area outside of the loading area. There, the front train is launched first, and the second after that. While this is occurring, two more trains have entered the station and loading has begun again. Very rarely does loading take long enough to create a situation where there is no train ready to be launched. By the time two loaded trains have been dispatched, two more have already been filled to follow them. Because of this set up, the line moves rather steadily. Whenever it does stop, it often means that a rider has failed to meet the requirements necessary to ride, and loading was temporarily delayed, or the ride has broken down, in which case the line will not move for possible hours. Such pauses in queue movement are often followed by large moments of progress as two more trains are launched once things are sorted out.

Once riders actually enter the station, they will be asked to choose a secondary queue to wait in which corresponds with the position in the car where they wish to ride. Often, the longest queue is for the front seat, though many enthusiasts insist that the second is the best due to the possible discomfort from wind or bugs. When the riders are next in line, they are quickly instructed to enter the train as the gates before them open. There, they must fasten their seatbelt in such a way that at least a half an inch of slack in the belt can be exposed. If a rider is unable to do so, they are declared unable to ride. The seats are exactly the same as the ones used on Millennium Force, and the exact same policy is enforced at both coasters. For those that fear being unable to ride after waiting in line, sample seats are provided at the entrance to both of these rides. While in the station the ride's theme song is played, which is "Republica - Ready to Go".

Drop

After all guests are fully secured by a seatbelt and lapbar, the two loaded trains roll forward to the launch area. To the left of the track is a "Christmas tree" light, similar those employed at a drag strip. At this time, a brief message is played to the riders: "Arms down, head back, and hold on!". Due to the unsafe nature of raising one's hands on such a roller coaster, the ride host will not launch the train if any riders are holding their hands up. The host may replay the "arms down" part of the message repeatedly until the guests lower their arms, and stop the ride altogether if a guest persists. Once the ride is prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect begins. At this time, the magnetic braking fins lower from the launch track, and the train rolls backwards a slight amount in order to connect with the launch car below the tracks. The lights on the tower itself and the small light fixture to the left of the track cycle from three yellows to a green light.

Once the green light displays a tire-screech sound is heard and the train begins its acceleration to 120mph in just 3.8 seconds.[1] Near the end of the track is a sign which displays the speed that the ride was able to reach at that particular launch; it is usually a number between 120 and 124 miles per hour. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity in less than four seconds, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline that has a 90-degree counter-clockwise twist that takes the train straight over the top of the 420 foot hill, where riders will experience significant airtime (zero g-forces). On the way down the other side, there is a 270-degree clockwise twist that leads into the magnetic braking section that brings the train to a swift yet comfortable stop. The riders exit the train to their right, and the empty train proceeds into the loading area to be refilled.

Top Thrill Dragster's logo and tower

As Top Thrill Dragster grows older, Cedar Point is learning how to operate the coaster more efficiently and to minimize downtime. Even though there are six trains, usually only five are being used. The increase in operational efficiency is proven in the increased throughput since the ride debuted:[2]

  • Riders in 2003: 562,438
  • Riders in 2004: 943,313
  • Riders in 2005: 953,945
  • Riders in 2006: 994,531
  • Riders in 2007: 1,082,218

Dispatch Interval: 1:03; Load and Unload time: 4:15; Ready and Idle time: 1:35; Trip Time: 16.8 seconds; Cycle Time: 10:27 seconds; Capacity Per Train: 18; Trips Per Hour: 58.4; [citation needed]

Theme

The theme of the roller coaster is based on the Top Fuel Drag Racing motor sport and many riders state that this ride feels exactly like a dragster starting to accelerate, however, the actual acceleration of a Top Fuel Dragster is far more significant than that of the ride. A real Top Fuel dragster usually weighs about one ton, while each empty train on Top Thrill Dragster weighs 5.3 tons.

Rollbacks

The speed of Top Thrill Dragster is controlled by a computer which regulates the speed of the launch in order to minimize forces as the train crests the hill. Occasionally, a train is not launched with enough speed to clear the crest. This tends to happen in cool, wet or breezy weather, when the wind is working against the train. When the track is wet or the weather is cold, the standard launch speed is typically not enough to force the train over the hill. The train's momentum can also be hindered by a good headwind. When this happens, the train will climb the hill, stop just short of the apex, and roll back down the hill in reverse, hence the name "rollback". To avert disaster, the launch track is equipped with retractable magnetic braking fins. After every launch these fins are quickly and systematically deployed, as if chasing the coaster train, to make absolutely sure to slow down a train that happens to roll backwards afterward to stop it safely and comfortably.

A sign near the split in the queue line warns that rollbacks are expected and safe, as systems are set in place to bring a rollback to a safe and comfortable stop.

These "rollbacks" are something that many Cedar Point fans look forward to, and hope to receive at some point. Since the launch is arguably the most exciting and intense part of the ride, a rollback means you get the option to either ride it again without waiting in line, or exit the ride.

Intamin's term for this phenomenon is "short shot" rather than "rollback", but the term "rollback" is used almost exclusively in the parks that operate Accelerator Coasters, as well as in the coaster enthusiast community.

On Friday, June 24, 2005, the green train was launched with exactly enough momentum to bring it to rest at the top of the tower. It remained balanced there for nearly fifteen minutes with 16 passengers on board until a maintenance worker arrived via elevator, gave it a push, and sent it on its way.[3]

Weather

Top Thrill Dragster does not operate in any form of precipitation. The ride's control system operates via a series of proximity sensors that relay the location of the train by magnetic contacts, and the trains are propelled through flat sections of the track by friction wheels. Rain, or any other form of precipitation impedes the safe and efficient movement of trains through the holding and station positions. To re-open the ride, all precipitation must have stopped. Depending on the temperature, how long the ride was down, and how wet the tracks, trains, and friction wheels are, ride hosts determine how many test trains to send. Many times each train is sent around until it makes it over, however, in many instances once one train has gone over the tower the ride may be re-opened with riders. The determining factor in re-opening the ride to guests is how long the train takes to go over the tower, and the speed reduction on the ride's touch-screen. If trains are making it over the tower, but the speed reduction is still too high, trains will be loaded with fewer rows closed off from the back, normally the ride is re-opened with the last four rows closed, this is to ensure that the ride does not rollback, or rolls back fewer times than when sending full trains.

Top Thrill Dragster can not operate in winds exceeding 35 mph.[citation needed] An anemometer on top of the tower relays wind speeds to the ride's computer. Wind speeds above 35 mph for approximately 5 seconds will disrupt normal operation of the ride, placing the ride into Manual mode. This is called an Auto Mode Stop. The ride's control panel notifies ride hosts of this and other faults by a trouble light, which is a red flashing or solid push button and light. The ride also has a high wind speed indicator that illuminated along with a warning on the rides touch-screen that alerts the ride host in the controls position that the ride has detected wind speeds greater than 20-34mph. High winds that cause the ride to stop, result in the ride being reset, a timer being started for approximately fifteen minutes. If within that fifteen minutes winds go above 35mph again, the fault is again reset and the timer re-started. Once fifteen minutes has elapsed with winds below 35mph the ride is re-started, however if wind speeds are persistently high, ride hosts may close off rows in the back of the trains to ensure the wind, and speed reduction will not cause rollbacks.

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster
Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Ranking
11
7
7
10
9
9

References

  1. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  2. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster". Cedar Point. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  3. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster Stuck at Top". Xtreme Coastin. 2005-06-24. Retrieved 2007-12-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Preceded by World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster
May 2003 – May 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by World's Fastest Roller Coaster
May 2003 – May 2005 		Succeeded by

41°29′18″N 82°41′34″W / 41.48833°N 82.69278°W / 41.48833; -82.69278

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocky_Mountains&oldid=244462721"