How Would You Like Your Launch Sir?
This article is mainly a definition and I suppose a more “geeky” look at the different types of launch coasters and some info on how they work and thier designers.
The Intamin Rocket Coaster
This at the moment is a very popular choice of coaster for bigger parks, the rocket coaster was the first to use a hydraulic launch system where the compression of gasses would build up enough pressure to launch the train down the track. The first of these coasters was Xcellerator at Knott’s Berry Farm, USA. It launches riders to 80mph in around 2 seconds! This idea has been improved and advanced since then to feature huge launch coasters such as Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point) and Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure) which work on the same principle but with more power this time to launch guests over the 120mph mark. These launches are usually very smooth and offer great forces and are usually exciting to ride and well themed.
Thrust-Air 2000
This was S&S Power’s take on a launch coaster. After designing verticle shot and drop towers the manager decided to turn the towers effectively on their sides and project the cars horizontally which led for great acceleration to crazy speeds which still leave Intamin in the dark! But unfortunately not everything is great about the Thrust- Air, in my experience (Hypersonic XLC) the ride offered is rough and uncomfortable and the release from the launch cable is painful which is then followed by a rough ride and poor layout. Hopefully in years to come rides like this will be redesigned to offer a more comfortable ride without sacrificing the terrifying acceleration.
Vekoma Booster Bikes
Vekoma, although at times unpopular with many enthusiasts because their rides are known to be quite rough and painful, made a breakthrough with their unique train design that offers almost complete rider freedom and flexibility, one thing that most coasters lack. Although they’re not as forceful as the Intamin or S&S designs, Vekoma provide a steady launch but still great speeds of up to 60mph using similar designs to an Intamin Rocket coaster. Using a catch car and launch cable, the trains that are designed like motorbikes are catapulted down the track and over a series of tight twists and airtime hills. Although not the highest, fastest, longest or most complex of layouts, the rider freedom really adds to the experience. Thumbs up to Vekoma!
LIMS/LSMs
Although many companies now work with this technology, (more so for breaking than acceleration) Premier Rides use these engineering marvels to launch thier trains. In simple terms this style of launch works on the theory of magnatism and the attraction and repelling of these magnets attatch to the train and the track. As the ride is launched a current is sent through these LIMs (Linear Induction Motors) which cause them to turn on and off causing attraction and repellent against the train causing it to move forward faster and faster. These coaster once again are nice, quick and smooth although they guzzle electricity and can be very noisy. Unfortunately this technology has some draw backs and you rarely ever see a launch higher than 80mph using LIMs.
So they are the 4 main launch systems in parks. There are some more though, such as the older shuttle loop from Schwarzkopf. Hopefully in the future more ways of acceleration may appear. Maybe B&M have a trick up their sleave? Only time will tell.
