Steel Coasters
Steel Coasters >>Wooden Coasters >>Science of Coasters >>History >>Safety
Home >>About Us >>Bibliography >>Standards >>Interactive Learning
|
|
Steel
roller coasters are classified by their tracks because they are made of
steel. Steel coasters are taller, faster and longer than wooden coasters;
additionally, they provide a smoother ride. Steel roller coasters
do not sway; can reach really high speeds; and have greater drops than
their predecessors. Steel
coasters are quieter and allow designers to build twists,
turns and other factors that wooden coasters can not offer.
There are predictions that steel roller coasters will eventually reach speeds of one hundred miles an hour. The only concerns are physics and what the human body will allow. The first steel roller coaster was built in Disneyland in 1959. The ride was Disney’s Matterhorn Bobsled Ride. To the left is a picture of The Superman Ultimate Flight Roller Coaster. It is classified as a Flying Multi-element Coaster. It has a 100 foot drop and reaches over 60 mph. The coaster is 2,759 feet tall. It features a pretzel shaped inverted loop, a spiral, horse shoe, and an in-line roll. It has 2 trains that hold 32 passengers each. The ride lasts approximately 3 minutes. This ride was opened in 2003 at the Six Flags Theme Parks. |
