Ever wondered how your favourite rollercoasters work at Thorpe Park and around the world? Well you’re in the right place, as we share the ins-and-outs of rollercoaster operations and engineering (AKA the nerdy stuff – my favourite! 🤓). This is your beginners guide to the thrills and safety of all your favourite rollercoasters!

The Basics

Quite simply rollercoasters rely on gravity to make it round its course, but in order to do this all rollercoaster must start with a way to get things moving. This is most typically a lift hill which will carry trains to a height before gravity takes over and carries the train through the remainder of the course. Launches can also propel a rollercoaster forward at speed to start the ride. The exception to this would be with powered coasters which are taken through its course by powered tracks. In all rollercoasters, safety is paramount which is why they are over-engineered to ensure all riders are safe during their experience, and are packed with failsafes and other safety measures.

Block Sections

Block sections will almost always start and end in a brake zone (i.e a mid-course brake run or final brake run), or on a lift-hill/launch. If a train approaches the next block section and that block section is occupied, the train will not be permitted to advance into that block section until the other train has cleared it. In a case like this, the train will be able to stop in a safe position and a tyre-drive system will advance the train forward to continue its course.

Of course, the block zones on each rollercoaster are different and many manufacturers have been known to take risks on their block zone setup to maximise ridership.

Brakes

The brakes on a rollercoaster are essential in its operation. These help to control the speed of a rollercoaster during its course (known as trim brakes) but also ultimately stop trains at the end of the ride or during emergency stops when there is an issue with the ride, guest, or even if a block section is occupied – as previously mentioned.

Aluminium Fins

Copper Fins

Copper fin brakes also utilise electromagnetic induction to create resistance and slow down roller coaster trains. Compared to aluminium fins, copper fins offer even greater braking force and control due to the higher conductivity of copper. These brakes provide reliable deceleration while maintaining a comfortable ride experience for passengers, demonstrating their effectiveness and safety. In contrast to aluminium fins, copper fins are much heavier which generate a greater braking force but also leads to heavier trains which can lead to structural difficulties in certain rollercoasters, such as Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point – an RMC Hybrid coaster that opened in 2018.

Friction Brakes

Friction brakes operate by applying pressure to brake pads or discs to create friction and slow down the trains. While not as technologically advanced as electromagnetic brakes, friction brakes remain widely used due to their simplicity and reliability. They provide effective deceleration and are considered safe and dependable within the rollercoaster industry.

Launches

Launches on rollercoasters provide an intense experience by achieving high speeds in a short period of time. This is what helps to achieve many of the fastest rollercoasters in the world!

Hydraulic Launches

Hydraulic launch systems utilise pressurised hydraulic fluid to rapidly propel rollercoaster trains from a standstill to high speeds in a short distance. These systems feature powerful hydraulic pumps and accumulators that store energy to provide a quick burst of acceleration. Hydraulic launches can be very high maintenance and many hydraulically launched coasters require downtime to replace various parts due to wear and tear. A hydraulic launch is used on Stealth at Thorpe Park to achieve its 0-60mph acceleration in 1.8 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating rollercoaster in the world!

Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launches

LSM launch systems utilise electromagnetic fields to propel rollercoaster trains along the track. Magnets on the train interact with electromagnetic fins embedded in the track, creating a powerful and smooth acceleration. LSM launches offer precise control over the speed and acceleration of the train and are commonly found on modern launch coasters. Many LSMs use what’s known as a super capacitor or ‘super cap’, this is due to the amount of electricity required for every launch and allows for consistent launches without causing too much stress on local electricity grids. These super caps are essentially massive batteries which can recharge within seconds and deliver all of their charge almost instantly.

Drive Tyre Launches

Drive-tyre launches feature wheels, much like your car, placed along the track to grip and propel the train forward. This is achieved using powerful motors that achieve the necessary acceleration. Drive Tyre launches aren’t as common but are still widely used on a number of popular rollercoaster around the world, such as The Incredible Hulk at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.

Pneumatic Launches

Pneumatic launch systems use compressed air to propel rollercoaster trains forward. Air pressure builds up in large tanks before being released into pistons or cylinders, which push against the train to provide acceleration. This is one of the least used launch systems but is still interesting to know about and is still used on a number of fantastic rollercoasters around the world.

Rollbacks

A rollback is when a rollercoaster train fails to make it over an element following a launch, such as a top hat immediately after a launch track. This can happen due to various factors, such as insufficient speed, adverse weather conditions, or a mechanical issue with the launch system. While rollbacks may sound alarming, they are perfectly safe and are accounted for in the design of rollercoasters. Rollercoasters are equipped with features such as catch cars to prevent trains from rolling backward uncontrollably. In the event of a rollback, the train will safely return to a designated rollback point on the track, where riders can be evacuated if necessary. Brakes will be deployed immediately after the train launches, or launch fins can also double up as brakes to slow and eventually stop the train if it rolls back. Rollercoasters are meticulously designed and engineered to ensure the safety of riders under all circumstances, including rollbacks.

Restraints

Rollercoasters utilise various types of restraints to ensure rider safety during the ride experience. The type of restrain will vary by manufacturer, model, and many other factors. We’re going to talk about the different types of restraint, the benefits, and safety precautions of each.

Lap Bars

A popular restraint among the theme park community is lap bars, which are hinged bars that are lowered across riders’ laps, securing their lower bodies in place. Lap bars are typically found on many traditional and inverted roller coasters and provide a secure restraint without obstructing the upper body. This allows riders to experience a greater level of freedom and more airtime than other, more restrictive restraints. Hyperia is the first thrill-coaster at Thorpe Park to feature lap bars due to the Mack Hypercoaster model. Many people are sceptical of lap bars due to the freedom that they offer. It’s important to remember that no matter which type of restraint a rollercoaster features, they all are fitted with a number of failsafes to ensure your safety and security during the ride.

Over-The-Shoulder Restraints

Over-the-shoulder restraints are another common type, consisting of padded bars that lower over riders’ shoulders and lock into place. These restraints provide additional support and security, particularly on rollercoasters with extreme forces, inversions, or high-speed launches. Most of Thorpe Park’s thrill coasters feature over-the-shoulder restraints, these include Stealth, Nemesis Inferno, Colossus, and SAW – The Ride.

Vest Restraints

Another type of restraint is the vest restraint, which consists of a padded vest that wraps around the upper body, securing riders’ torsos in place. These restraints are often found on modern roller coasters with intense inversions and high-speed elements, such as wing coasters and flying coasters. THE SWARM at Thorpe Park is the only rollercoaster on Park that utilises vest restraints. Vest restraints offer a comfortable and secure fit while allowing riders to experience dynamic movements without feeling overly restrained.

Safety and Security

Rollercoasters employ a variety of failsafe methods to ensure the safety and security of riders. Seatbelts are often used as an additional layer of protection, providing redundancy in case the primary restraint system fails. Locking ratchets are commonly integrated into lap bars and over-the-shoulder restraints, ensuring that once locked into place, they remain securely fastened throughout the ride. Hydraulic systems are employed in some restraints, providing a reliable mechanism for adjusting and maintaining the tightness of the restraint during operation. In addition to these mechanical failsafes, sensors and monitoring systems are utilised to detect any anomalies or malfunctions in the restraint systems, automatically halting the ride if any issues are detected.

Lift Hills

There are many different types of lift hills which all help to start each ride on many of your favourite rollercoasters. Each lift hill has its various benefits and is dependent on the model of coaster, elements, or any height and space restrictions.

Single Chain Lift Hills

In a single-chain lift hill system, a continuous loop of chain is used to pull the train up to the top of the first hill. The chain is driven by a motor located either at the base or the top of the lift hill. As the train climbs, it engages with the chain and is pulled upward, gradually gaining elevation until it reaches the crest of the hill. Single-chain lift hills are a common feature on many rollercoasters and provide a reliable method for getting trains to their starting point.

Dual Chain Lift Hills

Dual-chain lift hills operate similarly to single-chain systems but utilise two separate chains instead of one. This design offers increased redundancy and reliability, as each chain can support the weight of the train independently. In the event of a mechanical issue with one chain, the other chain can continue to lift the train safely. Dual-chain lift hills are often found on larger or more complex rollercoasters where additional safety measures are desired, and they also eliminate the need for any anti-rollback measures as each chain operates independently.

Launched Lift Hills

A launched lift hill differs from traditional chain lift hills in that it uses a launch, such as a hydraulic launch system, to accelerate the train to the top of the hill. Instead of slowly climbing the lift hill, riders experience a sudden burst of acceleration that propels them to the crest in a matter of seconds. Launched lift hills are often featured on high-speed or launch coasters, adding an extra element of excitement to the ride experience. A launched lift hill is currently being built on the world’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia.

Anti-Rollback Measures

An anti-rollback system is a safety feature integrated into the track along the ascent on lift hill. It consists of a series of ratchets or teeth that engage with corresponding teeth on the underside of the coaster train. Once the train reaches the top of the lift hill, the anti-rollback system prevents it from rolling backward by locking the teeth in place. This ensures that the train remains securely positioned at the crest of the hill until it is released to begin its descent.

All lift hills will also feature a catwalk that runs the full length of the lift hill, this is so that guests can evacuate the ride should the ride cease operation. Again, safety is paramount with all rollercoasters and host a number of safety precautions, as well as being well maintained and operated by highly trained staff.

We hope you have learned something new about the world of rollercoasters today, and perhaps have eliminated some anxiety around the safety of rollercoasters. So, the next time you’re at Thorpe Park, you can ride your favourite rollercoaster and know exactly how it works!

Stay tuned for more of our ‘Behind the Thrills’ series as we share all the secrets behind the design, maintenance, and so much more.

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