Roller Coasters, Part 1

Traditional Chain-Lift Method

Roller coasters definitely deserve to be on the list of epic inventions. They're huge pieces of art that date back to the early 1800s. Roller coasters satisfied man's need for speed, and they quickly became bigger, better, and faster. In this post, I will list some lift methods of roller coasters...

The first and traditional method is the lift method. This can mean either of two things: (a) a long loop chain that is powered by motors and moves in the uphill direction continuously. Hooking onto the train when it arrives (you're most likely to see this method), and (b) a series of tires that rotate in the same direction up the hill (this is more commonly found on small coasters).

The second method is the launch method. This is a great method because riders don't have to wait while they're slowly pulled to the top. A few types of launch roller coaster are (and a very brief description):

• Electromagnetic (uses electricity to set off magnets that, in turn, pull the car across the track until it has enough momentum to get up the hill)
• Hydraulic (uses compressed hydraulic fluid to turn a turbine which spins and pulls a cord attached to the train)
• Pneumatic (similar to the hydraulic except using compressed air instead of fluid)
• Electric motor with spring tension (motor pushes spring until it is tense, then releases the train)

A few other types of lifts are...

• Elevator lift (what the name implies; a piece of track detaches and moves vertically to connect with the other end of track at a higher altitude. For example, the Matterhorn Blitz at Europa-Park).
• Ferris Wheel lift (it is amazing. You must watch a video to understand it. An example is Round About at Freestyle Music Park).