Thunderation
Thunderation is a steel mine train roller coaster located at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the ride opened in 1993.[1] Originally, the third and fifth cars of each roller coaster train faced backward, but they were repositioned to face forward sometime after the 2010 season.[2]
| Thunderation | |
|---|---|
 Thunderation's helix | |
| Silver Dollar City | |
| Location | Silver Dollar City |
| Coordinates | 36.6684°N 93.3379°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 1993 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Mine Train |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Model | Mine train |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 81 ft (25 m) |
| Length | 3,022 ft (921 m) |
| Speed | 48 mph (77 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:10 |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 36 riders per train. |
| Thunderation at RCDB Pictures of Thunderation at RCDB | |
Rider Experience
The train (the front part of the roller coaster looks like the locomotive of a steam train) leaves the station, takes a 180 degree right turn, goes straight forward, and makes a 180 degree left turn. The train enters a right turn helix, followed by a tunnel. Next, the train takes a 270 degree left turn. After going straight the train takes another 90 degree right turn drops into a short tunnel. The train goes up the lift hill, out of the tunnel. There is a 270 degree left turn. Finally, the train goes down the drop, and turns right 90 degrees into the station.
On some ride signs, the name is stylized as "ThuNderaTion", a reference to TNT to coincide with the ride's mining theme.[3]
References
- Throgmorton, Todd (2000). Roller Coasters: United States and Canada. McFarland. p. 287. ISBN 0-7864-0896-0.
- Marden, Duane. "Thunderation (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
- Pictures of Thunderation