Thunderbird (PowerPark)

Thunderbird is the name of the northernmost wooden roller coaster in the world, located at PowerPark in Alahärmä, Western Finland. The two Millennium Flyer trains operating it were manufactured by Great Coasters International (GCI).[1] It is the basis for American Thunder at Six Flags St. Louis

Thunderbird
Thunderbird in the PowerPark amusement park.
PowerPark
Location	PowerPark
Coordinates	63.230636°N 22.857940°E
Status	Operating
Opening date	29 April 2006
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Great Coasters International
Track layout	Twister roller coaster
Height	82 ft (25 m)
Drop	80 ft (24 m)
Length	2,713 ft (827 m)
Speed	48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:33
Height restriction	130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
Thunderbird at RCDB Pictures of Thunderbird at RCDB

Thunderbird was the first wooden roller coaster in Europe to be built by GCI. Approximately 1,000 cubic metres of wood, 750,000 bolts and 1.8 million nails were used for Thunderbird's construction. President of GCI, Clair Hain, Jr., commended the Finnish carpenters for their remarkable chainsaw skills.[1] The track is one kilometre in length and reaches a speed of 70 km/h.[2]

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters

Year	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Ranking	–[3]	31[4]	35 (tie)[5]	34[6]	37[7]	38[8]	–[9]	38[10]	-[11]	-[12]	-[13]	-[14]	-[15]	-[16]

References

1. "Roller Coaster Database".
2. A sign located next to the ride: "The most popular ride at Powerpark was opened in 2006. Thunderbird is the worlds' [sic] most Nordic wooden roller coaster. The ride is a combination of high speed, fierce tilts, stomach churning jumps and falls, and most of all exhilarating atmosphere. The ride is just under one kilometer long and its' [sic] highest point reaches up to 30 meters. The highest speed is 70 km / h. This you have to experience!" (2020-07-22)
3. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
4. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
5. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
6. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
7. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 38–39. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
8. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 46–47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
9. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
10. "2013 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 40–41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
11. "2014 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 38–39. September 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
12. "2015 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
13. "2016 top 50 wooden roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
14. "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
15. "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
16. "2019 Top Wood". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2013.

External links

• guenter-engelhardt.de
• Thunderbird