Loch Ness Monster (roller coaster)
| Loch Ness Monster | |
|---|---|
The interlocking vertical loops
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| Busch Gardens Williamsburg | |
| Park section | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 37°14′03″N 76°38′46″W / 37.234277°N 76.646°WCoordinates: 37°14′03″N 76°38′46″W / 37.234277°N 76.646°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 6, 1978 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Development |
| Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Model | Custom Looping Coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Two chain lift hills |
| Height | 130 ft (40 m) |
| Drop | 114 ft (35 m) |
| Length | 3,240 ft (990 m) |
| Speed | 60 mph (97 km/h) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Duration | 2:10 |
| Max vertical angle | 55° |
| Capacity | 2200 riders per hour |
| G-force | 3.5 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
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Loch Ness Monster at RCDB Pictures of Loch Ness Monster at RCDB |
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The Loch Ness Monster is a steel roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, noted at the time of its opening in 1978 as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, as well as the first coaster with two interlocking loops.
The Loch Ness remains the only roller coaster with two interlocking loops — other similar designs having been dismantled. In addition to the loops, which link over one of the park's water features, the design includes a helix tunnel, two lift hills and a 114-foot (35 m) drop. The ride sits within the park's Scottish-themed Heatherdown, relates the legend of the Loch Ness monster and suggests the serpent inhabits its underwater caves.
The ride is classified as Coaster Landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts and marked its 35th anniversary in 2013.
The ride begins with a pre-recorded welcome, departs the station and ascends a 130-foot (40 m) lift hill with a small, tight turn (with views of Griffon's lift hill and first drop) before descending 114-foot (35 m) to one of the park's water features, the so-called Rhine River. A large upward hill crosses over the park's 'Land of the Dragons', bringing the ride to the first of two interlocking loops, after which the ride accelerates through a descending, spiraling tunnel.
The train descends 2.75 spiraling revolutions before exiting the specially lit tunnel, subsequently ascending its second lift hill, making a wide turn and dropping into the second loop – ascending a last time before stopping. *The lights in the tunnel have not been turned on for years. Many of the current employees aren't even aware that there are lights in the tunnel yet many long time fans of the ride fondly recall them.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 1975 with one roller coaster, Glissade. In 1976, with the opening of the Oktoberfest portion of the park, two new rollercoasters were added; Das Kätzchen (German for "The Kitten"), a children's coaster, and its adult counterpart, Die Wildkatze. However, neither Glissade nor Die Wildkatze were considered major roller coasters. Then general manager John B. Roberts announced the plans to build an ambitious, major roller coaster for the park for the 1978 season. In his 1978 press release, Roberts boasted highly of the record breaking ride, stating "There has never been anything like it. For openers, it’s the tallest and fastest coaster-style ride with the steepest drop in the world... and the only one with interlocking loops. On top of that, part of it’s in total darkness.”
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Wikipedia