The time is finally here! We are excited to launch a new, biweekly segment on the science behind rides! Please note: the following information was compiled using many sources, online and not. This information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate or exact. With that in mind, Welcome to the first segment!
Part 1: Introduction to Roller COasters
Welcome to a brand new, exclusive online course on the science and engineering that goes into building today's latest thrill rides, plus a look back on past rides and manufacturing techniques as well as current methods.
Our first lesson in the series will discuss basic coaster principles, and look back on how the roller coaster came to be.
Roller coasters are thought to have started as Russian "ice slides" that were basically wooden ramps covered in ice that people would sled down. But when the long Russian winters came to an end, they began attaching wheels on their sleds so they could enjoy the "thrill" year round.
Roller coasters are thought to have started as Russian "ice slides" that were basically wooden ramps covered in ice that people would sled down. But when the long Russian winters came to an end, they began attaching wheels on their sleds so they could enjoy the "thrill" year round.
Over the last 600 years, roller coasters have evolved into mega scream machines that can take you on an 105 mph journey at heights of 450 feet. Now, lets explore some of the basic principles of a roller coaster
Of course, no coaster would function without gravity. Almost all coasters operating rely on gravity (with the exception of a few, powered coasters). Gravity pulls the train toward the ground, and the rails are there just to tell the train where to go. The rails on a modern coaster can vary, from tubular steel, I-Beam steel, or wooden planks (with a small strip of running steel). The very first modern steel coaster was Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland.
Of course, no coaster would function without gravity. Almost all coasters operating rely on gravity (with the exception of a few, powered coasters). Gravity pulls the train toward the ground, and the rails are there just to tell the train where to go. The rails on a modern coaster can vary, from tubular steel, I-Beam steel, or wooden planks (with a small strip of running steel). The very first modern steel coaster was Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland.
This ride was also the world's first to have individual blocks, or sections, so that multiple trains could be ran at once (we will look closer at blocks later). Steel tracks are often tubular, however now I-Beam steel tracks are becoming more common. Their spacing and curvature is kept in place by the spine and cross ties. The spine often holds the cross ties in place, and the cross ties hold the rails in place.
The image above is a typical track segment by prominent coaster designers, Bolliger and Mabillard.
As you can see, the rails are grey, the cross ties are blue, and the spine is purple. This system is a simple and effective way to direct the train where it needs to go. Wooden coasters, on the other hand, utilize stacks of wooden planks and wooden cross ties to get the job done.
As you can see, the rails are grey, the cross ties are blue, and the spine is purple. This system is a simple and effective way to direct the train where it needs to go. Wooden coasters, on the other hand, utilize stacks of wooden planks and wooden cross ties to get the job done.
This picture clearly demonstrates the makeup of a wooden coaster track system.
That's gonna do it for Part 1! the next parts will be longer and will get into more detail about how to design and operate rides. Check back in two weeks for the next part, and until then, goodbye.
That's gonna do it for Part 1! the next parts will be longer and will get into more detail about how to design and operate rides. Check back in two weeks for the next part, and until then, goodbye.