Xcelerator

Last updated
Xcelerator
Xcelerator (Knott's Berry Farm) 2.jpg
Knott's Berry Farm
Location Knott's Berry Farm
Coordinates 33°50′45″N118°00′03″W / 33.84583°N 118.00083°W / 33.84583; -118.00083
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 22, 2002 (2002-06-22)
Cost$13 million
Replaced Windjammer Surf Racers
General statistics
Type Steel  – Launched
Manufacturer Intamin
Designer Werner Stengel
Model Accelerator Coaster
Lift/launch system Hydraulic launch
Height205 ft (62 m)
Length2,202 ft (671 m)
Speed82 mph (132 km/h)
Inversions 0
Duration1:02
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1330 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 82 mph (0 to 132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds
Trains2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Cedar Fair Fast Lane availability icon.svg Fast Lane available
Xcelerator at RCDB

Xcelerator is a steel launched roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened in 2002 as the company's first hydraulically-launched coaster and cost $13 million to construct. Following the early demise of Windjammer Surf Racers, a dueling roller coaster that briefly operated from 1997 to 2000, Xcelerator was soon announced as its replacement. It launches to a maximum speed of 82 mph (132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds and reaches a height of 205 feet (62 m).

Contents

History

Following the demise of the short-lived Windjammer Surf Racers, a dueling roller coaster plagued with issues surrounding its design and operation, [1] Knott's Berry Farm announced its replacement in December 2001. [2] [3] The park hired Intamin to build and design a new roller coaster called Xcelerator, [2] the company's first hydraulically-launched roller coaster, which uses pressurized oil and a series of hydraulic fluid chambers to rapidly propel a coaster train along a straight section of track. [4] The total cost was $13 million. [3] [5] Intamin pioneered the hydraulic technology used on Xcelerator, which would later be built on a larger scale on future record-breaking rides, including Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. [4] The ride was originally scheduled to open in May 2002, [2] but the opening was delayed to June 22, 2002. [3]

In May 2004, California investigators asked that Knott's Berry Farm temporarily close Xcelerator, and that the nearby Six Flags Magic Mountain close Superman: Escape from Krypton, because the T-bar restraint systems used by both rides were potentially defective. This was due to three incidents where people died after falling out of the restraints, including Superman – Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England. [6] The rides were closed on June 2, 2004, so the necessary modifications could be made; [7] [8] Xcelerator reopened at the end of the month. [9] After an incident in 2009, the ride was closed while it underwent investigation; [10] it reopened in April 2010. [11]

Xcelerator was closed in July 2017 for maintenance. [12] The ride eventually reopened in March 2018. [13] It closed near the end of October 2021 for a new coat of paint; the ride now has the colors red, gray, orange, and yellow. Xcelerator closed again in mid-March 2022 due to a delayed shipment of a part. [14] The park later announced that the ride would be reopening during the summer of 2023. [15] However, On September 21, 2023, Xcelerator "went dark" after something broke while testing leaving an unknown reopening date. The ride reopened on November 7th 2023.

Characteristics

Xcelerator's Red Train exits the first overbanked turn. XceleratorInfield.jpg
Xcelerator's Red Train exits the first overbanked turn.

Xcelerator features two trains: red and violet. The trains themselves have spring-loaded wheel assemblies and are standard Intamin trains with specially crafted shells to make them look like 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertibles. Each train can fit 20 people; [5] there are five cars per train, which each sit two people in two rows. [3] This gives the ride a capacity of 1,330 riders per hour. [5]

The red train was accidentally painted with its color scheme reversed when the ride opened. It featured a yellow color scheme with red flames in the front and side, instead of a red train with yellowish flames. During one of the ride's rehabs, the color scheme was corrected by repainting the red train with orange flames added to the front and sides. After an accident in 2009, the red train now features patriotic blue flames. Each train is five cars long and holds twenty passengers. A maximum of two trains can operate at any given time. However, the two train operation is only slightly more efficient than only using one train. Therefore, Xcelerator usually only operates with one train regardless of the number of people in the park. Instead, each train is used by itself for about a year, while the other is undergoing maintenance. When maintenance is completed on one of the trains, it is returned to active duty and the other train is sent to maintenance.

Restraints

Xcelerator's trains use hydraulically-operated T-Bar restraints. These restraints are featured on Intamin's earlier accelerator coaster models. However, over-the-shoulder restraints are now used on the newer models due to safety concerns. Xcelerator also had special light meters installed on the restraints. The meter must show all green in order for a guest to ride. If the meter shows red then the guest cannot ride. Eventually the meter system was removed and the park now uses black lines etched on the side of each restraint. The black line must pass a certain part of the seat frame in order for the guest to ride. The ride also has seat belts that must be buckled before an operator pulls down the lap bar. Failure to do so slows the load time considerably. Another contributing factor involving the seat belts and a guest not being able to ride is requirement of one inch of slack must be pulled from the seat belt.

Ride experience

Xcelerator's hydraulic catapult motor accelerates the train from 0 to 82 mph (132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds. [5] [16] It only uses 157 feet (48 m) of track to launch the train. Each of the twin hydraulic catapult motors achieves a maximum of 10,500 horsepower (7,800 kW) during the launch of the train. Xcelerator's hydraulic motor system has the mechanical capability of accelerating vehicles to a speed of 117 mph (188 km/h) or more, although less power is needed for the train to crest the hill.[ citation needed ]

In order for a train to launch, the train must "drift" back to "hook" on to a catch car. 24 volts are used to demagnetize a pin underneath the third car, which causes it to drop. At the same time, two bellows actuators fill up with air. Meanwhile, near the back of the train, two drive tires that are holding the train in place must retract. The brakes then lower while the train rolls back, allowing it to hook onto the 7-foot-long (2.1 m) catch car. Once connected, the motor engages to launch the train. The catch car passes over a set of magnetic brakes, and the motor must work harder to attain proper launch speed if the train is not fully loaded with passengers. From the time the launch begins, the train has 8.25 seconds to pass over a proximity switch, called a hall effect sensor, near the bottom of the first drop which clears the starting block.[ citation needed ]

After launching, the train climbs a vertical 205 ft (62 m) top hat element, [5] then soars through two banked turns of 110 ft (34 m) and 95 ft (29 m), respectively. It then reaches the brake run and returns to the station house. The magnetic braking system consists of mounted magnetic clippers on the trains and copper alloy fins mounted onto the track. The alloy fins on the launch section retract during the launch procedure so as to not interfere with the train.[ citation needed ]

Rollbacks

A train nearly stalls at the top of the hill. Xcelerator at Knott's.jpg
A train nearly stalls at the top of the hill.

In rare cases, a train will not attain enough speed to make it over the initial 205-foot (62 m) top hat element. This causes the train to partially ascend the tower, stall, and roll back onto the launch track where magnetic brake fins will stop the train. The ride is designed to handle rollbacks. Inclement weather, weight, and overheating are all factors that contribute to a rollback.[ citation needed ]

Incidents

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roller coaster</span> Rail-based amusement park ride

A roller coaster is a type of amusement ride employing a form of elevated railroad track that carries passengers on a train through tight turns, steep slopes, and other elements designed to produce a thrilling experience. Trains consist of open cars connected in a single line, and the rides are often found in theme parks around the world. Roller coasters first appeared in the 17th century, and LaMarcus Adna Thompson obtained one of the first known patents for a roller coaster design in 1885, based on the Switchback Railway which opened a year earlier at Coney Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knott's Berry Farm</span> Amusement park in Buena Park, California

Knott's Berry Farm is a 57-acre (2,500,000 sq ft) theme park located in Buena Park, California, owned and operated by Cedar Fair. In March 2015, it was ranked as the twelfth-most-visited theme park in North America, while averaging approximately 4 million visitors per year. The park features over 40 rides, including roller coasters, family rides, dark rides, and water rides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Thrill 2</span> Launched roller coaster at Cedar Point

Top Thrill 2, formerly known as Top Thrill Dragster, is an upcoming launched roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. Originally manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, Top Thrill Dragster opened in 2003 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, as well as the first strata coaster. It debuted with a height of 420 feet (130 m), a maximum speed of 120 mph (190 km/h), and a total track length of 2,800 feet (850 m). Its speed and height records were surpassed in 2005 by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingda Ka</span> Roller coaster in Jackson, New Jersey

Kingda Ka is a hydraulically-launched steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, United States. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, Kingda Ka opened as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world on May 21, 2005, surpassing Top Thrill Dragster. It is the second strata coaster ever built, exceeding 400 feet (120 m) in height. Both share similar designs, although Kingda Ka's layout adds an airtime hill on the return portion of the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incredicoaster</span> Roller coaster in California

Incredicoaster is a steel launched roller coaster located at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, United States. Manufactured by Intamin, the ride was originally opened to the public as California Screamin' in early 2001. It is the only roller coaster with an inversion at the Disneyland Resort and it is the fastest, reaching a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). With a track length of 6,072 feet (1,851 m), Incredicoaster is the sixth-longest steel roller coaster in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intamin</span> Swiss design and manufacturing company

Intamin Amusement Rides is a design and manufacturing company in Schaan, Liechtenstein, best-known for designing and constructing thrill rides and roller coasters at dozens of international theme parks, amusement parks and other establishments. The Intamin brand name is a syllabic abbreviation for "international amusement installations". The company has corporate offices across the world, including three in Europe, three in Asia, and two in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Launched roller coaster</span> Modern form of roller coaster

The launched roller coaster is a modern form of roller coaster. A launched coaster initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or a series of linear induction motors (LIM), linear synchronous motors (LSM), catapults, tires, chains, or other mechanisms employing hydraulic or pneumatic power, along a launch track. This mode of acceleration powers many of the fastest roller coasters in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GhostRider (roller coaster)</span> Ride at Knotts Berry Farm in California

GhostRider is a wooden roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. It is located in the Ghost Town section of the park, south of the main entrance. Manufactured by Custom Coasters International, GhostRider is the tallest and longest wooden coaster on the West Coast of the United States, measuring 4,533 feet long and 118 feet tall. The ride follows an L-shaped double out and back pattern, with a station themed to a mining building. There are three trains, each themed to a different precious metal, though only two are in use at any given time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rita (roller coaster)</span> Steel launched roller coaster

Rita, formerly known as Rita: Queen of Speed, is a launched roller coaster located in the Dark Forest section of Alton Towers amusement park in Staffordshire Moorlands, England. Designed by Intamin, the Accelerator Coaster model opened to the public on 1 April 2005. It features an acceleration from 0 to 98.3 km/h (61.1 mph) in 2.5 seconds. The ride is loosely-themed to a drag racing concept, which partly changed when the section of the park transformed from "Ug Land" into the "Dark Forest" in 2010, when the ride TH13TEEN was added into that section. It is now themed as an abandoned drag racer that is used as the escape cart to escape the Dark Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress</span> Roller coaster at Knotts Berry Farm

MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, previously known as Montezooma’s Revenge, is a shuttle roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States. Designed by Anton Schwarzkopf, the ride opened on May 21, 1978, and is one of eight flywheel-launched units manufactured for theme parks around the world. It is also the oldest looping shuttle roller coaster still operating in its original location. The ride was closed in February 2022 for a major refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollback (roller coaster)</span> Instances where launched roller coasters do not reach intended points

A rollback occurs on a launched roller coaster when the train is not launched fast enough to reach the top of the tower or hill. It will roll backwards down the tower, and will be stopped by brakes on the launch track. Any roller coaster on which it is possible for a rollback to occur will have these brakes. Intamin, a manufacturer of roller-coasters, refers to the "rollback" as a "short shot".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accelerator Coaster</span> Roller coaster model by Intamin

An Accelerator Coaster is a hydraulically launched roller coaster model from Intamin. The model usually consists of a long, straight launch track, a top hat tower element, and magnetic brakes that smoothly stop the train without making contact. The technology was developed by Intamin engineers as an alternative to electromagnetic launch systems, such as the Linear Induction Motor (LIM) and Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM), that are found on earlier launched roller coasters like the Flight of Fear and The Joker's Jinx. Unlike the earlier linear induction motors, the Accelerator Coaster's launch system exhibits constant acceleration and is capable of reaching greater speeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storm Runner</span> Roller coaster at Hersheypark

Storm Runner is a launched roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufactured by Intamin and situated in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the Accelerator Coaster opened to the public on May 8, 2004. It reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to 72 mph (116 km/h) in two seconds. Storm Runner features a top hat element, three inversions, a dual loading station, and a magnetic braking system. In addition, it was designed to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and Trailblazer.

This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at amusement parks, water parks, or theme parks that are currently owned or operated by Cedar Fair. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that had a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy. The term incidents refers to major accidents, injuries, or deaths that occur at a park. These incidents were required to be reported to regulatory authorities due to where they occurred. They usually fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Negligence on the part of the guest, such as refusal to follow specific ride safety instructions.
  2. A guest deliberately breaking park rules.
  3. A guest's known, or unknown, health issues.
  4. Negligence on the part of the park, either by a ride operator or maintenance staff.
  5. Negligence on the part of the attraction's manufacturer
  6. An Act of God or a generic accident that is not a direct result of an action or inaction on anybody's part.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windjammer Surf Racers</span> Defunct roller coaster

Windjammer Surf Racers was a steel racing roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, California. It sat on the former spot of Wacky Soap Box Racers. The ride was plagued with mechanical issues and only operated sporadically from 1997 to 2000, leading to a lawsuit being filed against the manufacturer, TOGO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Bullet (Knott's Berry Farm)</span> Inverted roller coaster

Silver Bullet is a western-themed steel inverted roller coaster designed by Bolliger & Mabillard located at Knott's Berry Farm, an amusement park in Buena Park, California. The $16 million roller coaster was announced on December 1, 2003 and opened on December 7, 2004. A first rider auction was also held where people would bid on seats to be the first riders. The track is approximately 3,125 feet (952 m) long and the lift hill is about 146 feet (45 m) tall. The ride lasts two minutes and thirty seconds and features six inversions including a vertical loop, cobra roll, zero-g roll, and two corkscrews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaguar!</span> Junior roller coaster

Jaguar! is a steel family roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. Built by Zierer and designed by Werner Stengel, the coaster opened to the public in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shuttle Loop</span> Steel shuttle roller coaster

Shuttle Loop is a type of steel launched shuttle roller coaster designed by Reinhold Spieldiener of Intamin and manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf. A total of 12 installations were produced between 1977 and 1982. These 12 installations have been located in a total of 22 different amusement parks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pony Express (roller coaster)</span> Roller coaster at Knotts Berry Farm

Pony Express is a steel motorbike roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. It is the first motocoaster built by Zamperla in the United States, opening on May 22, 2008. The ride features motorbike-style seating and a flywheel launch system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeplechase roller coaster</span>

A Steeplechase roller coaster is a type of roller coaster that has several side-by-side tracks in a dueling "racing" arrangement. Riders straddle horse-shaped single cars and launch simultaneously, as from a horse-race starting line.

References

  1. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Windjammer Surf Racers  (Knott's Berry Farm)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  2. 1 2 3 "Knott's Accelerates Into 2002 With New Hot Rod Coaster". Ultimate Rollercoaster.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Marden, Duane. "Xcelerator  (Knott's Berry Farm)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  4. 1 2 "Hydraulic Launch Coasters". CoasterForce. April 17, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Knott's to launch Xcelerator in June". The Californian. May 12, 2002. p. 36. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ Yoshino, Kimi (May 23, 2004). "Ride Deaths Spur Call for Oversight". The Los Angeles Times. p. 17. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Two Roller Coasters Closed For Restraint Modifications". Ultimate Rollercoaster. June 2, 2004. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ Yoshino, Kimi (June 2, 2004). "Parks Close 2 Rides in Safety Move". The Los Angeles Times. p. 113. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Enhanced Knott's Ride Reopens". The Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2004. p. 43. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 Quick, Sonya (August 27, 2011). "Knott's reaches settlement over coaster accident". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 4 MacDonald, Brady (April 28, 2010). "Knott's Berry Farm, manufacturer faulted in roller coaster accident that injured two". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Why is Knott's Berry Farm's Xcelerator roller coaster down?". November 7, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Xcelerator & More - Knott's Berry Farm Update - March 27, 2018 - The Coaster Kings". March 29, 2018.
  14. ↑ "When will Knott's Berry Farm reopen the Xcelerator coaster?". Orange County Register. June 7, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  15. ↑ "CONFIRMED - Xcelerator At Knott's Berry Farm Will Reopen Later This Summer!". Theme Park Tourist. June 25, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  16. ↑ "California's Best Theme Park and Amusement Park - Knott's Berry Farm". Archived from the original on July 22, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "2 Hurt When Roller Coaster Cable Snaps". ABC 7. September 18, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  18. ↑ Mello, Michael (June 11, 2011). "Knott's Xcelerator is high maintenance". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Knott's settles with family over Xcelerator coaster accident". Los Angeles Times. August 26, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Knott's Berry Farm reaches settlement in coaster accident - ABC7 Los Angeles - ABC7 Los Angeles". ABC7 Los Angeles. August 27, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2022.


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