My animation of the Screamin' Demon launched loop that ran from 1977-1987 at Kings Island, Ohio.
Welcome to Brad's Coaster Station! As an artist, I have found unique characteristics in these scream machines. They are works of art, brought to life by the most innovative and creative minds in engineering and entertainment. My infatuation with amusement parks has to be traced to the summer of 1970, when my parents visited (the original) Elitch's Gardens in Denver, CO, on their honeymoon! Lo and behold, they rode Mr. Twister, known to the amusement world as one of the most notorious coasters to ever stand on this earth (See above). Thanks to them, my brother and I are both hooked. :D So welcome one and all. Enjoy your visit, and please WALK to the attractions! Cotton Candy is only 50¢....
1:48 Scale OPERATING B&M Inverted coaster model kits
Announcing the coolest fully functional inverted roller coaster model. The track is flexible and pieces snap together fairly easily for endless creations and re-creations of your favorite inverted coasters out there! I'm thrilled to have been among the first to test out this amazing system. Custom creations will appear soon on my model section. Please visit the above link for product updates, as well as ordering info. This is a MUST HAVE for every true coaster fan! It is a far cry from the difficult and inconsistent FALLER Big Dipper kit. Right now only inverted trains are available, and boy are they sweet. Colorful, accurately molded parts and smooth operation are just the beginning. No glue is required for assembly, meaning quick, easy construction and infinite layout designs. Photos of this amazing model are available HERE
1:87 (H.O.) scale wooden coaster kits are also available. They are much smaller and come with a predesigned layout, but are fully operating and feature a classic look with curved station and NAD train. Perfect for those train layouts!
Photos from various park trips, along with other favorite images, can be seen here
Arrow Dynamics - Visionaries, Pioneers, Masters
Arrow Dynamics had a huge impact on the amusement ride industry. They have been involved in the design and construction of hundreds of amusement park attractions, including roller coasters, log flumes, dark rides, antique car rides, and even park transportation systems. Starting with a small machine shop in 1946, Arrow undoubtedly changed the way that we have fun at parks. Arrow got their big break when Walt Disney, after seeing a boat they had built, decided that he would have them construct many of the attractions at his soon-to-open Disneyland park in Anaheim, California. After developing various rides for Disney, including the world's first steel tubular tracked coaster (Matterhorn Mountain), Arrow went on to introduce the runaway mine train, log flume, and corkscrew looping coaster which was the first to turn guests upside down since the early 1900's. This breakthrough ride in 1975, which now resides at Silverwood theme park in Idaho, led to many styles of inversions that can be found today on virtually every looping coaster, including the modern inverteds and stand-ups. The most recent examples of Arrow's craftsmanship are Tennessee Tornado, at DollyWood in Tennessee, and "X", a one-of-a-kind 4D coaster that combines flying, twisting and looping with a new style of rotating seat! X opened in 2001 at Magic Mountain in Valencia California. The amusement industry has more manufacturers than it can handle now, but they all owe a great deal to the company who started it all. In 2002 the company was absorbed by S&S power.
MY HOME PARK!
Take some time to visit Steven Wilson's look back at the midwest's finest theme park. When it opened in 1976, Marriott's Great America, 45 minutes north of Chicago, was one of two identical parks operated under Willard Marriott. In 1986 this park fell under Six Flags control, and the other, located in Santa Clara, California, is now owned by Cedar Fair. Neither have a strong resemblence to their past, but thanks to people like Steven we can always look back and remember! I have visited SFGAm nearly every year since it opened, and am currently modeling some of it's coasters.
Want to know which rides hold the world records? Looking for that coaster you rode as a kid? Check out
COASTER 101
How do they work? To put it simply there are 3 main things. Gravity, a vehicle with wheels, and some sort of guiding track. If that doesn't satisfy your craving for detail, here's a friend of mine that knows more about them than the folks that build 'em! Check out his hall of shame too.... DAVE'S ADVENTURES
Coasterbuzz features industry news, forums, links, and even a trackspotting guide.
I am also a member of organizations dedicated to the operation, preservation and overall enjoyment of rollercoasters. Not only do we have meetings and tour the world, but we are allowed to attend special events, including ERT (extended ride time) on coasters just for us! What's it like to ride Magnum at 1 am with the park empty? Or the Legend at night (the absolute best pitch black coaster experience)? Or how about TV shoots on water rides at a frigid 8am? :) Join and find out! If you love amusement parks, and have a special interest in coasters, wood or steel, you will greatly benefit from joining. Perhaps the greatest feeling is seeing people of all nationalities and ages coming together to preserve and enjoy these marvels of engineering. Please click on the links to find out more.
ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON
Rollercoaster Tycoon is the smash hit that swept the world in 1999. Combining Sims-like strategy and the fun of building and running amusement parks, this addictive game has become a household name, and continues to grow in popularity with add on packs and even a newer version of the original game. Having problems with the game? Want to know more about the different types of coasters and what makes each one unique? Need advice on succeeding at your theme park empire? Want some crazy designs to download? Check out Take a few moments to gaze at mind-boggling 3-D computer creations of coasters and trains. Also featured are on-ride videos of many of today's newer scream machines. This site is a must see!
Britannica takes a comprehensive look at key individuals in the development of roller coasters and ride patents. This is an amazing tour through several decades, filled with great photos and quicktime videos explaining these developments.
This website contains the most comprehensive look at John Miller, who was an important amusement ride designer. He is the reason that coasters work the way they do, and he developed many of the patents for amusement devices. An in-depth look at his influence on the world, as well as some historic parks, can be found by clicking on his name. We owe everything to him...... Long live the Flying Turns!
Building models is one thing, but this is unbelievable! Here are links to some awesome home built thrill machines:
John Ivers' steel looping coaster
There is nothing like a great haunted house, and I find Disney's and Knoebels' to have the best around. Visit these links to engage in a hauntingly in-depth look behind some of the greatest thrills and chills!
PHANTASMICS (tons of ideas including the famous Flying Crank Ghost)
DARKRIDE AND FUNHOUSE ENTHUSIASTS
It is extremely important to obey ALL warnings given by a park, whether verbally or on a sign. Unfortunately sometimes things happen no matter how many precautions are taken. The best thing you can do is follow the warnings and treat the rides and attractions with respect. DO NOT test your luck. Respect rides......they do not respect you.THIS LINK will take you to the most complete database of accidents reported at parks over the years. Notice how many of these are guest induced.
THE LEGEND
For more information about Holiday World, The Legend and Raven, or anything else related, please contact me, or visit the park HERE!
THE LEGEND facts:
Length: 4,042'
Ride time: 2 minutes
Maximum height: 116'
Longest drop: 113', with 77' spiraling drop
Trains: Two 24 passenger trains by PTC.
Cost: $3 million
Designed and built by: Custom Coasters Inc., of West Chester Ohio (now reborn as The Gravity Group, LLC)
DESIGNER PROFILES
JOHN A. MILLER
BACKYARD COASTERS
HAUNTED HOUSE LINKS
AMUSEMENT PARK SAFETY
MY FAVORITE COASTER IN THE WORLD.....
Located at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, The Legend is the newest wooden-terrain-twister rollercoaster to hit the planet. Packed with a 116' lift, plenty of tightly banked turns and sudden drops, this story of the Headless Horseman is told in the most unusual of ways. The ride begins at a station themed like a school house, and takes off with a brand new purple and yellow train. After climbing high above the trees, you plunge into complete darkness, twisting and turning from one direction to the other. You have no idea where the train is going next, as you brace yourself for what ends up being the scariest ride of your life. Complete with tunnels, a double helix, a double-up (where the train gains altitude twice in the same hill coasting up), and more S-curves than the state of California, this ride is unmatched! And all to end with a breathtaking screech to a halt at the station. Even better is a ride at night. You won't walk away from this one disappointed. Anyone who has flown along with the RAVEN there, will tell you that Holiday World and CCI mean business when it comes to thrills. There is no better place on earth to prove that bigger isn't better. We don't need world records here, folks. This coaster will forever hold a category all its own. The Koch family has outdone themselves once again.
ALL images copyright Brad Sherman unless noted otherwise. Logos copyright their respective sources.