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Show r . : . - - - - ' 1 ' -1,, -.--ft""" m -- . 1$ ; H 1 lift E" - .y. "X ? a - - v 1 jr I The Pipeline has drawn national attention from organizations such as the National Geographic Society and American Coaster Enthusiasts. Critics claim it is unlike any coaster ever built to date. Pipeline revolutionizes roller coaster thrills dinator for Arrow, MelRee Zamo-rano, Zamo-rano, "except that it will be a multi- coasters of all sorts, "never would have predicted this. There are I) million dollar project for amusement parks to buy. ' ' The original model set up at the Freeport Center will be purchased by an amusement park in the target area of 1992. The coaster will msot likely like-ly not be per-m per-m a n e n 1 1 y labeled the Pipeline. "Pipeline is a generic name we gave it," said Zamorano. 'The amusement amuse-ment parks decide on their own nam (coasters) that go higher than 200 feet, suspended ones, and ones you even ride standing up. I never would have thought this was possible possi-ble 10 years ago. Who knows, maybe someday they'll make them without tracks, maybe running through a magnetic field.1 Roller coasters have become nearly immortal. Hie oldest roller coaster was built in 1902 By SARAH HANSEN The world of entertainment has reached a new height. Amusement parks are being radically revolutionized revolu-tionized in their efforts to keep up with the demands of a fast paced, thrill-seeking society. Arrow Dynamics Dy-namics Incorporated at the Freeport Center in Clearfield has unveiled the 4 'Pipeline,' a roller coaster with a never before seen twist : Pipeline creates an entirely new ride experience for coaster enthusiasts. en-thusiasts. It is engineered with the ability to roll over its own longitudinal axis. The coaches are positioned lower with respect to the track, allowing the center of the rotation to be at the passenger's mid-section which is close to the center of gravity as they are seated. ":; The "rollover" ability allows the coaster to perform maneuvers similar simi-lar to aerobatics in a small airplane such as snap rolls, barrel rolls, and steep dives. : Randy Geisler, president of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), describes the Pipeline as "the next generation of what a roller coaster is capable of.' "It doesn't compare with any other roller coasters," he said. "It's totally different." The Pipeline project was initiated two years ago. After the preliminary engineering was completed, com-pleted, a quarter-sized scale was set up to work out any problems. Then the full-sized model was constructed con-structed and underwent numerous testings, such as gravity forces and the amount of stress on the support structure. The test of thrill and enjoyment took place Thursday, June 14, when four Arrow employees were the first to try it out. The first woman to ride it, Carolyn Weaver, said, "It was great. It was thrilling. I've ridden different aerocoasters at different parks, but this one was completely different Even though the cars turn around, you don't get disoriented like you think you would. It was a lot of fun, but it wasn't long enough. I was just starting to enjoy it and it was over." The new coaster will be a major investment for amusement parks. "We're not at liberty to say how much it cost," said marketing coor- years," said Geisler, "with the continual con-tinual repairs and maintenance. ' The American Coaster Enthusiasts En-thusiasts was founded in 1978 by three men who kept running into each other at amusement parks. In 1977 there was a roller coaster riding marathon, and the three men ran into each other once again. They decided they needed to form an organization for other roller coaster fanatics like themselves. At the first major get-together, 54 people attended. Today they expect nearly 500. The club spans 15 coun- . tries and includes ages from infancy to 70. The average age is about 30. ACE is a nonprofit organization. All members pay their own amusement amuse-ment park fees. They do travel together and get group rates, and sometimes get exclusive ride times when the park is not open to the public. They also hold presentations about the history of roller coasters, their designers, and other coaster trivia. Geisler, who works for the Social Security Administration as a claims representative, dedicates three of his four weeks of vacation to ACE. Zamorana adds that "ACE is ac tually a cult People save and save for it and gear their vacation plans towards it," she said. The National Geographic Society brought Geisler out to Utah to try the Pipeline in conjunction with a feature they're doing on roller coasters and roller coaster enthusiasts. en-thusiasts. "It's fun to go behind the scenes and see the work that goes into making fun," Geisler said. Geisler's own personal favorite roller coaster is the Cyclone at Coney Con-ey Island in New York. "It's like picking your favorite movie," he . said. "Everyone has a different favorite, and no one can agree." Geisler has also tried out Lagoon in Farmington. "Salt Lake is lucky to have Lagoon," he said. "The traditional parks are cozier. The big theme parks have the worst lines, an average of one hour. It's worth it though," he adds. The selection of a favorite between be-tween the Colossus and the old roller coaster is ' 'a difficult choice." "The wooden coaster has a certain feel to it that you don't get See Coaster C-2 Workers complete final structural checks. Geisler, who has traveled all over and still runs today. "There's no the world , trying out new roller reason why it won't last a hundred i Hv? !M ft I I I It ;J, f r t: I I I 11;. r - ' 'W - 7 J& 'zm z-i -- ".?r'":" , v - - - - - - - - - '-o ' - . : , 'SXsi ,.x.v,v' v -' v' ' 'aS- --- ,-:---y'-y-- - - - f4 1 iHIIHllHHIlHMHH I Pipeline was designed, constructed, and tested by Arrow Dynamics Incorporated at the Freeport ; Center in Clearfield. It is expected to be bought by an amusement park in 1 992. Pipeline's train is uniquely structured tr allow a "roll over" maneuver. The coaches are situated j lower to the track than on conventional coasiers. j i Coaster J CONTINUED FROM PG. C1 from cold, hard steel, but the Col- : ossus is awful intense," he said. "Of course I wouldn't complain if I k were forced to ride the Jet Star all ' day either. The Wild Mouse, though, in my heart is my secret j favorite." Geisler is also impressed with : how fortunate Utah is to have both : the "heart of the art" (Lagoon) and I "the state of the art" (Arrow Dy- " n amies). : Roller coasters have become ; more than just a passion for Geisler. " They've become a way of life.-" "The roller coaster is the ultimate thrill machine," he said. "Whatever can be imagined in man's mind, a roller coaster can ; reproduce. They allow you to be a ; kid forever. I hope that when I'm " 1 00-year s-old I'll be waiting in line : to ride a roller coaster." : With further advances like the : Pipeline, there should be plenty of " new ones for him to experience. |
