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Flying Turns (Knoebels)
Encyclopedia
The Flying Turns is a wooden bobsled roller coaster
under construction at the Knoebels
Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
. It is modeled after a similar ride designed by John Norman Bartlett and John Miller
in the 1920s. The ride concept is similar to a modern steel bobsled roller coaster, however the Flying Turns will be made of wood, like the original rides. The layout of the ride is most similar to the original one that was at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois.
An initial delay was due to an issue with the roller coaster car's wheels. The wheels were shipped back to their manufacturer in California
and the issue was corrected. However, the ride did not open by the end of the 2008 season due to the cars travelling too quickly for passenger comfort.
According to Knoebels' website, the ride was to be opened during the 2009 season. The ride was re-tracked and profiled to accommodate new trains.
In June 2011, Knoebels posted an update to their blog, stating "We've been testing the newest version of the Flying Turns ride vehicles and are VERY encouraged. There's still plenty of work to do but this is a very positive step in the right direction." They also posted to their Facebook page a video shot from a camera mounted on a prototype chassis.
Bobsled roller coaster
A Bobsled roller coaster is the generic name given to any roller coaster that uses a track design that is essentially a "pipe" with the top half removed and has cars that are sent down this pipe in a freewheeling mode...
under construction at the Knoebels
Knoebels
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and -operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, the park has more than 57 rides, free admission, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that was featured on the...
Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Elysburg is a census-designated place in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,067 at the 2000 census. The area's biggest attraction is Knoebels Amusement Park, which has two wooden roller coasters.-Demographics:...
. It is modeled after a similar ride designed by John Norman Bartlett and John Miller
John Miller (entrepreneur)
John A. Miller was a roller coaster designer and builder. He held over 100 patents, many of which were for roller coaster safety devices , that remain key components of present-day roller coasters...
in the 1920s. The ride concept is similar to a modern steel bobsled roller coaster, however the Flying Turns will be made of wood, like the original rides. The layout of the ride is most similar to the original one that was at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois.
History
Construction began in January 2006. In July 2007 the maintenance crew ran the first test car test runs which were completed successfully. Then in October 2007 the same crew ran the first powered complete test runs of the same test cars, and gave the roller coaster enthusiasts a tour during the Phoenix Phall Phunfest 2007. Later that month they began to run test runs of a five car test train which will be the full length of the train.An initial delay was due to an issue with the roller coaster car's wheels. The wheels were shipped back to their manufacturer in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and the issue was corrected. However, the ride did not open by the end of the 2008 season due to the cars travelling too quickly for passenger comfort.
According to Knoebels' website, the ride was to be opened during the 2009 season. The ride was re-tracked and profiled to accommodate new trains.
In June 2011, Knoebels posted an update to their blog, stating "We've been testing the newest version of the Flying Turns ride vehicles and are VERY encouraged. There's still plenty of work to do but this is a very positive step in the right direction." They also posted to their Facebook page a video shot from a camera mounted on a prototype chassis.
External links
- Flying Turns project website
- Construction Photos
- Walking Tour of the Flying Turns (10.07.2006)
- Flying Turns - Resurrecting a Legend. 2007 documentary by Storytellers Media Group about Flying Turns construction at Knoebels Amusement Resort