Thunder looper
Encyclopedia
Thunder Looper was a Schwarzkopf
Shuttle Loop roller coaster
, that operated at Alton Towers Theme Park
between 1990 & 1996. When it opened it was classed as part of Aqualand, which is now split between Mutiny Bay & Katanga Canyon, although its actual location was situated where Forbidden Valley is today. It originally opened in 1977 at Kings Dominion in Virginia
as the world's first shuttle loop, King Kobra. It is currently in its 4th location at Hopi Hari
park in Brazil
as Katapul.
Thunder Looper was a very simple roller coaster. The train was launched out of the station at about 55 mph, passed through a vertical loop, up a 138' 70° spike until it stalled and repeated the journey backwards. Upon reaching the station, it passed through and went up another 70° steep spike until it stalled again and rolled forward back into the station and brakes. The launch was operated by a weight drop system, a catch car attached itself to the train, which was attached to the weight via a cable. When the launch was triggered, the weight was dropped down a shaft pulling the cable and catch car which in turn pushed the train down the launch track.
It wasn't long until more rides joined Thunder Looper, spawning a brand new area called Thunder Valley. The New Beast and the Beastie, shared the area with Thunder Looper, until 1994 when the area changed forever. Nemesis was built and the area was transformed into Forbidden Valley
. Thunder Looper left Alton Towers after the 1996 season, the exact reason has not been confirmed, but it is known that the ride breached planning requirements as it was too tall, and also there were numerous complaints from local residents about the noise of the ride.
Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
Shuttle Loop roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, that operated at Alton Towers Theme Park
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
between 1990 & 1996. When it opened it was classed as part of Aqualand, which is now split between Mutiny Bay & Katanga Canyon, although its actual location was situated where Forbidden Valley is today. It originally opened in 1977 at Kings Dominion in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
as the world's first shuttle loop, King Kobra. It is currently in its 4th location at Hopi Hari
Hopi Hari
Hopi Hari is a Brazilian theme park located at Km 72 of Bandeirantes Highway, Vinhedo in the state of São Paulo. It is located 30 km from Campinas and 80 km from São Paulo....
park in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
as Katapul.
Thunder Looper was a very simple roller coaster. The train was launched out of the station at about 55 mph, passed through a vertical loop, up a 138' 70° spike until it stalled and repeated the journey backwards. Upon reaching the station, it passed through and went up another 70° steep spike until it stalled again and rolled forward back into the station and brakes. The launch was operated by a weight drop system, a catch car attached itself to the train, which was attached to the weight via a cable. When the launch was triggered, the weight was dropped down a shaft pulling the cable and catch car which in turn pushed the train down the launch track.
It wasn't long until more rides joined Thunder Looper, spawning a brand new area called Thunder Valley. The New Beast and the Beastie, shared the area with Thunder Looper, until 1994 when the area changed forever. Nemesis was built and the area was transformed into Forbidden Valley
Forbidden Valley
Forbidden Valley is a valley to the south of Citadel Peak in Hays Mountains. The valley drains east-northeast from Mount Crockett to Scott Glacier and is partly covered by glacier and moraine. It was visited in December 1987 by a United States Antarctic Research Program -Arizona State University...
. Thunder Looper left Alton Towers after the 1996 season, the exact reason has not been confirmed, but it is known that the ride breached planning requirements as it was too tall, and also there were numerous complaints from local residents about the noise of the ride.