A coaster built by S&S power that features seats that rotate 360 degrees.
ACE
ACE stands for the American Coaster Enthusiasts; a large organization of roller coaster enthusiasts not only around the U.S., but around the world. Benefits of joining ACE include fantastic publications, admission to special coaster events, invitations to selected media events, and more.
Airtime
A term used by enthusiasts to describe the sensation of weightlessness, or negative G's during a roller coaster, and usually results in coming into contact with the lap bar. Airtime is usually featured on wooden roller coasters, and/or steel hyper-coasters.
B
Ball Coaster
Intamin's version of the 4th dimension coaster, except these cars rotate freely due to gravity.
Banked Turns
Banked turns, featured on most of today's modern roller coasters, are basically turns tilted laterally to reduce lateral G-forces on the riders and the train as the train rounds the turns.
Barrel Roll
An inversion element where the coaster train rotates 360º around the track, without any change vertically or horizontally. Very similar to the same maneuver performed by jet aircrafts, this element is truly only found on TOGO's Ultra Twister, located at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, Texas. Arrow's prototype "Pipeline" roller coaster featured these types of barrel rolls, but the prototype never developed into a full roller coaster.
Batwing
The Batwing inversion element, is Arrow Dynamics' name for the standard boomerang element, featured on the Vekoma Boomerang. Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) calls this element the "Cobra Roll.
Bench Seats
Usually found on older, more traditional wooden roller coasters, Bench Seats are seats with no type of physical divider dividing the two seats from each other, allowing for more free lateral movement from one side of the train to the other. Seat dividers never used to be in trains. The reason they are there is because if they weren't, people would try to get 3 people in one seat and that puts pressure on the sides of the car and damages the sides. Seat dividers allow only two riders per seat. But they sure are nuisance.
Bent
4x6 uprights in the wooden structure
Block
A special section of track, divided by the rest of the roller coaster by means of brakes, a chain lift, or some other form of stopping the train from progressing. This is used when 2 or more trains are running on a roller coaster at once, to prevent them from ever coming in contact with each other in case the first may stop for any reason, the second can be stopped.
Bobsled
A bobsled coaster is a special type of ''roller coaster,'' with no physical track. Instead, free-rolling cars roll around the sides of a banked trough, creating lateral G's and weightlessness.
Boomerang
In coaster terms, the boomerang can either mean one of two things. It can refer to the inversion by the name of "Boomerang," as on Vekoma roller coasters, but is called the Batwing on Arrow Dynamics'' roller coasters, and the Cobra Roll on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) roller coasters. In the inversion, the train completes a half-loop, then is thrown into a type of twist/half-corkscrew. It then, completes the process in reverse, exiting in the same direction from which the train entered. It can also mean the widely-cloned Shuttle coaster manufactured by Vekoma, including the boomerang element, described above, a vertical lift, and two lift hills. A train is first pulled up one lift hill in reverse, and is then dropped back through the station, through the boomerang element, into a vertical loop, and up the other lift hill. When reaching the top of the second lift hill, the train is released in reverse completing the course in reverse.
Booster Wheels
Two parallel rotating wheels/tires which push the train along flat sections of track, usually around the station; or used in a replacement of the traditional chain lift, propelling the train up the lift hill.
Bowtie
Originally developed by Arrow-Huss, the "bowtie" inversion element involves the train basically going through a half-left corkscrew, a half loop, another half loop, and a half-right corkscrew, resulting in the train entering the element, and leaving the element, in the same direction. The Bowtie element is currently featured only on the Dragon Mountain roller coaster at MarineLand, in Niagara Falls, Canada.
Brake Run
A Brake Run is a long, flat stretch of track, fitted with brakes that's purpose is to slow down, and stop the incoming train before approaching the station.
Brakes
Brakes are usually friction devices used to slow down, or completely stop a train during its circuit. Most brakes work by having two parallel ''blocks,'' that, in conjunction with sensors, close on special fins underneath the train and slow down or stop the trains. There are many types of brakes featured on roller coasters today, including trim brakes, block brakes, and the brake runs found at the end of the roller coaster circuit. An innovation found on a few of today's more modern roller coasters are magnetic brakes, that use magnetic force to slow down trains. The new roller coaster Millennium Force at Cedar Point uses magnetic brakes, along with other Intamin roller coasters.
Butterfly
An inversion much like a Bowtie. Enter with a half corkscrew, half loop, half loop, and another half corkscrew exiting the opposite way you entered.
C
Camel Backs
The Camel Back element, usually found on hypercoasters or wooden coasters, is a series of two or more hills, each descending in height usually resulting in airtime.
Car(s)
Cars are the basic sections of the roller coaster train. An average number of 5-8 cars make up the train, which are attactched to each other with specialized couplers.
Chain Dogs
Devices beneath the train which "catch" onto the moving chain to engage the train up the lifthill.
Chain Lift
The most common way of propelling a train up the initial hill, a chain is continuously looped through a motor and to the top of the lifthill. The train latches onto the chain lift via the chain dog and is released at the top.
Circuit
The roller coaster's circuit is simply it's path or journey around the track. Coasters that make away around a full circuit without any points of returning in reverse are called "Full Circuit coasters" while others are called "Shuttle coasters"
Cobra Roll
B&M's name for the basic Boomerang element found on many roller coasters.
Corkscrew
An inversion element that looks just like it's name, a corkscrew. The element somewhat resembles a elongated loop.
Cutback
An inversion element featured on the Drachen Fire roller coaster which consists of a 180 degree turnaround resulting in the train exiting into the same direction from which it entered the element.
D
Dive Coaster
B&M's version of a coaster that drops at a 90 degree angle.
Diving Loop
An inversion element by B&M that and rotate until the train is upside down. The train then falls into a loop that completes the inversion.
Double Dip
A hill that is lowered at the crest resulting in two dips.
Double Loop
A coaster with two vertical loops.
Double Out and Back
A basic Out and Back roller coaster that goes "out and back" twice.
Dueling Coaster
A roller coaster with two (or more) tracks that ''duel'' or have near misses at points in the course.
E
Elevated Curve
A curve where it raises or lowers in elevation as it turns. The turn is usually banked, also.
Elevator Lift
A new type of roller coaster lift hill that uses cables and pulleys instead of the normal "chain lift" found on most roller coasters. An example is Millennium Force at Cedar Point.
Enclosed Coaster
A roller coaster that is enclosed inside a building or structure.
Exclusive Ride Time
Special time set apart from the park's normal operating hours for special guests to ride the rides without having to wait in the normal lines that a theme park encounters. ERT is usually at events for roller coaster enthusiasts.
F
Fan Turn/Curve
This definition can mean one of two things: 1.) A curve with reinforcements (sometimes cables) radiating from a central point resembling a fan.
2.) A curve that ascends in elevation as it enters and descends as it exits, much like an overbanked turn but without the overbanking.
Figure Eight
A coaster with a layout resembling a figure eight (8) from an above view.
Fixed Lapbar
A non-moving lapbar that is fixed to a point requiring riders to slide in. Fixed lapbars are mostly found on older roller coasters.
Flat Spin
B&M's term for a corkscrew.
Flat Turn
A turn with no banking, or no lateral twisting causing the illusion the train/car will flip over. Most Wild Mouse roller coasters have flat turns
Freeform
A roller coaster design/layout that conforms to the terrain and doesn''t fall into any of the standard categories.
G
G-Forces (or Gs)
The forces riders feel while riding a roller coaster. These are caused by changes in the velocity of that train and the inertia of the rider.
Gigacoaster
A term made by Intamin and Cedar Point to describe the new Millennium Force roller coaster, the first roller coaster to top 300 feet.
H
Headrests
Rests on roller coaster trains that people rest their heads on, just like car headrests.
Heartline Coaster
A design referring to TOGO's ''Ultra Twister'' design at Six Flags Astroworld, which consists of specially designed cars with running rails on the sides. The design allows heartline twists, or true barrel rolls, but doesn''t allow turning.
Helix
A continuing turn which elevates up or down during it's course causing vertical G's and/or lateral G's depending on the helix's banking.
Horsecollar
Another name for "Over The Shoulder Restraints" which fit over the shoulders and reach down to the waist to secure riders in the train.
Hydraulic Launch
A style of Launching trains using compressed fluids to turn a motor pulling an cable, propelling the train.
Hypercoaster
A somewhat debated term, it generally means a roller coaster that is 200 feet or taller. It's highly debated whether or not a hypercoaster can include inversions.
I
Immelman
B&M's term for the Diving Loop on Inverted coasters. "Immelman" was named after an airplane manuever invented by a German pilot in World War I.
Inclined Loop
A vertical loop that is tilted at 45 degrees, and featured on B&M's roller coasters such as Mantis and Riddler's Revenge.
Indoor Coaster
A roller coaster inside a building, much like an Enclosed Coaster.
Inversion
Also called an Inversion Element, any element on a roller coaster which inverts the rider by turning them upside down by one way or another.
Inverted Coasters
Coasters that are inverted hang under the track. B&M's inverted coasters are called just that, but Vekoma calls theirs "Suspended".
Interlocking Loops
Loops which interlock within each other such as the Loch Ness Monster coaster at BGW, or the Orient Express at WoF.
Intermediate
3x4 wooden ties that hold the track together. Also the intermediates or "ties" are held on the track by long bolts (usually 18 inches or longer depending on the layers) that go completely through the track. The intermediates keep the track in guage.
J
Junior Coaster
Another name for a basic Kiddy Coaster. Not all junior coasters are for the kids, however.
K
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L
Lapbar
A simple restraint that consists of a bar elevated over the lap area securing riders with comfort.
Lateral G's
G forces exerted horizontally pushing riders to one side of the train.
Ledger
4x12 wooden beam that holds the track up
Lifthill
Generally the first hill of the coaster that features a motorized device to lift the train to the top of the hill. Most roller coasters use a chain lift, but some use drive tires or an Elevator Lift.
Linear Induction Motors (LIM)
A method of launching a roller coaster train down a straight section of track using electromagnets mounted on the track and on the train. Magnets on the track attract the magnets on the train, accelerating it forwards, until the magnets on the train pass those on the track, at which point the magnets on the track reverse polarity and work to repell the train forwards.
Linear Synchronous Motors (LSM)
A method of launching roller coaster down a straight section of track using electromagnets mounted on the train. These magnets on the train create a magnetic field around a metal rail that slides between the magnets, which pushes the train forwards.
Loading Platform
The platform where riders load the train.
M
Manual Brake
Brakes which are not automatically operated by a computer, but instead manually forced by an operator via a large lever. Manual Brakes are almost always found on older, classic coasters.
MCBR
Stands for Mid-Course Brake Run, see "Block".
Mine Train
A type of roller coaster which is themed to Mines and feature quick, unexpected turns and drops.
Motorbike Coaster
A launched coaster in which riders sit in motorcycle style seats.
Multi-element
A coaster which features many different elements and inversions.
N
Negative G's
See "Airtime".
O
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P
Parabolic
Can describe a coaster hill that is continuously curving, usually resulting in airtime.
Pay One Price
A park where visitors need not buy tickets in order to enjoy the rides. Instead a higher gate fee is charged eliminating the need for tickets.
Pipeline
A design by Arrow which has cars riding between the rails allowing barrel rolls and twisting elements. The design never made it to production however, because of costs and other problems.
Positive G's
G Forces which are positive and push you down into your seat. The opposite of airtime and Negative G's.
Pretzel
An inversion much like a Butterfly. Riders enter with a half corkscrew, half loop, half loop, and another half corkscrew exiting the opposite way you entered like a Butterfly, except the exit of the inversion is on the opposite side of the entrance.
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R
Racing Coaster
A coaster which features tracks running parallel to each other in which two (or more) trains ''race'' each other to the end of the track. An example is The Racer at Kennywood.
Restraint
A device used to restrain the rider in the train to secure the rider.
Rocket Coaster
An Intamin coaster that uses the hydraulic launch style of propelling riders to high speeds quicker than conventional methods.
Rolling Stock
Another word for roller coaster trains.
S
Seatbelt
Another kind of restraint used alone or in conjunction with another type of restraint.
Shoulder Harness
Another word for Over The Shoulder Restraints that secure the rider into the train by dropping down over the shoulders and to the waist area.
Shuttle Coaster
A roller coaster that does not make a complete circuit. Instead, the train reverses at some point on the track and returns to the station in reverse.
Side Friction
This can mean either the wheels that run on the sides of the track allowing turns, or a type of roller coaster which runs with guide wheels on the top and side of the track.
Speed Bump
A small bump taken at high speeds resulting in airtime or Negative G's.
Spinning Cars
A unique feature which allows train cars to freely rotate during the course.
Standing But Not Operating
A term used to describe a roller coaster that is standing, but not operating due to problems or desertion by the park.
Stand-Up
A coaster which riders Stand Up instead of sitting down.
Station
Building which houses the loading platform, maintenance track area, controls, and other related objects.
Station Brake
Brakes which slow down the train as it enters the station.
Steel Coaster
Any roller coaster with steel running rails. Some steel coasters have wooden structures, but are still steel roller coasters because of the track.
Strata Coaster
A term coined by Intamin and Cedar Point to describe a coaster greater than 400 feet tall.
Suspended Coasters
Arrow's suspended coasters consist of cars hanging down from the track and swing freely from side to side during lateral G's. Vekoma's suspended coasters are much like B&M inverted coasters, where feet are left dangling underneath the track, but trains do not swing.
Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC)
Vekoma's standard suspended coaster design.
T
Terrain Coaster
A roller coaster that follows the terrain of the park, swooping into valleys and ravines and making use of the natural landforms.
Theme Park
A park that is themed heavily such as Disney and Busch parks
Themeing
Objects used around a roller coaster to set it to a certain theme. For example, a mine train roller coaster may have fake mining cars and tools to theme it to being a real mine train.
Tire Drive Lift
A lifthill that uses drive tires to project the train up the hill.
Train
A series of coaster cars hooked together.
Trim Brakes
Also known as trims, brakes placed strategically around the track to keep the train at a specific speed at all times. Trim brakes are usually a coaster enthusiasts worst nightmare.
Turnaround
An element usually found on Out and Back roller coasters that make the train turnaround to reverse it's direction and make it head the other way.
U
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V
Vertical Loop
Also known as a Loop, vertical loops are the simplest of inversion elements which consist of a train going through an oval-shaped element. Teardrop-shaped loops called "Clothoid" in shape are used more than perfect circles because of the extreme G Forces circular loops produce.
W
Weight Drop Launch
A type of launch that launches the train by dropping a weight from an elevated point and in turn launching the train
Wheels
Roller coaster wheels usually consist of three sets. Road wheels roll on top of the track and support the weight of the train. Side Friction or Guide wheels keep the train from flying off the track when coming to a turn. Upstop wheels fit underneath the track to secure the train to the track and to keep it from flying off the track during hills and drops.
Wild Mouse
A roller coaster, usually one car in length, featuring tight turns and sudden drops.
Wooden Coaster
Any ride in which flat steel running rails are laden over laminated wood make a wooden roller coaster. Some wooden coasters have steel structures, but are still considered wood because of their track design.
X
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Y
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Z
Zero G Roll
An elevated heartline roll in which the riders experience complete weightlessness or 0 G's
