Thunderbolt (2014 roller coaster)

Under construction

Thunderbolt is a steel roller coaster at Luna Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City.

The Thunderbolt is located near Surf Avenue and West 15th Street in Coney Island and is built next to the B&B Carousell.

History

A wooden roller coaster named the Thunderbolt was originally operated by George Moran on Coney Island from 1925 to 1982.^[1][2]

Thunderbolt viewed from the west, during the off-season

In June 2013, it was announced that the operators of Luna Park at Coney Island, Zamperla, would construct a new steel roller coaster which would utilize the Thunderbolt name.^[2][3]

Published reports stated that Thunderbolt was expected to be completed and opened by Memorial Day 2014.^[3][4] This date was delayed to early June 2014;^[5][6] revised to open by June 6.^[7][8] In early June, the opening date was once again delayed for later that summer.^[9] On June 14, 2014, the Thunderbolt was opened.^[10]

Characteristics

Thunderbolt was manufactured by Zamperla at a cost of US$10 million^[11] and has a 90-degree vertical drop, a 100-foot loop, a zero-gravity roll, multiple dives, hills and a corkscrew — all within two minutes. The ride features 2,000 feet (610 m) of track, a height of 125 feet (38 m), and a top speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h).^[12] Thunderbolt features four inversions including a vertical loop, Zero-G Roll, Immelmann loop and a corkscrew.^{[13][14][15][16]}

References