References to images at the ftp site, gboro.rowan.edu, which do a good job of illustrating the point being defined are listed in square brackets, like [Images: WHATEVER.GIF]. For those image references which have a hyperlink, the image displayed is a modified (often smaller) version of the actual photo. This is not an exhaustive list of all images that show a ``whatever,'' but indicates those images which do the best job of illustrating the definition.
Airtime - Describes the sensation of coming out of your seat when riding a
coaster. This effect is usually felt while riding in a front seat
when cresting a hill or in a back seat when descending.
Banked Turn - A turn in which the tracks are tilted laterally to allow
trains to turn at high speeds without undue discomfort to the riders.
[Images: CB_CYC01.GIF, GA_CYC01.GIF]
Batwing - Arrow's name for an element just like a {Boomerang}, but a mirror image of Vekoma's design.
Block - a section of track which is divided from other sections by
brakes/chain lift or some other mean of preventing forward progress.
The safety system prevents two trains from occupying a block at the
same time.
Boomerang - There are two different meanings for this term.
Bowtie - an element similar to a {boomerang}, but which you exit
in the same direction entered, rather than making a 180 turn as in
a Boomerang.
Brakes - Every coasteraholic's nightmare! ...used to slow the train, they
are located strategically in the circuit to control speeds in areas
where excessive speed may be undesirable (note that ``undesirable'' and
``unsafe'' are not necessarily synonymous in this case, see also {Theme
Park Mentality}). Brakes are usually located in the center of the
trackwork, and not on the cars themselves. There are several
different types of brakes used on a coaster, they are:
Camel Back - A series of two or more hills, each slightly smaller than the
preceding one.
Car - A unit or part of a coaster train, it usually carries between two
and eight passengers.
Chain Dogs - A catch or pawl device beneath the train cars which engages
into the chain lift.
Chain Lift - The rolling chain that carries the train to the crest of the
lift hill.
Check Brake - A safety device that allows more than two trains to be on
the same course. If there is a problem in one ``block'' of track, the
check brake will not allow the following train(s) to continue the
trackwork.
Circuit - A completed journey on a coaster track.
Classic Coaster - A term used to describe a coaster which is operated and
maintained in a ``classic'' sense. These coasters usually run
traditional trains, void of ratcheting lap bars, seat dividers, head
rests, side bars, and other modern restraint/safety devices. ``Classic
Coaster'' is also an official status given by the American Coaster
Enthusiasts to coasters operating in the above manner. (Click here for
the list of ACE's Classic Coasters.)
[Images: JKRABT_C.GIF]
Cobra Roll - B&M's version of a {boomerang} element, slightly altered to accomodate B&M 4-across trains.
Corkscrew - A coaster configuration that includes a horizontal spiral or
helix in which riders are turned upside down one or more times.
Cutback - An Arrow-designed element which consists of a single inversion
in a 180-degree turnaround.
Dog Leg - A left or right jog or offset in the otherwise straight, flat
portion or trackwork.
Double Dip - A hill that has been divided into two separate drops by a
flattening out of the drop midway down the hill.
Elevated Curve - A type of curve, usually found on an Out-and-Back, where
the curve descends in height as it curves. These curves are normally
banked as well (See {Banked Turn}).
[Images: WILDONE4.GIF]
Exclusive Ride Time - Usually part of an organized Coaster Club's event.
An ``ERT'' consists of a block of time, usually before and/or after a
park is available to the {general public}, in which only the members
of the coaster club are allowed to ride. This allows the hard-core
enthusiast more rides in less time. Parks usually make sure their
coaster(s) are running better for such events, making them even more
appealing.
Fan Curve - There are two somewhat different meanings of ``fan curve''
floating about. A curved called a ``fan curve'' could actually meet
definition 1 below, or definition 2, or both. Confused? Good. ;^)
Fine' Del Capo - A portion of track that quickly ducks under an overhead
support in such a way as to give the rider a feeling of imminent
decapitation. Can also refer to the portion of track that first enters
a tunnel or covered brake run. Those of you who've studied music or
Italian may recognize the term as Latin for ``end of the head.'' :^)
[Images: WILDONE2.GIF]
First Drop - Usually the highest and most exciting drop on a coaster, most
often following immediately after the chain lift. First drops are
usually angled at about 50 degrees.
[Images: BEASTPC.GIF,
RATTLER1.GIF,
HERC1.GIF]
Flat Turn - A turn in which the trackwork remains virtually flat (i.e. the
opposite of a {banked turn}). It usually gives the riders the feeling
that the coaster may tip over, due to {lateral gravity}.
[Images: RUSA.GIF]
Flying Turns - A term from the original trackless coaster design. This
coaster resembles a bobsled run with the trains running in a U shaped
trough. The flying turns from the 1920s and 30s used Cypress wood for
its trough and maintenance was high. Newer versions of this type use
steel for the trough.
General Public - Literally refers to the non-enthusiasts who attend a
park. The term is used to connote those park patrons who like their
roller coasters a little (or a lot) less wild than the average
enthusiast does.
Gully Coaster - A coaster that makes use of the natural terrain and gives
an added feeling of speed by keeping the track close to the ground
through the ups and downs.
[Images: BEASTPC.GIF]
Heartline Flip - An element on B&M {Inverted} coasters which rotates the
train in a very small diameter corkscrew, producing a rotation about
the rider's ``heartline''. This is very similar to a barrel roll.
Helix - Corkscrew-shaped loops on either a vertical or horizontal plane.
The usual meaning is of spiral turns either descending (like going
down the bathtub drain) or ascending.
[Images: WILDONE5.GIF]
Hump - Sometimes used in reference to a coaster hill.
Inversion - any part of a steel roller coaster {circuit} that turns you
upside down.
[Images: DRACHEN3.GIF and many others]
Inverted - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track.
The cars on this type of coaster are rigidly connected to their wheel
assembly (Compare with {Suspended}).
[Images: BATMAN01-05.GIF,
GADVBAT1-6.GIF, TOPGUN01-03.GIF]
Interlocking Loop - Two {vertical loops} that intertwine like two links on
a chain. An example would be the two loops on the Loch Ness Monster
at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.
[Images: NESSC01.GIF]
Lateral Gravity - Those forces which pull you to the side of the car (or
slam you, as the case may be), often found on {flat turns}, and often
eliminated with {banked turns} (especially on newer roller coasters).
Loading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers board the
coaster trains.
[Images: CYCSTAT.GIF]
Long Line - 2400 people waiting in front of you to ride a coaster!
[Images: MSTREAKC.GIF, TOPGUN01.GIF]
Machine - Term sometimes used in reference to a roller coaster.
Manual Brake - A hand-operated {station brake}, where the train is stopped
by the muscle power of the operator. Most often found on {classic
coasters}. Sometimes, the operator may not apply enough force and the
train will overshoot the station. If you're on board when this
happens, you'll be one of the lucky ones getting a free ride!
Negative G's - (Short for ``Negative Gravity'') See {Airtime}.
Out and Back - A style of roller coaster. The name describes the general
configuration of the ride, basically an elongated oval in which the
train goes out to a turnaround and then returns to the station. The
truest form of this would have no other curves besides the
turnaround. Another way to do this would be to put a couple of 90
degree turns (see {dog leg}) in the ride giving it a L-shape. In
general out and backs have higher speeds than designs with more tight
turns.
Parabolic - A coaster hill that has an almost continuous curve and very
little, if any, straight track.
Pay One Price - An amusement park admission which includes all rides and
shows. The alternative is for every ride to require a separate ticket
(or tickets, as the case may be).
Pipeline - A coaster design by Arrow Dynamics in which the cars ride
between the rails, allowing such maneuvers as ``barrel rolls'' to
be performed. No pipeline coasters have been built yet, but
similar designs are the TOGO Ultra Twister and Mega Coaster, and
the B&M Inverted coasters feature a ``heart-line'' flip, which is
similar to a barrel roll, though not exactly the same.
Positive G's - Those forces which pull you downward, often appearing at
the bottom of hills, and in steel looping elements.
Racer - Any coaster that runs two trains that leave the station at the
same time and ``race'' other, most often on parallel tracks.
[Images: RACER*.GIF,
RUSA.GIF,
ROLLTH01.GIF]
Ratchet - A claw-toothed steel bar running on certain inclines that
prevents a train from rolling backwards. The ratchet causes the
clanking sound associated with the chain lift (also referred to as
the ``anti-rollback'' device or ``Ratchet Dogs''). The ratchet itself does
not stop the train. This is done by a device affixed to the bottom of
the car which catches in the ratchet.
Set-Up - Any occurrence which causes trains to stop outside of the
station. This may include shutdowns initiated by the safety system,
the operator, or some other cause.
Shuttle Loop - A type of coaster where the train travels forward out of
the station through a vertical loop then up an incline of track that
ascends high into the air. The train then plummets backwards through
the loop and through the station, usually to another steep incline,
which returns the train to the brake run.
[Images: PYTHON1.GIF]
Side Friction - A coaster with guide rails located above and on the
outside edge of the running rails, instead of using guide {wheels}.
Sidewinder - one half of Arrow's version of a {boomerang} element, which makes a 90-degree turn.
Slammer - A very abrupt, rough drop that sometimes occurs after a major
hill (an extreme example of {Airtime}).
Speed Dip - A small hill taken at high speeds usually lifting riders off
their seats (see {Airtime}).
Speed Run - A series of speed dips, usually on the way back from the
turnaround on an {Out and Back} coaster.
Spiral - A 360-degree turn.
Standing But Not Operating - A roller coaster which is no longer operating
but has not been destroyed. Preservation efforts by the American
Coaster Enthusiasts, and others, often will focus on these coasters
because of their status. They could be torn down at any time, and the
lack of maintenance will cause their condition to deteriorate
rapidly.
[Images: CI_TBOLT.GIF]
Stand-Up - A steel roller coaster, often with one or more inversions,
where cars are designed for the riders to ride standing up instead of
sitting down.
[Images: SHOCK.GIF]
Station - A building that houses: ride operators, brake and chain lift
controls, brake run, loading and unloading platforms, train storage
area, and often, the train maintenance workshop.
Station Brake - Standard gear on EVERY coaster. Used for deceleration on
return to the station (See {Brake Run}).
Steel Coaster - Generally, any coaster with tubular steel rails supported
with steel framing. Some coasters classified as steel actually have
wooden framing. Cars usually have nylon wheels that impart a smooth,
quiet ride.
[Images: GASM01A.GIF and many others]
Suspended - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track.
The cars on this type of coaster are designed such that they are free
to swing relative to their wheel assembly (Compare with {Inverted}).
[Images: BBWOLFC.GIF]
Swoop Turn - A fast turn that incorporates a dip and a return to the crest
of the next hill while turning.
Theme Park - A park, usually of large size, which has one or more ``themed''
areas, with Rides and Attractions keyed to the theme of their
location within the park. Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Fiesta
Texas are all excellent examples of theme parks.
Theme Park Mentality - A derogatory (but sometimes applicable) term which
implies a set of overly strict, safety conscious rules and operation
procedures.
Train - A series of two to seven cars hooked together to make a circuit of
the coaster track.
[Images: RACER2.GIF]
Turnaround - Usually the turn located farthest from the station (usually
on an {Out-and-Back} style coaster) after which the trains begin
their return.
Twister - Just like it sounds. The configuration of this type of coaster
is varied and has multiple turns, often in a Figure 8 layout. The
Coney Island Cyclone, the Riverside Cyclone, Mr. Twister, and the
Texas Giant are good examples of a twister. You can expect the
unexpected. A good twister will disorient you!
[Images: TWISTER.GIF, RBLGHT01.GIF]
Unloading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers unload from
the coaster train. Modern coasters have combined the loading and
unloading platforms into one quick-moving operation.
Vertical Loop - A nearly closed vertical turn of 360 degrees in which
riders are turned upside down in a transitional curve in a near-
vertical plane.
[Images: PHANTOM3.GIF]
Wheels - A coaster car uses 3 different types of wheels:
Wingover - An element on B&M coasters similar to a {corkscrew}, but more like an extended {vertical loop}.
Wooden Coaster - Generally, any coaster with laminated wooden rails, to
which flat steel rails are attached. Supporting members are usually
wooden, however, some coasters classified as wooden actually have
steel framing (e.g. Crystal Beach Cyclone, Coney Island Cyclone, and
Frontier City's Wildcat!).
[Images: CYCLONE1.GIF]
Booster Wheels - the rotating wheels used to move the train near the
station, pushing it along on flat track.
Brake Run - A flat stretch of track, usually two to three train lengths,
at the station approach, where inbound trains are halted. Since it is
very difficult to stop a train with wet brakes, this area is usually
covered to keep the brakes dry during a rainstorm.
Figure Eight - Layout of a coaster resembling the numeral eight, thus
allowing both right and left turns.
These policies are there to please the {general public} and the
park's insurance company, not the hard-core enthusiast. :^)
Traditional Amusement Park - A park which still holds aspects of its
origins in today's modern society. Most Traditional Parks grew out of
``Picnic Parks'' which were located at the end of trolley lines.
Kennywood, Whalom Park, and Lakeside are all excellent examples of
Traditional Parks.
Wild Mouse - A small steel coaster featuring small cars (big enough for
two adults); sharp, unbanked turns; quick, steep drops (heavy on the
airtime); and, in general, a very rough and wild ride.