Thunderbolt Express, Steel roller coaster at Kings Island, United States.
Thunderbolt Express is a steel roller coaster featuring a single vertical loop positioned between two elevated platforms. The ride consisted of five cars arranged in two rows, accommodating 20 riders per train.
The coaster opened in 1977 as Screamin' Demon at Kings Island before relocating to Camden Park in West Virginia in 1988. It operated at the new location until 1999 when it ceased functioning.
The ride established a new standard for roller coaster design as the first Arrow Dynamics Launched Loop and the first looping roller coaster at Kings Island.
The complete ride cycle took about one minute and six seconds, providing a quick thrill for visitors. The compact layout made it easy to walk through the loading area efficiently.
The ride used a launch mechanism that accelerated it forcefully off the platform and produced a notably loud sound during operation. This distinctive feature sometimes affected how the park managed nearby events.
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