Figure 8 roller coaster

Figure 8 roller coasters are a category of roller coasters where the train runs through a figure 8 shaped course before returning to the boarding station. This design was one of the first designs to be featured in roller coaster design, along with the out and back roller coaster. The figure 8 design allowed for more turns than the out and back design, offering riders an alternative experience.

An early and famous example of a Figure 8 is the Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Many figure 8 roller coasters carry the name "Figure 8."

Layout

In a figure 8 track layout, the track crosses over itself, forming an "8" shape.

The double figure eight is a variation where the track contains two separate figure-eight shapes.[1] Some examples include the Cobra at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and the Harley Quinn Crazy Train at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Early figure 8 coasters were typically wooden side friction coasters, where the train was brought to the top of the track via chain lift and then descended through gravitational pull.[2] Modern coasters can be made out of wood or steel, and may incorporate different launch mechanisms or train configurations to enhance the ride experience.

History

Figure 8 coasters date back to the late 19th century. Many roller coasters of the time used out-and-back tracks, and the figure 8 layout became a standard design that provided the rider with more turns during the descent. Like many coasters of the time, figure 8 coasters were slow moving, often capping at speeds of 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h).[2]

While the track design was a popular alternative to typical out-and-back tracks at the start of the 20th century, interest plummeted in the following decades. They were often dismantled in favor of faster coasters, being viewed as less exciting than the new designs of the time.[2] The Leap the Dips coaster at Lakemont Park, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is believed to be the oldest surviving side friction figure 8 coaster.

Figure 8 roller coasters

An Incomplete List of Figure 8 roller coasters

NameParkLocation Year opened Status
AchterbahnSkyline ParkBad Wörishofen, Bavaria, Germany 1999 Defunct (2014)
AntelopeGulliver's WarringtonWarrington, Cheshire, England, UK
Figure 8Euclid Beach ParkCleveland, Ohio 1904 Defunct (1909)
Figure 8Athletic ParkNew Orleans, Louisiana Defunct
Figure 8Canobie Lake ParkSalem, New Hampshire 1902 Defunct (1933)
Figure 8Capital Beach ParkLincoln, Nebraska 1906 Defunct (1917)
Figure 8Cascade ParkNew Castle, Pennsylvania 1903 Defunct (1921)
Figure 8Columbia GardensButte, Montana 1906 Defunct (1915)
Figure 8Coney IslandCincinnati, Ohio Defunct (1918)
Figure 8Crystal Beach ParkCrystal Beach, Ontario, Canada 1905 Defunct (1915)
Figure 8Eldridge ParkElmira, New York 1903 Defunct
Figure 8Greater Island ParkEaston, Pennsylvania 1905-1906 Defunct (1919)
Figure 8Hague ParkJackson, Michigan Defunct
Figure 8Happyland ParkVancouver, British Columbia, Canada 1906 Defunct (1911)
Figure 8Harlem ParkRockford, Illinois 1905 Defunct
Figure 8Hazle ParkWest Hazleton, Pennsylvania 1905 Defunct (1922)
Figure 8Hocus Pocus ParkKnoxville, Tennessee 1913 Defunct (1922)
Figure 8Indianola ParkColumbus, Ohio Defunct
Figure 8Lakeside ParkFlint, Michigan 1912 Defunct (1920)
Figure 8Luna ParkSeattle, Washington 1907 Defunct (1913)
Figure 8Natatorium ParkSpokane, Washington 1906 Defunct (1916)
Figure 8Oakford ParkJeannette, Pennsylvania 1904 Defunct
Figure 8Ocean View Amusement ParkNorfolk, Virginia Defunct
Figure 8Olentangy ParkColumbus, Ohio 1902 Defunct (1937)
Figure 8Olympic ParkIrvington, New Jersey 1905 Defunct (1920)
Figure 8Palisades Amusement ParkCliffside Park, New Jersey 1908 Defunct
Figure 8Phalen ParkSt. Paul, Minnesota Defunct
Figure 8Pine Island ParkManchester, New Hampshire Defunct
Figure 8Ramona ParkGrand Rapids, Michigan 1903 Defunct (1913)
Figure 8Riverside ParkSaginaw, Michigan 1903 Defunct
Figure 8Rocky Glen ParkMoosic, Pennsylvania 1905 Defunct (1936)
Figure 8Rocky Springs ParkLancaster, Pennsylvania 1906 Defunct (1917)
Figure 8South Haven Amusement ParkSouth Haven, Michigan Defunct
Figure 8Stanley BeachPort Stanley, Ontario, Canada Defunct
Figure 8Stanton ParkSteubenville, Ohio 1905 Defunct (1912)
Figure 8Steeplechase ParkBrooklyn, New York 1908 Defunct
Figure 8Watch Tower Amusement ParkRock Island, Illinois 1905 Defunct (1914)
Figure 8Waukesha BeachPewaukee, Wisconsin 1910 Defunct
Figure 8West View ParkWest View, Pennsylvania 1909 Defunct (1926)
Figure 8White CityBellingham, Washington Defunct
Figure 8White CityOshkosh, Wisconsin 1906 Defunct
Figure 8White CitySheboygan, Wisconsin Defunct
Figure 8White CityVancouver, British Columbia, Canada Defunct
Figure 8Wolff's ParkDetroit, Michigan
Figure 8 Toboggan Idora Park Oakland, California 1906 Defunct (1916)
Flying Fish Thorpe Park Surrey, England
GeminiCedar PointSandusky, Ohio Operating
Ghoster CoasterCanada's WonderlandVaughan, Ontario, Canada Operating
GrizzlyKings DominionDoswell, Virginia Operating
Leap The DipsLakemont ParkAltoona, Pennsylvania Operating
Little DipperSix Flags Great AmericaGurnee, Illinois Operating
MeteorLittle AmerrickaMarshall, Wisconsin Operating
PhoenixKnoebels Amusement ResortElysburg, Pennsylvania Operating
RacerKennywoodWest Mifflin, Pennsylvania Operating
Runaway Train Chessington World of Adventures Chessington, Greater London, United Kingdom Defunct (2022)
ScorpionBusch Gardens Tampa BayTampa, Florida Operating
Sea DragonRides At Adventure CovePowell, Ohio Operating
ThunderboltSix Flags New EnglandSpringfield, Massachusetts 1941 Operating
Wild BeastCanada's WonderlandVaughan, Ontario, Canada 1981 Operating
WildcatCedar PointSandusky, Ohio 1979 Defunct (2011)
Woodstock ExpressCarowindsCharlotte, North Carolina

Fort Mill, South Carolina

 1975 Operating
Woodstock ExpressKings DominionDoswell, Virginia 1974 Operating
Woodstock ExpressKings IslandMason, Ohio 1972 Operating


References
  1. "Family Roller Coasters" (PDF). Zierer Rides. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2003-05-14.
  2. Mangels, William F. (1952). The Outdoor Amusement Industry: From Earliest Times to the Present. pp. 91–92. LCCN 52013299. OL 6115194M – via OpenLibrary.
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