Ride Of Steel (Darien Lake)

"This page is for a roller coaster at Darien Lake known as Ride Of Steel. For the similar coaster called Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England, see Superman - Ride of Steel (Six Flags New England). For the identical coaster called Superman: Ride of Steel found at Six Flags America, see Superman - Ride of Steel.

Infobox roller coaster simplified
name = Ride of Steel


caption = Loading station and lift hill at Darien Lake,
prior to the removal of Superman theming.
location = 1. Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
2. Six Flags America
type = Steel roller coaster
manufacturer = Intamin AG
model = Hypercoaster
lift = Chain lift hill
status = Open
opened = May 15, 1999
height = 1. 208 feet
2. 197 feet
drop = 205 feet
length = 1. 5350 feet
2. 5400 feet
speed = 73 mph
duration = 2:02
angle of descent = 68°
inversions = 0
restriction = 54 inches(Minimum) 76 inches(Maximum)
capacity = 1100
cost = $12,000,000 USD
rcdb_number= 541

Ride Of Steel is a steel hyper roller coaster that exists at Darien Lake. An identical rollercoaster known as Superman - Ride of Steel exists at Six Flags America. The two rides feature identical layouts which includes two large helices, multiple airtime hills, and a long straight segment. After Six Flags sold Darien Lake in 2006, the new owners dropped the "Superman" name for just "Ride of Steel". However, Darien Lake's version is still functionally the same, only without the Superman name and theming. In addition, a similar rollercoaster, also called Superman - Ride of Steel operates at Six Flags New England. The other two opened in 2000, while this one opened in 1999.

Accidents

*A near-fatal accident occurred on the Darien Lake version in 1999 when a passenger was thrown from the train on one of the final hills. As a result, the park installed standard seat-belts and imposed further restrictions on passenger size and weight. Prior to the accident, the height restriction was 48 inches; now it is 54 inches. The ride also now incorporates a computer monitored and controlled restraint system. The computer makes sure that all guests are safely restrained in their seat even if they may have larger physical features. The computer does not allow the train to be sent until all restraints and seatbelts are secured. [cite web|url=http://www.rideaccidents.com/1999.html#may16|title=Rider thrown from new Darien Lake roller coaster|publisher=Rideaccidents.com|accessdate=2008-02-17]

Rankings

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort

References

External links

* [http://www.sixflags.com/america/rides/SupermanRideofSteel.aspx Six Flags America's Official Page for Superman: Ride of Steel]