Double Loop (Geauga Lake)

Double Loop
The famous twin vertical loops
Location	Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom
Coordinates	41°21′10″N 81°22′39″W / 41.352837°N 81.377449°W / 41.352837; -81.377449Coordinates: 41°21′10″N 81°22′39″W / 41.352837°N 81.377449°W / 41.352837; -81.377449
Status	Demolished
Opened	1977
Type	Steel
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Designer	Ron Toomer
Lift/launch system	Chain
Height	95 ft (29 m)
Drop	76 ft (23 m)
Length	1,800 ft (550 m)
Max speed	42 mph (68 km/h)
Inversions	2
Duration	1:30
Max vertical angle	45°
Capacity	525 riders per hour
Max G force	3.5
Height restriction	4 ft 0 in (122 cm)
Double Loop at RCDB
Pictures of Double Loop at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

Double Loop was a steel roller coaster at Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom. Built in 1977 by Arrow Dynamics, it was the first roller coaster to feature two consecutive vertical loops.

History

Double Loop was introduced in 1977 with an all-white structure. One red train and one yellow train were put into operation. In the 1980s, the entire structure was painted black. Throughout the years, various cars and trains were swapped with the now-defunct Corkscrew coaster at Geauga Lake, also constructed by Arrow Dynamics. One red train and one yellow train remained the norm.

In 1993 the ride underwent some modernization to the control system. The older outdated relay and photo eye controls were replaced with newer PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and proximity switches. This was a more reliable system for the ride and proved for less downtime for the customers.

In 2000, as a part of the Six Flags makeover when the company purchased Geauga Lake, the ride was painted with yellow track and purple supports, the same color scheme as Dominator (but with a lighter purple than Dominator). The yellow train was repainted a darker shade of yellow, and the red train was repainted purple.

Double Loop as seen from Queue

It was announced in September 2007 on Geauga Lake's web site that Geauga Lake would reopen in 2008 as a water park only.

Track layout

After exiting the station, the train makes a 180-degree left-hand turnaround inside a tunnel. The train is pulled up the lift hill and goes down the 45° degree first drop. The train coasts up an incline, then negotiates another 180-degree left-hand turnaround before dropping into two consecutive vertical loops. Another ascent follows, going into a 360-degree left-hand downward helix and returning to the station.

Lead car of the yellow train on display during the park's auction

Geauga Lake Auction

On June 17, 2008, the Double Loop was sold at auction with a majority of other rides at the former Geauga Lake Amusement Park. It was bought for the price of $25,000 by Cleveland Scrap and later demolished.

External links

• GeaugaLakeToday.com Photos and history of the coaster
• [1] Geauga Lake Auction News Article, The News-Herald