- Diving Machine
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An example of a Floorless Diving Machine train on SheiKra, displayed in front of the ride.
The Diving Machine is a model of roller coaster manufactured by Swiss company Bolliger and Mabillard. It is distinguished from other roller coasters by its vertical drop and wide shuttle trains.
Contents
History
The first Diving Machine to open was Oblivion at Alton Towers, England, in 1998. This did not have a true vertical drop because its maximum angle was 88.8 degrees so that the wheels could remain in contact with the track at all times, however it is known and accepted as the world's first vertical drop coaster. On recent versions of the Diving Machine coaster train wheels are spring-loaded, keeping the wheels firmly touching the track throughout the drop, allowing for true 90 degree vertical drops. Since then, four other installations have opened, with the most recent featuring inversions and floorless trains. Another newer element to Diving Machines is the "splashdown", where fins at the end of the coaster train create a high tail of water as it passes over a pool as an exciting effect. Splashdowns do not get riders wet but some off-ride observation areas can soak spectators.
Today, Bolliger & Mabillard is still the only company to design and build such roller coasters.
Design
The Diving Machine is characterized by distinctly wide trains, usually consisting two or three rows each seating 6 to 10 passengers. Additionally, stadium seating is employed, as to provide all riders a clear view. At the top of the primary vertical drop, a braking system holds the train for 3 to 5 seconds, giving riders a view of the drop ahead.
Installations
Name Park Location Opened Oblivion Alton Towers 
United Kingdom1998 Diving Machine G5 Janfusun Fancyworld 
Taiwan2000 SheiKra Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 
United States2005 Griffon Busch Gardens Williamsburg United States2007 Dive Coaster Chimelong Paradise 
China2008 Diving Coaster [1][2] Happy Valley Shanghai China16 August 2009 Krake Heide Park Resort 
Germany16 April 2011 References
- ^ "Diving Coaster (Happy Valley)". Rcdb.com. 2009-08-16. http://rcdb.com/id4224.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ "Shanghai Happy Valley official website - ride information". Sh.happyvalley.cn. http://sh.happyvalley.cn/english/fenqu/shanghai.shtml. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
External links
Types of roller coaster Construction material Train configuration 4th Dimension · Bobsled · Diving Machine · Floorless · Flying · Inverted · Mine Train · Motorbike · Pipeline · Side friction · Spinning · Stand-up · Suspended · Wing RiderTrack layout Dueling · Figure 8 · Launched · Möbius Loop · Out and Back · Racing · Shuttle · Twister · Wild Mouse · HypercoasterCategories:- Diving Machine roller coasters
- Types of roller coasters
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