Fourth-dimension roller coaster
A 4th Dimension roller coaster is a style of roller coaster whereby riders are positioned each side of the track, in seats capable of spinning about a horizontal axis.
History
The first 4th Dimension roller coaster to be built was X, which opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain, United States in 2002. Some people say[weasel words] that 4th Dimension roller coasters are somewhat of a cross between roller coasters and the popular carnival ride known as the Zipper.[citation needed]
Manufacturers
S&S Arrow (formerly Arrow Dynamics)
Arrow Dynamics was the first company to produce a 4th dimension roller coaster, lending its name to the ride style. The trains feature seats capable of rotating forward or backward 360 degrees in a controlled spin. This is achieved by having four rails on the track; two acting as normal, and two to control the spin of the seats. The two rails that control the spin of the seats, or "X Rails," vary in height relative to the track, and spin the train using a rack and pinion gear mechanism.
The first installation, X², was a prototype and cost Arrow Dynamics and Six Flags itself a lot of money due to technical difficulties and design flaws. In 2002, the park sued Arrow Dynamics, which went into bankruptcy. Since then Arrow was bought out by S&S Power and became the company's steel coaster division, S&S Arrow. In 2006, a second installation opened at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Japan under the name Eejanaika, which translates to something along the lines of "Ain't it Great!"
Intamin AG
The Intamin AG Ball Coaster was in development for some time since the unveiling of the first 4th dimension roller coaster. Kirnu at Linnanmäki in Helsinki, Finland opened for the 2007 season and is the first of its kind. One of the main differences between the Intamin AG and Arrow Dynamics/S&S Power versions is the uncontrolled rotation of the seats, which produces a different ride each time. Other differences include single cars and absence of any lateral movements.
The second Ball Coaster opened in 2007 at Terra Mitica in Spain, named Inferno. The ride is an exact copy of Kirnu, featuring a chain lift and a compact layout. This particular model is known as the ZacSpin by manufacturers Intamin AG.
Inversion ambiguity
There is considerable debate within the roller coaster community as to whether or not the spinning of these coasters qualifies as an inversion for the purpose of records. Guinness World Records gave Eejanaika the record with 14 inversions. However, other more coaster-specific record bodies such as the Roller Coaster Database do not recognize this claim and instead count only track inversions, which gives the record of 10 to Colossus and Tenth Ring Roller Coaster.
List of 4th Dimension roller coasters
| Name | Park | Opened | Manufacturer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X² | Six Flags Magic Mountain | 2002 (X) | Arrow Dynamics | Operating |
| Eejanaika | Fuji-Q Highland | 2006 | S&S Power | Operating |
| Kirnu | Linnanmäki | 2007 | Intamin AG | Operating |
| Inferno | Terra Mitica | 2007 | Intamin AG | Operating |
| Tele2 Insane | Gröna Lund | 2009 | Intamin AG | Operating |