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Steel Vengeance

Coordinates: 41°29′10.50″N 82°41′35.75″W / 41.4862500°N 82.6932639°W / 41.4862500; -82.6932639
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ldcdisplay (talk | contribs) at 18:51, 12 August 2017 (Not enough Information was provided in the "Manufacturer" section, that was fixed.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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Mean Streak
Mean Streak after its first turn
Cedar Point
LocationCedar Point
Park sectionFrontiertown
Coordinates41°29′10.50″N 82°41′35.75″W / 41.4862500°N 82.6932639°W / 41.4862500; -82.6932639
StatusClosed
Opening dateMay 11, 1991
Closing dateSeptember 16, 2016
Cost$7,500,000 USD
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerDinn Corporation
DesignerCurtis D. Summers
Track layoutTwister
Lift/launch systemChain lift
Height161 ft (49 m)
Drop155 ft (47 m)
Length5,427 ft (1,654 m)
Speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration3:13
Max vertical angle52°
Capacity1,600 riders per hour
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains3 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train.
Fast Lane available
Mean Streak at RCDB

Mean Streak was a wooden roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Built by Dinn Corporation, Mean Streak was the tallest wooden coaster in the world with the longest drop when it opened to the public on May 11, 1991. Although its drop length record – surpassed by The Rattler in 1992 – was only held for two years, it was still one of the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden coasters in the world.

With a duration of 3 minutes and 13 seconds, Mean Streak had the longest ride time of any roller coaster in the park. It was also one of the two wooden roller coasters operating at Cedar Point, with the other being Blue Streak. On August 1, 2016, Cedar Point announced plans to permanently close Mean Streak on September 16, 2016. Following its closure, park officials have yet to clarify the ride's future, though Cedar Point has dropped subtle hints that the ride is being refurbished. An announcement has been scheduled for August 16, 2017.[1]

History

Mean Streak entrance
Mean Streak being refurbished by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) in May 2017

The ride was announced in late 1990 and was officially named "Mean Streak" on October 24, 1990.[2] Construction on Mean Streak continued throughout the winter and spring.[3][4] Mean Streak opened to the public on May 11, 1991,[5] in the Frontiertown section of the park behind the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad station.[6] Its media day press conference was held on May 22, 1991.[7]

In 1994, trim brakes were installed on the first drop.[7] In September 2010, a small 5-foot (1.5 m) section caught fire, which was contained by firefighters to that particular section.[8]

Over the years, Mean Streak had been re-tracked several times. Some re-tracking was completed by Martin & Vleminckx.[9] Prior to the 2012 operating season, many sections of track after the first drop were replaced. This was the most significant work done on the ride since it opened.[10] Also, in 2012, a portion of the queue was removed to make room for a new building. The building is located in the infield of Mean Streak and is used for the HalloWeekends haunted house, Eden Musee. It is also used for storage during the off-season and summer.[11]

Closure and Refurbishment

On August 1, 2016, Cedar Point announced that Mean Streak would offer its last rides to the public on September 16, 2016.[12][13] Park officials, however, declined to confirm that the ride was being torn down.[14] Following its closure, unconfirmed rumors emerged that the roller coaster is being refurbished by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC).[15] The company is well known for the refurbishment of other wooden roller coasters with the application of their patented I-Box and Topper track technology.[16] Rumors about a refurbishment by Rocky Mountain Construction were confirmed, when in October of 2016, Rocky Mountain Construction construction equipment and I-box track were found on site.[17] In an 18-second teaser video entitled "They're Coming" released on April 1, 2017, Cedar Point showed video shots briefly panning several elements of the rumored conversion.[18]Another teaser video of the same length was also released shortly after.[19] On July 5, 2017, a third teaser video of 19 seconds was posted showing construction progress, with the caption “They‘re rollin’ in like thunder.”[20]In late July and early August, Cedar Point released two teaser videos on twitter with the lines "There's a score to settle" and "They stake their claim".

Ride experience

Mean Streak with Maverick in the foreground

After leaving the station, the train passed through the storage tracks and made a U-turn to the right, before ascending the 161-foot-tall (49 m) lift hill. After cresting the top of the hill, the train dropped 155 feet (47 m) at a 52-degree-angle, reaching a top speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). While dropping, riders went through a set of trim brakes on the first drop. Riders then went through a 123-foot-tall (37 m) twisted turnaround followed by a small airtime hill, and then another twisted turnaround. The train maneuvered over the lift hill and dipped down to the right. After that, the train traveled through the ride's structure and down another hill, turning to the left into the mid-course brake run. The train then dipped down to the left into another airtime hill. Riders then went through several small airtime hills and turned through the ride's structure followed by the final brake run.[21] One cycle of the ride lasted 3 minutes and 13 seconds, making it the former longest duration of any roller coaster at Cedar Point.[5][22]

Characteristics

Manufacturer(s)

Mean Streak was one of 12 roller coasters manufactured by Ohio-based Dinn Corporation before the company closed in 1992.[23] It was a Twister model designed by Curtis D. Summers at a cost of $7,500,000.[5][24][25] Mean Streak joined Blue Streak as the second of only two wooden roller coasters in the park before its closure.[26]Rocky Mountain Construction was contracted for the refurbishment of mean streak.

Track

Mean Streak's first turnaround

The wooden track was approximately 5,427 feet (1,654 m) in length and the height of the lift was approximately 161 feet (49 m).[5] It was constructed from 1.7 million board feet (4,000 m³) of treated southern yellow pine.[24] A trim brake was installed in 1994 on Mean Streak's first drop to reduce its overall speed, therefore, reducing track wear and increasing ride comfort.[7]

Trains

Mean Streak operated with three Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters trains, colored red, gold and green.[25][27] Each train had seven cars with riders arranged two across, in two rows, for a total of 28 riders per train. Riders must have been 48 inches (120 cm) tall to ride and were secured by an individual ratcheting lap bar and seat belt.[5] During the 2011–2012 off-season, all three trains were sent to the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters headquarters where they were refurbished and received maintenance.[27]

Records

When Mean Streak opened in 1991, it was the tallest wooden roller coaster in the world and featured the longest drop.[24] Upon closure in 2016, Mean Streak had the seventh tallest lift, the tenth fastest speed, the fourth longest track-length and the seventh longest drop.[28][29][30][31]

Reception

Writers from The Pantagraph stated that the ride was "the best-kept-secret at Cedar Point," as it was located at the very back of the park.[32] The ride was also featured on the Today show in 1992 in connection with the 100th anniversary of roller coasters.[33]

Mean Streak had been ranked as one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the world. It has ranked in the top 50 nine times since the Golden Ticket Awards were introduced in 1998. The ride was not ranked in the other seasons.

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Ranking 21[34] 18[35] 16[36] 34 (tie)[37] 40[38] 49[39] –[40] 33 (tie)[41] –[42] 39[43] –[44] –[45] –[46] –[47] 45[48] –[49]

References

  1. ^ Cedar Point set to announce new attraction for 2018 season http://www.13abc.com/content/news/Cedar-Point-set-to-announce-new-attraction-for-2018-season-436751983.html
  2. ^ "'Mean Streak' named". Portsmouth Daily Times. October 24, 1990. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  3. ^ "Cedar Point adds waterfront restaurant and pool complex". The Daily Sentinel. December 7, 1990. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  4. ^ "Stacked Wood". The Vindicator. April 4, 1991. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e Marden, Duane. "Mean Streak  (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  6. ^ Urbanowicz, Steve (2004). The Cheapskate's Guide to Them. New York, New York: Kensington Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 0806523654.
  7. ^ a b c "Cedar Point Timeline". PointBuzz. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "Mean Streak catches fire at Cedar Point". WTOL. September 24, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  9. ^ "Retracking". Martin & Vleminckx. Archived from the original on November 25, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Clark, Tony (May 23, 2012). "Mean Streak isn't so mean". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Stoddart, S.L. (October 12, 2012). "Inside Cedar Point's Newest Haunted House 'Eden Musee'". CBS Detroit. CBS Corporation. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  12. ^ "Goodbye Mean Streak". Cedar Point. Archived from the original on August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Pevos, Edward (August 1, 2016). "'Mean Streak' coaster at Cedar Point will close for good next month". MLive. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  14. ^ Glaser, Susan (August 1, 2016). "Cedar Point says massive wooden coaster Mean Streak will close; fans hope for steel-track remake". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  15. ^ Haidet, Ryan (February 2, 2017). "Cedar Point changes its long-used logo: See the new design". WKYC. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  16. ^ James, Daniel (January 23, 2017). "What Type Of Roller Coaster Can We Expect From Cedar Fair In 2018?". INSCMagazine. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  17. ^ "Mean Streak RMC Construction Update #1 ~ Cedar Point - WildGravity Travels". WildGravity Travels. 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  18. ^ Bybee, Taylor (April 3, 2017). "One of the Worst Roller Coasters in the World is About to Become the Best". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  19. ^ Eccentric Gamer (2017-06-02), Cedar Point 2017/2018: RMC Mean Streak Teaser 2: "They're Wild and Unruly." (#TheyreComing), retrieved 2017-06-19
  20. ^ Point, Cedar (2017-07-05). "#TheyreComingpic.twitter.com/eOZq6bks3C". @cedarpoint. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  21. ^ Cedar Point (May 23, 2012). "Official Mean Streak POV". YouTube. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  22. ^ "Cedar Point considers plan to shorten lines for popular rides". Toledo Blade. May 27, 2000. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  23. ^ Marden, Duane. "Dinn Corporation". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c "Cedar Point Park develops Mean Streak". The Vindicator. May 6, 1991. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Mean Streak". Ultimate Rollercoaster. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  26. ^ Marden, Duane. "Cedar Point". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  27. ^ a b "Services — Projects Around the Shop — Mean Streak". Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  28. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Height, Type: Wood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  29. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Speed, Type: Wood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  30. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Length, Type: Woodl)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  31. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Drop, Type: Wood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  32. ^ "Cedar Point rolls out scream after scream". The Pantagraph. June 30, 1996.
  33. ^ "'Today' at Cedar Point". Toledo Blade. June 25, 1992. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  34. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  35. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  36. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  37. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  38. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  39. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  40. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  41. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  42. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  43. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  44. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  45. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  46. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 38–39. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  47. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 46–47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  48. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  49. ^ "2013 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 40–41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
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