4 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2013OUTLAW RUNContinued from page 1coach Depot. While roamingthe queue, guests pass the officeof Depot Proprietor ClemBarker, whose wall of tickingclocks demonstrates his passionfor punctuality and thedetermination for keeping thestagecoaches on time. “Takethe time to notice the subtlethings,” says Rau. “I like thetheming. I like the whole wildadventure of the West. Americagoing out <strong>into</strong> the greatadventureland where wedidn’t really know where wewere headed. And that’s whathappens on this ride.” Rauadds, “That’s one of the coolestthings about <strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong><strong>City</strong> — when we immerseourselves in the theming. Youdon’t want to miss anything.”When asked about thename, President and CEO ofHerschend Family EntertainmentJoel Mamby says, “Ourbig issue was whether to haveguns in the photos with all thegun issues out there. Originallyin our logo we had a gunin it, and we passed on that.And of course, we don’t wantto ‘promote’ outlaws as a positivething. We are dedicatinga lot of our work to the policeforce. The whole storyline isgetting away safely from theoutlaws.” In April an iconicmonument dedicated to lawenforcement will be installedadjacent to the ride during aGrand Opening Celebration.With the sound of thecrack of a whip and an audible“H’yah!!” riders are dispatchedfrom the depot andengage the lift for its 107-footclimb. But don’t let that heightbe deceiving, Like virtually allthe coasters at <strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong><strong>City</strong>, the park’s hilly terrainalways offers greater potentialspeeds as first drops are typically— and dramatically —far larger than the lift heightitself. In this case, <strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong>has a first plunge of 162 feet.Combine that with the factthat it is the steepest drop onany wooden coaster at 81 degrees,and the makings for arollicking adventure are underway.The wooded landscapethen permits the coasterto make startling dives andcurves darting <strong>into</strong> the valleysand through the trees. It ismarvelously orchestrated andredefines “out of control.” Forthe park to boast that there isno other wooden coaster likeit, that’s dead on.Mamby says, “That ridenever lets you go. It’s a fantasticride. More importantly forthe park, it makes [<strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong><strong>City</strong>] a unique experiencewhether anyone is 2 to 92. Wehave a very complete parknow that will serve the needsof more and more customerseach year.”Brad Thomas, generalmanager of <strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong> <strong>City</strong>,adds, “<strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong> providesus with something we neededwhich was more thrills, moreexcitement, more fun, butkeeping it to where it is notso intense that mom doesn’tfeel safe and mom doesn’twant to ride it with her kids.You’ve got three significantcomponents — you’ve gotthe world’s steepest drop ona wooden coaster, we’ll takeyou upside down three times,and at 68 mph, it is the secondfastest wooden coaster on theplanet.”Fred Grubb of RockyTo nagavite the twists andturns of <strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong>, ridesupplier Rocky Mountaincreated their own style ofcoaster train, shown here.AT/GARY SLADERiders race past <strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong>’s first drop in a blur as the newcoaster tops out at 68 mph, making it the second fastestwoodie. AT/GARY SLADEMountain could bask in theopening day success of hislatest project, but should alsotake considerable pride in histrains. Debuting with <strong>Outlaw</strong><strong>Run</strong>, the “coaches” — as <strong>Silver</strong><strong>Dollar</strong> <strong>City</strong> terms them — areof innovative and researcheddesign. Grubb says “First of allwe had to design the trains tobe able to handle the amountof twists we put <strong>into</strong> the track.We put suspension systemson the train so the wheels arealways touching the track —there’s no bouncing back andforth.” Grubb adds that thisdesign of train will ride onany existing wooden coasterout there.Other companies involvedin <strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong> were CostasurInc. of Cincinnati that suppliedthe boosters, chain drive assemblyand transfer table; VelocityMagnetics, New Castle,Pa., supplied the braking system;and Consign, Hanover,Md., supplied the control system.In addition, <strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong><strong>City</strong> installed the mechanicalcomponents.Both Grubb of RockyMountain and Thomas of <strong>Silver</strong><strong>Dollar</strong> <strong>City</strong> praised oneanother for the teamwork involvedin putting the projecttogether. “The overall experiencewas just great,” commentsThomas. “Our guysare accustomed to building <strong>into</strong>ugh terrain. There’s not a lotof soil to work with. You getpast a quarter inch, you hitsolid rock. Putting in all thosefooters was a real challenge.Our guys had to work shoulderto shoulder with RockyMountain. There were opportunitiesfor friction and therewas no friction. From the 108degree weather of the summerto the frigid temperatures ofthe winter, our guys got along.They were great and they createdthis amazing coaster thata lot of people are going tocome visit.”In this case, the good guysreally do win.FAST FACTSName/Park<strong>Outlaw</strong> <strong>Run</strong>/<strong>Silver</strong> <strong>Dollar</strong> <strong>City</strong>Branson, Mo.WhatWooden coaster utilizingTopper Track on a woodenstructure. Highlights arethe steepest drop on awooden coaster (81-degrees)and a 720-degreedouble barrel roll (world’sfirst)on a wooden coasterHeight/Length/Inversions107 feet/2,937 feet/3Opened/CostMarch, 15, 2013/$10 millionDrop/Maximum Speed/Airtime Moments162 feet at 81 degrees/68 mph/9 locations during rideRide Time/Capacity/Height Requirement1 minute, 27 seconds/800-850 riders an hour/48 inchesTrains2 trains, 24 passengers pertrain. Each train featuresU-bar lap restraint &individual fibergless seatsDesignAlan Schilke,Ride Centerline, LLCHyde Park, UtahSupplier of RecordFred Grubb,Rocky MountainConstruction Group,Hayden, UtahOther SuppliersCostasur Inc., Cincinnati,Ohio/ Velocity Magnetics,New Castle, Pa./ConsignLLC, Hanover, Md.
April 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5ROCKYMOUNTAINSENIOR ADTO COME