Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster,rec.answers,news.answers Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!nic.hookup.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!news.clark.edu!serval!news From: geoff@eecs.wsu.edu (Geoff Allen) Subject: rec.roller-coaster FAQ, part 2/3: Coaster info, orgs, and refs Message-ID: Followup-To: rec.roller-coaster Summary: This document contains general info on roller coasters and amusement parks, including definitions and lists of organizations and references for the roller coaster/amusement park fan. Sender: news@serval.net.wsu.edu (USENET News System) Supersedes: Reply-To: geoff@eecs.wsu.edu Organization: Washington State University References: Date: 02 Dec 93 23:09:54 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Expires: 16 Jan 94 23:09:53 GMT Lines: 921 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.roller-coaster:6749 rec.answers:3226 news.answers:15405 Archive-name: roller-coaster-faq/part2 Last-modified: Mon Nov 08, 1993; 13:58:38 MST This is part 2 of the rec.roller-coaster FAQ.... 4. Common abbreviations A lot of things discussed on rec.roller-coaster are in acronym form. This is because writing out ``Six Flags Over Texas'' several times in a posting is tedious, at best; ``SFoT'' is much easier to write. Here are some abbreviations you're likely to see in discussions on rec.roller-coaster. Those items marked with an asterisk (*) are defined in the definition section later below. ACE - American Coaster Enthusiasts BGT - Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, FL BGW - Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA BTW - By the way CI - Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY CP - Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH DL - Disneyland, Anaheim, CA ERT* - Exclusive Ride Time FYI - For your information GASM - Great American Scream Machine (roller coaster at SFGA, Jackson, NJ) GP* - General Public IAAPA - International Assoc. of Amusement Parks and Attractions IMHO - In my humble opinion IT - Inside Track KD - Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA KI - Kings Island, Kings Mills, OH MACC - Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club NAPHA - National Amusement Park Historical Assoc. PGA - Paramount's Great America, Santa Clara, CA POP* - Pay One Price RC - Roller Coaster SBNO* - Standing But Not Operating SCBB - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA SFGAd - Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ SFGAm - Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL SFAW - Six Flags Astroworld, Houston, TX SFMM - Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA SFoG - Six Flags over Georgia, Atlanta, GA SFoMA - Six Flags over Mid-America, Eureka, MO SFoT - Six Flags over Texas, Arlington, TX TC - Texas Cyclone, Astroworld, Houston, TX TPM* - Theme Park Mentality WDW - Walt Disney World, Orange County, FL WNYCC - Western New York Coaster Club WoF - Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO 5. Definitions of Roller-Coaster terms Below is a list of coaster terms used by enthusiasts when discussing coasters, etc. This should help in following along with the discussions and/or impressing friends and relatives with your knowledge of roller coasters. Cross-references to other definitions in the list are enclosed in angle brackets . References to images at the ftp site, gboro.rowan.edu, which do a good job of illustrating the point being defined are listed in square brackets, like [Images: WHATEVER.GIF]. This is not an exhaustive list of all images that show a ``whatever,'' but indicates those images which do the best job of illustrating the definition. Airtime - Describes the sensation of coming out of your seat when riding a coaster. This effect is usually felt while riding in a front seat when cresting a hill or in a back seat when descending. Banked Turn - A turn in which the tracks are tilted laterally to allow trains to turn at high speeds without undue discomfort to the riders. [Images: CB_CYC01.GIF, GA_CYC01.GIF] Batwing - Arrow's name for an element just like a , but a mirror image of Vekoma's design. Block - a section of track which is divided from other sections by brakes/chain lift or some other mean of preventing forward progress. The safety system prevents two trains from occupying a block at the same time. Booster Wheels - the rotating wheels used to move the train near the station, pushing it along on flat track. Bowtie - an element similar to a , but which you exit in the same direction you entered, rather than making a 180-degree turn as in a Boomerang. Brakes - Every coasteraholic's nightmare! ...used to slow the train, they are located strategically in the circuit to control speeds in areas where excessive speed may be undesirable (note that ``undesirable'' and ``unsafe'' are not necessarily synonymous in this case, see also ). Brakes are usually located in the center of the trackwork, and not on the cars themselves. There are several different types of brakes used on a coaster, they are: Check Brake - A safety device that allows more than two trains to be on the same circuit, as part of the ``block'' safety system. These are usually brakes on a ride which don't necessarily slow down the train, but separate one block from another. Should a train try to enter another block when it is occupied, the safety system will the ride. Scarf Brake - Used only to slow down a train, and are usually pre- set. The difference between a Scarf brake and a Trim Brake is that a Trim Brake can stop a train if needed, while a Scarf brake can only slow one down. Trim Brake - A brake used to slow the train running the track. This is used when the coaster exceeds recommended operating margins. It is also used when the train is causing too much wear on the track from excessive speed. Brake Run - A flat stretch of track, usually two to three train lengths, at the station approach, where inbound trains are halted. Since it is very difficult to stop a train with wet brakes, this area is usually covered to keep the brakes dry during a rainstorm. Boomerang - There are two different meanings for this term. 1. A type of coaster manufactured by Vekoma. It is a variation of the where you are hoisted up an incline, released and sent through the loading station into a semi-loop arrangement (as in definition 2 below) that inverts you twice, then into a . After this the train heads up another incline and stops. The train is then pulled further up the second incline and released backwards, goes back through the loop and semi-loop and returns to the station. 2. An element used in a looping steel coaster that inverts you twice and also acts as a turnaround. You enter going up and to the left then the train twists upside down and follows through in an upright U-shape, you twist upside down and to the left again, exiting upright heading back the direction you came from. [Images: DRACHEN2.GIF] Camel Back - A series of two or more hills, each slightly smaller than the preceding one. Car - A unit or part of a coaster train, it usually carries between two and eight passengers. Chain Dogs - A catch or pawl device beneath the train cars which engages into the chain lift. Chain Lift - The rolling chain that carries the train to the crest of the lift hill. Check Brake - A safety device that allows more than two trains to be on the same course. If there is a problem in one ``block'' of track, the check brake will not allow the following train(s) to continue the trackwork. Circuit - A completed journey on a coaster track. Classic Coaster - A term used to describe a coaster which is operated and maintained in a ``classic'' sense. These coasters usually run traditional trains, void of ratcheting lap bars, seat dividers, head rests, side bars, and other modern restraint/safety devices. ``Classic Coaster'' is also an official status given by the American Coaster Enthusiasts to coasters operating in the above manner. (See Part 3 for the list of ACE's Classic Coasters.) [Images: JKRABT_C.GIF] Cobra Roll - B&M's version of a element, slightly altered to accomodate B&M 4-across trains. Corkscrew - A coaster configuration that includes a horizontal spiral or helix in which riders are turned upside down one or more times. Cutback - An Arrow-designed element which consists of a single inversion in a 180-degree turnaround. Dog Leg - A left or right jog or offset in the otherwise straight, flat portion or trackwork. Double Dip - A hill that has been divided into two separate drops by a flattening out of the drop midway down the hill. Elevated Curve - A type of curve, usually found on an Out-and-Back, where the curve descends in height as it curves. These curves are normally banked as well (See Banked Turn). [Images: WILDONE4.GIF] Exclusive Ride Time - Usually part of an organized Coaster Club's event. An ``ERT'' consists of a block of time, usually before and/or after a park is available to the , in which only the members of the coaster club are allowed to ride. This allows the hard-core enthusiast more rides in less time. Parks usually make sure their coaster(s) are running better for such events, making them even more appealing. Fan Curve - There are two somewhat different meanings of ``fan curve'' floating about. A curved called a ``fan curve'' could actually meet definition 1 below, or definition 2, or both. Confused? Good. ;^) 1. A curve with spoke reinforcements radiating from a central point to the circumference of the track. [Images: RUSA.GIF] 2. A curve that enters the turn while ascending, and exits the turn while descending. These are usually more thrilling than a flat turn (See ). [Images: CB_CYC02.GIF] Figure Eight - Layout of a coaster resembling the numeral eight, thus allowing both right and left turns. Fine' Del Capo - A portion of track that quickly ducks under an overhead support in such a way as to give the rider a feeling of imminent decapitation. Can also refer to the portion of track that first enters a tunnel or covered brake run. Those of you who've studied music or Italian may recognize the term as Latin for ``end of the head.'' :^) [Images: WILDONE2.GIF] First Drop - Usually the highest and most exciting drop on a coaster, most often following immediately after the chain lift. First drops are usually angled at about 50 degrees. [Images: BEASTPC.GIF, RATTLER1.GIF, HERC1.GIF] Flat Turn - A turn in which the trackwork remains virtually flat (i.e. the opposite of a ). It usually gives the riders the feeling that the coaster may tip over, due to . [Images: RUSA.GIF] Flying Turns - A term from the original trackless coaster design. This coaster resembles a bobsled run with the trains running in a U shaped trough. The flying turns from the 1920s and 30s used Cypress wood for its trough and maintenance was high. Newer versions of this type use steel for the trough. General Public - Literally refers to the non-enthusiasts who attend a park. The term is used to connote those park patrons who like their roller coasters a little (or a lot) less wild than the average enthusiast does. Gully Coaster - A coaster that makes use of the natural terrain and gives an added feeling of speed by keeping the track close to the ground through the ups and downs. [Images: BEASTPC.GIF] Heartline Flip - An element on B&M coasters which rotates the train in a very small diameter corkscrew, producing a rotation about the rider's ``heartline''. This is very similar to a barrel roll. Helix - Corkscrew-shaped loops on either a vertical or horizontal plane. The usual meaning is of spiral turns either descending (like going down the bathtub drain) or ascending. [Images: WILDONE5.GIF] Hump - Sometimes used in reference to a coaster hill. Inversion - any part of a steel roller coaster that turns you upside down. [Images: DRACHEN3.GIF and many others] Inverted - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track. The cars on this type of coaster are rigidly connected to their wheel assembly (Compare with ). [Images: BATMAN01-05.GIF, GADVBAT1-6.GIF, TOPGUN01-03.GIF] Interlocking Loop - Two that intertwine like two links on a chain. An example would be the two loops on the Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. [Images: NESSC01.GIF] Lateral Gravity - Those forces which pull you to the side of the car (or slam you, as the case may be), often found on , and often eliminated with (especially on newer roller coasters). Loading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers board the coaster trains. [Images: CYCSTAT.GIF] Long Line - 2400 people waiting in front of you to ride a coaster! [Images: MSTREAKC.GIF, TOPGUN01.GIF] Machine - Term sometimes used in reference to a roller coaster. Manual Brake - A hand-operated , where the train is stopped by the muscle power of the operator. Most often found on . Sometimes, the operator may not apply enough force and the train will overshoot the station. If you're on board when this happens, you'll be one of the lucky ones getting a free ride! Negative G's - (Short for ``Negative Gravity'') See . Out and Back - A style of roller coaster. The name describes the general configuration of the ride, basically an elongated oval in which the train goes out to a turnaround and then returns to the station. The truest form of this would have no other curves besides the turnaround. Another way to do this would be to put a couple of 90 degree turns (see ) in the ride giving it a L-shape. In general out and backs have higher speeds than designs with more tight turns. Parabolic - A coaster hill that has an almost continuous curve and very little, if any, straight track. Pay One Price - An amusement park admission which includes all rides and shows. The alternative is for every ride to require a separate ticket (or tickets, as the case may be). Pipeline - A coaster design by Arrow Dynamics in which the cars ride between the rails, allowing such maneuvers as ``barrel rolls'' to be performed. No pipeline coasters have been built yet, but similar designs are the TOGO Ultra Twister and Mega Coaster, and the B&M Inverted coasters feature a ``heart-line'' flip, which is similar to a barrel roll, though not exactly the same. Positive G's - Those forces which pull you downward, often appearing at the bottom of hills, and in steel looping elements. Racer - Any coaster that runs two trains that leave the station at the same time and ``race'' other, most often on parallel tracks. [Images: RACER*.GIF, RUSA.GIF, ROLLTH01.GIF] Ratchet - A claw-toothed steel bar running on certain inclines that prevents a train from rolling backwards. The ratchet causes the clanking sound associated with the chain lift (also referred to as the ``anti-rollback'' device or ``Ratchet Dogs''). The ratchet itself does not stop the train. This is done by a device affixed to the bottom of the car which catches in the ratchet. Set-Up - Any occurrence which causes trains to stop outside of the station. This may include shutdowns initiated by the safety system, the operator, or some other cause. Shuttle Loop - A type of coaster where the train travels forward out of the station through a vertical loop then up an incline of track that ascends high into the air. The train then plummets backwards through the loop and through the station, usually to another steep incline, which returns the train to the brake run. [Images: PYTHON1.GIF] Side Friction - A coaster with guide rails located above and on the outside edge of the running rails, instead of using guide . Sidewinder - one half of Arrow's version of a element, which makes a 90-degree turn. Slammer - A very abrupt, rough drop that sometimes occurs after a major hill (an extreme example of ). Speed Dip - A small hill taken at high speeds usually lifting riders off their seats (see ). Speed Run - A series of speed dips, usually on the way back from the turnaround on an coaster. Spiral - A 360-degree turn. Standing But Not Operating - A roller coaster which is no longer operating but has not been destroyed. Preservation efforts by the American Coaster Enthusiasts, and others, often will focus on these coasters because of their status. They could be torn down at any time, and the lack of maintenance will cause their condition to deteriorate rapidly. [Images: CI_TBOLT.GIF] Stand-Up - A steel roller coaster, often with one or more inversions, where cars are designed for the riders to ride standing up instead of sitting down. [Images: SHOCK.GIF] Station - A building that houses: ride operators, brake and chain lift controls, brake run, loading and unloading platforms, train storage area, and often, the train maintenance workshop. Station Brake - Standard gear on EVERY coaster. Used for deceleration on return to the station (See ). Steel Coaster - Generally, any coaster with tubular steel rails supported with steel framing. Some coasters classified as steel actually have wooden framing. Cars usually have nylon wheels that impart a smooth, quiet ride. [Images: GASM01A.GIF and many others] Suspended - A coaster that rides below the track rather than on the track. The cars on this type of coaster are designed such that they are free to swing relative to their wheel assembly (Compare with ). [Images: BBWOLFC.GIF] Swoop Turn - A fast turn that incorporates a dip and a return to the crest of the next hill while turning. Theme Park - A park, usually of large size, which has one or more ``themed'' areas, with Rides and Attractions keyed to the theme of their location within the park. Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Fiesta Texas are all excellent examples of theme parks. Theme Park Mentality - A derogatory (but sometimes applicable) term which implies a set of overly strict, safety conscious rules and operation procedures. These policies are there to please the and the park's insurance company, not the hard-core enthusiast. :^) Traditional Amusement Park - A park which still holds aspects of its origins in today's modern society. Most Traditional Parks grew out of ``Picnic Parks'' which were located at the end of trolley lines. Kennywood, Whalom Park, and Lakeside are all excellent examples of Traditional Parks. Train - A series of two to seven cars hooked together to make a circuit of the coaster track. [Images: RACER2.GIF] Turnaround - Usually the turn located farthest from the station (usually on an style coaster) after which the trains begin their return. Twister - Just like it sounds. The configuration of this type of coaster is varied and has multiple turns, often in a Figure 8 layout. The Coney Island Cyclone, the Riverside Cyclone, Mr. Twister, and the Texas Giant are good examples of a twister. You can expect the unexpected. A good twister will disorient you! [Images: TWISTER.GIF, RBLGHT01.GIF] Unloading Platform - Portion of the station where passengers unload from the coaster train. Modern coasters have combined the loading and unloading platforms into one quick-moving operation. Vertical Loop - A nearly closed vertical turn of 360 degrees in which riders are turned upside down in a transitional curve in a near- vertical plane. [Images: PHANTOM3.GIF] Wheels - A coaster car uses 3 different types of wheels: Guide Wheel - A set of wheels which guide the train so that it does not leave the track sideways (also known as Side-Friction wheels). Road Wheel - A wheel that actually rides on the top of the track. Upstop wheel - A set of wheels which ride underneath the track to keep the train from jumping off or leaving the trackwork (also referred to as ``Undershot'' or ``Underside'' Friction wheels). Wild Mouse - A small steel coaster featuring small cars (big enough for two adults); sharp, unbanked turns; quick, steep drops (heavy on the airtime); and, in general, a very rough and wild ride. Wingover - An element on B&M coasters similar to a , but more like an extended . Wooden Coaster - Generally, any coaster with laminated wooden rails, to which flat steel rails are attached. Supporting members are usually wooden, however, some coasters classified as wooden actually have steel framing (e.g. Crystal Beach Cyclone, Coney Island Cyclone, and Frontier City's Wildcat!). [Images: CYCLONE1.GIF] 6. Roller Coaster/Amusement Park Organizations A. American Coaster Enthusiasts - ACE The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization that was established to promote roller coasters, and their preservation, documentation, and information. The annual fee is $50 for an individual. The rate for a couple is $65. (ACE has a very loose definition of couple -- two people living at the same address.) Additional family members can be added for $5 each. Membership includes four high-quality magazines a year and newsletters approximately every six to eight weeks. Get-togethers include an annual convention and usually two or three conferences. In many cases these events coincide with the opening of a new roller coaster and they almost always will feature some Exclusive Ride Time. Several parks provide free or discounted admission to ACE members. Parks providing free admission are Frontier City, Oklahoma City, OK; Magic Springs, Hot Springs, AR; and Worlds of Fun; Kansas City, MO If you have ftp access, you can ftp a postscript version of the application form from netinfo.ini.andrew.cmu.edu. The file is /pub/ACE_Application.ps. If you don't have ftp or a postscript printer, you can send e-mail to ga25+ace@andrew.cmu.edu, which is the address of ACE membership director Gary Aulfinger. The slowest way is to write to: American Coaster Enthusiasts P.O. Box 8226 Chicago, IL 60680 If you use something other than ftp, it may take a few weeks for Gary and his ``lovely assistant'' Tracy to process and send the form, so be patient. B. Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club - MACC The Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club is a fairly good sized regional club. It is based out of the Virginia area, but members are welcomed from any state. There is a monthly newsletter called The Front Seat (formerly the Grizzly Gazette) which keeps members up to date on club activities, etc. Among these activities is the annual Screamfest convention, usually held in early Spring. As usual, the highlight of this event is the exclusive ride time available only to club members. The annual membership fee is only $15 for an individual. There may be be a couple and/or family rate, but you'd have to inquire. For membership, please send a check (payable to Steve Thompson) to the following address: Steve Thompson 7532 Murillo Street Springfield, Virginia 22151 ATTN: MACC C. Western New York Coaster Club - WNYCC The Western New York Coaster Club (WNYCC) is a fairly good sized regional club. It is based in the Buffalo/Rochester area, but there are many members from just about every state. Meetings are held in Batavia, NY, between Buffalo and Rochester. There is a monthly newsletter called the Gravity Gazette that keeps members up to date on club activities. The Gravity Gazette centers around articles written by the members themselves, giving a very intimate, inclusive feeling to the newsletter. Among these activities are an annual Coasterfest (usually on Memorial Day weekend). As with events of other clubs, you can expect to get in some exclusive ride time. Most of the time there is *at least* one dinner included in the registration fee. The annual membership fee is only $15 for an individual and $20 for a couple. The membership address is: Membership Director 724 East 6th Street Erie, PA 16507 ATTN: WNYCC D. First Drop - U.K. Coaster Club Coaster clubs are not confined to the U.S.! There is a club in the United Kingdom with a bi-monthly newsletter, which keep tabs on all the coasters across ``the pond''. There has actually been quite a bit going on in the U.K. The address is: First Drop Coaster House 16 Charles Street Hillingdon Middlesex UB10 0SY England The membership rate, payable in check, postal order, or International money order to FIRST DROP is: Europe: 15 pounds U.K.: 12 pounds 50 pence USA and Canada: 17 pounds 50 pence Rest of the world: 20 pounds Corporate: 35 pounds If you pay in U.S. funds, add $3.00 for bank handling fees. E. National Amusement Park Historical Association - NAPHA NAPHA Is a non-profit organization formed in 1978 to preserve and display items of amusement park memorabilia (past and present), document park history, enable people with common interest in parks to meet and exchange ideas, and in the future, to open the Amusement Park Historical Society. Membership per year is $25.00/individual, $30.00 for Family or corporate membership (USA). International rates are $35.00 individual, and $40 for family and corporate memberships. Check or money order can be made payable to ``N.A.P.H.A.'' Membership includes 6 newsletters/year, park discount tickets, and an annual convention, usually held in IL. For membership, write to: National Amusement Park Historical Association P.O. Box 83, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 F. National Carousel Association - NCA The National Carousel Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the hand-carved wooden carousels. This group is not really coaster-related, but an item of nostalgia which may be of interest to readers. The NCA's annual membership fee is $30.00 (at least $5 of this goes directly to carousel preservation), and the club offers a magazine/ newsletter arrangement similar to the ACE schedule: 4 magazines/year (Merry-go-Roundup), and 6 newsletters/year. A yearly convention is also standard fare. Inquires for more information on the organization, or for membership requests, should be sent to: National Carousel Association P.O. Box 4333 Evansville, IN 47724-0333 7. References, Resources, etc. A. Books on Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks GUIDE TO RIDE -- published by ACE in 1991. Lists the MAJOR roller coasters located in North America. Features photos of most rides, and a full description of each. Ordering info: $17.95 US and Canada $21.95 all other countries American Coaster Enthusiasts c/o John Page 6108 Sherman Drive Woodridge, IL 60517 THE AMUSEMENT PARK GUIDE -- written by Tim O'Brien. Lists most every amusement park on this continent! Lists parks alphabetically by state then Canada and Mexico. Published mid-1991 but includes some rides to open in 1992. Ordering info: Cost: $12.95 The Globe Pequot Press ``A Voyager Book'' ISBN 0-87106-300-x GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN THEME PARKS -- published by AAA. Lists selected Amusement and Theme parks. Not all parks in either category are listed. Parks are listed by region. Lists all rides and attractions by name including description. Published Spring 1990. Available in most book stores in the TRAVEL section. THE AMERICAN AMUSEMENT PARK INDUSTRY: A History of Technology and Thrill -- Written by Judith A. Adams, this traces the history of amusement parks from Bartholemew's Fair in 1614 to current. Covers the rise and decline of trolley parks, offers an in-depth critical look at the Disney Parks, and covers the current success of theme parks. Often viewed from a socio-economic perspective, it can be a trifle dry at times, but contains a lot of historical data. Twayne's Evolution of Business Series Twayne Publishers ISBN 0-8057-9833-6 THE INCREDIBLE SCREAM MACHINE: A History of the Roller Coaster -- by Robert Cartmell. This book traces the roller-coaster from its origins in Russia and Paris to America. It discusses the early rides, and how John Miller revolutionized coasters. It goes on to talk about Traver and Theme Parks in general. This book is illustrated with many photographs, including photos of Miller's rides, Traver's twisted (some might say ``demented'') metal coasters with wooden tracks, and the old switchback railways. Bowling Green State University Popular Press (419) 372-7865 Price: $42.95 (hardback) $25.95 (paperback) THE GREAT AMERICAN AMUSEMENT PARK -- by Gary Kyriazi. This is an older book with loads of facts and photos (somewhat dated, of course, but reportedly worth it if you can find a copy). I don't have any other info on this book. Feel free to contribute! A place to try for ordering some of these books is: Gunther Hall, Limited P.O. Box 140 Alton Bay, New Hampshire 03810 (603) 875-2248 Call or write and ask for their list of coaster products. B. Magazines Rollercoaster! -- is the quarterly magazine of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and is included with ACE membership. See the section on ``Organizations'' above for further info. Inside Track -- is a magazine that is worthwhile for new information on roller coasters and amusement parks in general. It is a newspaper format, published monthly, and very professionally done. Along with news on new coasters, there is info on park closings, coaster designers and amusement ride innovations, and a section called APtv (Amusement Park Television) that'll give you info on videos and feature movies with coasters and parks in them. Inside Track is highly recommend for those that want to keep tabs on what's happening in the Amusement Park Industry. For a subscription in the US send your address and $20 to: Inside Track P.O. Box 369 Hammonton, NJ 08037 The subscription rate for those outside the US is $30. At the Park -- is published by Yellow Dot Publishing, and is by-and- large the brainstorm of long-time ACE corporate member Allen Ambrosini. This is more a journal for the amusement park industry than for the average coaster enthusiast; however, the magazine is TOP NOTCH in design and format (contains excellent 4-color photographs of today's top coasters and parks!), with very well-written articles, and a sensible, enjoyable layout. You'll learn much more about the industry as a whole. It's a highly recommended as an addition to ACE News or Inside Track. A one year subscription (5 issues) costs: USA: $17.95 (airmail -- $27.95) Canada and Mexico: $25.95 (airmail -- $30.95) Outside North America: $25.95 (airmail -- $54.95) Send your name and address to: At The Park Magazine P.O. BOX 597783 Chicago, IL 60659-7783 E Ticket -- is published two or three times per year, and features stories focused primarily on the Disneyland of the 50s and 60s. (The full title of the magazine is ``The ``E' Ticket -- Collecting Theme Park Memories.'') Though Disneyland is the primary focus, the magazine covers other California parks as well, such as Pacific Ocean Park and Knott's Berry Farm. Each issue is about 35 pages long. For a sample issue, send $6 to: The ``E'' Ticket 20560 Alaminos Drive Saugus, CA 91350 If anyone has info about ordering from outside the US, I'd be happy to add it. Amusement Business -- a weekly publication which covers ALL aspects of the entertainment industry: water parks, amusement parks, theme parks, traveling carnivals, state fairs, concerts, sporting events, trade shows, ANYTHING to do with public supplied entertainment! AB is always on the ball about the latest and hottest news!! AB is a bit pricey, though. There are a large variety of prices, but here are a few examples: Subscription pre-paid billed ------------ -------- ------ USA, 6 month $75 $85 USA, 1 year 99 119 Canada, 1 yr, airmail 169 189 Canada, 1 yr, surface 115 135 (and too many other options to mention here...) Inquiries, information, and subscriptions can be sent to: Amusement Business Subscription Dept. P.O. Box 5022 Brentwood, TN 37024-9771 Subscriptions: (800) 999-3322 Other info: (615) 321-4250 FAX: (615) 327-1575 C. FTP site The ``official'' ftp site for rec.roller-coaster is gboro.rowan.edu. The good stuff is in directory /pub/Coasters. You'll find all sorts of goodies, including images (in JPG and GIF formats), descriptions/reviews of parks and coasters, and this FAQ. Check the file Coasters.lis, which is an index of what's available. Please limit your ftp usage to after hours, Eastern Time. If you have anything to contribute to the FTP archive, send it to Ken Denton, sysop@elan.rowan.edu. 8. Other stuff of interest Some other things available "out there" that you may find of interest. No guarantee is implied by their mention here, but you may want to check them out. A. Windows screen saver There is a screen saver for Microsoft Windows that runs a simulation of a roller coaster. It's available by anonymous ftp from ftp.cica.indiana.edu as /pub/pc/win3/desktop/scoast.zip. B. Calendar A Roller Coaster Calendar is published by Moor Publishing. For ordering info contact: Moor Publishing 1209 Hill Road North Suite 127 Pickerington OH 43147-8600 Cost: $11.95 + Shipping and handling The 1994 calendar features the following coasters: Jan Texas Giant, SFoT (daytime shot) Feb Kumba, BGT (daytime) Mar Psyclone, SFMM (daytime) April Top Gun, KI (daytime) May Batman, SFGAd (daytime) June Racer, Kennywood (night) July Ninja, SFoG (daytime) -- also on cover Aug Giant Dipper, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (night) Sep Shock Wave, SFGAm (daytime) Oct Cyclone, Coney Island (daytime) Nov Loch Ness Monster, BGTOC (daytime) -- neat overhead shot of loops Dec Timber Wolf, Worlds of Fun (night) Special thanks to Save Salvia for these descriptions! 9. Amusement Industry Jobs A lot of us would love to be a roller coaster designer. We often see posts from people asking how to get such a job. Here are some comments/advice/etc. on coaster-designing jobs, mostly from people who don't have such jobs, so take it all with a few grains of salt. A lot more people want to design roller coasters than can find jobs doing it. Be aware of that before setting your hopes too high. Don't quit your day job, as they say. For example, Arrow Dynamics employs about a dozen engineers, and has low turnover. The other coaster designers are probably similar. Mechanical and electrical engineering are the most used disciplines. Arrow also has two civil engineers. Get some industry design experience first. Remember these companies are small, and don't have the ability to train new-hires like a Boeing or IBM would. If you *do* get a job with an amusement design company, recognize that you're probably not going to start off designing the next big bad roller coaster. You may design a spinning kiddie ride. Or an insignificant component of a spinning kiddie ride. You can get company addresses from the ACE Directory, phone books, the Thomas Register of Suppliers, and no doubt other sources. Make friends with your local librarian. They like looking things up -- that's why they're librarians. It'll cost you $0.29 + paper and time to send a resume. Do as much research as you can before you fire off resumes! Join ACE. Go to the ACE conventions. Talk to people. Go to the IAAPA Convention (but be forewarned that this is a *business* convention, and if you go barging in with your resume in hand you may not make too good an impression; talk to people and see if you can make appointments; do this *before* going to the convention). Subscribe to Amusement Business. If you're still in school, get a summer job at an amusement park. Try for operations or maintenance (sorry, experience in food service won't do you too much good ;^) ). Learn everything you can about the rides and how they're operated and maintained. Still want to do it? Good luck! We look forward to riding your creations. -- Geoff Allen : WSU EE/CS Dept. sysadmin support guy FAQ maintainer for rec.roller-coaster and the Mentor Graphics University SIG ============================================================================== Please remain seated and keep your hands and arms above your head at all times. Enjoy your ride.