Jump to content

Rampage (roller coaster)

Add links
Coordinates: 33°22′45″N 86°59′49″W / 33.3792°N 86.9969°W / 33.3792; -86.9969
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Rampage (Alabama Adventure))

Rampage
A blue train of the Rampage roller coaster is depicted reaching the bottom of the first drop to enter the slight left turn. From the viewers perspective, the train is heading to the right. The train is surrounded by winding wooden track and support structure, with several parts above the drop and in the background.
A train descending the first drop
Alabama Splash Adventure
LocationAlabama Splash Adventure
Coordinates33°22′45″N 86°59′49″W / 33.3792°N 86.9969°W / 33.3792; -86.9969
StatusClosed
Opening dateMay 23, 1998 (1998-05-23)
Cost$4,300,000
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerCustom Coasters International
DesignerLarry Bill
Track layoutTwister
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height120 ft (37 m)
Drop102 ft (31 m)
Length3,500 ft (1,100 m)
Speed56 mph (90 km/h)
Duration1:30
Restraint styleLap bar
Trains6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Rampage at RCDB

Rampage is a wooden roller coaster located at Alabama Splash Adventure in Bessemer, Alabama, US. Manufactured and built by Custom Coasters International, with design from Larry Bill, the roller coaster originally opened with the Vision Land amusement park on May 23, 1998. Rampage operated until 2002, closing for the entire season due to the principal owners filing for bankruptcy. The roller coaster reopened on May 26, 2003, under the Southland Entertainment Group ownership, until its second closure in 2012 under General Attractions. Rampage sat dormant for four years, before being renovated in 2014 by owners Dan and Natalie Koch and reopening for the 2015 season.

The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 120 feet (37 m), a maximum speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h), and a total track length of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). Constructed at the cost of $4.3 million, the design of Rampage was inspired by another CCI-built roller coaster, Megafobia, located at Oakwood Theme Park. Rampage features nine crossovers throughout its twister layout, with trains built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Upon its initial opening, the roller coaster received mostly positive reviews from critics and guests.

History

[edit]

Larry Langford, then-mayor of Fairfield, Alabama, presented the idea of building an amusement park near Birmingham, Alabama, in August 1995. During his announcement, Langford had the backing of around a dozen cities,[1][2] making Vision Land the first supported project with inter-municipal cooperation.[1] The park would incorporate several attractions within its opening year, including roller coasters.[2] The Alabama Legislature approved of the park's construction in March 1996,[3] with ground breaking for the park taking place in April.[4] Plans for the roller coaster's construction were being arranged near the end of November, having an estimated cost of $5 million. The roller coaster was originally to be themed to the area's historical mining operations with the attraction based on a mine cart set loose and include a 100-foot (30-meter) drop.[5]

A bond deal for the park's construction was finalized in March 1997. Langford revealed the roller coaster would be built from wood to capture the "'old-time clickety clack flavor of a Coney Island roller coaster'" and serve as the park's focal point attraction.[6] Custom Coasters International (CCI) officials were present on the construction site in June to mark trees for preservation or demolition. CCI owner, Denise Larrick, disclosed the roller coaster would feature a length of 3,500 feet (1,100 meters), a maximum speed of 56 mph (90 km/h), in addition to several drops and turns.[7] By September, concrete footings were being poured with some already in place, and the supporting structure for the station was in construction. Finalized engineering plans for the roller coaster were projected to be complete in October, in addition to vertical construction of the wooden supports to be completed during November.[8] The roller coaster would celebrate its topping out ceremony on December 2[9] and construction was reported by the Birmingham Post-Herald to be "more than half done" during the first week of December.[10]

Vision Land representatives held a "Name That Coaster contest" to choose a title for its roller coaster, the name "Rampage" selected as the winner on December 15, 1997, out of 1,400 entries.[11] The Rampage moniker was submitted by a local Pleasant Grove High School student, with "Scorpion's Tail" and "Jaguar" coming in second and third place, respectively.[11][12] Rampage's construction was completed on March 22, 1998, with initial testing rehearsals conducted on March 24, using bagged oats acting as test dummies.[13] The last checks on the roller coaster's track were conducted in early April.[14] A preview was held on May 16,[15] and opened coinciding with the opening of Vision Land on May 23.[16][17] Rampage was one of seven wooden roller coasters to open in the United States during the 1998 season.[17]

Operation

[edit]

After an initial successful financial year,[18][19] the park observed stagnant attendance into 2000.[20][21] The resulting insufficient attendance, operational decisions, and debt led the park to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on June 4, 2002.[22][23] The filing allowed the park to open its water park attractions, but left Rampage closed among other attractions through the 2002 season.[23][24][25] After several amusement groups looked at buying the park and participants of the inter-municipal cooperation backed out,[26][27] the park was sold to Team Pro Parks, a California-based venture.[28][29] The venture, operating under Southland Entertainment Group, refurbished the idle Rampage roller coaster for its reopening season.[30][31] Rampage was renovated by John Hinde Enterprises[30] and opened on May 26, 2003, in the Magic Adventure (later named as Alabama Adventure)[32] portion of Vision Land.[33][34]

Vision Land was sold to General Attractions in January 2012.[35] The new ownership announced the park that included Rampage would close indefinitely, with the water park portion to open in the newly named "Splash Adventure" in April 2012. The roller coaster was planned to be sold to fund future water park developments.[36] Rampage sat dormant until the park was bought by the Dan and Natalie Koch, formerly of Holiday World, on March 13, 2014.[32][37][38] The Kochs' planned to renovate the roller coaster to open with the park in the 2015 season.[37][38] Over the period of six months, the Rampage was refurbished at the cost of $1 million. The project included restoring the entire wooden track and partial sections of wooden supports, in addition to a new train set.[39][40] The renovation also included a new lift chain and control system.[41] A preview was held for an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) event on October 25.[39] The ride re-opened to the public in 2015, with the Alabama Splash Adventure park.[42][43]

Ride experience

[edit]

After leaving the station, the train dips to the right before ascending the 120-foot (37 m) chain lift hill.[44][45] Cresting the lift hill, the train enters a left turn pre-drop before descending the 52-degree, 102-foot (31 m) drop.[44][45] At the bottom of the drop, the train banks slightly left and completes a camelback hill before ascending into a left-banked hill. Continuing the turn, the train dips, before flattening into a drop where the train completes a hill, then rises to the right into a continuous right banked turn. Continuing the turn, the train dips, slightly ascends, then exits into a drop where it completes another hill. The train ascends a right-banked turn, completes a hill, then ascends into a left-banked series of dips. The train drops and banks right before going upwards into the final brake run. The train makes a slight left, before dropping to the right into one final hill before descending into the station.[44][45][46] One cycle of the roller coaster takes about a minute and thirty seconds to complete.[17]

Characteristics

[edit]

Rampage was manufactured and built by Custom Coasters International, the 23rd project by the company,[47] and designed by Larry Bill.[7][17] Rampage was built with around 1,200 concrete footers[17] and 650,000 board feet (1,500 m3) of lumber assembled with southern yellow pine.[17][47] The roller coaster has a total track length of 3,500 feet (1,100 m).[17] Rampage's layout is largely based on Megafobia at Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom, which was also built by CCI.[14][17] Park officials chose the wooden roller coaster type for Rampage because of its older-style and cost; which was built for US$4.3 million dollars.[14][17][45]

Rampage is considered a twister roller coaster because the track's layout weaves through itself.[17][47] The roller coaster features 9 crossovers and 12 curves.[14][17][45] The roller coaster reaches a top speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h).[9] When it opened, the roller coaster operated with two Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) trains. Each train had six cars that contain two rows of two seats, allowing a maximum capacity of 24 people.[17] Each set contains a lap bar restraint system as well as a seat belt.[17][48]

Reception

[edit]

Upon its initial opening, Rampage received generally positive reviews from critics. Steve Joynt, writing for the Birmingham Post-Herald, commented that Rampage was "the undisputed star of the show" out of Vision Land's opening attractions, and favorably commented on the initial drop.[15] Joynt further commented on the roller coaster's fast pacing, head chopper moments, and resonance of the overall ride experience as "the cars truly roar down the hills".[15] Writing for The Anniston Star, Jeff Amy described Rampage as having "delivered on the promise" of enjoyment foretold by the roller coaster's operator, delivering "an adrenaline-induced tingle".[49] Amy remarked that although Rampage was a "fine coaster", it could not compare to the roller coaster lineup at theme park chains such as Six Flags.[49]

Rampage also received generally favorable reviews from amusement industry personnel and critics. Staff of The Birmingham News recorded an ACE member's reaction to Rampage, who stated the roller coaster had promising air time, speed, and height.[45] Then-ACE president, Jan Kiser, was quoted by Joynt as having ascertained positive reviews about Rampage from members because of the roller coaster's defining features.[17] Tim O'Brien of the amusement park trade magazine, Amusement Business, inducted Rampage as his 3rd best wooden coaster and the 5th best overall coaster; citing the roller coaster's hills, drops, and location as factors in his placement.[50]

Awards

[edit]
Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022
Ranking 17[51] 3[52] 4[53] 7[54] 10[55] 15[56] 13[57] 17[58] 15[59] 27[60] 20 (tie)[61] 28[62] 33[63] 32[64] 28[65] 37[66] 21[67] 30 (tie)[68] 34[69] 33[70] 36[71]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Patterson, Nick (August 31, 1995). "VisionLand will be reality". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. C1, C3. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Reeves, Jay (November 28, 1995). "Vision beckons: Hopes soar for western-area theme park". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. D1, D3. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Legislative OK clears way for VisionLand park". The Montgomery Advertiser. March 22, 1996. p. 4B. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Cities break ground on new theme park". The Montgomery Advertiser. April 20, 1996. p. 2F. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Baldwin, Amy (November 30, 1996). "Thrill builder, not seeker". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. C1. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "VisionLand opening planned for May '98". The Anniston Star. March 5, 1997. p. 11A. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Roller coaster to be park's centerpiece". The Montgomery Advertiser. June 18, 1996. p. 6B. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Pierce, Phil (September 21, 1997). "Visionland Coming Into Focus Lots To Be Done At". Birmingham News. p. 13-A – via NewsBank.
  9. ^ a b Pierce, Phil (December 3, 1997). "High, long and fast: VisionLand's roller coaster reached pinnacle". Birmingham News. p. 1-A – via NewsBank.
  10. ^ Thomas, Chandra (December 5, 1997). "Amusement ahead: But Does VisionLand Face A Bumpy Ride?". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. A1. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Gordon, Robert K. (December 16, 1997). "VisionLand's roller coaster: 'Rampage'". Birmingham News. p. 1-B – via NewsBank.
  12. ^ "Update". Birmingham News. December 15, 1997. pp. 1–B – via NewsBank.
  13. ^ Pierce, Phil (March 25, 1998). "Riders Test VisionLand's Rampage". Birmingham News. p. 2-B – via NewsBank.
  14. ^ a b c d McCready, Neal (April 1, 1998). "10-year dream becomes real". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. B1, B3. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b c Joynt, Steve (May 18, 1998). "VisionLand delivers on its promise". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. A1. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Williams, Roy L. (May 14, 1998). "State tourism expected to record $5 billion". Birmingham News. p. 1-B.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Joynt, Steve (May 23, 1998). "Wooden Wonder: Old-style roller coasters are thundering in for a big comeback". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. C1, C4. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "VisionLand's success". Birmingham Post-Herald. August 1, 1998. p. 7A. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Reeves, Jay (September 24, 1998). "Amusement park to make tidy profit". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. D2. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ C. Singleton III, William (October 12, 1999). "Weird weather hurts attendance". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Kizzire, Jamie (May 29, 2001). "Good holiday boosts hopes: VisionLand aims marketing at Montgomery, Huntsville". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 1D. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Gordon, Robert K. (May 31, 2002). "VisionLand water park gets money to open, Bankruptcy filing is planned for next week". Birmingham News. p. 1-B – via NewsBank.
  23. ^ a b "VisionLand files for bankruptcy". The Anniston Star. June 6, 2002. p. 1B. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "VisionLand's opening". Birmingham Post-Herald. June 15, 2002. p. 9A. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "VisionLand Attendance Suffers: Theme park offers limited selection of rides". The Montgomery Advertiser. July 3, 2002. p. 3C. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Troubled Theme Park: Two companies interested in VisionLand". The Montgomery Advertiser. August 12, 2002. p. 3C. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Vision lost". Birmingham Post-Herald. September 21, 2002. p. 7A. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "California company buys VisionLand for $5.25 million". The Anniston Star. October 23, 2002. p. 4B. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "California Company to Buy VisionLand". The Montgomery Advertiser. October 24, 2002. p. 10C. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ a b Tomberlin, Michael (March 1, 2003). "VisionLand targets May reopening". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. 1A, 6A. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "VisionLand set to reopen in late May". The Montgomery Advertiser. March 3, 2003. p. 3C. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ a b John (March 14, 2014). "Koch Family Buys Alabama's Splash Adventure". Coaster101. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  33. ^ Sullivan, Erin (May 27, 2003). "Visionland makes a splash". Birmingham Post-Herald. pp. D1-D2. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Visionland, Alabama Now two parks ..." The Montgomery Advertiser (Advertisement). June 29, 2003. p. 34. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Tomberlin, Michael (April 4, 2012). "New Splash Adventure to expand water park in Bessemer (slideshow, video)". Birmingham News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  36. ^ Welch, Chris (July 12, 2012). "Former Visionland amusement park reinvented as Splash Adventure". The Huntsville Times. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Swiatek, Jeff (March 24, 2014). "Ex-exec of Holiday World buys Splash Adventure in Alabama". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Tomberlin, Michael (March 16, 2014). "Koch Family has five-year plan to take Splash Adventure to new heights". Birmingham News. p. 14A – via NewsBank.
  39. ^ a b John, Stevenson (October 28, 2014). "Rampage Rides Again at Splash Adventure". Coaster101. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  40. ^ Staff (October 22, 2014). "Alabama Splash Adventure to debut restored roller coaster". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  41. ^ "Alabama's Splash Adventure water park headed up by group led by Dan Koch" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (2): 17. May 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  42. ^ Tomberlin, Michael (July 2, 2015). "Alabama Splash Adventure enjoying 2015 attendance boost". Alabama NewsCenter. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  43. ^ Moore, Tamika (August 3, 2016). "11 Cool things to do at Alabama Splash Adventure". Birmingham News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Rampage - Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure (Bessemer, Alabama, United States)". Roller Coaster Database. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  45. ^ a b c d e f Staff (July 26, 1998). "Rampage". Birmingham News. p. 1-J – via NewsBank.
  46. ^ "Rampage front seat on-ride 4K POV @60fps Alabama Splash Adventure". CoasterForce. September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ a b c Pierce, Phil (May 21, 1998). "View Of The Thrill Looms Over Park As Rampage". Birmingham News. p. 4-D – via NewsBank.
  48. ^ Joynt, Steve (May 18, 1998). "VisionLand delivers on its promise". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. A1. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ a b Amy, Jeff (May 21, 1998). "Visionland keeps its eye on the future". The Anniston Star. p. 3E. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ Pierce, Phil (December 15, 1998). "Rampage placed in top 5 coasters". Birmingham News. p. 1B – via NewsBank.
  51. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  52. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  53. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  54. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  55. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  56. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  57. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  58. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  59. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  60. ^ "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 12, 2017.
  61. ^ "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 12, 2017.
  62. ^ "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 12, 2017.
  63. ^ "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 12, 2017.
  64. ^ "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 12, 2017.
  65. ^ "2015 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  66. ^ "2016 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  67. ^ "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  68. ^ "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  69. ^ "2019 Top 50 Wood Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  70. ^ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  71. ^ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rampage_(roller_coaster)&oldid=1225669351"