The Ultimate Thrill

Seven record-setting roller coasters around the world

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a roller coaster. We explore how these rides developed from 17th Century ice slides to become the behemoth attractions they are today. We also introduce you to seven record-setting coasters around the world.

Who doesn’t remember the thrill of riding their first roller coaster? These days, theme parks around the world are abound with twisting, roaring, looping, and sometimes terrifying coasters with equally creative names to match – Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist, or California Screamin’, to name a few. Perhaps even more impressive is that these marvels of engineering have been around for more than two centuries.

Montagnes de Belleville

The inspiration for roller coasters can be traced as far back as the 17th Century, when riders on wooden sleds would careen down ice slides in Russia. When a French businessman wanted to replicate these »Russian Mountains« in his native country, he quickly faced a logistical nightmare: it simply wasn’t cold enough to maintain the ice. So in 1817, the world’s first ride that saw sleds with wheels locked to a track was built – Les Montagues Russes a Bellevilles (The Russian Mountains of Belleville). In the United States, meanwhile, operators of the Mauch Chunk coal railway turned their track into a novelty attraction for passengers in 1829. It wasn’t until 1884 that American inventor and businessman LaMarcus Thompson developed what is considered the world’s first roller coaster purely for the purpose of recreation, the Gravity Pleasure Switchback Railway, on Coney Island.

Today, of course, we have roller coasters that loop dozens of times, break highway speed limits, and warn the less brave that maybe this ride isn’t for them. Here are seven record setting roller coasters that have played a significant historical role and continue to shape the future of thrill rides…

Switchback Railway

The world’s first amusement roller coaster

Coney Island, USA

Thompson’s masterpiece reached a top speed of 10 km/h when it was completed in 1884, and cost just five cents to ride. It featured a 183-metre track that spanned two towers, with bench-like cars descending a 13-metre drop on one side before ascending to the top of the other. The vehicle would then be switched back to return on the other side of the track, hence the name.

Scenic Railway

The world's oldest continuallyoperating roller coaster

Luna Park, Australia

First opened in 1912, this foremost classic is still attracting visitors to this day. It was originally built from 65,000 metres of Canadian Oregon pine and offers stunning views of Port Phillip Bay. Despite its age, the Scenic Railway is capable of reaching speeds up to 60 km/h.

Kingda Ka

The world’s tallest rollercoaster

Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, USA

From the world’s fastest to the tallest, a title Kingda Ka is likely to retain for a while. This coaster shoots riders up a 139-metre tower before a mid-air U-turn sets them on course to drop back towards the earth. Oh, and it speeds along at over 200 km/h on top of that. Check out front seat videos of Kingda Ka on YouTube for a taste of what you can expect.

If you were impressed by the above, you’ll be blown away by the fact that Abu Dhabi’s Formula Rossa boasts a top speed of 239 km/h. Even more astonishing is that reaches that apex in just four seconds. Fun fact: the ride is a major hit with Formula One riders, with Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen all having added their names to the guest list.

The Smiler

The roller coaster with the most inversions

Staffordshire, U.K.

This is the ultimate choice for thrill-seekers. The Smiler winds its way through a mesmerizing 14 inversions, so be sure to leave some time between hopping aboard and your last meal. There are other factors that make it one of the craziest rides on the planet, too, including a 4.5 G-force, 30-metre drop, and – perhaps nothing to boast about – a series of technical issues and incidents leading to injury since its opening.

Expedition Everest

The world’s most expensive roller coaster

Walt Disney World, Florida, USA

Walt Disney World went all-in to build Expedition Everest, which opened in 2006 with an astonishing 94-million euro price tag. What makes it so special? The track spans 1.3 kilometres, for one, and winds its way through a mountain at speeds up to 80 km/h. The ride is supposed to replicate a trip though the Himalayas to the base of Mount Everest, so if you’ve been toying with the idea of visiting Nepal, this might be your next best bet.

Steel Dragon 2000

The world’s longest roller coaster

Nagashima Spa Land, Nagashima, Japan

This mammoth coaster takes you on a fourminute journey over 2,500 metres of track, which is longer than most people can commit to sitting down and watching a video. Two tunnels and top speed of 153 km/h do their part in keeping riders interested, not to mention a drop of almost 100 metres in height.

Text: Christian Näthler