Thunderation (Stylized as ThuNderaTion) is a steel mine train roller coaster located at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the ride opened in 1993.[1] Originally, the third and fifth cars of each roller coaster train faced backward, but they were repositioned to face forward sometime after the 2010 season.[2]

Thunderation
Thunderation's helix
Silver Dollar City
LocationSilver Dollar City
Coordinates36°40′06″N 93°20′16″W / 36.6684°N 93.3379°W / 36.6684; -93.3379
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 10, 1993 (1993-04-10)
General statistics
TypeSteel – Mine Train
ManufacturerArrow Dynamics
ModelMine Train
Track layoutTerrain
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height81 ft (25 m)
Length3,022 ft (921 m)
Speed48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration2:10
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
Trains2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 36 riders per train.
Thunderation at RCDB

Rider Experience

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The train (the front part of the roller coaster looks like the locomotive of a steam train) leaves the station, takes a 180 degree right turn, goes straight forward, and makes a 180 degree left turn. The train enters a right turn helix, followed by a tunnel. Next, the train takes a 270 degree left turn. After going straight the train takes another 90 degree right turn drops into a short tunnel. The train goes up the lift hill, out of the tunnel. There is a 270 degree left turn. Finally, the train goes down the drop, and turns right 90 degrees into the station.

On some ride signs, the name is stylized as "ThuNderaTion", a reference to TNT to coincide with the ride's mining theme.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Throgmorton, Todd (2000). Roller Coasters: United States and Canada. McFarland. p. 287. ISBN 0-7864-0896-0.
  2. ^ Marden, Duane. "Thunderation  (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  3. ^ Pictures of Thunderation
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