RailBlazer
RailBlazer is a steel roller coaster at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the single-rail roller coaster opened in June 2018. RailBlazer is the ninth roller coaster at California's Great America, and features a 90-degree drop, three inversions, and an off-roading adventure theme.
| RailBlazer | |
|---|---|
 | |
.jpg.webp) RailBlazer's entrance | |
| California's Great America | |
| Location | California's Great America |
| Park section | NorCal County Fair |
| Coordinates | 37.3951°N 121.9737°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Soft opening date | June 9, 2018 |
| Opening date | June 14, 2018 |
| Replaced | Invertigo |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Rocky Mountain Construction |
| Designer | Alan Schilke |
| Model | Raptor - Prototype (Mirror) |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 106 ft (32 m) |
| Drop | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 1,800 ft (550 m) |
| Speed | 52 mph (84 km/h) |
| Inversions | 3 |
| Max vertical angle | 90° |
| Capacity | 600 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 1 across in a single row for a total of 8 riders per train. |
| Website | Official website |
 Fast Lane available | |
 Single rider line Available | |
| RailBlazer at RCDB | |
RailBlazer was one of two prototype single-rail coasters to open in 2018, the other being the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, whose layout is a mirror image of RailBlazer's.
History
California's Great America announced RailBlazer on August 16, 2017, and accompanied it with an official groundbreaking ceremony.[1][2] On the same day, the park released a simulated POV of the roller coaster.[3][4] RailBlazer opened to passholders on June 9, 2018, and opened to the public 5 days later.[5][6]
Ride experience
The ride begins by exiting the station and ascending a 106 feet (32 m) tall chain lift. The train then banks left making a 180 degree turn and entering a 106 feet (32 m) tall 90 degree drop, diving into a tunnel and reaching a maximum speed of 52 miles per hour (84 km/h) before entering a dive loop. The train then rises up to the right into an off-axis airtime hill, followed by a right-facing upwards helix. After the helix, the train makes a left turn and quickly drops, entering a right-facing cutback and a corkscrew. Finally, riders go through an over-banked turn to the left before hitting the brake run.[7]
Characteristics
The roller coaster is themed to California State Route 1.[1] It is meant to reflect an off-road adventure around the San Francisco Bay Area and California central coast. Multiple large rocks surround the ride, as well as a pool of water, which the queue interacts with. The trains are also built to resemble all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with handlebars, grille, headlights and bumper.
References
- Harrington, Jim (August 16, 2017). "Meet RailBlazer, new roller coaster coming to Great America". The Mercury News. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- "California's Flags Great America breaks ground on new roller coaster". ABC 7 San Francisco. August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- Gonzalez, Jennifer (August 16, 2017). "California's Great America Debuts Single Rail Steel Coaster". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- Tuttle, Brittani (August 17, 2017). "California's Great America to debut single rail steel coaster in 2018". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- "Great America's RailBlazer: Sneak peek at new roller coaster". The Mercury News (in Kinyarwanda). June 13, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Do, Kiet (June 14, 2018). "New Railblazer Roller Coast Opens At California's Great America". San Francisco Bay Area News, Weather, Sports From KPIX – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of SF. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Marden, Duane. "RailBlazer - California's Great America (Santa Clara, California, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 17, 2017.