Wikipedia
Rocky Mountain Construction
Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) is a manufacturing and construction company based in Hayden, Idaho, United States. It is best known for its I-Box track and Topper Track for wooden roller coasters. Founded by Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon in 2001, it has built over 20 roller coasters. In 2023, amusement ride manufacturer Larson International merged with it.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing and construction |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Services | Roller coasters, water parks, specialty construction |
| Website | www |
History edit
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2022) |
In 2001, Rocky Mountain Construction was established by Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon. Fred Grubb previously had experience in the construction industry having worked on custom homes and zoo exhibits. The company has worked on several projects including the construction of roller coasters, water parks, steel buildings, miniature golf courses and go kart tracks.[1]
In 2009 Alan Schilke of Ride Centerline began providing design and engineering work for Rocky Mountain Construction. He previously worked with Arrow Dynamics (later S&S Worldwide) to design Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express, and X.[2][3][4] Working with Rocky Mountain Construction, Schilke and Grubb designed the I-Box track for wooden roller coasters.[5] The first installation of this track technology debuted on New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas in 2011.[6]
In late 2011, Schilke announced that the company would be working on two projects throughout 2012 which would both open in 2013.[7] These were later revealed to be an I-Box retrack of The Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and a new roller coaster designed from scratch at Silver Dollar City named Outlaw Run.[8][9] The track technology used for Outlaw Run, which allows a square beam of wood to be twisted, took 4 years to develop. It allows Rocky Mountain Construction to design layouts with maneuvers that are not traditionally possible with wooden roller coasters such as heartline rolls. Grubb has stated the technology could be used for new elements in the future.[10] Some new elements were realized with the announcement of Goliath at Six Flags Great America. The ride features a dive loop and a zero-g stall. The ride opened in June 2014.[11]
In 2013, Rocky Mountain Construction signed a deal with Dutch amusement ride firm Vekoma. The agreement allows Vekoma to sell Rocky Mountain Construction's roller coasters outside the North American market.[12] In 2014, Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden announced plans to build the first Rocky Mountain coaster in Europe called Wildfire, which opened on June 28, 2016.[13] To handle increased demand, Rocky Mountain Construction opened a new factory, twice the size of their existing one, in August 2014.[14]
In a press release on April 11, 2023, amusement ride manufacturer Larson International, known for its Fire Ball models, merged with Rocky Mountain Construction.[15]
Technology edit
- I-Box Track (also known as Iron Horse Track) – Rocky Mountain Construction's most common product. A formation of replacement steel track for wooden roller coasters. The first installation of this track was on New Texas Giant in Six Flags Over Texas.[16][17]
- I-Box (Large Track Version) - Specifically designed to run the S&S Free Spin 4D coaster clones.
- Topper Track – Having been installed on several coasters around the United States.[18][19][20] The track is designed to reduce the maintenance required for a wooden roller coaster and provide a smoother ride experience.[19][21] This steel track replaces the upper layers of laminated wood.[21]
- Wooden roller coaster trains – specifically designed to run on the company's own Topper Track, however, they could be added to other wooden roller coasters as well. The trains feature steel wheels as opposed to polyurethane wheels found on most trains.[7][8]
- 208 Retrack - Debuting in 2021 on Silverwood's Tremors roller coaster, similar to the I-box track, 208 is designed to be used as a replacement for sections of old wooden coasters to decrease maintenance and add lifespan to the coaster as well as increase rider comfort and enjoyment.
- Wild Moose - a complete reinvention of the classic wild mouse coaster, with entirely redesigned trains that is made to fit anywhere.
- Raptor Track – A single rail steel track that features inline seating for passengers.
- T-Rex Track – Similar to Raptor track, the T-Rex track is a single rail track. It is a larger single rail model that permits two seat-wide trains on the track rather than one.
- Swing Axle Trains - Debuting in 2018 on Twisted Timbers, the Swing axle train features a pivoting front axle allowing for smoother transitions between elements.
List of roller coasters edit
As of August 2023, Rocky Mountain Construction has built or refurbished 25 roller coasters around the world, all of which are currently operating, and two more are being constructed.[22]
| Name | Model | Park | Country | Converted From | Opened | Status | Ref | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Texas Giant | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Over Texas | United States | Texas Giant | 2011 | Operating | [23] [6] | |
| Outlaw Run | Topper Track - Wood | Silver Dollar City | United States | N/A | 2013 | Operating | [24] | |
| Iron Rattler | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | United States | Rattler | 2013 | Operating | [25] [8] [26] | |
| Medusa Steel Coaster | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Mexico | Mexico | Medusa | 2014 | Operating | [27] | |
| Goliath | Topper Track - Wood | Six Flags Great America | United States | N/A | 2014 | Operating | [28] | |
| Twisted Colossus | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Magic Mountain | United States | Colossus | 2015 | Operating | [29] [30] | |
| Wicked Cyclone | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags New England | United States | Cyclone | 2015 | Operating | [31] [32] | |
| Wildfire | Topper Track - Wood | Kolmården | Sweden | N/A | 2016 | Operating | [33] [13] | |
| Storm Chaser | I-Box - Steel | Kentucky Kingdom | United States | Twisted Twins | 2016 | Operating | [34] | |
| The Joker | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | United States | ROAR | 2016 | Operating | [35] | |
| Lightning Rod | Topper Track & I-Box - Wood & steel[36] | Dollywood | United States | N/A | 2016 | Operating | ||
| Twisted Timbers | I-Box - Steel | Kings Dominion | United States | Hurler | 2018 | Operating | [37] | |
| Steel Vengeance | I-Box - Steel | Cedar Point | United States | Mean Streak | 2018 | Operating | [38] | |
| Twisted Cyclone | I-Box - Steel | Six Flags Over Georgia | United States | Georgia Cyclone | 2018 | Operating | [39] | |
| Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster | Raptor Track - Steel | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | United States | N/A | 2018 | Operating | [40] [41] | |
| RailBlazer | Raptor Track - Steel | California's Great America | United States | N/A | 2018 | Operating | [42] | |
| Hakugei | I-Box - Steel | Nagashima Spa Land | Japan | White Cyclone | 2019 | Operating | [43] | |
| Untamed | I-Box - Steel | Walibi Holland | Netherlands | Robin Hood | 2019 | Operating | [44] [45] | |
| Zadra | I-Box - Steel | Energylandia | Poland | N/A | 2019 | Operating | [46] | |
| Stunt Pilot | Raptor Track - Steel | Silverwood Theme Park | United States | N/A | 2021 | Operating | [47] | |
| Jersey Devil Coaster | Raptor Track - Steel | Six Flags Great Adventure | United States | N/A | 2021 | Operating | [48] | |
| Iron Gwazi | I-Box - Steel | Busch Gardens Tampa | United States | Gwazi | 2022 | Operating | [49] | |
| Wonder Woman Flight of Courage | Raptor Track - Steel | Six Flags Magic Mountain | United States | N/A | 2022 | Operating | [50] | |
| ArieForce One | I-Box - Steel | Fun Spot Atlanta | United States | N/A | 2023 | Operating | [51][52] | |
| Wildcat's Revenge | I-Box - Steel | Hersheypark | United States | Wildcat | 2023 | Operating | [53] | |
| Fire In The Hole | I-Box - Steel[54] | Silver Dollar City | United States | N/A | 2024 | Operating | [55] | |
| Unknown | Dueling Raptor Tracks - Steel | Walibi Holland | The Netherlands | N/A | 2025 | Under Construction | [56] | |
| Unknown | Raptor Track - Steel | Gyeongju World | South Korea | N/A | 2025 | Under Construction | [57] |
Other projects edit
Topper Track, no layout changes edit
Construction edit
- Aftershock at Silverwood Theme Park
- Corkscrew at Silverwood Theme Park
- El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- T Express at Everland
- Timber Terror at Silverwood Theme Park
- Tremors at Silverwood Theme Park
- Villain at Geauga Lake
- Timberhawk at Wild Waves Theme Park
Source:[58]
Repairs edit
- The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis
- Corkscrew at Silverwood Theme Park
- Cornball Express at Indiana Beach
- Hoosier Hurricane at Indiana Beach
- Hurricane: Category 5 at Myrtle Beach Pavilion
- Mega Zeph at Six Flags New Orleans
- Predator at Six Flags Darien Lake
- Psyclone at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom[59]
- Timber Terror at Silverwood Theme Park
- Tremors at Silverwood Theme Park
- Twister II at Elitch Gardens Theme Park
- Hurler at Kings Dominion
- Blazing Fury at Dollywood
Source:[58]
Miscellaneous edit
- Boulder Beach – water park
- Great Escape – Skycoaster installation
- Six Flags America – Skycoaster installation
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – Skycoaster installation
- S&S Free Spin 4D clones - Construction of the track using the I-Box Large Version
- Kentucky Kingdom – Skycoaster installation
- Stoneridge Resort – miniature golf course
- Triple Play Indoor Water Park – water park
- Utah Olympic Park – Xtreme ZipRiders
- Wild Water West – water park, go kart track and miniature golf course
Source:[58]
References edit
- ^ . Rocky Mountain Construction. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tennessee Tornado (Dollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "X2 (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ US patent 6523479, Schilke, Alan & et al, "Amusement rides and methods", issued February 25, 2003, assigned to Morano, S. Joseph
- ^ US application 2011146528, Schilke, Alan; Grubb, Fred; Bachtar, Dody, "Rolling Vehicle Track"
- ^ a b "NEW Texas Giant Named Best New Ride of 2011". PR Newswire. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Alvey, Robb; Schilke, Alan (November 16, 2011). "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 3 Orlando Florida Theme Park Review Rocky Mountain Sally". Theme Park Review. YouTube. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ a b c McLean, Mike (January 19, 2012). "North Idaho roller coaster maker expands to accommodate innovations". Journal of Business. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Olson, Devon (2013). Outlaw Run: From Dreams To Screams. Branson, Missouri: YouTube. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ^ . August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ "Vekoma rides on". Park World Magazine: 30. November 2013.
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Wildfire (Kolmården Wildlife Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- ^ Grubb, Fred (June 25, 2014). "Fred and Suanne". NewsPlusNotes (Interview). Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ Gregory, John (April 11, 2023). "Coaster firm RMC merging with Larson International - Theme Park Tribune, theme park news". Theme Park Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Sandy, Adam (May 2011). "Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ . Park World Online. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ a b Rocky Mountain Construction (October 15, 2010). "Tremors Coaster Topper Track Installation". Photos. Facebook. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ a b . Six Flags. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ "Two Six Flags Rides Receive "Topper Track" for 2011". NewsPlusNotes. March 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ a b . Coaster-Net. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ Rocky Mountain Construction - rcdb.com
- ^ Marden, Duane. "New Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Outlaw Run (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Iron Rattler (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Morton, Neal (August 30, 2012). "Steel up for Iron Rattler". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Medusa Steel Coaster (Six Flags México)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Goliath (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ MacDonald, Brady. "Six Flags Magic Mountain turning wooden coaster into Twisted Colossus". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wicked Cyclone (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildfire (Kolmården)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Storm Chaser (Kentucky Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Lightning Rod (Dollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Timbers (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Cyclone (Six Flags Over Georgia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Levine, Arthur. "Exclusive: Six Flags to debut single-rail Wonder Woman coaster". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "RailBlazer (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Hakugei (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Untamed (Walibi Holland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ "Walibi Holland vervangt Robin Hood door hypermoderne achtbaan". Looopings (in Dutch). February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Zadra (Energylandia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Stunt Pilot (Silverwood Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jersey Devil Coaster (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Iron Gwazi (Busch Gardens Tampa)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "ArieForce One (Fun Spot America Atlanta)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Fun Spot America Announces partnership with Rocky Mountain Construction". Fun Spot America Theme Parks. May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ News, Skook. "Hersheypark Announces New Hybrid Rollercoaster". Retrieved February 9, 2023.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ beaver, marketing (September 7, 2023). "Fire In The Hole". Rocky Mountain Construction. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Fire In The Hole (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown (Walibi Holland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown (Gyeongju World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ a b c . Rocky Mountain Construction. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Kentucky Kingdom (July 28, 2013). "Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
External links edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rocky Mountain Construction.
- Official website