Storm Runner
Hersheypark
LocationHersheypark
Park sectionPioneer Frontier
Coordinates40°17′23″N 76°39′13″W / 40.28972°N 76.65361°W / 40.28972; -76.65361
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 8, 2004 (2004-05-08)
Cost$12,500,000
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelAccelerator Coaster
Lift/launch systemHydraulic Launch
Height150 ft (46 m)
Drop180 ft (55 m)
Length2,600 ft (790 m)
Speed72 mph (116 km/h)
Inversions3
Duration0:50
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1200 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 72 mph (0 to 116 km/h) in 2 seconds
G-force5
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Trains2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial website
Storm Runner at RCDB

Storm Runner is a launched roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufactured by Intamin and situated in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the Accelerator Coaster opened to the public on May 8, 2004. It reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to 72 mph (116 km/h) in two seconds. Storm Runner features a top hat element, three inversions, a dual loading station, and a magnetic braking system. In addition, it was designed to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and Trailblazer.[1]

Storm Runner is the first accelerator coaster to utilize over-the-shoulder restraints and the first to have a dual-loading station with switch tracks. It was also the first accelerator coaster to feature inversions; Kanonen at Liseberg was the second. A replica of the ride was included in RollerCoaster Tycoon 3’s Soaked expansion pack under the same name.

History

In August 2003, Hersheypark announced that it had hired Swiss roller coaster manufacturer Intamin to construct a new launched coaster in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park.[2][3] The ride would replace Balloon Flite, a children's ride that had operated for 23 years.[4] Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company was considering one of three names for the coaster: Steel Stampede, Renegade, and Storm Runner. Hershey Entertainment hosted a contest in which members of the public could vote on the name.[2][3] More than 46,000 people voted on the name over a two-week period.[5] In November 2003, before the name was officially announced, Hershey Entertainment filed a trademark for the name "Storm Runner".[6] Hershey Entertainment formally announced the coaster's name on November 5, 2003.[5] Construction of Storm Runner began in February 2004[7] and ultimately cost $12.5 million.[8][9] By April 2004, test runs for the coaster had commenced.[10]

Storm Runner first opened on May 8, 2004.[8][9] The first people to ride the coaster included members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, as well as winners of an online lottery.[9] Initially, the queue line would often be extended with ropes due to the ride's popularity. In 2005, the park added an overflow queue line located next to Trailblazer's first drop.

For the 2020 season, Storm Runner remained closed while waiting on necessary parts for maintenance and repairs that were delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.[11] Storm Runner reopened during the 2021 season.[12]

Ride experience

Storm Runner contains about 2,600 feet (790 m) of track and three inversions.[7][13] The duration of the ride is about 58 seconds (including the wait on the launch track).[14] The track has near-miss points with three attractions: the Hersheypark monorail, Dry Gulch Railroad, and Trailblazer.[8][13] As the train leaves the station, it moves through the switch track, and onto the launch track. As the train moves into position, the sound of a heartbeat is heard. After a brief pause, the train rolls backwards slightly, the brakes on the launch track retract, and a pre-recorded voice says "Now, get ready! Here we go!". As the word "go" is heard, the train is launched from 0-72 mph in 1.9 seconds.[7] Part way down the launch track, the riders' photographs are taken.[15]

Immediately following the launch, the train climbs vertically through a 150 ft top hat.[8][13] The train then drops 180 ft, reaching the top speed of 75 mph,[14] and then climbs into a 135 ft tall cobra loop, a first-of-its-kind element. After another drop, the train traverses yet another first-of-its-kind element, the Flying Snake Dive (a heartline roll followed by a dive drop). Following the final inversion, the train descends and crosses over Spring Creek and a section of Trailblazer, and under a section of the monorail. The train then rises through two banked turns, first to the right, then the left. After a brief moment of air time, the train enters the final brake run. Following the brake run, the train curves to the left, and returns to the side of the station from which it was dispatched.[15]

Launch system

Storm Runner is an Accelerator Coaster, and its trains are launched hydraulically.[16] Hershey Entertainment had chosen a hydraulic launch system because it used much less energy compared to a linear induction motor system.[16][17] The hydraulic launch system is powered by hydraulic pumps, which pumps push hydraulic fluid into several accumulators. As the hydraulic fluid fills the accumulators, it pushes on the pistons, compressing the nitrogen. A similar system is used on Top Thrill Dragster, Kingda Ka and Xcelerator, although Storm Runner was the first hydraulic launch coaster to feature inversions.[18]

Incidents

On June 26, 2018, a 9-year-old boy's safety harness allegedly could not be properly secured when he was on board one of the cars. His father (who was properly strapped in and was also riding with him) noticed that he began to feel terrified as if he felt like he was going to fall off and die from his injuries when the ride was in motion. The ride operators allegedly failed to address the concern when asked for assistance by the father. As the train exited the station, the boy got off of the ride at the last moment, leaving his father aboard as he exited the attraction.[19] It was revealed that he and his father have suffered anxiety-like symptoms as a result of the incident. A lawsuit was filed two years later on July 2, 2020.[11][19]

References

  1. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Storm Runner  (Hersheypark)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Itkowitz, Colby B. (August 6, 2003). "Hershey to go hi-tech with new coaster". Intelligencer Journal. pp. 27, 28. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Brown, Sandi Lynn (August 6, 2003). "Park unveils plans for high-speed thriller". The Daily News. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Preview weekend at Hersheypark". The Daily Journal. April 7, 2005. p. 42. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Storm Runner to roll next year". York Daily Record. November 6, 2003. p. 2. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  6. ↑ "New Hershey coaster has a name: Storm Runner". The Daily News. November 3, 2003. p. 22. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Caggeso, Mike (May 7, 2004). "Shake, rattle and roll into summer". York Daily Record. p. 60. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Kristin (May 9, 2004). "G-whiz! Storm Runner packs punch". The Sentinel. pp. 45, 47. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 Monitz, Kelly (May 16, 2004). "Taking its riders by Storm". Standard-Speaker. pp. 53, 58. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  10. ↑ Holahan, Jane (April 8, 2004). "Spring screams". Lancaster New Era. p. 61. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Miller, Matt (July 2, 2020). "Dad sues over 9-year-old son's near-death experience on Hersheypark's Storm Runner rollercoaster". pennlive. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  12. ↑ @hersheypark (June 10, 2021). "HERE WE GO! We're excited to share that Storm Runner will reopen tomorrow, Friday, June 11, weather permitting" (Tweet). Retrieved August 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
  13. 1 2 3 Faidley, Amanda (July 22, 2004). "Hersheypark - family-theme with scream". The Daily American. p. 25. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Lauer-Williams, Kathy (July 24, 2011). "Top Coaster Thrills". The Morning Call. pp. 47, 48. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Storm Runner (On-Ride) Hersheypark". Sharp Productions. June 23, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2019 – via YouTube.
  16. 1 2 Funworld. IAAPA. 2006. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  17. ↑ Vault (Firm) (2006). Vault Guide to the Top Consumer Products Employers. Vault career library. Vault. ISBN 978-1-58131-323-9. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  18. ↑ Stark, Eric G. (August 10, 2003). "More bang means more visitors to park". Sunday News. pp. 39, 48. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Tanenbaum, Michael (July 2, 2020). "Dad sues Hersheypark over son's frightening experience on Storm Runner roller coaster". PhillyVoice. Retrieved August 17, 2022.

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