Suspended Looping Coaster

Layouts

The layout of most Suspended Looping Coasters is the 689m Standard. The additional dotted helix is found only on some extended models.

There are several different layouts of Suspended Looping Coasters although most feature a similar pattern.^[2] The ride starts by taking riders up a 33.3-metre (109 ft) chain hill.^[4] Once at the top, the train goes down a steep, banked turn to the right where it enters the first inversion element - a roll over. A roll over (also known as a Sea serpent roll) first features a Sidewinder quickly followed by a reverse sidewinder.^[5] Upon exit from this element, the train goes up a hill which features some banking at the top before descending and approaching the ride's next inversion - a sidewinder.^[4] A sidewinder is similar to an Immelmann loop however it features a half loop followed by a half corkscrew (rather than an inline twist).^[6] From the exit of this sidewinder, the train goes into a sharp helix before entering the ride's final two inversions - inline twists. These two twists are followed one after the other. A banked curve to the right turns the train back around to face towards the station. At this point some models feature an additional helix to the left while others simply continue straight into the brake run.^[4] The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing for "footchoppers".

Vekoma have also manufactured two custom Suspended Looping Coasters: Fly - The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is really just a standard SLC with custom station and supports) and Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island.^[7]

Trains

Close up of an SLC wheel assembly

Many Suspended Looping Coasters operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with as few as seven cars. Poorly maintained, poor track layout or most likely non-exact track manufacturing can cause SLCs riders to experience notoriously painful "head banging", whereby the head hits the Over the Shoulder Restraints. They also use very small plastic seats with little or no room for a person to move. Contrary to popular belief, the wheel spacing on the trains (the 'gaps' between the side friction wheels, up-stop wheels and the track) adds little to the roughness of these rides. Vekoma is currently manufacturing new trains with convenient hip harnesses. Unlike the first generation of trains, this modification will make the overall ride experience more comfortable. Vekoma also makes vest-like harnesses that allow to rider to sit more comfortably while riding. The only three known places to have these trains are Morey's Piers,^[8], Isla Magica in Spain and Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA. In 2012, Lethal Weapon - The Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World reopened as Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy. The newly opened ride runs with trains manufactured by Kumbak and uses less restrictive harnesses which are similar, but not identical to, the vest-like restraints found on the SLCs at Morey's Piers and Isla Magica.^[9]

The Suspended Looping Coaster is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters, however unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLC's use two-across seating.

• 
  A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster train seats riders 2 across.
• 
  A Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Roller Coaster train seats riders 4 across.

Mind Eraser

Mind Eraser
Six Flags America
Park section	Coyote Creek
Coordinates	38°54′23″N 76°46′35″W / 38.906284°N 76.776318°W / 38.906284; -76.776318
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 20, 1995 (1995-05-20)
Cost	$8,500,000 USD
Mind Eraser at Six Flags America at RCDB Pictures of Mind Eraser at Six Flags America at RCDB
Darien Lake
Park section	Niagara Frontier
Coordinates	42°55′34″N 78°22′59″W / 42.926161°N 78.382924°W / 42.926161; -78.382924
Status	Operating
Opening date	1997 (1997)
Cost	$8,500,000 USD
Suspended Looping Coaster at Darien Lake at RCDB Pictures of Suspended Looping Coaster at Darien Lake at RCDB
Elitch Gardens
Coordinates	39°44′59″N 105°00′49″W / 39.749589°N 105.013739°W / 39.749589; -105.013739
Status	Operating
Opening date	1997 (1997)
Cost	$8,500,000 USD
Suspended Looping Coaster at Elitch Gardens at RCDB Pictures of Suspended Looping Coaster at Elitch Gardens at RCDB
General statistics
Type	Steel – Inverted
Manufacturer	Vekoma
Model	Suspended Looping Coaster-689m Standard
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	109.3 ft (33.3 m)
Drop	91 ft (28 m)
Length	2,260.5 ft (689.0 m)
Speed	49.7 mph (80.0 km/h)
Duration	1:36
Max vertical angle	59°
Capacity	832 riders per hour
G-force	3.1
Height restriction	52 in (132 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available at the Six Flags parks.

The Mind Eraser is a steel inverted roller coaster at three different Six Flags and EPR theme parks. Built by Vekoma, they are of the most common and standard Suspended Looping Coaster model that is found in many theme parks; at least fifteen other parks around the world have exactly the same ride under other names. The Mind Eraser was introduced in 1995 and was one of the first suspended looping coasters built in the world. The train dispaches and climbs the 109-foot (33 m) lift hill, before dropping down a steep, curved drop. The train then enters the roll over, followed by a hill with a banked turn to the left. At the bottom of the hill comes a sidewinder (similar to an Immelman loop), followed by a 270 degree turn to the right. Next comes two inline twists. A turn to the left is then entered, followed by some banked rises and descents and the brake run.

All four of the Mind Erasers are Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster models, also known as SLCs. They are the standard model. Dozens of SLCs identical to Mind Eraser exist around the world, and even more exist if you take into account slight modifications to the layout, and even completely different layouts.

• 
  Mind Eraser directly before the roll over
• 
  Mind Eraser's signature roll over
• 
  Mind Eraser directly before the sidewinder
• 
  Mind Eraser preparing to enter its brake run
• 
  Darien Lake's Mind Eraser

Locations

• Six Flags America – May 20, 1995
• Darien Lake – 1997
• Elitch Gardens – 1997
• Six Flags New England 1997-2017