Boulder Dash (Lake Compounce)

Roller coaster in the United States
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Boulder Dash
Lake Compounce
Location Bristol, Connecticut, USA
Coordinates 41°38′28″N 72°55′28″W / 41.6409940°N 72.924352°W / 41.6409940; -72.924352
Status Operating since May 21, 2000
Cost $6,000,000 USD
Statistics
Manufacturer Custom Coasters International, Inc.
Designer / calculations Larry Bill
Type Wooden - Terrain
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 110 feet
Elevation change 140 feet
Drop 115 feet
Top speed 60 mph
Length 4725 feet
Inversions 0
Duration 2:30
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Riders per train 24
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Boulder Dash is a wooden terrain roller coaster located at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, USA. It opened on May 21, 2000 and was designed by Custom Coasters International, Inc.[1]

History

The roller coaster was revealed on March 25, 1999,[1] with the name Boulder Dash announced later that year in October.[2] Boulder Dash opened on May 21, 2000.[3]

Starting in 2007, almost all of the track was replaced by Great Coasters International. For the 2008 season, the company replaced the trick track with a triple-up.[4]

In 2017, Boulder Dash received a retracking by Martin & Vleminckx to help smooth out rough patches and replace rotting wood. This also removed the triple-up hill located near the end of the ride, replacing it with a double-up hill.[5]

The ride was refurbished in 2023 with the addition of 580 feet of Titan Track to the first drop and curve. The new track was designed by Skyline Attractions and manufactured and installed by Great Coasters International.[6] An additional 280 feet of Titan Track was installed for the 2024 season.[7]

Design

Elements

Boulder Dash is built on the side of a mountain and follows the natural terrain. It features an initial drop of 115 feet and a total elevation change of 140 feet.[1]

Trains

2 trains with 6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 24 riders per train. The trains were built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.

Incident

During a morning test run on June 13, 2001, a 23-year-old park employee was killed after being struck by a train.[8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lake Compounce Unveils New Mountain Coaster - Ultimate Rollercoaster
  2. Lake Compounce 2000 - News Articles (Wayback archive)
  3. "COASTER'S SETTING SETS IT APART".
  4. Boulder Dash - Great Coasters International
  5. "The History of Boulder Dash: The Coaster That Saved Lake Compounce".
  6. "Titan Track installed on Lake Compounce's Boulder Dash for 2023 Season". Skyline Attractions. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  7. "Skyline Attractions partnering with Great Coasters International, Inc. on Titan Track enhancements for Boulder Dash roller coaster". Skyline Attractions. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  8. Lake Compounce Employee Killed on Roller Coaster - Ultimate Rollercoaster

External links


Articles on Lake Compounce