Canyon Blaster (Six Flags Great Escape)

Canyon Blaster
Previously known as Timber Topper at Opryland USA (1972–late 1970s)
Rock n' Roller Coaster at Opryland USA (late 1970s–1997)
Loading station, both lift hills with flume of the Desperado Plunge in right foreground.
Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor
Park sectionGhosttown
Coordinates43°21′6.71″N 73°41′29.93″W / 43.3518639°N 73.6916472°W / 43.3518639; -73.6916472
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 27, 2003
Opryland USA
Park sectionDoo-Wah Diddy City
Coordinates36°12′29″N 86°41′42″W / 36.208°N 86.695°W / 36.208; -86.695
StatusRemoved
Opening date1972
Closing date1997
General statistics
TypeSteel – Mine Train
ManufacturerArrow Development
ModelMine Train
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height56 ft (17 m)
Length2,036 ft (621 m)
Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration2 min. 30 sec.
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
Fast Lane available
Canyon Blaster at RCDB

Canyon Blaster is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury, New York, United States.

History

Canyon Blaster originally opened as Timber Topper at the now-defunct Opryland USA amusement park in Nashville, Tennessee. Manufactured by Arrow Development, the ride opened with the park in 1972 and remained its only full-size coaster until Wabash Cannonball opened in 1975. It had a rustic mine train theme. In the late 1970s, the coaster was renamed Rock n' Roller Coaster when its area within the park was rethemed to "Doo-Wah Diddy City", paying homage to the doo-wop music of the 1950s. As part of the retheming, its trains and buildings associated with the ride were repainted in bright pastel colors.

After Opryland USA closed in 1997, the coaster was disassembled and sold to Premier Parks. After being stored at Old Indiana Fun Park in Thorntown, Indiana for several years, the ride was relocated to The Great Escape Fun Park in Queensbury, New York and renamed Canyon Blaster in 2003.

On May 30, 2013, The Great Escape Fun Park announced that Canyon Blaster would be running backwards during the 2013 season.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Screamin' Eagles Have Landed at The Great Escape". Great Escape. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.