Themed after a 1950’s hot rod, Lightning
Rod is the world’s first launched wooden coaster and recent (as of 2016)
addition to RMC’s (Rocky Mountain Construction) impressive portfolio. A
terrain coaster, it’s built on a mountain and hidden from view except for the
lift hill, overbanked turn at the end of the ride and small section of track
leading into the turn. So for anyone
riding it for the first time, there’s an element of suspense in that you don’t
know what you’re letting yourself in for.
With six cars seating two across in two
rows for a total of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn out of the loading
station and approaches the lift hill, where it is launched. (The restraint consists of a lap bar and shin
guard, the same restraint system on other RMC creations.)
The launch is an
unusual one in that coasters are typically stationary when launched whereas
this one is already in motion. Also
unusual is that the launch becomes progressively faster instead of remaining at
the same speed. Upon reaching the top of
the lift the train takes a short, deceptive drop before rising and dropping a
breathtaking 165 feet at a 73-degree angle.
It then takes riders on a fast-paced course of steeply banked turns,
veering left (breaking wave turn)/ right/ left/ right/ left/ right. In the midst of this is the so-called “twist
and shout” element, which has riders breezing through a section of crazily
twisted track. The quick changes of
direction, interspersed with airtime hills, make it almost impossible to
anticipate what’s coming next. On one of
the turns riders are thrown somewhat forcefully to the left. The latter part of the ride features a double
up and quadruple down leading into a 180-degree overbanked right turn
(publicized as a “non-inverting half loop”), from which the train descends and
veers right before hitting the brake run.
The ride is short but absolutely amazing. What makes it amazing is the combination of
velocity, novelty and unpredictability.
There was so much being thrown at me that I found it difficult to
process. It offers good airtime with
some nice lateral G’s. From start to finish,
Lightning Rod is electrifying. 5 out of
5 stars. For more information about
rides at Dollywood, visit www.dollywood.com/
