Phoenix (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name= Phoenix

---

caption=Lift hill of Phoenix
location= Knoebels
section=
type= Wood
type2=
type3=Intermediate
status= Open
opened= June 15, 1985 (relocated)
manufacturer= Philadelphia Toboggan Company
manu2= in 1947; relocated by Knoebels staff 1985
designer= Herbert Paul Schmeck, 1947
model=
track= double Out and Back
lift= Chain lift hill
height= 78
drop= 72
length= 3200
speed= 45
inversions= 0
duration= 2:00 min
angle=
capacity= 720
cost= US$ 1,500,000 (with relocation)
acceleration=
gforce=
restriction= 42
rcdb_number= 143

"The Phoenix" is a wooden roller coaster located at the Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to its purchase by Knoebels and its subsequent relocation in the mid-1980s, it was operated under the name "The Rocket" at Playland Park in San Antonio, TX.

History

Designed and built by Herb Schmeck and the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC), the roller coaster operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Phoenix was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and 78 foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprints to work with, each individual board was numbered and catalogued on site. [http://www.knoebels.com/knoebels-history.asp]

The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It is named after the mythical phoenix bird which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. This effort, the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation ever, helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.

Features and popularity

The Phoenix coaster routinely gives a fast ride with many spots where riders experience upwards acceleration, or negative gravity. This floating sensation is known affectionately to coaster enthusiasts as "airtime," and they applaud the coaster as the airtime occurs. The best seat on the Phoenix for "airtime" is the third seat on both trains.Fact|date=June 2008 Since the inception of the Internet Wood Tracked Roller Coaster Poll, the Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10. The Phoenix is an ACE Coaster Landmark [ [http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/?type=3 ACE Coaster Landmark Awards] ] and has consistently been ranked at or near #4 for Best Wooden Coaster by Amusement Today magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards.

Modern usage

Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest," a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001 alone, over 1500 roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and use the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was rated the fourth best Halloween event in 2006 by Amusement Today.

"Phoenix facts"
*Trains - 2 PTC, 24 passengers each

References