SMOKY MOUNTAIN TWISTER
This custom steel looping coaster is a brief, but fun, terrain hugger.
For my 750th review -- 3/4ths of the way to the big 1000, baby! -- I'm giving some love to Arrow Dynamics' swan song.
As one of the very last models built by the esteemed steel roller coaster company, the Tennessee Tornado takes full advantage of its woodsy surroundings, as well as the change in elevation. There are a total of 3 inversions, and some other notable highlights including:
*underground tunnel
*110ft tall 'spiro' loop
*overbanked turn
*vertical loop
*sidewinder
*overbanked turn
So what the hell is a 'spiro' loop? It's an element unique to this ride, designed by Arrow as a way of putting a quirky -- and literal -- twist on a standard vertical loop. It's the biggest inversion they ever put on a coaster at a whopping 110ft tall. In fact, the trains experience a moment of hangtime at the top, which is a whole lotta fun.
A 163ft chain lift carries the train toward the top of a hill, where a heavily-banked turnaround sends riders plummeting down a 128ft drop. It's at the base of the drop where trains enter a tunnel and hit a top speed of 63mph. There's an on-ride camera here, shortly before entering the impressively-large 'spiro' loop.
Following this, there's an overbanked curve -- where riders in the front are treated to a quick pop of airtime -- which leads into a straight vertical loop and sidewinder element (a half vertical loop ending with a corkscrew). Another overbanked curve and the train hits the brake run. One cycle lasts roughly 1min 48sec.
Arrow wasn't know for comfortable rides, and the TN Tornado is no exception. The cars on the 28-person trains are boxy, while the over-the-shoulder restraints are less than ideal for taller riders. I'd actually recommend the front row, as there's far more leg room in the lead car and the brief pops of airtime are nice (not to mention the unobstructed view).
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FINAL VERDICT:
I have to say, after having ridden 'Vortex' (Kings Island), the ill-fated 'Shockwave' (Great America) and a few others here and there, the Tennessee Tornado is one of the better Arrow Dynamics steel looping coasters. My only real gripe is that it's very short, though not having a block brake section makes for a more fluid, uninterrupted riding experience.
The terrain adds another layer of thrill to this intense looper. I enjoyed it and would recommend the TN Tornado to teens, as older adults will find it too rough to be enjoyable.
Eric S's Dollywood coaster rating = 5th out of 7. read more