Twist Coaster Robin (Japanese: ツイストコースター ロビン) was a steel roller coaster at Yomiuriland amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, Japan. The coaster was noteworthy for its steeper-than-vertical first drop of 93 degrees.[1] It is also one of two S&S coasters to have run for less than a week, the other being Ring Racer.

Twist Coaster Robin
A diagram of the ride
Yomiuriland
LocationYomiuriland
Coordinates35°37′31″N 139°31′10″E / 35.625317°N 139.519394°E / 35.625317; 139.519394
StatusRemoved
Opening date19 March 2014 (2014-03-19)
Closing date19 March 2014 (2014-03-19)
Cost¥450 million
Replaced byHashibiro GO!
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerSansei Technologies
DesignerS&S Worldwide
ModelEl Loco
Height62.3 ft (19.0 m)
Length1,026.9 ft (313.0 m)
Speed38.5 mph (62.0 km/h)
Inversions2
Max vertical angle93°
G-force3.9
Trainsa single car. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 4 riders per train.
Twist Coaster Robin at RCDB

Description

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Twist Coaster Robin was a custom installation of the El Loco roller coaster model.[2] The coaster was built by a collaboration between Sansei Technologies[1] and S&S Worldwide (the usual manufacturer of El Loco coasters, and of whom Sansei Technologies is a majority owner).[2][3] The coaster featured two inversions: an inline twist and a dive loop.[1] In addition, the coaster had a helix and an unusual element known as a "reverse-cant curve", intended to give riders the feeling that they will be thrown off of the coaster. Park guests could see the Shinjuku skyline when riding Twist Coaster Robin.[4] The coaster had single-car trains, each of which had four riders in two rows of two.[1]

History and incidents

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The construction of Twist Coaster Robin cost a total of 450 million yen, which a Yomiuriland spokesperson called "the largest investment on a single attraction (in the park) since 1997".[4] The grand opening for Twist Coaster Robin occurred on 19 March 2014—the 50th anniversary of Yomiuriland's opening.[5]

On the same day that Twist Coaster Robin opened, two coaster cars collided. Although no riders were hurt, the park suspended operation of the coaster.[6] Roller Coaster DataBase notes that the coaster only operated in March 2014. It was removed from the park in 2016.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Marden, Duane. "Twist Coaster Robin  (Yomiuriland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Special" (PDF). Kirmes & Park Revue (200) (English ed.): 96. March 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  3. ^ Seifert, Jeffery (May 2014). "2014 International Park Preview" (PDF). Amusement Today: 9. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Theme parks go all out with new attractions as economy picks up". Nikkei Asian Review. Tokyo: Nikkei Inc. 16 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Yomiuri Rando ni, kaien50 shūnen o kinen shite, shingata rōrā kōsutā 'Tsuisuto Kōsutā Robin' ga debyū!" よみうりランドに、開園50周年を記念して、新型ローラーコースター「ツイストコースター ロビン」がデビュー! [The Yomiuri Land, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the park, the new roller coaster "Twist Coaster Robin" debut!]. Livedoor (in Japanese). LINE Corporation. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Yomiuri Rando de kōsutā ga gyakusō. shōtotsu kega-nin nashi" よみうりランドでコースターが逆走・衝突 けが人なし [No injuries collision and run reverse coaster at Yomiuri Land]. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun Company. 20 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.