Iron Shark
Iron Shark is a steel roller coaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter roller coaster opened to the public on June 1, 2012.[1][2] Iron Shark was the first Euro-Fighter coaster in Texas. The ride was installed by Ride Entertainment Group, who handles all of Gerstlauer's operations in the Western Hemisphere.[3][4]
| Iron Shark | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | |
| Location | Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier |
| Coordinates | 29.285839°N 94.789523°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 1, 2012 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Gerstlauer |
| Model | Euro-Fighter (Iron Shark) |
| Lift/launch system | Vertical chain lift hill |
| Height | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 1,246 ft (380 m) |
| Speed | 52 mph (84 km/h) |
| Inversions | 4 |
| Duration | 1:00 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 3 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train. |
| Iron Shark at RCDB Pictures of Iron Shark at RCDB | |
Ride
Iron Shark is a Euro-Fighter by German company Gerstlauer. The roller coaster stands 100 feet (30 m) above the pier with some parts of the roller coaster standing over the Gulf of Mexico. The ride features 4 inversions.[1][2][5]
The ride begins with a slight left turn out of the station. It then proceeds up a 100-foot (30 m)[6] vertical lift hill. After peaking the hill, the ride enters into a beyond vertical drop at 95 degrees. The train then enters an Immelmann loop followed by a dive loop. A short stretch of high speed "S" curves lead the train into a cutback followed by an inclined loop. As the train completes the inclined loop, it reaches the brake run. The ride then features the last 180 degree turn into the station.[7]
See also
References
- Kaplan, David (January 28, 2012). "Historic Galveston amusement pier to rise again". News Article. Houston Chronicle.
- MacDonald, Brady (February 9, 2012). "Galveston Pleasure Pier brings thrill rides back to Texas coast". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- "Gerstlauer busy in 2011". Park World Magazine. 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- "Projects". Ride Entertainment Group. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (October 28, 2011). "Construction..." Facebook. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- Marden, Duane. "Iron Shark (Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (3 February 2012). "3 February 2012 16:59". Video. Facebook. Retrieved 5 February 2012.