Powered roller coaster

As a powered coaster or driven roller coaster roller coasters are called, in which the train, unlike traditional roller coasters, has a built-in drive of its own. These pathways are therefore without a lift hill or other acceleration from the outside.

Most AC motors are used as drive, which are supplied via conductor rails underneath the train on the tracks with electricity. Either the wheels of the train are driven or is there between the rails an extra tread for special drive wheels. The speed can be adjusted continuously, and there are no additional external brakes needed because the drive is also used for braking.

There are systems for stationary and portable use. The stationary systems are characterized usually by a compact design and a relatively low base from. In many cases the tracks are designed as a family attraction, that is, not particularly high speeds and extreme accelerations are achieved.

Manufacturer

One of the biggest manufacturer of Powered Coastern is the company Mack in Waldkirch. In addition to the classical model Blauer Enzian offers the company also driven roller coasters as inverted coaster under the product name Powered Suspended Coaster. Both models are also available with controlled or offered freely rotatable seats as spinning coaster. So far no plants of this type were built. The first powered coaster Suspended is expected of the planned for 2014 Arthur - The Ride at Europa-Park.

Other manufacturers are or were: Pinfari, SBF Visa, Schwarzkopf, Soquet, Vekoma and Zamperla.

Variants

A particular oddity was the portable track looping of Soquet in French Parc Saint Paul. As the name implies, he possessed a loop and was, as far as known, the only powered coaster with inversion. The loop was passed through much of without drive. After an accident in 2005, the railway was however taken out of service and dismantled.

Another rare variant presented Dragon Flyer in English Camelot Theme Park dar. The drive this train was not as usual with electric motors in the front car of the train instead, a diesel engine was housed. The railway was closed in the fall of 2012 with the closure of the park and is currently waiting for a buyer or its scrapping.

The concept for the Mountain and City Coaster, which was planned for the transport of persons and goods, similar to a powered coaster. The car should draw their energy from batteries that are recharged at the stations. However, it could only be a system implemented incompletely next to a test track before the developer company had to file for bankruptcy.