Fahrenheit - 90 Degrees and Rising
by: Theodore Cromwell
Through a thick veil of secrecy, Hersheypark took a unique approach to marketing their latest thrill
machine. Instead of targeting the media, they became it.
In August of 2007, bizarre messages started to appear on many of the popular coaster enthusiast websites asking "What's better than a perfect 10?" Over the next couple of months small pieces of the puzzle began to come together and on September 27th, Hersheypark announced their 11th coaster, Fahrenheit.
For a project of this magnitude, Hersheypark once again enlisted the talents at IntaRide LLC to
create a unique, one-of-a-kind ride for 2008. IntaRide did just that, providing Hersheypark with a
ride experience unmatched in the United States.
One look at the ride and the first thing that stands out is just how compact it really is. The small footprint is accomplished through a tight-knit grouping of inversions and hills and topped off with a ninety-degree lift hill. The lift hill has such a presence that it could almost be considered a thrill element of it's own.
Entering the station, we are greeted by a train three cars long and offering stadium seating for
the best possible views. Upon entering, the train slowly makes it way to the lift hill and pauses.
You now have the opportunity to stare at the vertical lift that is only moments away.
The chain engages and without warning, you are being briskly lifted straight into the sky. Tilt your head to either side and a birds eye view of the park is at your disposal. But, don't get too comfortable because it won't last long. Your ride has only begun ...
As the train is pushed over the apex of the hill, you can now see the tangled web of track that
awaits you. Gravity takes over and the trains plummets down the 97 degree first drop pushing you
firmly against the restraints. Just as your body gets readjusted, the train rolls left and dives
into a 107-foot inverted loop. An inversion more unique than anything I have encountered in recent
memory.
The ride continues through an inverted corkscrew roll on it's way to the far end of the ride. Instead of merely turning you around, the ride utilizes a tall cobra roll element to turn around the train and return to the station.
This is where the ride really succeeds, as it doesn't use a standard return run. Instead of
"copping out" and zigzagging the train through a series of small hills, it instead uses the space
to it's full potential. On the way back, you encounter an inverted S roll and a second corkscrew
before being lifted over a near perfect airtime-hill.
With plenty of energy left to dispel, the train hits a high-banked turn before going over yet another airtime-hill and back to the station. The last bit of energy is absorbed from the train through the use of magnetic braking and leaving the smiling riders with a smooth conclusion.
There are many coasters bigger than Fahrenheit that don't have it where it counts. This new
thrill machine makes great use of it's small footprint and delivers 2,700 feet of excitement
in only 85 seconds. But, it the feeling will last much longer.
Do yourself a favor and head out to Hersheypark now! Farenheit is only the latest in a great coaster tradition at the park known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth".
- Number of Trains: 3 - Featuring stadium style seating
- Capacity per Train: 12
- Approx. Ride Time: 85 Seconds
- Theoretical Capacity: 850 riders per hour
- Elements: 90 degree ascent (121ft), 97 degree negative drop, inverted loop (107 feet), inverted corkscrew roll, cobra element, airborne inverted s-roll
- Max Speed: 58 mph
- Designers: Intamin AG, Switzlerand
- Year Installed: 2008
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.