The peaceful rolling hills of the Ozarks are the last place one might expect to find S&S Power’s latest steel coaster creation. But nestled on a hillside at Silver Dollar City is PowderKeg, a new air-launched steel coaster that provides thrills to the entire family.
This exciting ride is actually the combination of two attractions. In the winter of 2003 Silver Dollar City worked with S&S designers to incorporate a small amount of track and a lift hill from a previous water coaster, BuzzSaw Falls, into a new ride. It was a design challenge, but the S&S staff was up to it. Dody Bachtar, one of the company’s structural engineers, said the ride vehicle had to have the capabilities to use the existing “standard lift chain, [as well as our] launch system, magnetic brake and friction wheel boosters.”
What wasn’t kept was designed from scratch. S&S created a unique uphill transfer track to start the ride. From there the cars rolled forward onto the company’s patented Air Launch System. The acceleration, which is 0 – 53 mph in 2.8 seconds, pushes riders back in their seats as they shoot forward. “That launch is the smoothest we have ever done,” said company CEO Stan Checketts. As with everything at Silver Dollar City the ride features extensive theming. PowderKeg’s theme is that of a gunpowder mill, many of which used to dot the Ozark hills. General Manager Brad Thomas described the launch sequence as follows, “As the ‘nitro’ explodes, the cars blast out of the building with special effects of fire and smoke shooting through the roof.”
Alan Schilke, one of the ride’s designers, said that it was a challenge to walk the line between thrilling and fun. “Herschend Family Entertainment wanted an attraction that was exciting, but family-friendly. With a great launch, five negative-g airtime hills and two twisting floats we know we came up with a perfect fit for the park.”
In addition to the exciting layout, the coaster sports new restraints from S&S Power that allow guests 42 inches and up to safely and comfortably enjoy the attraction. The patented S&S “dual-locking” restraint system can safely hold the widest range of guest sizes in the industry.
After the launch the ride goes through a series of airtime hills, over banked turns and a speedy ending before engaging the lift hill. Guests get breathtaking views of the rolling hills and Tablerock Lake before plunging down to earth and through the ride’s last exciting element, a Dragonfly Turn.
Needless to say, everyone is thrilled with PowderKeg. Stan Checketts said that, “I am very proud of this coaster. It offers something for everyone and that is the mark of a great ride.”
S&S Power is represented worldwide by Ride Entertainment Systems (www.rideentertainment.com) of Stevensville, Maryland.
Quick Stats
Launch: 0 – 53 mph in 2 seconds
Ride Length: 3,506 feet
Top Speed: 64 mph
Tallest Vertical Drop: 110 feet
Height Restriction: 42 inches