Vortex

The cars are free to swing from side to side on suspended coasters.  The first couple of suspended coasters had flat track without any banking.  This caused tremendous stresses on the vehicles.  The shock absorbers mounted on the vehicles needed frequent replacement due to the large amount of swinging each car experienced.  The Bat at Kings Island operated for less than three years because of mechanical problems stemming from its unbanked track.

Another problem on the first suspended coasters was the placement of the brake fins.  They were originally mounted under the cars, which caused problems since the cars could move from side to side!  Since the mid 1980s, the brake fins have been located between the wheel assemblies on the top of the cars.

©2020 Joel A. Rogers.