The first B&M Family Coaster: Part 26 of our Inverted Coaster Serie

The first B&M Family Coaster: Part 26 of our Inverted Coaster Serie

In 2014, B&M introduced what is perhaps their strangest installation.  At the request of OCT (Overseas China Town), a large theme park operator from China, they designed a smaller scale Inverted Coaster for Happy Valley Shanghai.  The ride would have two across seating and operate with a single 10 car train.  Due to the lower forces and loads, a smaller track was designed and used for the first time on this ride.  The restraint would be the same as Banshee, but since the ride would not invert, the soft vests were not installed.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (6)

The ride station, shaped like an ocean liner or cruise ship.

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (8)

Henry from China provided us with this picture of the train.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (16)

A close-up of the seats. A short seat belt functions as a go/no go device and secondary restraint.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (17)

The approach to the lift hill.  Notice how it use similar motors and components to its larger siblings.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (2)

The lift hill.

The ride layout was designed to fit over an existing area of the park and the ride use as little supports as possible.  Half the layout is over pathways and the ride is very compact.  It starts with a right hand turn out of the station and is followed by the 66 feet tall lift hill.  Once at the top, it drops down to the right and starts a series of swooping drops and small dips until it reach the final element, a 540° spiral that stretches out directly into the station.  Magnetic brakes are installed there to slow the train down enough for the pusher tires to stop it.  Amazingly, this is the only B&M roller coaster not to use pneumatic brakes to stop the train.

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (1)

Henry from China provided us with this picture of the ride lift hill.

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (2)

Henry from China provided us with this picture of the train flying over a pathway.

 

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (7)

Henry from China provided us with this picture of one of the ride support.  The supports are unique and were designed to minimize the space they occupy on the ground.

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (3)

Henry from China provided us with this picture of two  of the ride crossings.

Family Inverted Coaster Shanghai Henry (5)

The ride final helix can be seen behind the Ocean Store. Henry shot this picture and provided it to us.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (7)

The final helix of the ride.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (10)

We rode the nearby Flying Island attraction and were able to take the following aerial pictures.  In this one, you can see the whole layout.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (9)

The lift hill and station.

Family Inverted Coaster Happy Valley Shanghai (8)

The final helix and station building.

This is our final article for now in the Inverted Coaster Series and we will continue it once B&M builds another Inverted Coaster.