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Canobie Corkscrew facts for kids

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Canobie Corkscrew
Canobie Lake Park Corkscrew.jpg
Canobie Lake Park
Location Canobie Lake Park
Coordinates 42°47′36.43″N 71°14′59.82″W / 42.7934528°N 71.2499500°W / 42.7934528; -71.2499500
Status Open
Opening date 1975 (Chicago Loop), 1982 (Corkscrew), 1987 (Canobie Lake Corkscrew)
General statistics
Type Steel
Manufacturer Arrow Development
Model Corkscrew
Lift/launch system Chain lift hill
Height 73 ft (22 m)
Speed 45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions 2
Duration 1:30
Height restriction 48 in (122 cm)
Canobie Corkscrew at RCDB

The Canobie Corkscrew is an exciting steel roller coaster at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire. It's a classic ride known for its two upside-down loops! This coaster is one of many "Corkscrew" models made by Arrow Development between 1975 and 1979.

The Canobie Corkscrew's Journey

This roller coaster was designed by a company called Arrow Development. It first opened in 1975. Back then, it was called Chicago Loop. It was part of an indoor amusement park named Old Chicago in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

The Chicago Loop was very special. It was only the second roller coaster in the world to flip riders upside down twice! The ride stayed at Old Chicago until the park closed in 1980. You can even spot the Chicago Loop in the 1978 movie The Fury.

Moving to Canobie Lake Park

In 1985, Canobie Lake Park bought the roller coaster. But it couldn't be built right away. The town of Salem had rules about how tall buildings could be. The coaster was too tall!

So, the ride sat unbuilt for almost two years. Finally, in 1987, Salem gave Canobie Lake Park special permission. The roller coaster was then put together and renamed the Canobie Corkscrew.

Canobie Corkscrew
Canobie Corkscrew before its new paint job in 2012

A Fresh New Look

In August 2012, the Canobie Corkscrew got a makeover. Workers repainted the entire ride. The parts that hold the track up were painted white. The track itself became a bright blue color. Before this, the ride was yellow with black supports.

Riding the Canobie Corkscrew

The Canobie Corkscrew stands about 73 feet (22 meters) tall. This ride is famous for its two "inversions." An inversion is when the track turns you completely upside down. On this coaster, you go through two back-to-back corkscrews. A corkscrew twists you around like a giant corkscrew!

What to Expect on the Ride

First, the coaster train goes up a lift hill. This takes about 30 seconds. At the top, the train makes a big turn to the right. Then, it drops down fast! After the drop, the train goes up a quick hill that turns right over the station.

Next, you'll zoom down again. This is where the fun really begins! You'll go through the two corkscrews, one right after the other. It's a dizzying experience as you flip upside down twice! After the corkscrews, the train turns right one last time. Then, it slows down on the final brake run. The whole ride lasts about one minute and 30 seconds.

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