Dahlonega Mine Train facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dahlonega Mine Train |
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The front entrance of the attraction
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| Six Flags Over Georgia | |
| Location | Six Flags Over Georgia |
| Park section | Peachtree Square |
| Coordinates | 33°46′03″N 84°33′07″W / 33.767569°N 84.551924°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 1967 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Mine Train |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Model | Mine Train |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Three chain lift hills |
| Height | 37 ft (11 m) |
| Length | 2,327 ft (709 m) |
| Speed | 29 mph (47 km/h) |
| Duration | 2:51 |
| Max vertical angle | 45° |
| Capacity | 2200 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
| Trains | 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass Available |
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| Dahlonega Mine Train at RCDB | |
The Dahlonega Mine Train is an exciting steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia. This popular theme park is in Austell, Georgia, about 12 miles (19 km) west of downtown Atlanta. The ride features three lift hills. Between these hills, the coaster winds through a pretty, wooded, and hilly landscape. It is a family-friendly ride. The coaster is named after Dahlonega, Georgia. This village in northern Georgia was famous for the first gold rush in the United States, which happened in 1828.
How the Mine Train Coaster Works
When the Dahlonega Mine Train first opened in 1967, it could run four trains at once. This allowed many people to ride quickly. In the mid-1990s, the ride was updated. Some wooden parts were replaced with steel. The track was also improved. A new computer system was added to control the ride.
Today, the coaster usually runs with three trains at most. This means about 1300 riders can enjoy the ride each hour. A special "block system" keeps the trains safe. This system makes sure that trains stay a safe distance apart. It prevents them from getting too close or colliding.
Sometimes, a train might "roll back" into the tunnel. This happens if it doesn't quite make it back to the station. Don't worry, this is very rare and safe! The control system is designed to handle it. If this happens, riders are safely helped off the train. They walk out through a lighted tunnel with stairs. Then, a special winch pulls the empty train back to the station.
Each seat on the train has a single lap bar for safety. A park attendant pushes a foot pedal to lock these bars. Unlike some roller coasters, this ride does not use "upstop wheels." Instead, it has "upstop pads." These pads work in a similar way. They keep the train securely on the track. This design is common for "mine train" style roller coasters.
Your Adventure on the Mine Train
Your ride begins as the train leaves the station. It goes under a walkway. Then, it rolls down a small hill and turns left. The train enters an enclosed area where tracks can be switched. From there, it turns right and starts climbing the first lift hill.
After reaching the top of the first hill, the train turns right. It then dips down into a trench. Here, it completes a U-turn, which is often called the "figure 8" part of the track. Next, you'll go over two small hills. These are sometimes called "camel back humps." The train then turns left, then right, and approaches the second lift hill.
You'll climb the second lift hill. At the top, the train turns left into a "mini horseshoe" curve. This leads into a right turn that spirals downward. From the spiral, the train goes over another small dip. It then turns right and climbs the third and final lift hill.
After clearing the third hill, the train turns left into a "big horseshoe" curve. It then enters a barn-like building high above the ground. As the train nears the end of this building, it drops into a dark tunnel. This is where the train reaches its fastest speed, about 35 miles per hour (56 km/h)! Inside the tunnel, it completes a long S-shaped turn. This starts with a left turn, then right, then left again. Finally, the train pops back above ground. It turns slightly left and slowly glides back into the station.
- Dahlonega Mine Train at the Roller Coaster DataBase
