T3 (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids T3 |
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| Previously known as T2 (1995–2009) | |
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| Kentucky Kingdom | |
| Location | Kentucky Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 38°11′39″N 85°44′49″W / 38.194136°N 85.747009°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | April 8, 1995 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Inverted |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | SLC (662m Prototype) |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 101.7 ft (31.0 m) |
| Length | 2,171.9 ft (662.0 m) |
| Speed | 49.7 mph (80.0 km/h) |
| Inversions | 5 |
| Duration | 1:36 |
| Capacity | 900 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 52–79 in (132–201 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 14 riders per train. |
| T3 at RCDB | |
T3 (which sounds like "T-three" or "T-cubed") is an exciting inverted roller coaster located at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. An inverted coaster means your feet dangle freely as you ride! This thrilling ride was built by a company called Vekoma. It first opened in 1995 under the name T2. The park faced some tough times and closed in 2010. But great news, it reopened in 2014! T2 got a cool makeover and was renamed T3, opening its doors again on July 3, 2015.
Contents
History of T3 Roller Coaster
The idea for roller coasters that flip you upside down, called inversions, started in the 1990s. Jim Wintrode, who managed Six Flags Great America, wanted to add these exciting flips. He worked with experts from a Swiss company called Bolliger & Mabillard. Together, they created Batman: The Ride, which opened in 1992.
A company from the Netherlands called Vekoma soon developed their own similar ride. This type of ride became known as the Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC). Their very first SLC was El Condor at Walibi Holland, which opened in 1994.
T2 Arrives at Kentucky Kingdom
In 1995, nine different parks around the world decided to add Vekoma SLC rides. Kentucky Kingdom was one of these parks. On December 1, 1994, Kentucky Kingdom announced they would be adding a Vekoma SLC named T2.
This T2 ride was just like the first one at Walibi Holland. However, it had a different look. T2 featured a bright red track with cool purple trains. The ride officially opened to the public on April 8, 1995.
Changes and Challenges for the Ride
Towards the end of 1997, a company called Premier Parks took over Kentucky Kingdom. They paid $64 million to operate the park. After this, themes from Batman and DC Comics were added to Kentucky Kingdom.
Because of these new themes, T2 was painted black for the 1999 season. Six Flags had plans to create a "Gotham City" area in the park. They wanted to rename T2 as Batman: The Ride. However, these plans never fully happened. T2 still kept its new black paint job.
Park Closure and Reopening
On February 4, 2010, Six Flags announced that Kentucky Kingdom would close. This was due to money problems. But people in Kentucky wanted their park back! Ed Hart, who used to run Kentucky Kingdom, worked with other investors. They formed a group to reopen the park.
There were also plans to reopen the park as Bluegrass Boardwalk. These plans suggested removing T2 and another ride called Twisted Twins. This was because of their age and safety worries. However, these plans didn't work out.
T3's Grand Reopening
On June 27, 2013, Ed Hart's group made a deal to spend $36 million to reopen the park. It would open again as Kentucky Kingdom in 2014. Their plans included a big update for T2. The goal was to reopen the ride in 2015.
Later, it was announced that the ride's name would change to T3. The updated T3 ride reopened on July 3, 2015. It featured new trains and improved track. This made the ride a much more comfortable experience for everyone.
T3 Ride Features
T3 is a long roller coaster, stretching over 2,171.9 feet (662.0 m). It stands 101.7 feet (31.0 m) tall, which is about as high as a 10-story building! The ride reaches a top speed of 49.7 miles per hour (80.0 km/h).
This thrilling ride features five exciting flips, known as inversions. These include a roll over, a sidewinder, and a double in-line twist. T3 is a copy of the very first Vekoma SLC, which is El Condor at Walibi Holland.
Trains and Capacity
T3 originally had three trains. Each train could hold 20 riders, with two people in each of the ten rows. However, the ride usually only ran with two trains at a time. The third train was kept in the maintenance area.
With two trains, the ride could carry about 900 riders every hour. Later, all the trains were made shorter. They went from ten rows down to seven rows. This meant each train could only hold 14 riders. The third train was eventually removed from the ride, and no one knows what happened to it.
T3 Ride Experience
When you get on the train and are safely secured, it leaves the station. The train then starts climbing the 101.7-foot-tall (31.0 m) chain lift hill. Once you reach the very top, the train takes a steep, banked turn to the right.
This leads you into the first inversion, called a roll over. A roll over flips you upside down twice! It's like a half loop, then a twist, then another twist, and another half loop. After this, the train goes up a hill with a slight bank at the top.
Then, you go down and approach the next inversion, a sidewinder. A sidewinder is similar to another inversion called an Immelmann loop. It features a half loop followed by a half corkscrew. From the sidewinder, the train goes into a sharp helix, which is a tight spiral turn.
Finally, you enter the ride's last two inversions: a double inline twist. After these twists, a banked curve to the right turns the train back towards the station. A small hill leads you into the brake run, where the train slows down and comes to a stop.
