The Raven (roller coaster) facts for kids

{{Infobox roller coaster |name= The Raven |image= TheRavenHolidayWorld.jpg |imagedimensions= 250px |caption= |previousnames= |location= Holiday World & Splashin' Safari |locationarticle= |section= Halloween |subsection= |coordinates= 38°07′10″N 86°54′55″W / 38.1194°N 86.9152°W / 38.1194; -86.9152 |opened= May 6, 1995 (1995-05-06) |year= 1995 |closed= |cost= US$2,000,000 |extend= |type= Wood |type2= |type3= |status= Open |manufacturer= Custom Coasters International |designer= Dennis McNulty, Larry Bill |model= |track= Terrain |lift= Chain Lift Hill |height_ft= 110 |drop_ft= 85 |length_ft= 2800 |speed_mph=50 |inversions= 0 |duration= 1:30 |angle= |capacity= 960 |acceleration= |acceleration_from= |acceleration_mph= |acceleration_km/h= |acceleration_in= |gforce= |restriction_ft= |restriction_in= 48 |restriction_cm= |trains= 2 |carspertrain= 6 |rowspercar= 2 |ridersperrow= 2 |virtual_queue_name= |virtual_queue_image= |virtual_queue_status= |single_rider= |custom_label_1= |custom_value_1= |custom_label_2= |custom_value_2= |custom_label_3= |custom_value_3= |custom_label_4= |custom_value_4= |accessible= |transfer_accessible= available |rcdb_number= 136

The Raven is an exciting wooden roller coaster located at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA. It's part of the park's Halloween section. This coaster was designed and built by Custom Coasters International and opened on May 6, 1995.

The ride gets its name from the famous poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe. Its twists and drops are meant to feel like the flight of a raven. From 2000 to 2003, The Raven was voted the world's "Best Wooden Roller Coaster" at the Golden Ticket Awards. These awards are given out every year by Amusement Today magazine. On June 23, 2016, it was named an "ACE Roller Coaster Landmark" by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

History of The Raven Roller Coaster

How The Raven Was Planned

The idea for a new wooden roller coaster came from Will Koch, who was the park's President. He reached out to Custom Coasters International, and they started planning the ride.

The roller coaster didn't have a name until August 1994. That's when Will Koch invited Tim O'Brien, a magazine editor and theme park fan, to see the construction site. It was O'Brien who suggested the name "The Raven." He got the idea from Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem. The name was quickly made official, and building began!

The Raven opened to riders for the very first time on May 6, 1995. It started with one train that could hold 24 passengers. For the first ride, one seat was left empty. This was for the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe, whose poem "The Raven" had been published exactly 150 years earlier.

Upgrades and Changes Over Time

In 2005, The Raven got a second train. This meant the ride could now handle more people, going from 700 riders per hour to 960 riders per hour. More trains mean less waiting in line!

To store the second train when it wasn't being used, a special transfer track was built. This track can move a section of the main track to a storage area. It also gives maintenance teams a place to check the trains.

Adding a second train also meant changing how the ride was controlled. Before 2005, a single operator manually controlled the ride. After 2005, an automatic control system was added. This system automatically handles braking and keeps the two trains from getting too close. Now, two operators are needed to send the trains off safely.

Between 2020 and 2021, The Raven got a big refresh. The trains were repainted with cool wing designs. Also, about 25% of the track was replaced to keep the ride smooth and fun.

Features of The Raven

The Station Building

The Raven's station looks like a spooky, old house from the early 1800s. This style matches the time when Edgar Allan Poe wrote his poem "The Raven".

The station has two main levels for guests, even though it looks taller. You'll walk through many outdoor lines before entering. Then, you go right under part of the roller coaster track to get inside. The first level has a small porch and stairs leading up. The second level is where you get on and off the ride.

On the loading side, there are 12 gates, one for each row of the train. This is also where the ride operators control everything. On the unloading side, you'll find shelves and lockers. You can use these to store your stuff safely while you ride.

The Ride Trains

The Raven uses two red trains, each carrying 24 passengers. These trains were made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Each train has six cars, and each car holds four riders.

Every car has two rows, with two riders per row. There's a divider between the two riders in each row. This makes sure everyone stays in the right spot for safety. The safety restraints include a ratcheting lap bar and a two-point lap belt for each rider.

The Wooden Track

The Raven's track is made from many layers of Southern Yellow Pine. On top of the wood, there's a layer of steel. This steel is where the train's wheels touch the track. The supports that hold up the track are also made of wood.

The track is 2,800 feet (850 m) long. It includes an 85 feet (26 m) drop and a 61 feet (19 m) drop. There's also a 120 feet (37 m) long tunnel! The ride starts with a chain lift hill. The track has three block sections. These sections allow up to two trains to run at the same time safely. The Raven uses fin brakes to stop the train in different areas, like the station and the transfer track.

Your Ride Experience

A train in The Raven's station

The whole ride on The Raven lasts about one minute and thirty seconds. Get ready for a thrilling adventure!

Your journey begins with the train facing the ride's entrance in the station. Right after leaving the station, the train makes a 180-degree turn. It goes over the queue area and onto the transfer track, which runs next to the station.

After the transfer track, the train dips down and goes under the final brake run. Then, it connects to the lift hill chain. The chain pulls the train all the way to the top of the hill. Once at the top, the train dips slightly and turns right. From here, you can see the park's main entrance and the parking lot. Then, the train dives down its first 85 feet (26 m) drop, reaching speeds of almost 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)!

Right at the bottom of the first drop, you'll zoom through a 120 feet (37 m) above-ground tunnel. After the tunnel, the train goes up another hill. It then makes a slight right turn before heading down again for the ride's second smaller drop.

After this second drop, the train goes over a small hill. This prepares you for a big, sweeping right turn over Lake Rudolph. This turn is famous for being a great spot for photos! The turn over Lake Rudolph is a full 180 degrees. It sends the train back uphill before making a left turn. Now, the train is parallel to the top of the second hill. At this point, the train dips down and goes uphill again, all while making a left turn.

The sweeping turn over Lake Rudolph

Once the train reaches the top of this hill, it enters its 61 feet (19 m) drop. This is often called the "fifth drop." After this drop, the train stays low to the ground. It zips through a thick forest on a banked "S" curve, first turning right, then left.

Next, the train takes a second large, sweeping right turn. As this turn finishes, the train makes a quick left turn. Immediately after, it enters the brake run to end the ride. If two trains are running, your train will wait here until the other train has left the station. If not, your train will go straight into the station, and you can get off.

Awards and Recognition

The Raven has won many awards over the years. Here's how it has ranked in the Golden Ticket Awards for "Best Wooden Roller Coaster":