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The Switchback Roller Coaster at ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin, Texas

Enjoy the first drop because after that everything will be a blur of speed, force and a few surprises before you get a mid ride blissful pause.  More on that pause later.

The Switchback Roller Coaster at ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin, Texas

Oh on a little historical interlude Switchback is named after the Switchback Railway which was the first roller coaster designed specifically as an amusement ride (the Mauch Chunk Railway which predated the Switchback was a coal train repurposed into a ride).  The Switchback Railway was designed by L.A. Thompson and opened in Brooklyn, New York at Coney Islnd in 1884.  That Switchback had parallel tracks and after riding out the riders would get off the train while ride attendants would push it up a hill and then switch it to the second track before letting everyone re-board for the return trip.

The Switchback Roller Coaster at ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin, Texas

Need some groceries?

The Switchback Roller Coaster at ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin, Texas

I know you are asking what the heck am I talking about needing groceries.  This building that ZDT's Switchback speeds through used to be a small grocery store that sold what was made on the site.  Wanting to keep the century old building and have it as part of the ride Switchback turned it into part of the ride.

The Switchback Roller Coaster at ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin, Texas

Twisting around from one building to another Switchback has one of The Gravity Group's trademark overbanked turns. 

 


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Paul B. Drabek