Fun Spot
Angola, Indiana
June 16, 2007
Page Eight




The tag line for Afterburner is "The All-American Coaster" so of course they had to paint it red, white and blue.



I'd have to say that it is in need of some fresh paint.



The back stretch completely kills the thrill of the ride.  I mean you go down the hill, through the loop and up the hill before working your way slowly down this track into the second push position.  I won't call it a launch because it's not much of one.  You're pushed to about ten miles an hour over about a hundred feet of track so there's no real kick there.  Still there is one thrill to this bit as if you're in the front seat it does look like you are going to go off the track as you near the end.  That was the one really cool, well other than the cool flames on the train, part of Afterburner.



After your ride you have the long walk down to ground level.  Can you imagine back in the day when this was new people cramming this stairwell waiting for a ride.  Those conditions especially on a hot humid day would be miserable.  That in addition to the huge climb would turn many potential riders off.  Now if a park would buy one of these and sink the loop into an underground tunnel with the station at ground level it would be a huge improvement.



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Paul B. Drabek