Jargon Buster
In AIRtime ONline and on the Club website you will frequently see words, names, abbreviations, etc., that you may not be familiar with. This page contains a fairly comprehensive list of explanations to help you de-code and understand the coaster-speak and therefore get more enjoyment from the Club and the world of coasters!
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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4th Dimension: Individual cars of the train are designed to rotate on a horizontal axis. Instead of riding above the track, the seats are at the side of a 20ft wide vehicle which straddles the track, meaning that the seats can rotate 360 degrees as they travel the circuit (Example: X2, Magic Mountain).
A
Air Gate: The gate on a coaster station platform that stops rider from proceeding forward to the coaster train.
Air Launch/Powered: New style of coaster where the train is fired from the station using compressed air, resulting in extremely rapid but smooth acceleration (Example: Thrust Air 2000).
Airtime (Negative G's): The feeling of leaving your seat (weightlessness), usually experienced on the crests of hills, especially when riding the back of coasters. This is one of the favourite elements that coaster enthusiasts look for. Wooden coasters tend to give much greater airtime (also the name of the printed Club magazine!)
Anti-Rollback (Dog ratchet): A safety wedge that stops the train sliding backwards down the lift hill or other hill. When the ride is operating normally, the wedge makes the familiar clack-clack sound as the train ascends hills. Should the train stop for any reason, the wedge, which is on the base of the car grips onto grooved metal rails in the centre of the track, stopping the train from rolling backwards.
Arrow Dynamics: Defunct American manufacturer of steel coasters (Example: The Big One, BPB).
Air Launch/Powered: New style of coaster where the train is fired from the station using compressed air, resulting in extremely rapid but smooth acceleration (Example: Thrust Air 2000).
Airtime (Negative G's): The feeling of leaving your seat (weightlessness), usually experienced on the crests of hills, especially when riding the back of coasters. This is one of the favourite elements that coaster enthusiasts look for. Wooden coasters tend to give much greater airtime (also the name of the printed Club magazine!)
Anti-Rollback (Dog ratchet): A safety wedge that stops the train sliding backwards down the lift hill or other hill. When the ride is operating normally, the wedge makes the familiar clack-clack sound as the train ascends hills. Should the train stop for any reason, the wedge, which is on the base of the car grips onto grooved metal rails in the centre of the track, stopping the train from rolling backwards.
Arrow Dynamics: Defunct American manufacturer of steel coasters (Example: The Big One, BPB).
B
Back-to-Back Seats: Seating style found on some spinning type coasters. Two pairs of seats are arranged so that the front pair face forwards as normal and the rear seats face backwards (Example: Sonic Spinball, Alton Towers).
Banked Turn: A turn where the track is tilted at an angle to reduce lateral G's.
Barrel Roll: Another name for an in-line twist.
Bench Seat: A seat on a wooden coaster train that has no central divider between the two seats. Allows more lateral (sideways) movement.
Bents: Vertical wooden beams on a wooden roller coaster structure.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Abbreviated to BPB. Also know as PBB (Pleasure Beach, Blackpool).
Block: A section of track on a coaster layout. A layout may have any number of 'blocks' and only one coaster train will be in each block at a time. Each block will usually have a brake for stopping the train if required.
Block Safety System: The term used to describe the safety system used on multi-train coasters, when one train is not allowed into a block until the train in front has cleared.
Bobsled: A unique type of coaster without track. The ride consists of a U-shaped gully (like a drainpipe) in which the train is free to travel of it's own accord (Example: Avalanche, BPB).
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M): Superb manufacturer of steel coasters based in Switzerland (Examples: Nemesis, Oblivion, Kumba & Montu).
Boomerang: An element in which the train completes two half loops connected to each other. Similar to bowtie.
Boosters: Tyres located in the station or on other parts of the track or lift hill, that propel the train forwards through flat sections of the layout.
Bowtie: See boomerang
Brakeman: A rare sight now! A type of coaster that has a ride operator actually sitting on the coaster train and uses a manual brake lever to control the speed of the train and stop it when it returns to the station. The UK has 2 of these left (Margate & Great Yarmouth).
Brake Run: A section of track just before the station, where brakes are used to slow the train before it enters the station.
Bunny Hops: A length of track containing two or more small hills, each slightly smaller than the one before. These generate excellent airtime (Best example: Phoenix, Knoebels).
Butterfly: Inversion element which turns riders upside down twice. First in a sidewinder immediately followed by a diving loop.
Banked Turn: A turn where the track is tilted at an angle to reduce lateral G's.
Barrel Roll: Another name for an in-line twist.
Bench Seat: A seat on a wooden coaster train that has no central divider between the two seats. Allows more lateral (sideways) movement.
Bents: Vertical wooden beams on a wooden roller coaster structure.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Abbreviated to BPB. Also know as PBB (Pleasure Beach, Blackpool).
Block: A section of track on a coaster layout. A layout may have any number of 'blocks' and only one coaster train will be in each block at a time. Each block will usually have a brake for stopping the train if required.
Block Safety System: The term used to describe the safety system used on multi-train coasters, when one train is not allowed into a block until the train in front has cleared.
Bobsled: A unique type of coaster without track. The ride consists of a U-shaped gully (like a drainpipe) in which the train is free to travel of it's own accord (Example: Avalanche, BPB).
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M): Superb manufacturer of steel coasters based in Switzerland (Examples: Nemesis, Oblivion, Kumba & Montu).
Boomerang: An element in which the train completes two half loops connected to each other. Similar to bowtie.
Boosters: Tyres located in the station or on other parts of the track or lift hill, that propel the train forwards through flat sections of the layout.
Bowtie: See boomerang
Brakeman: A rare sight now! A type of coaster that has a ride operator actually sitting on the coaster train and uses a manual brake lever to control the speed of the train and stop it when it returns to the station. The UK has 2 of these left (Margate & Great Yarmouth).
Brake Run: A section of track just before the station, where brakes are used to slow the train before it enters the station.
Bunny Hops: A length of track containing two or more small hills, each slightly smaller than the one before. These generate excellent airtime (Best example: Phoenix, Knoebels).
Butterfly: Inversion element which turns riders upside down twice. First in a sidewinder immediately followed by a diving loop.
C
Camelback: Large hill, usually the second, found on larger coasters. It is used to provide a quick dose of airtime!
Capacity: Usually given in riders per hour. This is the maximum number of people that can pass through a ride in a set time. This is of course assuming all trains running and riders loading and unloading without any trouble.
Car: The individual vehicle in which the rider travels. Several cars joined together form the train.
Catapult Launch: Used on some coasters that do not have lift hills. Can be either a fly-wheel system that uses a clutch or a weighted system that pulls the train out of the station (Example: Thunder Looper, ex-Alton Towers).
Centrifugal Force: Another term for lateral G forces.
Chain Dog: Located on the bogie, this is a piece of metal that connects with the chain lift to enable the train to be pulled up the hill.
Chain Lift: A motorised chain used to take the train to the top of a hill.
Check Brake: A type of brake, not usually active, that is part of the block safety system, and can be used to stop the train in an emergency.
Circuit: A complete trip round a roller coaster track.
Clothoid Loop: A vertical loop that is teardrop shaped (Example: Revolution, BPB).
Cobra Roll: An inversion similar to a boomerang, but where the track is inverted.
Corkscrew: An inversion where a vertical loop has been stretched laterally, so the track resembles a corkscrew.
Crossover: Where two parts of the same coaster's track cross over one another (above or below).
Custom Coaster Int. (CCI): Defunct top class wooden coaster manufacturer. (Example: Megafobia).
Cutback: Type of inversion element which features two half-corkscrews, but they are in opposite directions so the train leaves the inversion heading the opposite way to the one it was travelling on entering.
Capacity: Usually given in riders per hour. This is the maximum number of people that can pass through a ride in a set time. This is of course assuming all trains running and riders loading and unloading without any trouble.
Car: The individual vehicle in which the rider travels. Several cars joined together form the train.
Catapult Launch: Used on some coasters that do not have lift hills. Can be either a fly-wheel system that uses a clutch or a weighted system that pulls the train out of the station (Example: Thunder Looper, ex-Alton Towers).
Centrifugal Force: Another term for lateral G forces.
Chain Dog: Located on the bogie, this is a piece of metal that connects with the chain lift to enable the train to be pulled up the hill.
Chain Lift: A motorised chain used to take the train to the top of a hill.
Check Brake: A type of brake, not usually active, that is part of the block safety system, and can be used to stop the train in an emergency.
Circuit: A complete trip round a roller coaster track.
Clothoid Loop: A vertical loop that is teardrop shaped (Example: Revolution, BPB).
Cobra Roll: An inversion similar to a boomerang, but where the track is inverted.
Corkscrew: An inversion where a vertical loop has been stretched laterally, so the track resembles a corkscrew.
Crossover: Where two parts of the same coaster's track cross over one another (above or below).
Custom Coaster Int. (CCI): Defunct top class wooden coaster manufacturer. (Example: Megafobia).
Cutback: Type of inversion element which features two half-corkscrews, but they are in opposite directions so the train leaves the inversion heading the opposite way to the one it was travelling on entering.
D
Diving Loop: An inversion where the track inverts in an in-line twist and then dives toward the ground in a half-vertical loop.
Dive Machine: Another name for a vertical drop coaster (Example: Oblivion, Alton Towers).
Double Dip: A drop that has been separated by a short flat stretch of track. This gives good airtime in the rear of the train (Example: Grand National, BPB).
Double Loop: A coaster containing two vertical loops and no other inversions.
Double Out & Back: A layout where the train travels from and returns to the area near the station twice.
Double Up: Where an upwards hill has been separated by a flat section of track. This gives good airtime in the front of the train (Best example: Phoenix, Knoebels)
Dual Track: A coaster that has two similar tracks. Usually racing, but not always (Example: Colossus, Magic Mountain).
Duelling Coaster: Where the track design makes it appear two trains are duelling with each other over different layouts. Sometimes side by side and some heading directly for each other, similar to medieval jousting (Example: Lighting Racers, Hersheypark).
Duelling Loops: Inversions on a duelling coaster, where two trains race towards each other, then enter two vertical loops which are opposite one another. The effect is that the trains will collide, but of course don't as they enter their respective vertical loops (Example: Duelling Dragons, Islands of Adventure).
Dive Machine: Another name for a vertical drop coaster (Example: Oblivion, Alton Towers).
Double Dip: A drop that has been separated by a short flat stretch of track. This gives good airtime in the rear of the train (Example: Grand National, BPB).
Double Loop: A coaster containing two vertical loops and no other inversions.
Double Out & Back: A layout where the train travels from and returns to the area near the station twice.
Double Up: Where an upwards hill has been separated by a flat section of track. This gives good airtime in the front of the train (Best example: Phoenix, Knoebels)
Dual Track: A coaster that has two similar tracks. Usually racing, but not always (Example: Colossus, Magic Mountain).
Duelling Coaster: Where the track design makes it appear two trains are duelling with each other over different layouts. Sometimes side by side and some heading directly for each other, similar to medieval jousting (Example: Lighting Racers, Hersheypark).
Duelling Loops: Inversions on a duelling coaster, where two trains race towards each other, then enter two vertical loops which are opposite one another. The effect is that the trains will collide, but of course don't as they enter their respective vertical loops (Example: Duelling Dragons, Islands of Adventure).
E
Enclosed: A ride that is totally under cover, or underground. May include various light and sound effects.
ERS: Exclusive Ride Session. Just us and no public (Also known as ERT, exclusive ride time)
ERS: Exclusive Ride Session. Just us and no public (Also known as ERT, exclusive ride time)
F
Fan Curve: A turn that the train enters ascending, but leaves descending.
Figure 8: Where, from above, the track layout resembles the number 8.
Fin Brake: Type of brake where a metal fin on the side or base of the car is gripped by callipers on the side or base of the track. Used for stopping or slowing the train.
First Drop: The first drop after the chain lift. Usually the highest and longest, but not necessarily.
Flat Spin: B&M's name for a high-speed helix.
Floorless: A coaster from B&M where riders sit above the track, but the cars have no floors. Picture inverted style cars on top of conventional track.
Fly-By: Feature on dueling coasters where two trains race towards each other, only for each one to swerve away at the last moment.
Flying Turns: Forerunner to Bobsled coasters - concave troughs made from wood served as track, and low-slung trains raced down them. First introduced in the 1920's. (Current and only example, Flying Turns, Knoebels)
Fourth Dimension: A coaster that features seats which rotate 360 degrees on several occasions whilst the train travels the circuit (Example: X2, Magic Mountain).
Freefall: This feature gives extended periods of negative G's, and is found on shuttle coasters with vertical drops.
Flying (Lay-down): A type of coaster that has rider positioned in a 'superman' type position, giving the feeling of flight (Example: AIR, Alton Towers).
Figure 8: Where, from above, the track layout resembles the number 8.
Fin Brake: Type of brake where a metal fin on the side or base of the car is gripped by callipers on the side or base of the track. Used for stopping or slowing the train.
First Drop: The first drop after the chain lift. Usually the highest and longest, but not necessarily.
Flat Spin: B&M's name for a high-speed helix.
Floorless: A coaster from B&M where riders sit above the track, but the cars have no floors. Picture inverted style cars on top of conventional track.
Fly-By: Feature on dueling coasters where two trains race towards each other, only for each one to swerve away at the last moment.
Flying Turns: Forerunner to Bobsled coasters - concave troughs made from wood served as track, and low-slung trains raced down them. First introduced in the 1920's. (Current and only example, Flying Turns, Knoebels)
Fourth Dimension: A coaster that features seats which rotate 360 degrees on several occasions whilst the train travels the circuit (Example: X2, Magic Mountain).
Freefall: This feature gives extended periods of negative G's, and is found on shuttle coasters with vertical drops.
Flying (Lay-down): A type of coaster that has rider positioned in a 'superman' type position, giving the feeling of flight (Example: AIR, Alton Towers).
G
Giga-Coaster: A coaster over 300ft with no inversions (Example: Millennium Force, Cedar Point).
Gravity Group LLC: The newest wooden coaster manufacturer who specialise in wild high speed woodies! (Example: Voyage, Holiday Wolrld).
Great Coasters Int. A great American wooden coaster manufacturer who produce some excellent twisting and racing/duelling coasters. (Example: Lightning Racers, Hersheypark).
Guide Wheels: A set of wheels under the train that guides the train in turns and prevent it from leaving the track (can be on the inside or outside of the track)
Gravity Group LLC: The newest wooden coaster manufacturer who specialise in wild high speed woodies! (Example: Voyage, Holiday Wolrld).
Great Coasters Int. A great American wooden coaster manufacturer who produce some excellent twisting and racing/duelling coasters. (Example: Lightning Racers, Hersheypark).
Guide Wheels: A set of wheels under the train that guides the train in turns and prevent it from leaving the track (can be on the inside or outside of the track)
H
Hairpin Drop: A coaster that twists to one side and then drops almost vertically, with little lateral movement.
Hairpin Turn: A sharp 180-degree turn.
Half-Corkscrew: One half of a corkscrew inversion element. Can be combined with another element for a more complex inversion.
Half-Loop: One half of a vertical loop inversion element. Can be combined with another element for a more complex inversion.
Half Roll: Only found on flying coasters, this element is used to turn the train from the flying position to one where the riders are facing the sky, or vice-versa.
Head-Chopping: Where one section of track dives under another, or a separate object, to give the rider the illusion that they are about to be decapitated.
Heartline Twist: Similar to an in-line twist, but the rider is rotated on a parallel about his/her heart (Example: Ultra Twister).
Heart Loop: Another name for a rollover.
Helix: Where the track turns and either ascends or descends simultaneously in a spiral.
Hypercoaster: A coaster over 200ft with no inversions (Example: Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point).
Hydraulic Launch: Where a coaster is launched using hydraulics rather than a stand chain lift (Example: Top Thrill Dragster).
Hairpin Turn: A sharp 180-degree turn.
Half-Corkscrew: One half of a corkscrew inversion element. Can be combined with another element for a more complex inversion.
Half-Loop: One half of a vertical loop inversion element. Can be combined with another element for a more complex inversion.
Half Roll: Only found on flying coasters, this element is used to turn the train from the flying position to one where the riders are facing the sky, or vice-versa.
Head-Chopping: Where one section of track dives under another, or a separate object, to give the rider the illusion that they are about to be decapitated.
Heartline Twist: Similar to an in-line twist, but the rider is rotated on a parallel about his/her heart (Example: Ultra Twister).
Heart Loop: Another name for a rollover.
Helix: Where the track turns and either ascends or descends simultaneously in a spiral.
Hypercoaster: A coaster over 200ft with no inversions (Example: Magnum XL-200, Cedar Point).
Hydraulic Launch: Where a coaster is launched using hydraulics rather than a stand chain lift (Example: Top Thrill Dragster).
I
Immelman: What a diving loop is called when it occurs on an inverted roller coaster. It is also taken in the opposite direction - i.e. the half-loop comes before the in-line twist. Named after a World War II stunt plane manoeuvre.
Inclined Loop: An inversion where a vertical loop is tilted, about a pivoting point on the ground below it.
In-Line Twist: Type of inversion where the train is rotated about its own axis, so the direction and elevation do not change.
Intamin: Swiss manufacturer famous for building hypercoasters and gigacoasters.
Interlocking Corkscrews: Where two separate corkscrews are interlocked. Despite being next to each other, the two inversions are not taken consecutively.
Interlocking Loops: Where two vertical lops are interlocked. This makes for an exciting ride if two trains are timed to travel around the loops at the same time. (Example: Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens).
Inversion: A part of the track where the rider is turned upside down.
Inverted: A coaster where the train rides below the track, and cannot swing in relation to the track. Do not confuse with suspended coaster.
Inclined Loop: An inversion where a vertical loop is tilted, about a pivoting point on the ground below it.
In-Line Twist: Type of inversion where the train is rotated about its own axis, so the direction and elevation do not change.
Intamin: Swiss manufacturer famous for building hypercoasters and gigacoasters.
Interlocking Corkscrews: Where two separate corkscrews are interlocked. Despite being next to each other, the two inversions are not taken consecutively.
Interlocking Loops: Where two vertical lops are interlocked. This makes for an exciting ride if two trains are timed to travel around the loops at the same time. (Example: Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens).
Inversion: A part of the track where the rider is turned upside down.
Inverted: A coaster where the train rides below the track, and cannot swing in relation to the track. Do not confuse with suspended coaster.
J
Junior: A coaster designed for children.
K
Kingda-Ka: At the time of writing, the tallest at 456ft (and 2nd fastest at 128mph) coaster in the world. Located at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, USA.
L
Lap bar: A common type of restraint, which locks in place over the riders lap to prevent them leaving the car while in motion. Usually found on wooden coasters.
Lateral G's: The forces of gravity that propel the rider to the outside of turns. Greatly reduced by banked turns.
Lift Hill: The section of track, usually at the start of a ride, which raises the coaster via a chain lift or other form.
LIM Launch: Linear Induction Motor. Where the train is propelled up a lift hill or along a section of track using magnetic waves (Example: Flights of Fear, Kings Island).
Loading Platform: The part of the station where the rider boards the train.
Lateral G's: The forces of gravity that propel the rider to the outside of turns. Greatly reduced by banked turns.
Lift Hill: The section of track, usually at the start of a ride, which raises the coaster via a chain lift or other form.
LIM Launch: Linear Induction Motor. Where the train is propelled up a lift hill or along a section of track using magnetic waves (Example: Flights of Fear, Kings Island).
Loading Platform: The part of the station where the rider boards the train.
M
Manual Brake: Type of brake found on old coasters, where the operator pulls a lever to stop the train as it enters the station.
Maurer-Sohne: Spinning Wild Mouse manufacturer.
Mine Cars: Cars themed as mine trucks, used on mine train and some wild mouse-design coasters.
Mine Train: A coaster that simulates a ride through an old mine, usually with themeing.
Mobius: A rare coaster layout where two trains race each other on parallel tracks, but each train arrives on the opposite side of station to which it departed (Example: Grand National, BPB).
Mouse Cars: Cars themed as mice, used on Wild Mouse coasters.
Multi-Element: A coaster that contains more than one type of inversion.
Multi-Lift: A coaster with more than 2 lifts.
Maurer-Sohne: Spinning Wild Mouse manufacturer.
Mine Cars: Cars themed as mine trucks, used on mine train and some wild mouse-design coasters.
Mine Train: A coaster that simulates a ride through an old mine, usually with themeing.
Mobius: A rare coaster layout where two trains race each other on parallel tracks, but each train arrives on the opposite side of station to which it departed (Example: Grand National, BPB).
Mouse Cars: Cars themed as mice, used on Wild Mouse coasters.
Multi-Element: A coaster that contains more than one type of inversion.
Multi-Lift: A coaster with more than 2 lifts.
N
Negative G's: See airtime.
O
Oblique Loop: An element on B&M coasters when two inclined portions of parallel track are joined at their crests by a banked turn.
Overhead Restraint: A common type of restraint on coasters with inversions, which pulls down over the head of the rider and locks in position over the chest (not usually found on wooden coasters).
Overhead Restraint: A common type of restraint on coasters with inversions, which pulls down over the head of the rider and locks in position over the chest (not usually found on wooden coasters).
P
Pay-Per-Ride (PPP): Where the rider pays for each ride/attraction separately.
Pay-One-Price (POP): One entry fee gains admission to all of a park's rides and attractions.
Point of View (POV): Term used to described video footage take form the front seat of a ride.
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC): The world's favourite wooden coaster train manufacturer.
Pinfari: Defunct Italian manufacturer who produced many small coasters seen at typical British seaside resorts.
Pipeline: An unopened type of coaster, developed by Arrow.
Positive G's: Pushes the rider into the seat, usually at the base of hills or during inversions.
Pay-One-Price (POP): One entry fee gains admission to all of a park's rides and attractions.
Point of View (POV): Term used to described video footage take form the front seat of a ride.
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC): The world's favourite wooden coaster train manufacturer.
Pinfari: Defunct Italian manufacturer who produced many small coasters seen at typical British seaside resorts.
Pipeline: An unopened type of coaster, developed by Arrow.
Positive G's: Pushes the rider into the seat, usually at the base of hills or during inversions.
Q
Queue Line: No one likes these!! This is the pathway (sometimes short or long) running up to the boarding point of a coaster. All enthusiasts are united in liking these empty and free of people!
R
Racing: Where two or more trains race each other around the circuit.
RCCGB: Abbreviation of full Club name.
Restraint: Prevents the rider from leaving their seat during the ride. Seatbelts, lapbars, T-bars and overheads are all types of restraint.
Reverchon: French manufacturer specialising in Wild Mouse coasters (including spinning) and dodgem cars.
Road Wheel: The wheels on the base of the car that rides on top of the track.
Roller Coaster Corporation of America (RCCA): Defunct wooden manufacturer famed for creating a looping wooden coaster in 2000 (Son of Beast, Kings Island - Now closed!).
Rollover: Inversion element on Vekoma Suspended looping coasters (SLC), which turns riders over twice. A half-loop, in-line twist and a second half loop mean the train completes two inversions and ends up travelling in the opposite direction leaving the element as it was on entering.
RCCGB: Abbreviation of full Club name.
Restraint: Prevents the rider from leaving their seat during the ride. Seatbelts, lapbars, T-bars and overheads are all types of restraint.
Reverchon: French manufacturer specialising in Wild Mouse coasters (including spinning) and dodgem cars.
Road Wheel: The wheels on the base of the car that rides on top of the track.
Roller Coaster Corporation of America (RCCA): Defunct wooden manufacturer famed for creating a looping wooden coaster in 2000 (Son of Beast, Kings Island - Now closed!).
Rollover: Inversion element on Vekoma Suspended looping coasters (SLC), which turns riders over twice. A half-loop, in-line twist and a second half loop mean the train completes two inversions and ends up travelling in the opposite direction leaving the element as it was on entering.
S
S&S Power: Manufacturer of air powered rides including space shots and Thrust Air 2000s.
Scenic Railway: Old style wooden coaster that has no up-stop wheels and usually a brake man on board (Example: Rollercoaster, Great Yarmouth).
Schwarzkopf: Legendary steel coaster manufacturer - Anton Schwarzkopf. Responsible for 137 coasters including Looping Star, Thriller & Olympic Looping.
Sea Serpent: What a bowtie inversion is called on a B&M coaster.
Seatbelt: A type of restraint, similar to lap belts in cars. Normally used in conjunction with a lapbar.
Shuttle: A coaster layout where the train travels the same length of track twice, generally once forwards and once backwards (Example: Revolution, BPB).
Side Friction Coaster: A coaster that has no up-stop wheels.
Side Friction Wheels: These prevent the train from leaving the track sideways.
Sidewinder: One half of a Boomerang inversion, where the train is inverted and turned 90 degrees, relative to the direction of entry.
Single Cars: Where the cars travel the circuit individually, and aren't joined together as a train.
Single Out & Back: The train leaves the lift hill, travels to a turnaround and returns to the station.
Single-Rail: A type of coaster where the track comprises of one tubular rail, as opposed to two rails found on most other coasters (Example: Steeplechase, BPB).
Skid Brake: Old type of brake where the train wheels are lifted off the track by fixed wooden bars. Friction between these and the base of the cars then slows the train.
Speed Bump: A small hill taken at high speed, usually to deliver airtime to the riders.
Speed Run: Several speed bumps in succession.
Spinning Cars: Waltzer style cars that spin whilst travelling around all or part of the circuit.
Spiral Coaster: Type of coaster from Intamin similar to the prototype Arrow Pipeline. Currently only one model exists, at the Al Sha-Ab Lesiure Park in Kuwait.
Slingshot (Reverse bungy): A type of thrill ride where patrons sit in a two-person capsule, which is fired upwards at a high rate of speed using elasticated ropes suspended between two poles.
Standing But Not Operating (SBNO): A coaster that isn't operating, but hasn't yet been demolished.
Stand-Up: The rider stands instead of sitting down (Example: Shockwave, Drayton Manor Park).
Station: Where the rider boards the train. Spare trains and the operator's controls are also usually located here.
Station Brake: The main brake used to stop the train at the end of the ride.
Steel Coaster: Defined by the fact that the track is steel (irrelevant of structure material).
Steel Structure: The ride has a steel structure, but not necessarily a steel track.
Storage Track: Track section away from the main circuit where the trains are stored when the coaster isn't operating.
S-Turn: Simple track manoeuvre which is used on suspended coasters to swing the cars first one way, then the other.
Suspended Coaster: The train rides below the track. The cars freely swing in relation to the track, and cannot contain inversions (Example: Vampire, Chessington World of Adventures).
Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC): Vekoma's name for their inverted coasters (Example: Infusion, BPB).
Swing Coaster: Another name for a suspended coaster.
Switchback Railway: The precursor to wooden coasters. A car would descend a slope, and after travelling up the other side, an operator would transfer it to a parallel track. It would then traverse this parallel track to its original starting point, where it would be transferred onto its first track - these transfers were known as switchbacks.
Scenic Railway: Old style wooden coaster that has no up-stop wheels and usually a brake man on board (Example: Rollercoaster, Great Yarmouth).
Schwarzkopf: Legendary steel coaster manufacturer - Anton Schwarzkopf. Responsible for 137 coasters including Looping Star, Thriller & Olympic Looping.
Sea Serpent: What a bowtie inversion is called on a B&M coaster.
Seatbelt: A type of restraint, similar to lap belts in cars. Normally used in conjunction with a lapbar.
Shuttle: A coaster layout where the train travels the same length of track twice, generally once forwards and once backwards (Example: Revolution, BPB).
Side Friction Coaster: A coaster that has no up-stop wheels.
Side Friction Wheels: These prevent the train from leaving the track sideways.
Sidewinder: One half of a Boomerang inversion, where the train is inverted and turned 90 degrees, relative to the direction of entry.
Single Cars: Where the cars travel the circuit individually, and aren't joined together as a train.
Single Out & Back: The train leaves the lift hill, travels to a turnaround and returns to the station.
Single-Rail: A type of coaster where the track comprises of one tubular rail, as opposed to two rails found on most other coasters (Example: Steeplechase, BPB).
Skid Brake: Old type of brake where the train wheels are lifted off the track by fixed wooden bars. Friction between these and the base of the cars then slows the train.
Speed Bump: A small hill taken at high speed, usually to deliver airtime to the riders.
Speed Run: Several speed bumps in succession.
Spinning Cars: Waltzer style cars that spin whilst travelling around all or part of the circuit.
Spiral Coaster: Type of coaster from Intamin similar to the prototype Arrow Pipeline. Currently only one model exists, at the Al Sha-Ab Lesiure Park in Kuwait.
Slingshot (Reverse bungy): A type of thrill ride where patrons sit in a two-person capsule, which is fired upwards at a high rate of speed using elasticated ropes suspended between two poles.
Standing But Not Operating (SBNO): A coaster that isn't operating, but hasn't yet been demolished.
Stand-Up: The rider stands instead of sitting down (Example: Shockwave, Drayton Manor Park).
Station: Where the rider boards the train. Spare trains and the operator's controls are also usually located here.
Station Brake: The main brake used to stop the train at the end of the ride.
Steel Coaster: Defined by the fact that the track is steel (irrelevant of structure material).
Steel Structure: The ride has a steel structure, but not necessarily a steel track.
Storage Track: Track section away from the main circuit where the trains are stored when the coaster isn't operating.
S-Turn: Simple track manoeuvre which is used on suspended coasters to swing the cars first one way, then the other.
Suspended Coaster: The train rides below the track. The cars freely swing in relation to the track, and cannot contain inversions (Example: Vampire, Chessington World of Adventures).
Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC): Vekoma's name for their inverted coasters (Example: Infusion, BPB).
Swing Coaster: Another name for a suspended coaster.
Switchback Railway: The precursor to wooden coasters. A car would descend a slope, and after travelling up the other side, an operator would transfer it to a parallel track. It would then traverse this parallel track to its original starting point, where it would be transferred onto its first track - these transfers were known as switchbacks.
T
Terrain Coaster: Use of natural terrain features prominently in the ride (Best example: Boulderdash, Lake Compounce).
Themed: A coaster that has a special layout, effects, buildings, lighting, graphics or sound to create a particular theme to the ride.
Train: At least two cars connected together.
Transfer Track: Track section that moves to enable trains to be placed from the circuit onto the storage track, or vice-versa.
Transportable: A coaster that can be quickly dismantled and moved to different locations.
Trim Brake: A disliked brake at some point on the circuit used to slow the train to an acceptable speed, or to protect the riders from excessive G's. Sadly some coasters are over trim braked and made less exciting. Trim brakes cannot completely stop a train.
Turnaround: Where the track turns round at a point furthest from the station.
Twister: A coaster layout with numerous twists and turns in all directions (Example: Megafobia, Oakwood).
Themed: A coaster that has a special layout, effects, buildings, lighting, graphics or sound to create a particular theme to the ride.
Train: At least two cars connected together.
Transfer Track: Track section that moves to enable trains to be placed from the circuit onto the storage track, or vice-versa.
Transportable: A coaster that can be quickly dismantled and moved to different locations.
Trim Brake: A disliked brake at some point on the circuit used to slow the train to an acceptable speed, or to protect the riders from excessive G's. Sadly some coasters are over trim braked and made less exciting. Trim brakes cannot completely stop a train.
Turnaround: Where the track turns round at a point furthest from the station.
Twister: A coaster layout with numerous twists and turns in all directions (Example: Megafobia, Oakwood).
U
Up-Stop Wheels: Wheels on the underside of the train to prevent it from leaving the track on the crests of hills and during inversions.
V
Valleying: Term used when a coaster fails to complete its circuit, and gets stuck part-way around.
Vekoma: Dutch manufacturer who specialise in 'off the shelf' ride (Example: Boomerangs).
Vertical Drop: A ride containing a 90-degree vertical drop.
Vertical Lift: A rare feature where instead of a lift hill, a coaster car/train is lifted vertically upwards on a section of track that acts as a lift. When this section is aligned with the rest of the circuit at the top, the car/train moves forwards to complete the ride.
Vertical Loop: The rider turns totally upside down in a 360-degree circle (Example: Looping Stars).
Vekoma: Dutch manufacturer who specialise in 'off the shelf' ride (Example: Boomerangs).
Vertical Drop: A ride containing a 90-degree vertical drop.
Vertical Lift: A rare feature where instead of a lift hill, a coaster car/train is lifted vertically upwards on a section of track that acts as a lift. When this section is aligned with the rest of the circuit at the top, the car/train moves forwards to complete the ride.
Vertical Loop: The rider turns totally upside down in a 360-degree circle (Example: Looping Stars).
W
Water Coaster: A ride that has conventional steel track, but small 10 or 12 passenger boats as the cars. The ride travels and drops through water similar to a log flume at several points during the ride.
Werner Stengel: Living legend coaster designer. He is responsible for over 430 coasters including 70% of the worlds top 50 coasters. These include Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Kingda Ka at Six Flag Great Adventure and Bizarro at Six Flags New England.
Wild Mouse: Coaster type featuring sharp drops, sudden turns and single cars.
Wood Coaster (Woodie): Defined by the fact that the track is made from laminated wood (irrelevant of structure material).
Wood Structure: The ride has a wood structure, but not necessarily a wood track.
Werner Stengel: Living legend coaster designer. He is responsible for over 430 coasters including 70% of the worlds top 50 coasters. These include Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Kingda Ka at Six Flag Great Adventure and Bizarro at Six Flags New England.
Wild Mouse: Coaster type featuring sharp drops, sudden turns and single cars.
Wood Coaster (Woodie): Defined by the fact that the track is made from laminated wood (irrelevant of structure material).
Wood Structure: The ride has a wood structure, but not necessarily a wood track.
X
X2: The first 4th dimension roller coaster, built at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, USA
Y
Yeah!: The word often heard being yelled by enthusiasts as the coaster train descends down the first drop!
Z
Zero-G Roll: Similar to a heartline roll, but the track turns up and down during the inversion. This gives plenty of negative G's.
There are other terms and more manufacturers but this should be enough to help you understand the basics!
