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Rocky Mountain Construction

(Redirected from Topper Track)

Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) is a manufacturing and construction company based in Hayden, Idaho, United States. It is best known for its I-Box track and Topper Track for wooden roller coasters. Founded by Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon in 2001, it has built over 20 roller coasters. In 2023, amusement ride manufacturer Larson International merged with it.

Rocky Mountain Construction
Company typePrivate
IndustryManufacturing and construction
Founded2001; 23 years ago (2001)
FounderFred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon
Headquarters
Hayden, Idaho
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Darren Torr (President/CEO)
  • Jake Kilcup (COO)
ServicesRoller coasters, water parks, specialty construction
Websitewww.rockymtnconstruction.com

History

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In 2001, Rocky Mountain Construction was established by Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon. Fred Grubb previously had experience in the construction industry having worked on custom homes and zoo exhibits. The company has worked on several projects including the construction of roller coasters, water parks, steel buildings, miniature golf courses and go kart tracks.[1]

In 2009 Alan Schilke of Ride Centerline began providing design and engineering work for Rocky Mountain Construction. He previously worked with Arrow Dynamics (later S&S Worldwide) to design Tennessee Tornado, Road Runner Express, and X.[2][3][4] Working with Rocky Mountain Construction, Schilke and Grubb designed the I-Box track for wooden roller coasters.[5] The first installation of this track technology debuted on New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas in 2011.[6]

In late 2011, Schilke announced that the company would be working on two projects throughout 2012 which would both open in 2013.[7] These were later revealed to be an I-Box retrack of The Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and a new roller coaster designed from scratch at Silver Dollar City named Outlaw Run.[8][9] The track technology used for Outlaw Run, which allows a square beam of wood to be twisted, took 4 years to develop. It allows Rocky Mountain Construction to design layouts with maneuvers that are not traditionally possible with wooden roller coasters such as heartline rolls. Grubb has stated the technology could be used for new elements in the future.[10] Some new elements were realized with the announcement of Goliath at Six Flags Great America. The ride features a dive loop and a zero-g stall. The ride opened in June 2014.[11]

In 2013, Rocky Mountain Construction signed a deal with Dutch amusement ride firm Vekoma. The agreement allows Vekoma to sell Rocky Mountain Construction's roller coasters outside the North American market.[12] In 2014, Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden announced plans to build the first Rocky Mountain coaster in Europe called Wildfire, which opened on June 28, 2016.[13] To handle increased demand, Rocky Mountain Construction opened a new factory, twice the size of their existing one, in August 2014.[14]

In a press release on April 11, 2023, amusement ride manufacturer Larson International, known for its Fire Ball models, merged with Rocky Mountain Construction.[15]

Technology

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Topper Track (left) and I-Box Track (right) display at Rocky Mountain Construction's booth at IAAPA IAE 2017, with the Raptor Track display behind them to the right
  • I-Box Track (also known as Iron Horse Track) – Rocky Mountain Construction's most common product. A formation of replacement steel track for wooden roller coasters. The first installation of this track was on New Texas Giant in Six Flags Over Texas.[16][17]
  • I-Box (Large Track Version) – Specifically designed to run the S&S Free Spin 4D coaster clones.
  • Topper Track – Installed on several coasters around the United States.[18][19][20] The track is designed to reduce the maintenance required for a wooden roller coaster and provide a smoother ride experience.[19][21] This steel track replaces the upper layers of laminated wood.[21]
  • Wooden roller coaster trains – specifically designed to run on the company's own Topper Track, however, they could be added to other wooden roller coasters as well. The trains feature steel wheels as opposed to polyurethane wheels found on most trains.[7][8]
  • 208 Retrack – Debuting in 2021 on Silverwood's Tremors roller coaster, similar to the I-box track, 208 is designed to be used as a replacement for sections of old wooden coasters to decrease maintenance and add lifespan to the coaster as well as increase rider comfort and enjoyment.
  • Wild Moose – A version of the classic wild mouse coaster type using I-Box track, featuring entirely redesigned trains and a compact layout.
  • Raptor Track – A single rail steel track that features inline seating for passengers.
  • T-Rex Track – Similar to Raptor track, the T-Rex track is a single rail track. It is a larger single rail model that permits two seat-wide trains on the track rather than one.
  • Swing Axle Trains – Debuting in 2018 on Twisted Timbers, the Swing axle train features a pivoting front axle allowing for smoother transitions between elements.

List of roller coasters

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As of August 2023, Rocky Mountain Construction has built or refurbished 25 roller coasters around the world, all of which are currently operating, and two more are being constructed.[22]

Name Model Park Country Converted From Opened Status Ref Image
New Texas Giant I-Box - Steel Six Flags Over Texas   United States Texas Giant 2011 Operating [23]
[6]		  
Outlaw Run Topper Track - Wood Silver Dollar City   United States N/A 2013 Operating [24]  
Iron Rattler I-Box - Steel Six Flags Fiesta Texas   United States Rattler 2013 Operating [25]
[8]
[26]		  
Medusa Steel Coaster I-Box - Steel Six Flags Mexico   Mexico Medusa 2014 Operating [27]  
Goliath Topper Track - Wood Six Flags Great America   United States N/A 2014 Operating [28]  
Twisted Colossus I-Box - Steel Six Flags Magic Mountain   United States Colossus 2015 Operating [29]
[30]		  
Wicked Cyclone I-Box - Steel Six Flags New England   United States Cyclone 2015 Operating [31]
[32]		  
Wildfire Topper Track - Wood Kolmården   Sweden N/A 2016 Operating [33]
[13]		  
Storm Chaser I-Box - Steel Kentucky Kingdom   United States Twisted Twins 2016 Operating [34]  
The Joker I-Box - Steel Six Flags Discovery Kingdom   United States ROAR 2016 Operating [35]  
Lightning Rod Topper Track & I-Box - Wood & steel[36] Dollywood   United States N/A 2016 Operating  
Twisted Timbers I-Box - Steel Kings Dominion   United States Hurler 2018 Operating [37]  
Steel Vengeance I-Box - Steel Cedar Point   United States Mean Streak 2018 Operating [38]  
Twisted Cyclone I-Box - Steel Six Flags Over Georgia   United States Georgia Cyclone 2018 Operating [39]  
Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster Raptor Track - Steel Six Flags Fiesta Texas   United States N/A 2018 Operating [40]
[41]		  
RailBlazer Raptor Track - Steel California's Great America   United States N/A 2018 Operating [42]  
Hakugei I-Box - Steel Nagashima Spa Land   Japan White Cyclone 2019 Operating [43]  
Untamed I-Box - Steel Walibi Holland   Netherlands Robin Hood 2019 Operating [44]
[45]		  
Zadra I-Box - Steel Energylandia   Poland N/A 2019 Operating [46]  
Stunt Pilot Raptor Track - Steel Silverwood Theme Park   United States N/A 2021 Operating [47]  
Jersey Devil Coaster Raptor Track - Steel Six Flags Great Adventure   United States N/A 2021 Operating [48]  
Iron Gwazi I-Box - Steel Busch Gardens Tampa   United States Gwazi 2022 Operating [49]  
Wonder Woman Flight of Courage Raptor Track - Steel Six Flags Magic Mountain   United States N/A 2022 Operating [50]  
ArieForce One I-Box - Steel Fun Spot Atlanta   United States N/A 2023 Operating [51][52]  
Wildcat's Revenge I-Box - Steel Hersheypark   United States Wildcat 2023 Operating [53]  
Fire In The Hole I-Box -

Steel[54]

Silver Dollar City   United States N/A 2024 Operating [55]  
Sköll & Hati Raptor Track - Steel Gyeongju World   South Korea N/A 2024 Operating [56]
Fire Runner Raptor Track - Steel Lost Island Theme Park   United States N/A 2025 Under construction [57]
YoY Dueling Raptor Tracks - Steel Walibi Holland   Netherlands N/A 2025 Under construction [58]

Other projects

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Topper Track, no layout changes

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Construction

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Source:[59]

Repairs

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Source:[59]

Miscellaneous

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The wave pool at Boulder Beach was constructed by Rocky Mountain Construction

Source:[59]

References

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  1. ^ "About Us". Rocky Mountain Construction. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  2. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tennessee Tornado  (Dollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  3. ^ Marden, Duane. "X2  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  4. ^ US patent 6523479, Schilke, Alan & et al, "Amusement rides and methods", issued February 25, 2003, assigned to Morano, S. Joseph 
  5. ^ US application 2011146528, Schilke, Alan; Grubb, Fred; Bachtar, Dody, "Rolling Vehicle Track" 
  6. ^ a b "NEW Texas Giant Named Best New Ride of 2011". PR Newswire. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Alvey, Robb; Schilke, Alan (November 16, 2011). "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 3 Orlando Florida Theme Park Review Rocky Mountain Sally". Theme Park Review. YouTube. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c McLean, Mike (January 19, 2012). "North Idaho roller coaster maker expands to accommodate innovations". Journal of Business. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  9. ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Olson, Devon (2013). Outlaw Run: From Dreams To Screams. Branson, Missouri: YouTube. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  12. ^ "Vekoma rides on". Park World Magazine: 30. November 2013.
  13. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Wildfire  (Kolmården Wildlife Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  14. ^ Grubb, Fred (June 25, 2014). "Fred and Suanne". NewsPlusNotes (Interview). Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  15. ^ Gregory, John (April 11, 2023). "Coaster firm RMC merging with Larson International - Theme Park Tribune, theme park news". Theme Park Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Sandy, Adam (May 2011). "Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  17. ^ "Steel track for wooden coasters". Park World Online. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  18. ^ a b Rocky Mountain Construction (October 15, 2010). "Tremors Coaster Topper Track Installation". Photos. Facebook. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Georgia Cyclone: A Classic "Woodie"". Six Flags. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  20. ^ "Two Six Flags Rides Receive "Topper Track" for 2011". NewsPlusNotes. March 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "Rocky Mountain Construction Company". Coaster-Net. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  22. ^ Rocky Mountain Construction - rcdb.com
  23. ^ Marden, Duane. "New Texas Giant  (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  24. ^ Marden, Duane. "Outlaw Run  (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  25. ^ Marden, Duane. "Iron Rattler  (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  26. ^ Morton, Neal (August 30, 2012). "Steel up for Iron Rattler". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  27. ^ Marden, Duane. "Medusa Steel Coaster  (Six Flags México)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  28. ^ Marden, Duane. "Goliath  (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  29. ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Colossus  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  30. ^ MacDonald, Brady. "Six Flags Magic Mountain turning wooden coaster into Twisted Colossus". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  31. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wicked Cyclone  (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  32. ^ "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  33. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildfire  (Kolmården)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  34. ^ Marden, Duane. "Storm Chaser  (Kentucky Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  35. ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker  (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  36. ^ Marden, Duane. "Lightning Rod  (Dollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  37. ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Timbers  (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  38. ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Vengeance  (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  39. ^ Marden, Duane. "Twisted Cyclone  (Six Flags Over Georgia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  40. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster  (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  41. ^ Levine, Arthur. "Exclusive: Six Flags to debut single-rail Wonder Woman coaster". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  42. ^ Marden, Duane. "RailBlazer  (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  43. ^ Marden, Duane. "Hakugei  (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  44. ^ Marden, Duane. "Untamed  (Walibi Holland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  45. ^ "Walibi Holland vervangt Robin Hood door hypermoderne achtbaan". Looopings (in Dutch). February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  46. ^ Marden, Duane. "Zadra  (Energylandia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  47. ^ Marden, Duane. "Stunt Pilot  (Silverwood Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  48. ^ Marden, Duane. "Jersey Devil Coaster  (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  49. ^ Marden, Duane. "Iron Gwazi  (Busch Gardens Tampa)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  50. ^ Marden, Duane. "unknown  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  51. ^ Marden, Duane. "ArieForce One  (Fun Spot America Atlanta)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  52. ^ "Fun Spot America Announces partnership with Rocky Mountain Construction". Fun Spot America Theme Parks. May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  53. ^ "Hersheypark Announces New Hybrid Rollercoaster". Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  54. ^ beaver, marketing (September 7, 2023). "Fire In The Hole". Rocky Mountain Construction. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  55. ^ Marden, Duane. "Fire In The Hole  (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  56. ^ Marden, Duane. "Sköll & Hati  (Gyeongju World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  57. ^ Marden, Duane. "Fire Runner  (Lost Island Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  58. ^ Marden, Duane. "YoY  (Walibi Holland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  59. ^ a b c "Clients & Portfolio". Rocky Mountain Construction. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  60. ^ Kentucky Kingdom (July 28, 2013). "Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
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