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Roller
Coaster Cam!
Photos for the Coaster and Theme Park Enthusiast by John Foss 
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| I've been taking roller coaster and theme park pictures around the world since 1981. They are here for your enjoyment, and for the education of those too chicken to ride them. Many of these pictures were taken from the seats of moving coasters, which most parks no longer allow. Don't try this yourself, because your camera may float or fly away from you and konk somebody on the head! |
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Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
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Cresting the first hill on Rolling Thunder in 1988. It's
a nice view from up there. Arms up!
The
Great American Scream Machine in 1994. This ride takes you upside down
seven times, including a first loop that seems to be as high the top
of the first hill, which we are looking down here. Lunch up!
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The other ride up there is called the Big Shot. This is a kind of combination slingshot - bungee jump - freefall ride that uses that red tower up there. You are strapped into a chair and shot 160 upward, then you freefall and bounce up and down several times. The ride is smooth and the view is breathtaking! You can just see the Big Shot in the picture on the right; it's about 2/3 of the way up the tower. There are four seats on each side of the square tower, for a total of 16. See the tiny legs hanging over? |
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Las
Vegas, Nevada
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Primm, Nevada
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Much
bigger than anything in Las Vegas (or most anywhere else), is the Desperado,
at Buffalo Bill's Hotel and Casino. This "town" on I-15 at
Nevada's southern border consisted in 1999 of three hotel/casinos, a
McDonalds and a gas station. At 209', the first hill is higher than
the huge hotel! When built, this was the highest, longest, and fastest
coaster in the world. The 225' drop from a 209' structure means that
the first hill takes you down below ground level into a tiny tunnel
before shooting you back up into the blazing sun! It starts and ends
inside the casino and is a blast of a ride. Very intense, which makes
it hard to get good pictures from the front seat. Don't miss it if you're
in Las Vegas! Below you can see how the ride dwarfs the large hotel/casino.| Cedar
Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Located on the shore of Lake Erie, Cedar Point is the "Queen of the Ride Parks". Regular customers come from as far away as New Jersey and Indiana to ride the more than 14 roller coasters at the park, which has the most anywhere. Cedar Point is easily my favorite park, and I miss it since moving to the West coast, but will still visit at every possible opportunity!
When it opened in 1978, Gemini was the tallest, fastest and steepest coaster
in the world. Times have changed, but it remains one of the most popular
rides at Cedar Point because the two trains battle for position as they
pass each other on the curves. You never know which one will arrive back
at the station first! Below, riders high-five and yell at each other as
the trains pass high on a curve in front of a 1990 sunset.  
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The
Corkscrew, which opened in 1976, was the first ride to combine a loop
and a "corkscrewing" maneuver. These pictures were taken in
1988 and 1990. 
The
Magnum XL-200, right, was the world's tallest before the Desperado (see
above). It's only 4' shorter than it's Nevada rival, and takes riders
nearly out over the lake. It's second hill is larger than the first
hill on most coasters. The wooden coaster in the foreground is the Gemini.
This picture was taken in 1993, from aboard Gemini's blue train.
The
Iron Dragon hangs its cars from the track, and they swing out on the
curves. This ride has two chain lifts, and finishes in an exciting "knot"
over the misty waters seen below. In that big picture, the Corkscrew
twists in the background. 1993 photo.
The
Mean Streak is such a nasty coaster, not only was I unable to hold my
trusty camera straight, I couldn't even scan the picture straight! Opened
in 1991, the Mean Streak is one of the longest and fastest wooden coasters
anywhere. It's 160' high with a 155' vertical drop, and 5427 feet of
track. Did I mention it also bounces you around a bit? This ride is
so popular and the lines are so long, Cedar Point actually has a "line
D.J." playing music and talking to the crowd while they wait!
On the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA is the famous Giant
Dipper. This classic woodie celebrated it's 75th birthday in 1999. It
looks, feels and rides very much like the Cyclone at Coney Island, which
is makes it an excellent coaster for its size, and a beautiful landmark
to add to the boardwalk scenery.
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Coaster Links
Joyrides, the most
beautiful roller coaster photos!
The World of Coasters Cedar
Point, America's Roller Coast Interesting
CNN Coaster article Top
of page John
Foss Home
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This
is the looping coaster at Seibu En Amusement Park in Japan. I came to
this park while visiting a friend who lives near Tokyo in 1987. She
insisted on being the gracious Japanese host by riding the ride with
me, though she scrunched up her entire face and I don't think she saw
a thing during the entire ride!
I
know it's not a roller coaster, but it's too beautiful to leave out.
This is the big Ferris wheel, at a small amusement park in downtown
Vienna, Austria. Each of the "cars" can hold a dozen or more
people, standing or sitting. The most interesting thing about this ride
is that the wheel is entirely supported by cables. There are no solid
support members holding the outside part of the wheel! This ride was
featured in the James Bond movie "The Living Daylights."