Thunder Run is a powered roller coaster, themed after a runaway mine train, found at Canada's Wonderland, in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Rather than having a traditional chain lift hill, the train has an electric motor on board. The train (consisting of nine cars of two rows of two seats, plus an extra single row at the front of the train) flies directly into the Wonder Mountain, the artificial mountain that is a trademark of the park. Thunder Run wasn't the park's first powered coaster. When Canada's Wonderland opened in 1981, it had a powered coaster named Blauer Enzian ("Blue Gentian" in German). However, in 1985, the coaster shut down and would be relocated to Tykkimäki. After that, Mack Rides, the manufacturer of Blauer Enzian, would be contacted to build another powered coaster for Canada's Wonderland.
The ride occupies the interior of the Wonder Mountain, which was initially supposed to hold a "Bavarian Market". Instead, mechanical equipment was placed inside, which was later relocated to the "roof" of the mountain to make room for the ride. The relocation of mechanical equipment also resulted in the Wonder Mountain walkway being closed. Riders on Vortex can still see remnants of the look-out terrace before they reach the first drop.
Ride experience
Once the train leaves the station, train riders traverse a banked left turn, followed by an upward helix to the left inside Wonder Mountain. Part of this helix is exposed, giving train riders a view of the surrounding area. Due to the nature of the train ride, the train picks up speed as it ascends the helix.