Layout
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003–2021)
After leaving the station, the train entered the launch area. To the left of the launch area was a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message was played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train was prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect was played and its magnetic braking fins were lowered from the launch track. It then launched, accelerating to a speed of 120 mi/h in 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengaged, and the train began its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420 ft top hat. Upon descending, the track twisted 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.[42][14]
As Top Thrill 2
After leaving the station, the train passes through a switch track and makes an S-turn to the right to join the launch track. To the left of the launch area is a modified version of the original "Christmas tree" light. As soon as the switch track changes positions behind the train, the train is launched forward towards the original top hat at 74 mi/h, rolling backward partway up the tower. Reaching the launch track again, the train is launched in reverse at 101 mi/h, past the station, and up a 420 ft vertical spike in reverse, crossing over Iron Dragon in the process. Rolling forward onto the launch track once again, the station roof creates a headchopper effect and the train is accelerated to 120 mi/h to crest the top hat. After descending the 270 degree spiral drop, the train hits the brake run, while the switch track is reset to allow another train to launch.[43]
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003–2021)
After leaving the station, the train entered the launch area. To the left of the launch area was a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message was played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train was prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect was played and its magnetic braking fins were lowered from the launch track. It then launched, accelerating to a speed of 120 mi/h in 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengaged, and the train began its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420 ft top hat. Upon descending, the track twisted 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.[42][14]
As Top Thrill 2
After leaving the station, the train passes through a switch track and makes an S-turn to the right to join the launch track. To the left of the launch area is a modified version of the original "Christmas tree" light. As soon as the switch track changes positions behind the train, the train is launched forward towards the original top hat at 74 mi/h, rolling backward partway up the tower. Reaching the launch track again, the train is launched in reverse at 101 mi/h, past the station, and up a 420 ft vertical spike in reverse, crossing over Iron Dragon in the process. Rolling forward onto the launch track once again, the station roof creates a headchopper effect and the train is accelerated to 120 mi/h to crest the top hat. After descending the 270 degree spiral drop, the train hits the brake run, while the switch track is reset to allow another train to launch.[43]
Station, theme, and trains
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)
The roller coaster was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, a category of motor racing that involved the world's fastest accelerating cars.[44] An actual Top Fuel dragster weighs approximately one ton, while each train on the coaster weighed 15 tons.[7] Originally, the design called for five cars on each train, but when the ride first opened, there were only four.[14] A fifth car was added to each by midseason.[14]
Each dragster-themed train was also decorated with a spoiler, a set of tires, and an engine at the rear of each train, but these were removed after the fifth car was added to allow an extra row of seats to take their place.[14]
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)
The roller coaster was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, a category of motor racing that involved the world's fastest accelerating cars.[44] An actual Top Fuel dragster weighs approximately one ton, while each train on the coaster weighed 15 tons.[7] Originally, the design called for five cars on each train, but when the ride first opened, there were only four.[14] A fifth car was added to each by midseason.[14]
Each dragster-themed train was also decorated with a spoiler, a set of tires, and an engine at the rear of each train, but these were removed after the fifth car was added to allow an extra row of seats to take their place.[14][45][46]
As Top Thrill 2
As Top Thrill 2, the top fuel theming was dropped in favor of a more general racing theme, similar to that of Formula One.[47] The ride area, as well as the trains, are decorated with a stylized logo of "CP Racing." The redesigned ride runs three 5-car trains supplied by Zamperla, holding 20 people per train.[43] The trains are of Zamperla's Lightning model, which is notable for using a milled aluminum chassis and carbon fiber bodywork.[48] For safety, riders can not bring loose items onto the ride, and metal detectors are installed at the beginning of the queue.[49]
As part of the refurbishment, the ride was repainted to have white track and dark grey supports, with the highest points on both the spike and top hat towers being accented with red sections alternating with white sections.[43]
Rollbacks
Occasionally a train will launch without sufficient speed to reach the top of the tower and roll back onto the launch track, hence the term "rollback". This typically happens in cool, wet, or breezy weather, or when the wind is significantly working against it. As Top Thrill Dragster, the launch track was equipped with retractable magnetic brake fins, which were raised after each launch to slow the train down in case it did not reach the top of the tower.[50] As Top Thrill 2, if the train does not crest over the top after the third launch, the LSM fins also function as braking fins to slow the train down.
On very rare occasions, a combination of the weight distribution of the train, the force of the launch, and the wind could stall a train on top of the tower. When this happens, a mechanic will take the elevator to the top and push the train down the hill.[51][52][53]
