Abisola SalahuPeople pay attention to the biggest roller coasters, but very few care to know about the smallest roller coasters in the world. The reason may be the fact that they want to know where to get the biggest thrills and that indescribable feeling like one is about to jump out of the body. They do not expect to get the same feelings from small roller coasters.
Small roller coasters on the other hand are ideal for children; they do not go too fast, and they do not have those sudden, steep drops, but they are certainly good fun for young kids, and even for those adults who are not too eager to brave the more imposing roller coasters.
Smallest Roller Coasters In the World
1. Dvergbanen
Dvergbanen is a popular mini roller coaster in Oslo, Norway, and it claims to be the smallest roller coaster in the world. The full length of the track is 85.3 ft, while the highest point is 8.2 ft. There is no drop, and the speed limit is 3.7 mph.
This roller coaster was built in 1996, and it is the 4th such roller coaster to be built at the famous Tusenfryd Park which is in the South of Oslo, in Norway.
Dvergbanen is a steel roller coaster, and it was not so built because of a lack of resources, but because the owners wanted something that small children would not be afraid of.
2. Simulated Collision (Guangzhou Science Center)
The roller coaster at the Guangzhou Science Center, China also lays a claim to be shortest roller coaster in the world; and with good reason. The roller coaster is an exhibition as well as an attraction to the museum. The ride is short but illustrative of what roller coasters are all about.
It is frequented by both children and adults. There are videos available about this roller coaster, but sadly there are no trustworthy measurements we can rely upon.
The Guangzhou Science Center is an educational facility where young people as well as adults can learn science stuff, and have a great time as well.
3. Loopen
Loopen is a roller coaster that was built in 1988. It is the first and original roller coaster of the Tusenfryd Park; and is made of steel. It stands 68.9 ft at its highest point, has two inversions, and has a track length of 1,509 ft.
At the time of its construction it was considered too big, which is why smaller roller coasters were built for children in the same park.
4. Roller Coaster
Yes, that is its name. Roller Coaster is an attraction at the Lagoon Park in Utah, USA that was built as far back as 1921. Roller Coaster has also been known by other names like Lagoon Dipper, Silver Coaster and Giant Coaster.
The local people of the town call it the White Roller Coaster because it was painted white for many decades; many people grew up riding it when it was painted white, and so they continue to call it the White Roller coaster despite being brown today.
The Roller Coaster is small by modern standards; it measures 62 ft at its highest point, and has a length of 2,500 ft. It travels at speeds of up to 45 mph.
Despite its small stature, this Roller Coaster has been recognized severally. It became an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark for being a classic coaster, and in October 2012 it earned a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Trapper Slider, In Fort Fun, Germany
Fort Fun in Germany has several attractions, but of special concern is the small roller coaster which is great for children. Of course parents also accompany some of their children these rides, and they are designed to be brief, safe and happy.
This roller coaster is only a few feet high, and the full length of the track is 4,101 ft. This roller coaster has been operating since 2009, and is part of the larger Fort Fun, which is located on a mountainside, and which gives an added sense of adventure as one feels the wind rushing against his face, and as one looks around at the cascading landscape.
Trapper Slider serves as a beginner roller coaster in the park; many of the more timid fun-seekers start there, before progressing to bigger and more imposing attractions.
6. Leap-The-Dips
Leap-The-Dips is another classic; it the oldest roller coaster in the world, haven been built in 1902. This is a classic figure- eight type roller coaster which is one of the most iconic the world has ever known. By modern standards it does not compare with the biggest for size; it is 41 ft at the highest point, but the full Length of the track is 1,452 ft. The highest speed of the train is 10 mph.
This roller coaster is made of wood, and remains one of the most important although it closed in 1985, after falling into disrepair. It then had to be restored in 1997, and was reopened in 1999.
7. The Great Scenic Railway
The Great Scenic Railway is located at Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia. This is one of the oldest roller coasters in the world, and it is the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere still operating.
This roller coaster was built in 1912, and has been in operation since then. It is reminiscent of the childhoods of the grandparents of today, and many people enjoy taking their children to the same rides that they enjoyed as children.
The Great Scenic Railway stands 16 m (52 ft) at its highest point, while the full length of the track is 967 m (3,173 ft). it reaches speeds of 60 km/h (37 mph).
8. Rutschebanen
Rutschebanen is a roller coaster in Tivoli Gardens which is in the town of Copenhagen, Sjælland, Denmark. It was built in 1914, as a further attraction to the already impressive Tivoli Gardens fun park. It is made of wood, and is quite popular throughout the country.
This roller coaster is about the same size as the Great Scenic Railway, although not of the same design.
9. Thundercoaster
Thundercoaster is located at TusenFryd in Vinterbro, Norway. It was opened on 1 May 2001, and remains the only wooden track roller coaster in Norway. At its highest point it is 32 metres (105 ft), and has a track length of 950 metres (3,120 ft).
This roller coaster reaches a maximum speed of 93 kilometres per hour (58 mph), and only takes two minutes to complete.
10. Western Expressen
This is a roller coaster also in Norway, that stands 17 meters at its highest point, and that has a 350 m long track. It was built in 2012, and there is also a virtual reality equivalent of the roller coaster, for those who want to experience technology at its best.
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Closing
The smallest roller coasters in the world feature both new and very old rides. The new ones are built for modesty, and mostly serve as something that children can ride without much concern from their parent.
As for the old ones; many of them were the standard at the time of their construction. They have only been out-shined by newer, bigger roller coasters.