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Lift hill
Lift hill
from Wikipedia
The lift hill of Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure

A lift hill, or chain hill, is an upward-sloping section of track on a roller coaster on which the roller coaster train is mechanically lifted to an elevated point or peak in the track. Upon reaching the peak, the train is then propelled from the peak by gravity and is usually allowed to coast throughout the rest of the roller coaster ride's circuit on its own momentum, including most or all of the remaining uphill sections. The initial upward-sloping section of a roller coaster track is usually a lift hill, as the train typically begins a ride with little speed, though some coasters have raised stations that permit an initial drop without a lift hill. Although uncommon, some tracks also contain multiple lift hills.

Lift hills usually propel the train to the top of the ride via one of two methods: a chain lift involving a long, continuous chain which trains hook on to and are carried to the top; or a drive tire system in which multiple motorized tires (known as friction wheels) push the train upwards. A typical chain lift consists of a heavy piece of metal called a chain dog, which is mounted onto the underside of one of the cars which make up the train. This is in place to line up with the chain on the lift hill.

The chain travels through a steel trough, and is normally powered by one or more motors which are positioned under the lift hill. Chain dogs underneath each train are engaged by the chain and the train is pulled up the lift. Anti-rollback dogs engage a rack (ratcheted track) alongside the chain to prevent the train from descending the lift hill. At the crest of the lift, the chain wraps around a gear wheel where it begins its return to the bottom of the lift; the train is continually pulled along until gravity takes over and it accelerates downhill. The spring-loaded chain and anti-rollback dogs will disengage themselves as this occurs.

Intamin cable lift

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The cable lift tensioning mechanism on Millennium Force at Cedar Point

The Intamin cable lift is a type of lift mechanism that was first used on Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.[1] This type of lift has also been used for Kings Dominion's Pantherian, Holiday Park's Expedition GeForce, Walibi Holland's Goliath, Djurs Sommerland's Piraten (Europe's only "Mega-Lite"-model coaster by Intamin), Tokyo Dome City's Thunder Dolphin, Hersheypark's Skyrush, Flying Aces at Ferrari World, and Altair at Cinecittà World. Currently, there are only two wooden roller coasters that utilize a cable lift hill: El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure and T Express at Everland.

The cable lift utilizes a cable that is attached to a catch car that moves up and down the lift hill in a separate channel between the track rails. On several coasters the catch car rolls into the station and latches to the front cars of the train to carry it up the lift hill.[2] This requires the lift hill to be positioned directly in front of the station. El Toro was the first coaster to incorporate a turn between the station and the cable lift hill and was the first (and so far only) of this type to engage the catch car while the train is moving. Once the train engages the catch car, the speed is increased and the train is quickly pulled to top of the lift. Because a cable is much lighter than a chain, cable lifts are much faster than chain lifts. A cable also requires far less maintenance than a chain. Another advantage to park guests is that a cable lift is very quiet, partly because the main drive winch is located directly beneath the top of the lift, a location which will normally be relatively far from guest-accessible areas.

Ferris wheel lift

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The Ferris wheel lift is a type of lift based on the rotating circular design of a ferris wheel. Created by Premier Rides, it existed on 'Round About' (formerly Maximum RPM) which operated at Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina prior to being dismantled and moved to a park in Vietnam only to never operate and was later dismantled again.[3] [citation needed] It uses a Ferris Wheel like motion to lift the cars to the top, as on a Ferris Wheel. The cars are then released onto the track.

Elevator lift

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The elevator lift is typically used on a single car or a short, double-car train. The vehicle moves into position on a piece of track that is then lifted vertically, along with the vehicle, operating very similar to a passenger elevator. Several of these systems use a single shaft and a second piece of track in the opposite position serves as the counterweight. With the single shaft the rail may curve to the left or right as the two tracks pass each other at the halfway point. The first coaster to use an elevator system with a counterweight was Batflyer at Lightwater Valley.[4] It is believed that those same designers then founded Caripro, which then constructed nine vertical lift suspended coasters between 1997 and 2001.[5] The Mack Rides-built Matterhorn Blitz at Europa Park was the first to use a two-track system with a single shaft.[6]

Friction wheel lift

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A friction wheel lift is a type of lift mechanism in which two wheels are placed in either a horizontal or a vertical position. These are commonly used for brake runs, lifts, storage and more. The train has a small vertical lip, where the two friction wheels meet at each side. The wheels pull the train up slowly, while making a jet-like noise. An anti-rollback system is not needed, as the wheels are tight against the lip.

Tilt lift/thrill lift section

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A tilt lift is a new way to elevate coasters. The tilt lift is essentially an elevator lift, but the elevator lift rotates 90 degrees so that the train is now vertical, with the nose of the train facing the ground. This design has not been made yet; the only places where this occurs are in the video games RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, Thrillville Off the Rails and Coaster Crazy. However, there are coaster designs that use the tilting aspect of this lift already. The first operating tilt coaster in the world is Gravity Max at Lihpao Land in Taiwan. The coaster was built by Vekoma. In this coaster, after going up a chain hill, the train is held on a horizontal section of track, which then tilts forwards, to become a vertical section, which then leads into a vertical drop accelerated by gravity. The Chinese company Golden Horse has made several unofficial recreations, each featuring a less than vertical drop and significantly different track elements.[7]

Anti-rollback device

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Diagram depicting the anti-rollback safety feature

The familiar "click-clack" sound that occurs as a roller coaster train ascends the lift hill is not caused by the chain itself. The cause for this noise is actually a safety device used on lift hills—the anti-rollback device. The anti-rollback device is a standard safety feature, typically consisting of a continuous, saw-toothed, section of metal, forming a linear ratchet.

Roller coaster trains are fitted with anti-rollback "dogs", essentially heavy-duty pieces of metal that fall and rest in each groove of the anti-rollback device on the track as the trains ascend the lift-hill. This makes the "clicking" sound and allows the train to go upwards only, effectively preventing the train from rolling back down the hill should it ever encounter a power failure or broken chain.

This feature was derived from the similar feature originally used on the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway in Pennsylvania, starting in 1846. Under the power of a stationary steam engine, railway cars were drawn up two uphill planes that had two slightly different early forms of this anti-rollback device. The entire concept of the modern roller coaster was also initially inspired by this railroad.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A lift hill is a powered incline on a track that mechanically elevates the to a significant height, building potential energy that propels the subsequent high-speed descents and elements of the ride. The lift hill concept emerged in 1885 when inventor Phillip Hinkle patented a mechanism for lifting coaster cars up an incline, enabling the first complete circuit roller coasters and departing from earlier one-way gravity slides. Traditional lifts, the most prevalent type since the late , use an endless rotating engaged by anti-rollback devices on the to haul it uphill at angles typically between 20 and 45 degrees. Over time, innovations have diversified lift systems to improve efficiency, speed, and ride experience; these include cable lifts, which employ winch-driven cables for steeper and quieter ascents, as seen on at with its 310-foot (94-meter) height reached at 22 feet per second (6.7 meters per second). Other variants encompass tire-drive lifts that propel trains using rubber tires for smoother operation, catch-car systems on coasters that reverse the train's direction upon cresting, vertical elevator platforms for space-efficient vertical rises, and rare electric spiral or designs. Lift hills are essential for defining a roller coaster's intensity, with modern examples pushing engineering limits; Fury 325 at holds the record for the tallest traditional lift hill at 325 feet (99 meters), dropping at an 81-degree angle to reach 95 (153 kilometers per hour). All lift hills incorporate anti-rollback brakes to prevent backward sliding, ensuring safety during the ascent. While chain and cable systems dominate, hybrid lift-launch combinations on coasters like Maverick at blend gradual inclines with magnetic boosts for rapid elevation.

Overview

Definition and Function

A lift hill is an upward-sloping section of track on a where the train is mechanically elevated to a higher , serving as the initial and usually the tallest element of the ride. The primary function of a lift hill is to convert provided by the propulsion system into , which is stored in the and riders at the and then released during subsequent descents to generate speed and . This is described by the for , U=mghU = mgh, where mm is the of the and riders, gg is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²), and hh is the gained during the ascent. Anti-rollback devices are essential safety features that prevent the from sliding backward during this ascent. Lift hills typically feature an angled incline ranging from 20 to 45 degrees, with lengths varying from about 50 to 300 feet depending on the desired height and mechanism efficiency. In modern roller coasters, traditional lift hill heights can reach over 300 feet, as exemplified by at , which reaches 325 feet (99 meters) to provide an extreme vantage and buildup. This design element plays a key role in ride dynamics by building rider anticipation through a gradual climb and enabling high-speed gravity-powered motion for the remainder of the circuit without ongoing mechanical input.

Historical Development

The concept of the lift hill emerged in 1885 when Phillip Hinkle patented a powered mechanism to pull cars up an initial incline, replacing earlier gravity-based switchback designs where passengers had to walk uphill between descents. This innovation, first implemented on the Gravity Pleasure Road at , New York, enabled full-circuit layouts with elliptical tracks, allowing for continuous rides without dismounting and marking a pivotal shift toward more efficient and thrilling coaster experiences. Hinkle's steam-powered lift, drawing from his background in elevators, facilitated higher elevations and smoother ascents compared to manual inclines. In the early , lift hill technology advanced significantly, with the 1912 invention of underfriction wheels by engineer John A. Miller providing crucial stability by locking trains to the track from below, which prevented derailments on steeper and faster descents following the lift. By the , continuous circuits became standard, allowing seamless operation over longer tracks and supporting more complex layouts; a prime example is the at , which opened in 1927 with an 85-foot lift hill that propelled riders to 60 mph on its first drop, exemplifying the era's push toward greater intensity. These developments, combined with improved steel reinforcements, enabled lift hills to reach heights of up to 100 feet by the late , sustaining the roller coaster boom with over 1,500 such rides operating in the United States. Following , the introduction of tubular steel tracks in the 1950s revolutionized lift hill construction, permitting taller and more durable structures that withstood greater stresses. led this era's innovations, debuting the first modern steel coaster, , in 1959 with a modest lift but setting the stage for elevated designs; by the 1970s, the company pioneered looping coasters like the at in 1975, incorporating a 70-foot lift hill to build necessary speed for inversions, while other coasters of the era reached up to 100 feet. These steel advancements allowed for unprecedented verticality, transforming lift hills from wooden inclines into engineered behemoths that supported the coaster renaissance of the postwar period. In the from the 1980s onward, material innovations such as advanced steel tubing enabled extreme lift heights, with D.H. Morgan Manufacturing's at , , achieving a 318-foot chain lift in 2000—the tallest of its kind at the time—and propelling riders down a 307-foot drop at 95 mph. This escalation continued with 's at in 2005, featuring a 456-foot ascent via a hydraulic launch system up a near-vertical tower (operated until November 10, 2024), representing the pinnacle of height-driven thrills and surpassing previous records through precision-engineered catch-and-release mechanisms. Manufacturers like , , and have shaped diverse lift designs, with B&M's contributions including smooth chain lifts on hypercoasters like Nitro (230 feet in 1999), emphasizing reliability and rider comfort through refined track geometry and pre-drop elements.

Mechanics

Basic Operation

The basic operation of a lift hill involves a controlled mechanical ascent that elevates the to the crest, preparing it for the subsequent descent. At the base of the hill, the engages the lift mechanism, which is powered by electric motors that drive components such as , cables, or tires to pull the upward along the sloped track. lifts typically ascend at 5-7 mph (8-11 km/h), while cable lifts can reach up to 15 mph (24 km/h). As the approaches the crest, it disengages mechanically from the lift mechanism—such as the chain dog slipping off as the chain curves around a —releasing the to coast freely into the drop. The track design supports this ascent with inclined steel rails that guide the securely, featuring multiple sets of wheels—including upstop, side, and downstop varieties—that prevent by maintaining contact from above, below, and the sides. Lubricants are applied to critical contact points to minimize and ensure smooth progression up the incline, reducing operational and wear. Speed during the ascent is variably controlled by adjusting motor output or mechanism tension, which helps maintain consistent pacing and avoids undue stress on the drive components. Most lift hills are powered by electric , converting into mechanical force to operate , with emphases on to lower overall during repeated cycles. This ascent culminates in the accumulation of gravitational potential energy at the hill's peak, which is then converted to on the descent. To sustain performance, general maintenance includes daily visual and functional inspections of the drive systems, such as and gearboxes, along with alignment checks of the track and mechanism to detect and mitigate wear early.

Anti-Rollback Devices

Anti-rollback devices are safety mechanisms installed on lift hills to prevent trains from rolling backward in the event of a power failure, breakage, or stall during ascent, thereby averting potential collisions with stationary trains at the base or ejections. These devices are essential because lift hills rely on continuous propulsion from or cable systems, and without them, gravity would cause uncontrolled descent, posing severe risks to riders and ride integrity. The primary type of anti-rollback device is the ratchet-and-pawl system, consisting of metal pawls, or "dogs," attached to the underside of the cars that engage with a series of notched teeth or saw-toothed rails flanking the lift track. These pawls allow one-way movement upward as the train ascends but lock into the notches if backward motion begins, creating a mechanical barrier. In designs where the primary lift mechanism does not serve as an anti-rollback, at least two independent devices are required, positioned on the , track, or both, with one always engaged to ensure . Operationally, these devices activate automatically through or, in some cases, proximity sensors that detect unintended motion, producing the characteristic audible clicking or clacking sound as the pawls sequentially engage and disengage during normal ascent. Upon detecting , the pawls halt the abruptly, and manual intervention by ride operators is needed to disengage and reset the system, often involving to confirm no occurred. The devices must withstand an of at least 2.0 times the expected load and cannot rely on temporary energy sources like or for core functionality, ensuring reliability during failures. Early anti-rollback systems evolved from simple wooden catches on 19th-century coasters to the ratchet-and-pawl design patented by John A. Miller in 1910, which introduced a durable one-way ratchet mechanism still in use today. By the 1920s, Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) refined these into metal components with minimal changes over decades, as seen in preserved 1926 mechanisms. Modern implementations incorporate electronic sensors for real-time monitoring and faster response times, integrating with overall ride control systems while retaining mechanical pawls as the primary stop. Rollbacks due to anti-rollback failures are exceedingly rare but have prompted design enhancements; for instance, in the 1972 Big Dipper incident in , a snapped drive chain led to rollback and derailment, killing 5 and injuring 13, highlighting the need for robust redundancy. Similarly, a 2014 failure on the Twist Coaster Robin in resulted in a car rolling back after anti-rollback malfunction, crashing into a loading platform and injuring riders, which influenced stricter material testing protocols. These events contributed to the evolution of standards, such as those in ASTM F2291-25 (as of 2025), adopted by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), mandating fatigue verification and non-reliant designs to minimize such risks across all lift hill types.

Types of Lift Hills

Chain Lift

A chain lift consists of a continuous loop of heavy-duty metal housed in a trough along the center of the track, driven by one or more electric motors typically located at the base of the hill. The engages the via a chain dog—a pivoting pawl or mounted on the undercarriage of the lead car—which interlocks with the 's links or grips them through , pulling the entire upward. In some configurations, wheels or specialized dogbone attachments on the provide additional gripping contact to ensure smooth propulsion without slippage. The mechanics involve the motor rotating at the base to advance the loop, while a return at the crest maintains tension and guides the back down. speed is synchronized to the train's progress, typically ranging from 4 to 10 mph during ascent to balance efficiency and rider comfort. Lift hills using this often feature incline angles of 25 to 35 degrees, allowing for gradual elevation while minimizing excessive strain on the and structure. Anti-rollback integration occurs via track-mounted ratchet catches that engage the train's undercarriage if momentum falters, producing the characteristic clicking sound. Chain lifts offer reliability for extended inclines, making them suitable for wooden and hybrid coasters with significant height gains, and their straightforward design keeps costs lower compared to more complex systems. However, they generate considerable noise from movement and anti-rollback mechanisms, and require regular maintenance to address wear on links and sprockets. This design became the standard lift mechanism in the 1920s during the of roller , when parks built hundreds of wooden models relying on its durability for out-and-back layouts. A notable early example is The Beast at , which opened in 1979 and features dual chain lifts to reach its second hill, pioneering extended wooden coaster designs. In modern applications, chain lifts persist on hybrid coasters like at , introduced in 2018 with a 205-foot chain lift that elevates trains for a near-vertical 200-foot drop.

Cable Lift

A cable lift hill utilizes a continuous loop of steel wire rope driven by an electric motor to elevate the roller coaster train up the incline. The train engages the cable via a specialized catch mechanism while stationary at the base of the hill, allowing for a direct pull from a complete stop. Intamin's patented design incorporates counterweights and precise tensioning to maintain cable integrity during operation, enabling smoother performance on steeper gradients. This mechanism supports faster ascent speeds, typically reaching 22 feet per second (about 15 mph), which significantly reduces the time to summit compared to traditional chain systems—often completing a 310-foot climb in 20-25 seconds. The lighter cable construction minimizes vibration and noise, providing a quieter ride experience while requiring less maintenance than chain-driven alternatives. These attributes make cable lifts particularly efficient for extreme heights exceeding 300 feet, where space constraints and energy demands are critical. Intamin's cable lift debuted on the steel roller coaster Millennium Force at Cedar Point in 2000, featuring a 310-foot hill that facilitated a record-setting 300-foot, 80-degree drop and propelled the ride to 93 mph. Intamin's innovation has become the standard for modern tall steel coasters, offering enhanced reliability for giga-class structures. However, the system's reliance on tensioning components introduces higher initial costs and potential complexity in setup and periodic adjustments. Specialized locks integrated into the cable mechanism serve as anti-rollback devices to ensure safe operation.

Elevator Lift

An elevator lift is a type of lift hill that elevates an entire section of track, along with the attached , vertically or near-vertically at approximately 90 degrees, mimicking the operation of a building . This platform-based system then transitions the train—often by tilting or aligning with the subsequent drop track—to release it for the descent. Unlike inclined lifts, the elevator lift provides a straight upward motion, which maximizes height gain within a minimal horizontal . The mechanics involve hydraulic rams or electric winches powering the platform's ascent, typically at speeds of 10 to 30 feet per second, allowing for controlled elevation. At the summit, a lockout mechanism secures the platform before disengaging to enable the train's release, ensuring safe alignment with the drop track. This design supports simultaneous lifting of multiple cars on parallel or shared tracks, enhancing throughput in compact layouts. Elevator lifts offer advantages such as space efficiency, making them ideal for urban theme parks where horizontal space is limited, and a dramatic vertical rise that heightens rider anticipation. However, they ascend more slowly than inclined or cable systems, potentially extending dispatch intervals, and hydraulic variants demand higher due to fluid systems and seals. Similar platform mechanisms appeared earlier in rides for vertical scene transitions, dating back to mid-20th-century attractions. Notable examples include Matterhorn Blitz at in , a 1999 Mack Rides coaster featuring a 52.5-foot elevator lift that elevates two cars simultaneously before a 35 mph drop. Another is at Busch Gardens Tampa, a 2016 Maurer Rides spinning coaster with a 70-foot vertical lift that integrates thematic elements like a rotating snake icon. The Lost Coaster of at , built by Custom Coasters International in 2002, uses a 35-foot elevator lift within its enclosed mine-themed layout. Key design considerations encompass mitigating wind resistance on elevated platforms, particularly in exposed locations, and ensuring precise track alignment during the top-of-lift transition to prevent jolts. This vertical ascent fully converts the gained height into gravitational potential energy for the subsequent drop.

Ferris Wheel Lift

The Ferris wheel lift is a rare mechanism that elevates roller coaster trains through a rotating wheel structure, simulating the motion of a Ferris wheel gondola to carry vehicles upward in a circular path. In this system, individual cars or track segments attach to the wheel's perimeter, which rotates under motor power to lift the train from ground level to the peak height before transitioning to the main drop. This design provides a distinctive, panoramic ascent that enhances the ride's thematic and visual appeal. Mechanically, the lift operates via a motor-driven hub that rotates the at a controlled speed, typically completing the ascent in under a minute to maintain throughput. , such as the six-person vehicles on the installation, load at the bottom station where they couple to the ; upon reaching the top, they disengage and merge onto the descending track. The 's diameter generally ranges from 50 to 100 feet to achieve practical elevations, though actual implementations have been limited to shorter profiles for stability. features include anti-rollback catches akin to those on conventional lifts, engaging if halts unexpectedly. This lift type offers advantages like a compact vertical , ideal for space-constrained parks, and a unique thrill from the slow, sweeping that builds anticipation with views of the surrounding layout. However, it is disadvantaged by height limitations—typically under 150 feet due to structural demands—and more intricate loading procedures that can reduce capacity compared to linear lifts. Engineering challenges include precisely balancing the wheel to handle dynamic loads from moving and synchronizing the with seamless track transitions at load and unload points to prevent jolts or misalignments. The only operational example was Maximum RPM! (later renamed Round About), a steel coaster built by that debuted in 2008 at Hard Rock Park in . Featuring a 50-foot Ferris wheel lift, it rotated Mini Cooper-themed cars upward before dispatching them onto a 1,210-foot layout reaching 40 mph. The ride operated briefly through 2009 amid technical adjustments, then stood unused before relocation attempts; no other full-scale lifts have entered service, confining the concept to this pioneering but short-lived application, occasionally echoed in custom elements.

Tilt Lift

A tilt lift, also known as a thrill lift, is a specialized type of lift hill that elevates the via a -driven incline to a horizontal transfer platform, after which the track section dynamically tilts from horizontal to nearly vertical (80-90 degrees) while the is stationary atop it, creating a dramatic pause before the drop. This mechanism heightens rider anticipation by simulating an impending freefall without requiring the entire structure to reach extreme elevations. Unlike traditional inclines, the tilt occurs post-ascent on a pivoting platform, often powered by for the initial climb. The mechanics involve hinged track segments at the summit, actuated by hydraulic cylinders or electric motors to rotate the platform smoothly into position, with ascent speeds intentionally moderated during the chain lift to amplify tension. Upon reaching the tilted orientation, the train crests with a momentary hold, teasing a near-vertical plunge as takes over upon release; anti-rollback devices, such as engaging claws or hooks at the pivot points, secure the train during the tilt to prevent slippage. This design demands precise synchronization to ensure safe operation, with redundant safety interlocks monitoring the tilt angle and position. Tilt lifts offer significant advantages in enhancing psychological thrill through visual and sensory drama—riders face a sheer drop illusion while suspended—without necessitating ultra-tall towers, making them suitable for space-constrained parks. However, their disadvantages include elevated mechanical complexity from the moving pivot systems, leading to higher needs and potential risks, as evidenced by occasional safety activations on early installations that halted operations to avert mishaps. Prominent examples include Vekoma's Gravity Max at Lihpao Land in , which opened in 2002 as the prototype tilt coaster featuring a 114-foot (35-meter) chain lift followed by a 90-degree tilt, and the more recent Siren's Curse at in the United States, opened in 2025 with a 160-foot (49-meter) lift tilting to vertical for North America's first such installation. These represent the core implementations of the concept, with earlier "tilt-a-whirl" influences from rides inspiring the dynamic motion but adapted for coaster-scale drama. The tilt lift was popularized in the early 2000s as a hybrid thrill element, pioneered by to differentiate from static inclines by introducing programmable tilt dynamics that integrate seamlessly with subsequent launches or drops in modern coaster layouts.

References

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