Rolllercoasters 101

[Scott45]

So as someone new to the board who's been riding 'coasters from the Carolinas to Texas for the past 30 something years, where's the best place to brush up on the backstory of Coaster History?

 

I don't know an Intamin from a Handsaw....

[larrygator]

This thread is a good place to start:

Rollercoaster Primer thread

 

A lot of enthusiasts spend some time jumping around rcdb.com to learn which manufacturers are behind specific coasters.

[monsterfan99]

The two best places to start for me are:

 

1. Shane's Amusement Attic here on the site at http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40361 The post is a treasure trove of information. Plus the 2008 IAPPA sections would help you get to know what manufactures are doing now.

 

2. The Incredible Scream Machines book by Dr. Robert Cartmell. The book was the bible of roller coasters when it came out in the 1980's. It was a book the was informative, but easy enough to read as well. It's been out of print for years, but is a great piece of history. Well worth the price if you can find it used. Check EBAY as I got my copy on there in late 2008 for 11 bucks shipped.

[ebl]

^ I have that book, and mine is even autographed. It is indeed a very good book. If I recall, I got mine sometime in the late '80s.

 

Eric

[Manny In England]

You'll definitely pick up a fair bit of knowledge just browsing around this site and develop an eye for what manufacturer track looks like it belongs to. As said, RCDB is great for looking up specific / iconic coasters straight away.

 

Edit: Like the other thread says, we had a great TPR dictionary with great definitions on all things "theme park-y" and exclusive TPR terms as well, but I'm pretty sure it's been said that it was lost in a restore.

[Scott45]

Thanks all, I'll try not to make any more newbie mistakes like leaving a "b" off Robb's name!

 

 

[Scott45]

Oh,

and is there any official "rules" to claiming credits?, other than "I rode that sonofagun the day it opened!" BS I've heard over theyears?

[ebl]

^ There are no hard and fast "rules" about what to count as a credit. Some people don't count a ride like Superman--The Escape at SFMM as a coaster (I do). Some people count powered kiddie coasters (I don't). Some people count those alpine slides, some don't (I've never ridden one, but probably wouldn't count it). And so on...

 

Bottom line: if it's a coaster to you, then count it.

 

Eric