Roller coasters have been big business but they're also a big responsibility. For Kent Bachmann, director of design and engineering for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, it's been that and the time of his life since joining the company in 1999. Hershey E&R owns Hershey Park, home of the “Storm Runner” (0-72 mph in 2 seconds) and the “Great Bear” (with its inverted Immelman Loop), among others, so he certainly knows of which he speaks.
"We send a 12-ton train up 150 feet in less than two seconds," he says. "The hydraulics system designs created are amazing!"
For Bachmann, one of the biggest changes to this endeavor has been fabrication.
Diagram of the site map for Skyrush. Image courtesy of Hershey Park.
"I have been on steel coasters that, for lack of better words, are lousy, because you couldn't bend steel properly and would get flat spots in there," he says. "Just wouldn't get the smoothness…When we pick manufacturers we want to know the plant and the technology they use."
The other major challenge is modeling. "With the advent of the computer you can generate roller coasters much faster," he says. "For one, we did the modeling 12 months ago, we go through 12 or 13 variations of the model, and then we went through seven or more field variations of the same model to go from the mathematics to the reality of setting the foundations," he explains. "You have the theoretical system and then getting it better…Our goal is to have every (passenger) coming off of a ride in perfect condition. If they have a curved back it's not good—a successful ride is when people get on and want to get on it again."
Rendering of the train layout for Skyrush. Image courtesy of Hershey Park.
Challenges literally coming from all sides. "We have to worry about three levels of g-forces—the front, back, lateral—and when it comes through the spinal column..." he says. "One had people coming back into the station with blackouts (because) the g-forces were just too high for them…We keep g-forces between three to five. If we can, we will play with five but don't live there very long. The thrill-seekers get disappointed because it's not an aggressive ride for them…but we like to have mom and dad and the kids on the same ride."
Bachmann sees the future not just in modeling but in an understanding of visuals. "We'll see a lot more 4D, get the mind involved. Universal did tremendous things with Harry Potter and we'll see that come here…They wanted to merge you in that period and merge you with all those surroundings. Make you forget where you were."
Bachmann's next rollercoaster is cable-driven and will have a 16-ton, 1,500-hp motor that breaks the 200-foot ceiling. Aptly named "Skyrush," it will arrive in Spring 2012. If you think children are excited, you should hear Bachmann.
Once asked why an engineer would want to work at Hershey Park, he explained.
"This is like the biggest laboratory…An amusement park in my book is equal to NASA and I don't have to relocate. You get to spin people around, flip them around, and put smiles on their faces!"
Eric Butterman is an independent writer.
One [rollercoaster] had people coming back into the station with blackouts because the g-forces were just too high for them. We keep g-forces between three to five.
Kent Bachmann, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts
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