Rush is a
Screamin' Swing
Screamin' Swing is a pneumatically powered pendulum ride designed and manufactured by S&S - Sansei Technologies. The ride was first installed and operated in 2004 at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States. On February 26th 2 ...
ride at
Thorpe Park in
Chertsey, Surrey
Chertsey is a town in the Borough of Runnymede, Surrey, England, south-west of central London. It grew up round Chertsey Abbey, founded in 666 CE, and gained a market charter from Henry I. A bridge across the River Thames first appeared in the ...
which opened at the park alongside another
S&S – Sansei Technologies
S&S – Sansei Technologies (formerly S&S Sports, S&S Power, and S&S Worldwide) is an American company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.
History
Stan Checketts with his wife Sandy (Stan & S ...
thrill ride,
Slammer, in 2005. At the time of its opening, it was the tallest ride of its type in the world. Many consider it to be one of the best flat rides in the UK.
Construction
Construction for Rush started late 2004, after ''
Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object or spacecraft is temporarily obscured, by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer. This alignment of three ce ...
'', a
Ferris wheel, was removed. It was originally meant to have four air tanks, instead of two. It took around 4 months to construct and test. The ride was installed by
Ride Entertainment Group.
Ride Opening
The grand opening for Rush was at midday on 27 May 2005. After testing all through the morning, it opened, only to break down after four ride cycles. It was tested for over an hour, and reopened again. As the ride has two swings which swing in opposite directions, .
Ride Experience
The ride begins with low swings which gradually get higher. After about five swings, it reaches its full height of and its top speed of . The approximate angle the swings reach is 104 degrees. At the peak of the swing, riders feel strong negative
G's and at the bottom, positive forces of up to 3.5 G. After four swings at its full height, the ride slows down quickly to a stop.
The ride experience is enhanced by the fact that it has a lap bar instead of the over the shoulder restraints. This gives riders more freedom and feel more exposed. The ride is powered by compressed air which makes the ride extremely loud. Some guests feel the noise adds to the experience but it has been criticised due to the noise as well.
The ride can also run on one swing if the park is quiet or if the other is not working.
The capacity with one swing is 375 riders per hour, with two swings 768 riders per hour.
2008 Incident
On 27 May 2008, a piece of metal fell from the ride, while it was operating with guests seated. The ride was stopped immediately and was closed for
inspection
An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity. ...
. The incident was caught on film and posted on YouTube.
[Archived a]
Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine
The fallen part was re-made and re-fitted and new platforms were built. The ride was covered in scaffolding for a week whilst being repaired. The ride re-opened shortly afterwards.
See also
External links
Rush at Total Thorpe ParkRush at Theme Park Junkies
References
{{reflist
Pendulum rides
Amusement rides manufactured by S&S – Sansei Technologies
Thorpe Park
Amusement rides introduced in 2005