Verbolten

Manufacturer

ZIERER

Model

Elevated Seating Coaster w/ Vertical Drop Element

Hamlet

Oktoberfest (Germany)

Official Opening

May 18, 2012

Soft Opening

May 11, 2012

Tallest Drop

88ft

Top Speed

53mph

Inversion Count

0

Launch Segments

2

Riders Per Train

16

Number of Trains

5

Height Requirement

48in

Verbolten is an indoor/outdoor ZIERER Elevated Seating Coaster that features a Vertical Drop Element. It officially opened in mid-May 2012 on the site formally occupied by the Arrow Suspended Coaster, Big Bad Wolf.

Videos​

Development Documentary​

• From Dreams to Screams: Verbolten by Devin Olson

Ride Recordings​

On-Ride Videos​

• Opening Year POV (Storm Sequence)
• Opening Year POV (Spirit Sequence)
• Opening Year POV (Wolves Sequence)
• Spring 2019 Lights-On POV
• 2012/2019 Side-by-Side POV

Backstage Footage​

• Verbolten Control Booth Screens

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Hey, how are you all doing. I went to the park on July 18th. Hadn't been to the park since 2008, so it was super cool seeing all the new stuff.

As you know, I was anxious to ride Verbolten. It did impress me a lot. Generally, I would visit KD, but their early closing hours leaned me to visit the park with my buddy and ride until 10:00pm closing. I was super impressed by Verbolten's performance and theme. I'm a big dark ride fan and it's hard to find a good one now days, unless you visit Disney or Universal. KD was an exception for Flight of Fear, but it lacks theme.

But, I do have some questions about Verbolten. When Verbolten launches into the Black Forest you get a decent thrust; but can someone tell me why there is a sudden slow down, before the first dip? Did the ride always do that, or was it always a safety thing? Also, does anyone else but me think this ride could use a rather scary WareWolf animatronic that sits near the hydraulic drop track? I'd say this would create a rather intense experience while waiting for the theme sequence to finish? I'd say it's a good 12 to 20 seconds before the hydraulics actually drop the track. During that time I'd have the WareWolf barking and snarling. Before the train launches, it would let out a shrill howl.

 

[Jonesta6]

If I remember correctly, of the 3 scenic experiences in the show building there was one for wolves with eyes staring at you on the drop track. I think that was also accompanied by howling sounds, but it's been awhile since I've been there and noticed it.

Of course, as others have pointed out, VB is limited in cycles by power restrictions (unless they redid the grids in prep for Pantheon and 2022), so in addition to the safety elements of waiting for the track to drop, sometimes you may still be sitting on the lower launch while the ride awaits power to be available.

 

[ControlsEE]

Hey, how are you all doing. I went to the park on July 18th. Hadn't been to the park since 2008, so it was super cool seeing all the new stuff.

As you know, I was anxious to ride Verbolten. It did impress me a lot. Generally, I would visit KD, but their early closing hours leaned me to visit the park with my buddy and ride until 10:00pm closing. I was super impressed by Verbolten's performance and theme. I'm a big dark ride fan and it's hard to find a good one now days, unless you visit Disney or Universal. KD was an exception for Flight of Fear, but it lacks theme.

But, I do have some questions about Verbolten. When Verbolten launches into the Black Forest you get a decent thrust; but can someone tell me why there is a sudden slow down, before the first dip? Did the ride always do that, or was it always a safety thing? Also, does anyone else but me think this ride could use a rather scary WareWolf animatronic that sits near the hydraulic drop track? I'd say this would create a rather intense experience while waiting for the theme sequence to finish? I'd say it's a good 12 to 20 seconds before the hydraulics actually drop the track. During that time I'd have the WareWolf barking and snarling. Before the train launches, it would let out a shrill howl.

Glad you enjoyed it. I operated Verbolten during my tenure at the park for a few seasons so I probably could give a more technical response to your questions. The first launch stops partway up the first incline so there is going to be a natural slow down from gravity. There are also trim brakes that can be engaged if needed and they may have reprogrammed them to slow the train down more often. To answer your second point about the animatronic, they probably didn't go that route because there are three different shows that cycle each time a train goes through. A wolf makes sense for the Wolves show, but not the Storm or Spirit show. The track (not hydraulic btw, but a true free fall) actually drops pretty quickly after the train parks, but the train will wait at the bottom of the drop track, before the launch, if another train has passed the dispatch brake at the start of the ride. If the trains are spaced properly, a train will be dropping as the one behind it is launching into the building, resulting in the train leaving the building as soon as it drops.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Glad you enjoyed it. I operated Verbolten during my tenure at the park for a few seasons so I probably could give a more technical response to your questions. The first launch stops partway up the first incline so there is going to be a natural slow down from gravity. There are also trim brakes that can be engaged if needed and they may have reprogrammed them to slow the train down more often. To answer your second point about the animatronic, they probably didn't go that route because there are three different shows that cycle each time a train goes through. A wolf makes sense for the Wolves show, but not the Storm or Spirit show. The track (not hydraulic btw, but a true free fall) actually drops pretty quickly after the train parks, but the train will wait at the bottom of the drop track, before the launch, if another train has passed the dispatch brake at the start of the ride. If the trains are spaced properly, a train will be dropping as the one behind it is launching into the building, resulting in the train leaving the building as soon as it drops.

This is very interesting. So the trim breaks after the launch, didn't always engage? I can only imagine what it's like to get an un-restricted amount of speed, before heading down the first dip. And that utter darkness is so uncanny. I love it. One of the reasons why me and my buddy decided to visit Bush Gardens Williamsburg. The park is open until 10:00pm, so you get a true night ride experience. At night time; there isn't any light seeping into the launch tunnel; so it's completely dark.

As for the animatronic; that could also be programmed into the wolf sequence. If the computer doesn't trigger wolves, then it wouldn't play. The idea came to thought when I thought about Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom back in 2010. I think they have toned it down since then; but the Carnotaurus animatronic had three different spots of engagement with riders. There was one part in particular where the ride came to a dead stop in the utter darkness and this thing just slid out of the dark and roared. Almost every young kid got off the ride crying. That is because the scariest seat was on the far right. That feeling of helplessness felt so realistic. I'm not afraid of rides period; but that theme mixed with the aggressive animatronic was a work of art.

So when I see Verbolten, I imagine a much more frightening experience. Imagine this theme music playing during the ride. As you approach the tunnel it queues itself before the launch.

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[MikeLovesKD]

I find this ride very cool.

On my most recent visit, they were running both loading bays. Kind of odd, because when I originally went on July 18th; they were running only one. This was odd because on July 18th, the park was rather packed. So they ran only one loading bay with a packed park and then on August 1st, ran two loading bays with a not so packed park. Not to mention on August 1st, the red train ran the entire day with no people.

But I do have a couple of questions about Verbolten's block timing. When the train in loading bay one is dispatched; the train in loading station 2 will have to wait at the edge of the station, before it can be dispatched. I know this is to give the first train enough time to clear it's block. But where exactly does the first train have to be, before the next train can leave the station? Someone told me last week, that the next train is launching inside the Black Forest, just before the first train is exiting the Black Forest. Is this true? It sounds a little too close? On the many rides of Verbolten I did on August 1st, there was one time in particular where the train dropped and stood there for about twenty seconds, before launching out the Black Forest building? Would that prompt the ride system to hold the train behind it on platform, before the drop platform?

I'll link the lights on video, so that you can point out details for my questions. Therefore; I will be able to watch the video and see what you are talking about.

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[Jonesta6]

I think others on here have addressed these observations a few times but my general understanding is that train one immediately goes into the show building while train two advances out of the station and holds in front of it so the next two trains can do a load cycle.

Train one has to clear the launch after the drop to give the drop track time to reset before train two reaches it, thus train two is released into the course after train one is launched towards the bridge.

The reason why any train is waiting on the launch after the drop is either due to the block ahead still occupied or the ride waiting until power is available (though I think I was corrected on this lately).

 

[Diamond Dave]

He also told people back in April that Pantheon would open by memorial day.

Project 2019 btw


I think power was redone in that black forest area a few years ago in anticipation for Project 2019 > Drachenspire

 

[MikeLovesKD]

There is another observation I had.

Is is true that Verbolten slows down after the launch, before heading down the first dip? With the tunnel being so dark, I can't tell if there are any trim breaks or the LSM's doing it themselves? If Verbolten does slow itself down after the launch into the building; I ask why? Is it unsafe for the train to rocket down the first dip at full speed?

 

[netdvn]

I believe the launch stops short of the top of the hill like Lightning Rod does.

I don't believe there's a trim on the ride. There was no trim switch on the control panel when I operated it like there is on Alpengeist.

 

[Jonesta6]

I believe the launch stops short of the top of the hill like Lightning Rod does.

I don't believe there's a trim on the ride. There was no trim switch on the control panel when I operated it like there is on Alpengeist.

That information seems to be in conflict with what @ControlsEE had mentioned.

Maybe the trims are fully computer controlled without any op input, if they actually exist?

I'd think the launch drive would also be a method to trim by the computer adjusting launch velocity as needed much like I hear that TTD/KK and others attempt for a consistent launch speed and will make minor adjustments on their own to achieve it; however those are Intamin ride systems and this was not, so not sure if there's any commonality there.

 

[ControlsEE]

That information seems to be in conflict with what @ControlsEE had mentioned.

Maybe the trims are fully computer controlled without any op input, if they actually exist?

I'd think the launch drive would also be a method to trim by the computer adjusting launch velocity as needed much like I hear that TTD/KK and others attempt for a consistent launch speed and will make minor adjustments on their own to achieve it; however those are Intamin ride systems and this was not, so not sure if there's any commonality there.

No, I've always said that the launch stators don't actually go all the way up the first hill. All trims and brakes at Busch are controlled by the ride computer (PLC) reading the speed just before and slowing the train until it reaches the internally set speed it wants on the exit. Same thing happens to the launches.

To answer a question from earlier, the train waiting at the dispatch brake (just after the station) will leave once the train in front of it reaches the second brake (the one right before the vertical drop) in the building. This times it so the train is launching into the building right as, or close after the first train drops, so riders don't hear the next train launching. This concept is obviously defeated when the second train drops and the train after wasn't dispatched fast enough by the operators, but was still somewhat close, hence the wait at the bottom of the drop.

 

[I305Evan]

Based on my observations, there isn't any brakes programmed to trim the speed of the ride with the exception of the first block brake inside the event building (0:40 mark in video above). The brakes that are on the launch track (located at the end of the launch) of Verbolten are used to force a rollback. Basically if launch 1 does not hit a target speed, then the brakes will engage to prevent the train from going over the hill. Now I do not know this specifically, but I imagine this is done in case the train crawls over the hill at say 5mph (hypothetical number), then it will be extremely unlikely for the train to make it to the next block and will then "valley"/ "saddle"/ "banana" whichever term you prefer to use. The ride is programmed to launch until the train reaches XXmph. So if the computer detects that it is not going XXmph, then it will e-stop and those brakes will engage to force a rollback that could prevent the train from valleying in the building. This is actually what happened that led up to the yellow train's accident from my understanding of the events. So the only way these brakes (again these are my assumptions) will engage is 1) Train launched too slow 2) Power Outage 3) Mechanical failure with the brakes themselves. The slowing down you are feeling is gravity slowing it down because it is no longer being powered by the LSM's. As Jonesta6 said above- they are more likely to slow the launch down than use a trim.

Any modern ride that has trim brakes that can be turned on/ off will most likely not need any input from operations nor maintenance. They will react to the train's speed throughout the course. Any ride with permanent trim brakes relies on maintenance to physically uninstalled/ reinstall to adjust speed (see: I305's airtime hill towards the end of the ride).

As for Verbolten's blocks (someone correct me if I am wrong):
Also see: picture of Bolt's control panel with the blocks

• Station 1 (Front Station)
• Station 2 (Back Station)
• Holding outside of Station (0:07 mark in video above)- train will wait here until train enters Event Block Brake 2
• Event Block Brake 1 (0:40 mark in video above)
• Event Block Brake 2 (0:55 mark in video above)
• Drop Track (1:10 mark in video above) - CoasterEE mentioned above that the train will wait here if the train behind it is past the dispatch brake. The ride is programmed to only allow 1 train to be launched at a time.
• Bridge (1:40 mark in video above)
• Final Brakes (1:58 in video above) Sloped brake run at
• Holding (Not shown in video, but is the flat section of track next to the maintenance bay)
• Transfer Track (Self Explanatory)

Generally you can dispatch trains when the holding block is clear, but that would not be efficient. In order to create effective and efficient spacing, then it is best to wait until the train ahead reaches a certain position. ControlsEE has mentioned this before.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Isn't it a bit risky for a train to be launching in the event building, just after the train in front of it has dropped? Or is the drop track fast enough to reset itself before the next train gets there? Or does the train on the drop track have to clear the drop track before the next train can launch into the event building?

As for the launch. It seems to be making sense. The launch stators don't go all the way up the launch hill. So assume that it's only half the launch hill's length? And here I thought they were holding back on the speed. Verbolten's launch speed should be 60 mph going into the building. I've rode enough Preimier Rides to know what 50 mph range and 60 mph range feels like. Do you think the ride would still be safe if the park made it 60mph?

 

[RollyCoaster]

There’s 2 block sections prior to the drop track. If 2 trains were to be in the building at the same time and the drop track was stuck in the bottom most position the train that entered would stop at the closest block section until things were fixed. I’ve never had it happen to me but that’s how block sections work.

 

[I305Evan]

If you look at the blocks, then you will see that there is plenty of areas for the train to stop as the drop track resets. The train can stop in the first block brake inside the building or on the brakes located directly before the drop track itself. As another fail safe measure, when the track drops- a stopper/ bumper pops up from the track to stop the train. So if all else fails, the train will crash into the bumper if the drop track didn't reset in time AND none of the brakes/ drive tires were able to stop the train.

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[Zachary]

Isn't it a bit risky for a train to be launching in the event building, just after the train in front of it has dropped? Or is the drop track fast enough to reset itself before the next train gets there? Or does the train on the drop track have to clear the drop track before the next train can launch into the event building?

There are two block brakes between Launch 1 and the Drop Track that can stop a train if needed.

As for the launch. It seems to be making sense. The launch stators don't go all the way up the launch hill. So assume that it's only half the launch hill's length? And here I thought they were holding back on the speed. Verbolten's launch speed should be 60 mph going into the building. I've rode enough Preimier Rides to know what 50 mph range and 60 mph range feels like. Do you think the ride would still be safe if the park made it 60mph?

People already gray out inside Verbolten's building. It's definitely not lacking in speed.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Verboltens positives inside the building are seriously underrated much like the positives on the final turn on InvadR.

 

[halfabee]

Verbolten's launch speed should be 60 mph going into the building. I've rode enough Preimier Rides to know what 50 mph range and 60 mph range feels like. Do you think the ride would still be safe if the park made it 60mph?

Unofficial, but I have read that Verbolten's target launch speed into the building is roughly 45 mph.

At 60 mph instead, that would be a big no-thanks from me. It's one thing to enjoy a more intense experience than most people, but a 33% boost in speed through that section would translate to perhaps 70-75% more centripetal acceleration in those curves. Nah.

Verbolten is a Zierer ride, so ride experience with Premier products will be less helpful in gauging rough speeds by feel.

 

[Nibbins]

The acceleration is probably way more important than the actual speed on Verbolten.
Especially since it is hard to even gage the speed in the dark.

 

[GoHokies87]

I've definitely been stopped before back in the day at the block that is right before the swoop into the drop section. IDK why that would be possible that it would be needed, but I have.