Glossary

The following list contains terminology used in the rcdb and their respective definitions. Click on any term's title for more options related to the term.

Category

Möbius - The two tracks are continuous forming a single circuit or 'Moebius Loop'.

Twin - a roller coaster with two tracks. The tracks often follow a similar course, allowing the trains to race with each other.

ACE Coaster Classic - a coaster meeting the criteria specified by the American Coaster Enthusiasts club. These roller coasters must meet guidelines like single position lap bars, no seat dividers or headrests, and more.

Side Friction -

Mine Train - a coaster designed to give the experience of riding a runaway mine train. They usually follow the terrain closely and make small - but quick - drops and turns.

Kiddie - a small roller coaster designed solely for children.

Spinning Cars -

Family - a small roller coaster designed for young riders, but adults may comfortably ride also.

Indoor - a roller coaster built inside a structure unrelated to the ride.

Shuttle - a roller coaster traveling to the end of its track and returning in the opposite direction. A shuttle roller coaster's track contains a beginning and end, unlike a traditional roller coaster which forms a continuous circuit.

Water Coaster -

Floorless -

Enclosed - a roller coaster built inside a structure intended solely for the ride. This structure often imparts a theme or houses special effects.

Vertical Lift -

Dual Station -

Magnetic brakes -

Skid brakes -

Hybrid (Wood Structure) -

Trolley Park -

Private -

Hybrid (Steel Structure) -

Brakeman -

Onboard Sound -

Classification

Roller Coaster -

Powered Coaster - a roller coaster that is electrically powered throughout the entire ride.

Current Status

Operating -

Under Construction -

SBNO -

In Storage -

In Production -

In Business -

Living -

Design

Pipeline - a coaster where riders are positioned between the rails instead of above or below.

Bobsled - designed like a bobsled run -- without a fixed track. The train travels freely through a trough.

Flying - a roller coaster ridden while parallel with the track.

Inverted - a roller coaster which uses trains traveling beneath, rather than on top of, the track. Unlike a suspended roller coaster, an inverted roller coaster's trains are rigidly attached to the track.

Sit Down - a traditional roller coaster ridden while sitting down.

Stand Up - a coaster ridden while standing up instead of sitting down.

Suspended - a roller coaster using trains which travel beneath the track and pivot on a swinging arm from side to side, exaggerating the track's banks and turns.

4th Dimension - a coaster with cars that spin on a horizontal axis.

Method of Propulsion

Compressed Air Launch -

Hydraulic Launch -

Flywheel Launch -

Weight Drop Launch -

Tire Propelled Spiral Lift -

LIM - LIM (Linear Induction Motor) is a form of electro-magnetic propulsion. They replace a traditional lift hill and do not contain any moving parts. Typically LIM systems launch the roller coaster from the station extremely quickly.

Electric Spiral Lift -

LSM - LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) is a form of electro-magnetic propulsion. They replace a traditional lift hill and do not contain any moving parts. Typically LSM systems launch the roller coaster from the station extremely quickly.

Commutator -

Hot Rail -

Tire Propelled Launch -

Elevator Lift -

Tire Propelled Lift -

Spiral Lift -

Passenger Restraints

Seatbelt -

Individual ratcheting lap bar -

Shoulder harness -

Seat divider -

Headrest -

Single position lap bar -

Individual hydraulic lap bar -

T-Bar -

Status

Manufactured -

Alive -

Operated -

SBNO -

In Storage -

Track Layout

L-Shaped Out and Back -

Out and Back -

Mite Mouse -

Twister -

Big Apple / Wacky Worm -

Zyklon / Galaxi -

Triple Out and Back -

Wild Mouse - rides using single-car trains on a track with very tight turns. The cars' wheels are positioned closer to the rear of the car than a traditional coaster. The front of the car travels past the turn before changing directions, giving the sensation that the car will fall off the track

Cyclone - roller coaster whose track layout is designed after the legendary Coney Island Cyclone.

Figure Eight -

Double Figure Eight - Figure eights are side-by-side.

Oval -

Terrain -

Single Helix (right) -

Twin Helix -

Single Helix (left) -

Single Helix (center) -

Double Out and Back -

Jungle Mouse -

Type

Steel - a roller coaster with track consisting of steel tubes or rails. Occasionally steel roller coasters will use wood structures to support the steel track, this does not have an affect on its steel status.

Wood - a roller coaster with track consisting of layers of wood. Occasionally wooden roller coasters will use steel structures to support the wooden track, this does not have an affect on its wooden status.