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.

Organize this list: Alphabetically · By Related Terms

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

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.

Alive -

Big Apple / Wacky Worm -

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

Brakeman -

Commutator -

Compressed Air Launch -

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

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

Double Out and Back -

Dual Station -

Electric Spiral Lift -

Elevator Lift -

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

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

Figure Eight -

Floorless -

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

Flywheel Launch -

Headrest -

Hot Rail -

Hybrid (Steel Structure) -

Hybrid (Wood Structure) -

Individual hydraulic lap bar -

Individual ratcheting lap bar -

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

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.

Jungle Mouse -

Kiddie - a small roller coaster designed solely for children.

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.

Living -

L-Shaped Out and Back -

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.

Magnetic brakes -

Manufacturered -

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.

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

Operated -

Operating -

Out and Back -

Oval -

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

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

Private -

SBNO -

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.

Side Friction -

Single Helix (center) -

Single Helix (left) -

Single Helix (right) -

Single position lap bar -

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

Skid brakes -

Spinning Cars -

Spiral Lift -

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

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.

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.

T-Bar -

Terrain -

Tire Propelled Launch -

Tire Propelled Lift -

Tire Propelled Spiral Lift -

Trolley Park -

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

Twister -

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

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.

Zyklon / Galaxi -

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