Salem, New Hampshire amusement park Canobie Lake is in the planning phases of adding a new roller coaster. The
proposed ride would be a Gerstlauer Eurofighter 320+ model. It’s a compact coaster that features single cars allowing for excellent maneuverability in tight twists and turns. Other 320+ models include an ultra steep 97 degree drop, a vertical loop, an immelmann, and a zero-g roll. Adventure Island’s Rage (Essex, England) is pictured to the right.
If approved, this will only be the fourth Gerstlauer Euro Fighter in the U.S. after SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge at the Mall of America (Bloomington, MN), Mystery Mine at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN), and the recently announced Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia. I haven’t ridden a Euro Fighter, but they look like a lot of fun. I’m only 4 hours from both Dollywood and Six Flags Over Georgia so I’m sure I’ll ride one soon.
It isn’t clear if this coaster will be ready for 2011 or 2012. If they’re just now seeking approval from the local government then it may be a 2012 project. On the other hand, it’s a rather small roller coaster and it could open mid-summer 2011 if things really get moving. Currently, the planning board is awaiting the results of a study that will factor in the impacts on traffic patterns.
New Whalom Park Forums has exclusive shots of the ride’s concept artwork here. It looks like the park will be giving the new ride a rustic woodsy theme with support columns designed to look like tree trunks.
Read more about the planning process at the Eagle Tribune: “Salem Planners Impressed With Coaster Presentation”
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Canobie Lake’s new planned roller coaster? Leave a comment below. Image 1 courtesy of RCDB.
Gordy
This is awesome news! Canobie happens ot be my home park (I went there for the first time back in August), so you bet that I'm stoked for this!
CFC
Boy, those Eurofighters are making serious ground in the U.S. coaster scene. They're really gaining popularity, aren't they?
Quil
Again, cheep, fun, small, and crazy. It's a good deal
all-in-all.
Prof.BAM
The Spongebob coaster is about 45 minutes away from my house. Housed in the Mall of America, the ride is shorter tham 50 feet tall, with a 97 degree drop. A quick, fun, compact coaster. When Announced that Nickelodeon Universe would add a coaster with inversions, it was announced that it woud be the Avatar: Airbender coaster that would invert. But the Avater coaster became an Intamin half-pipe coaster, and it was the spongebob coaster that would invert instead.
Frog
Hooray for Eurofighters! I've been on one just like a Eurofighter (Wicked, Lagoon theme park in Utah, recently featured on Bert the Conquerer)and they are surprisingly intense. I love the fact that they gain speed so quickly, but they seem to end only a few seconds later! Too bad no Euros launch. 🙁
Gordy
That's not a Euro-Fighter. Euro-Fighters can launch, too. And, ironically, that coaster you mentioned does launch!
http://rcdb.com/3534.htm
Gordy
SHOOT! I thought you said that Wicked was a Euro-Fighter! *blushed face*
CC, could you please remove my earlier comment (Not the first one), as well as this one?
Frog
That's fine! Honest mistake 🙂 anyways, I think you'll really enjoy the Euro-fighter, they're so unique!
The Coaster Critic
Hopefully it'll serve as a reminder to all of us enthusiasts (including myself at times) who are:
A) Quick to correct people
B) Don't read others comments carefully
I know people want correct information out there, but we all shouldn't be so quick to correct people. I've made plenty of botches too Gordy. Don't feel bad. 🙂
Quil
Me as well, but sometimes I'm also wrong about what I correct.
Gordy
I was right, however, about Euro-Fighers launching. Have at it, folks:
http://rcdb.com/4075.htm
Quil
THAT looks like fun.
Michael Coutermarsh
As a local I am thrilled to see Canobie getting a coaster in general. This have been long awaited for some time now with their last coaster added in 1992. Not to mention the loss of Galaxy/Rockn Rider in 2005. The fact it's a Euro fighter is a tremendous Bonus.
I run the New Whalom park web site and forums and was thrilled to be able to deliver some exclusive content. I will post the train art soon as well as Any new art I am allowed to post.
on a side not the park wants to have it open for next year. the latest approval was postponed til the park can produce a traffic study. The park hopes to have the coaster open by May.
Quil
New Hampshire is a state of very little coasters. I'm happy to see a ride like this come to a place like that, especialy since it'll be closer to me than SFGE. (Rhyme not intended)
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Quil
I like the themeing, but hopefuly they'll pick less garish colors, it would ruin the look of the ride.
PS- Any news on the name of the ride?
Robert Arruda
I've been on this since I'm a little late commenting.This ride is like 60 second total but very,very fun.Oh and check THIS launched Euro-Fighter(World's Steepest) http://rcdb.com/9795.htm