Alpenexpress Enzian Explained

Alpenexpress Enzian
Previousnames:Grottenblitz
Location:Europa-Park
Section:Austria
Coordinates:48.2621°N 7.7228°W
Status:closed
Opened:1984
Year:1984
Closed:June 9, 2023
Replacement:A rebuilt Alpenexpress Enzian (2024)
Type:Steel
Type2:Powered
Type3:Virtual reality
Manufacturer:Mack Rides
Model:Custom
Height M:6
Length M:264
Speed Km/H:45
Inversions:0
Duration:1:40
Capacity:1100
Restriction Cm:100
Trains:1
Carspertrain:10
Rowspercar:2
Ridersperrow:2
Rcdb Number:975

Alpenexpress Enzian (formerly Grottenblitz) is a powered roller coaster with optional virtual reality ride experience manufactured by Mack Rides and located at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. It is located in the Austria-themed section of the park. Opening in 1984, Alpenexpress was the first roller coaster built at the park. After it, the adjacent Tiroler Wildwasserbahn and the area surrounding them were destroyed in a fire in June 2023, the roller coaster was rebuilt, and reopened in the summer of 2024.

Specifications

The Alpenexpress train has 10 cars which can accommodate 38 people (four per car, two per row). Each car is equipped with an electric motor which draws power from rails situated between the tracks. The motors drive wheels which run on a third rail in the center of the tracks. The ride is 250m (820feet) in length and has a speed of approximately 45km/h. It has a capacity of 1100 people per hour and a ride time of 1 minute 40 seconds.

Virtual Reality

Alpenexpress Coastiality is an optional, pay-per-ride virtual reality experience on Alpenexpress. The system was developed by Mack Rides and VR Coaster and was introduced in September 2015. Each ride at opening cost an extra €2 per person. Riders wear wireless Samsung Gear VR headsets with a selection of four experiences.

Layout

Initially the ride turns sharply right, then into a left-hand helix into the "Magic World of Diamonds", an artificial cave with a mine theme - this cave is shared with the Tirol Log Flume ride. The ride takes a sharp turn to the right out of the cave and back into the station. Normally the ride operates for two laps.