Swamp Fox (roller coaster) explained

Swamp Fox
Location:Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Type:Wood
Status:Operating
Opened:1966
Manufacturer:Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer:John Allen
Track:Double Out and Back
Lift:Chain lift hill
Height Ft:75
Drop Ft:65
Length Ft:2400
Speed Mph:50
Inversions:0
Restriction In:48
Rcdb Number:337

The Swamp Fox is a wooden roller coaster located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States. It is one of 37 rides at Family Kingdom Amusement Park.[1] The coaster is named for American Revolutionary War leader Francis Marion, who was nicknamed the "Swamp Fox".

The Swamp Fox is a wooden roller coaster that runs over a 2400feet, figure-eight track. The "double out and back" design takes riders to heights of 75feet at speeds up to 50mph and features dramatic drops of up to 65feet.[2]

The coaster was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company of Pennsylvania and opened in 1966 as one of the rides at Grand Strand Amusement Park. In 1992, that park was purchased by the Ammons family and rechristened as Family Kingdom Amusement Park. The Swamp Fox was then totally refurbished according to the specifications of the original design by John C. Allen.[3] In one experiment performed on the Swamp Fox, operators found that the train ran the length of its track anywhere from eight to 10 seconds faster at 9 PM than it did around 2 PM.[2] In 2016, American Coaster Enthusiasts marked the 50th anniversary of the Swamp Fox by adding a historical marker.[4] The Swamp Fox was declared a historic structure by the city of Myrtle Beach in March 2017.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Family Kingdom Amusement Park. 19 June 2013.
  2. Web site: Q & A: The Swamp Fox All Wooden Roller Coaster. Family Kingdom Amusement Park. 19 June 2013.
  3. Web site: 1960's Wooden Coasters. UltimateRollerCoaster.com. 19 June 2013.
  4. News: Roller Coaster enthusiasts honor Family Kingdom coaster as landmark. Donovan. Jennifer. The Sun News. April 25, 2016.
  5. News: A favorite Myrtle Beach thrill ride just became an historic structure. Johnson. Chloe. The Sun News. March 28, 2017. March 29, 2017.