4^th Dimension

A type of roller coaster where the seats are capable of forward and backward twists via an additional two rails attached to a ratchet gear on the train. A 4D coaster is capable of flipping its seats during any element.

Air-Powered Launch

Where the train is launched using compressed air.

Airtime

The floating sensation as you go over bumps and down a drop. Caused by negative G’s.

Anti-Rollback Device

A safety device on the lift hill that stops the train from rolling back if the lift chain fails. The ratchets of this device make the "click-click" sound commonly heard on coaster lifts.

Bag Lady

Term used at CF-Lives to describe the person that looks after bags whilst other members go on a ride.

Block

A section of track where only one train can enter. Used on coasters capable of operating more than one train. The block system prevents two trains from colliding should a train fail to clear a block.

Block Brakes

Used to stop a train from entering the next block if another train occupies that block.

Term used at a CF-Live to say you are sitting out of a ride because you are too scared to ride it or are ill.

A type of coaster that is not on a fixed track. The train coasts down a trench, similar to that of a bobsleigh trench.

A type of coaster where the rider goes forward on the track and then goes backwards on the same track. Usually associated with Vekoma Boomerang models.

A motorized wheel that propels the train through a section of track, usually the station and final brake runs. Occasionally, they are used to launch the train, such as on Islands of Adventure's Incredible Hulk Coaster. Also known as friction wheels.

Usually placed at the end part of the circuit, this section of track has brakes that slow the train down. There are two types of brake runs - final brake run, and mid-course brake run.

Capacity

The term given to the amount of riders a coaster can take in an hour.

Car

The name given to an individual section of a coaster train, defined by seats on their own set of wheels.

Catapult

A type of launch where the train zooms out from the station, without the aid of a lift hill or booster wheels.

An organised meeting at a theme park where all Coaster Force members are welcome to attend. More information can be found here.

The a lift in the form of a chain that pulls the train to the top of the lift hill before releasing it.

The full journey the train will take around the track.

Where the circuit of a coaster crosses over itself.

Dark Ride

A ride housed inside a building, usually including lots of themed rooms (See Enclosed Ride).

Dive Machine

A B&M coaster style, noted by their wide 8-person per car trains and incredibly steep drops.

Drop Tower

A tower based flat ride where the rider is hoisted to the top of a tower and released, to freefall down. Certain drop towers have devices built in the launch the train downwards slightly faster than gravity, providing for more airtime.

Where two separate coasters are built in close proximity to each other for the benefit of "near misses", like medieval jousting. An example is Dueling Dragons.

Element

The term used to describe a feature in a coaster's layout, such as a turn or inversion.

Enclosed Ride

A ride built inside a building.

ERT

Exclusive Ride Time. This is most often provided at official roller coaster club (such as A.C.E. or ECC) visits. ERT is provided by allowing only members of the coaster club to ride on a specific ride for a period of time.

Faffing

Term used at a CF-Live to describe the time waiting for people to finish riding/shopping/going to the toilet. Wasted time.

Family Coaster

A less intense coaster suitable for all ages.

Fanboy/Fangirl

"Affectionate" term used to describe somebody with an obsession with a certain ride or theme park.

A special ticket that allows the rider to bypass the queue of a ride.

A section of roller coaster track that looks like a figure of eight when viewed from above.

The last brake run on a coaster, the purpose of which is to slow the train down and (usually) stop it in preparation for entry to the station or unloading platform.

The first downward decline (does not include pre-drops) after the lift hill or launch of a coaster.

A ride that is not a roller coaster, but is a fixed attraction at a theme park.

A B&M coaster in which the train sits above the track, but has no floor.

A coaster where the train sits beneath the track and the riders are hoisted into a flying "superman" position for the duration of the ride. Not to be confused with the Vekoma Flying Dutchman coasters, which are considered lay-down coasters.

G Forces

The forces that the rider feels as the coaster zips along the track. Information on G Forces can be found here. A G represents a force of gravity. Everybody feels a constant force of 1G in everyday life.

Gigacoaster

A term coined by Cedar Point to describe a coaster over 300ft tall.

Guide Wheels

The wheels attached to the bottom of the train that run under or to the side of the track, fixing the train to the track and enabling the train to glide around turns.

Headchopper

Term used to describe the part of the coaster as it narrowly enters a tunnel or goes through/under another structure - usually creates the feeling your head is about to be chopped off by the low overpass.

Horsecollar

A type of Vekoma and Arrow restraint that pulls down over the head and locks in by the shoulders.

A type of launch that uses compressed nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid to launch a coaster train at very high speeds and acceleration rates from a standstill.

A term coined by Cedar Point to describe a coaster over 200ft in height.

In Storage

A coaster that has been disassembled, and is currently being stored.

Interlocking

Where two or more inversions are placed within each other for extra thrills. Interlocking corkscrews are a common finish to many B&M sit-down and floorless coasters.

A part of the coaster where the rider is turned upside down.

A type of coaster where the train runs, fixed, to the bottom of the track, allowing for inversions and other extreme elements to be taken.

Junior Coaster

A rollercoaster designed specifically for children.

Kidnapping

Where an adult (or 'Credit Whore') uses a small child to ride a coaster which only adults can ride if they accompany a child.

Lap Bar

A common type of restraint, a lap bar is a bar that locks down over the rider’s lap.

Where the coaster train accelerates quickly, usually from a standstill.

An angled incline where the train is pulled to the highest point of the coaster by a chain or cable.

LIM

Linear Induction Motor. LIM's are electromagnets used to launch a coaster or boost it along its course.

Log Flume

A ride where the riders sit in a boat and float along a trench filled with water.

Linear Synchronous Motor. Strategically positioned magnets are used to launch the coaster. Good LSM launches involve the magnets turning on and off in perfect synchronization to achieve maximum acceleration. This "turning on and off" is what separates the LSM from the LIM.

Magic Carpet Ride

A type of flat ride that moves up and down in a circular motion, as if one were wiping a window. Usually resembles a magic carpet.

Megacoaster

A coaster that is over 100ft in height.

Also known as an "MCBR". A brake run, located partway through a coaster's circuit, that holds a block brake. It's purpose is to separate a long circuit into two or more (in the case of multiple MCBR's) blocks, to allow multiple trains/cars to travel the circuit at the same time, thus improving capacity and the maximum number of trains allowed.

A type of coaster that resembles a mine train.

Out & Back

A basic coaster layout where the track heads out, away from the station, makes a turnaround, and heads back (hence the name). Come in different forms, such as a double out & back, which repeats the out & back concept a second time on the same coaster, a triple out & back, which repeats it a third time, and so forth.

OTSR

Over The Shoulder Restraint. A restraint that comes down over the head, sits flush to the riders shoulders and is usually accompanied by a seatbelt (either across the rider's lap or attaching directly to the restraint) and, occasionally, a lap-bar.

A roller coaster built above ground, with no theming. ie: as if it was built on a car park.

Point of View. What the rider sees.

Powered Coaster

Where a coaster relies on a powered motor to propel itself around the track.

Queering Up

CF-Term. Where two men are forced to sit in a "friendly" position on rides such as dingy slides, bobsleds and log flumes.

Racing Coaster

Where two tracks that make up the same ride "race" beside each other.

A ride in which the riders sit in circular shaped boats and float through a choppy, water filled trench.

Ride Op

The person that operates the ride.

Riding Politely

Unique CF-Term. Where the rider sits with their hands clasped above their lap and has a nonchalant expression on their face.

Term to describe a coaster that accelerates quickly from a standstill using a hydraulic launch. Also known as an "Accelerator coaster".

Another term used to describe the roller coaster train.

SBNO

Standing But Not Operating. A coaster that is not in use but remains standing.

Seatbelt

Can either be used to secure a restraint or is used across the lap to secure the rider. Often used as a secondary restraint system to a ride's primary restraints (such as lapbars or OTSR's).

Shuttle Coaster

A type of coaster where the coaster car spins freely as it moves along the track. On certain spinning coasters, the car's spinning can be stopped or activated by special track sections.

A type of coaster where the rider rides in standing-up position.

The area in which the coaster is boarded and, usually, the ride operators control the roller coaster from.

A roller coaster made out of steel.

Term coined by Cedar Point to describe a coaster over 400ft tall.

A type of coaster where the train sits beneath the track, and the cars are mounted on a hinge as to allow them to freely swing left and right.

Terrain Coaster

A coaster that is built in close proximity to and/or around the naturally surrounding terrain.

A park where the attractions and rides are based around a certain theme. For example, African or Roman themes, giving the visitors the feeling they have been transformed to another world.

The fixed layout and structural path the the train/car travels on.

Transfer Track

A movable section of the track that allows cars/trains to be moved on/off the permanent track.

Trim Brake

A brake positioned somewhere on the track to slow the train down, but does not function as a block brake. These are often added on coasters after they are built to control unexpected or overbearing forces.

A part of the track where the coaster changes direction, usually ending up traveling in the opposite direction from which the turnaround was entered.

Where two tracks that make up the same ride "race" beside each other.

Valleying

Where a coaster train fails to make it over an incline and valleys back and forth between the failed incline and the previous incline until it eventually comes to a complete stop due to friction.

Water Coaster

A steel tracked coaster that has many water-based drops and sections similar to those of a log flume.

Wild Mouse

A coaster with lots of drops, sudden sharp turns and single cars.

A unique CF-Term for an intense airtime experience - the sensation of butterflies and tickles riders experience in their stomachs/lower regions on steep drops, swinging ships. Can be assimilated to when travelling over hills in a car at high speed.

Zero Car

An axle that can be found at the front or read of a train that give the coaster support. Imagine a carriage without the seating part.