![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Troika_Cedar_Point.jpg/250px-Troika_Cedar_Point.jpg)
The Troika is an amusement park ride designed and manufactured by HUSS Park Attractions in the mid-1970s. The name Troika means "group of three" in Russian, a reference to its three armed design. There are several variations on the design.
Design
[edit]HUSS Park Attractions designed and manufactured the first Troika ride in the mid-1970s.[citation needed] It is named after the Russian word meaning "group of three", a reference to its three armed design.
Description and operation
[edit]A Troika consists of three arms radiating from a central column. At the end of each arm is a wheel-like assembly (star) holding seven gondolas, each of which seats 2 people side by side.
When the ride is activated, the central column rotates clockwise, while the Star at the end of each arm rotates counterclockwise. Hydraulic cylinders then raise the arms to an angle of 40°. The gondolas do have some capacity to rock from side to side, but this is minimal. At the end of the ride cycle, the arms are lowered, and the rotation stopped. Because it is a relatively mild thrill ride, it is a good ride for younger children or beginning riders who aren't up to riding more extreme attractions, like Huss's own Enterprise or Top Spin.[citation needed]
The main safety restraint is a buzz bar system, which locks into one of five positions. Huss recommends that riders be at least 42 inches tall with an adult or over 50 inches tall to ride alone.[citation needed]
Variants and modern adaptions
[edit]The ride is available in both transportable and permanent forms, although due to the total weight and size of the ride (35 tons, plus an additional 27 tons for the temporary base and platform), transportable Troikas are unpopular and uncommon.[citation needed]
Portable versions of the Troika can be disassembled, but due to the size and weight of the machinery and platform, rack onto no fewer than three trailers.[citation needed]
AirBoat
[edit]Huss now makes a modern version of the Troika, called the AirBoat. It is smaller and can only carry 24 people (with 3 pods and 4 cars per pod). It runs at about the same speed. One example that is no longer running was the Gator Bait ride at Six Flags New Orleans; this ride closed due to damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[citation needed]
Scorpion
[edit]The Tivoli Scorpion is based on the same pattern as the Troika, but a much smaller gondola wheel diameter results in greater speed and centripetal force experienced by the riders (claimed to be over 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph)). The Scorpion is significantly lighter than a Troika, making it more popular for operation at carnivals and fairs.[citation needed]
Troika Installations
[edit]Name | Park | Country | Manufacturer | Opened | Closed | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scorpion | Adventure Island | ![]() |
Tivoli | 2001 | 2018 | Now operates as a travelling fair ride. |
Troika | Adventureland | ![]() |
HUSS | 1976 | 1983 | Leased to park by German immigrant Willy Miller.[1] |
Troika | Al-Rawdah Sharaco Amusement Park | ![]() |
HUSS | 1988 | Closed | Park and ride presumed closed.[2][3] |
Тройка (Troika) | All-Russia Exhibition Center | ![]() |
HUSS | 1976 | 2016 | |
Тройка (Troika) | Anapa | ![]() |
HUSS | 2018 | Open | [4] Originally manufactured 1974. |
Turbo Star | Alton Towers | ![]() |
HUSS[5] | 1984 | 1989 | |
Tomahawk | Attractiepark Slagharen | ![]() |
HUSS | Open | ||
Unknown | Barry Island Pleasure Park | HUSS | Closed | Now operates at Carowinds | ||
Adrenaline Test Zone | Calaway Park | ![]() |
HUSS | Open | [6] | |
Triple Play | California's Great America | ![]() |
HUSS | 1976 | 2004 | |
Do-Si-Do | Carowinds | ![]() |
HUSS | 2017 | Open | Previously traveled with German showman Schafer between 1974 and 1976 before operating at several European parks between 2004 and 2010. Sold to Cedar Fair among other European flat rides.[7] |
Troika | Cedar Point | ![]() |
HUSS | 1976 | Open | [8] |
Unknown | Coney Beach Pleasure Park | ![]() |
HUSS | Closed | Now operates at Carowinds | |
Kaleidoscope | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | ![]() |
HUSS | 2017 | Open | [9] |
Troika | Dreamland Margate | 1983 | 1997 | |||
Troika | Elitch Gardens Theme Park | ![]() |
HUSS | 1995 | Open | Originally manufactured 1976.[10] |
Goldcurse | Familiepark Drievliet | ![]() |
HUSS | Open | Includes extensive theming package.[11] Previously operated as Turbo Star. Serial number 26360.[12] | |
Troika | Fuji-Q Highland | ![]() |
HUSS | Closed | [13] | |
Troika | Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo | ![]() |
HUSS | 2008 | Standing but not operating after park closed. Removed sometime between 2011 and 2015 and relocated to Santa's Village AZoosment Park. | |
Wellenreiter (Wave Rider) | Hansa-Park | ![]() |
HUSS | 1978 | Open | [14] |
Scorpion | Horn Luna Park | ![]() |
Tivoli Enterprises | 1997 | Open | Traveling version. |
Bad Apple | Kings Dominion | ![]() |
HUSS | 2002 | Open | [15] |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | Kings Island | ![]() |
HUSS | 1975 | Open | [16] Serial number 26731. |
Humla | Kongeparken | ![]() |
1997 | Open | [17] | |
Diablo | La Ronde | ![]() |
1978 | 2003 | ||
Troika | Linnanmäki | ![]() |
HUSS | 1974 | 1974 | Relocated to Särkänniemi. Ride originally bought for Särkänniemi, but Särkänniemi did not open until 1975 and so the ride was rented to Linnanmäki for 1974 season. |
Unknown | Loudoun Castle | ![]() |
HUSS | Closed | Now operates at Carowinds | |
Tumble Bug | Luna Park Sydney | ![]() |
HUSS | 1995 | 2020 | [18] |
L'aigle Noir (The Black Eagle) | OK Corral Theme Park | ![]() |
HUSS | 1970 | Open | |
Super Star | Palace Playland | ![]() |
1980s | Open | [19] | |
Tri-Star | Pleasureland Southport | ![]() |
1974 | 1983 | Built under license by English firm Bennett. Relocated to Spanish City. | |
Tri-Star | Pleasureland Southport | ![]() |
Fairmatt | 2013 | Open | |
Unknown | Pleasurewood Hills | ![]() |
HUSS | Closed | Now operates at Carowinds | |
Tri-Nado | Santa's Village AZoosment Park | ![]() |
HUSS | 2015 | Open | Relocated from Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo.[20] |
Troika | Särkänniemi | ![]() |
1975 | Open | ||
Riptide Rescue | Sea World San Antonio | ![]() |
Huss | Open | Airboat | |
Riptide Rescue | Seaworld San Diego | ![]() |
Huss | Open | Airboat | |
Spider | Selva Magica | ![]() |
Open | |||
Warp 2000 | Six Flags AstroWorld | ![]() |
HUSS | 1981 | 2005 | Most parts moved to Six Flags Over Texas for usage on its Troika. |
Thrillbilly | Six Flags Darien Lake | ![]() |
HUSS | 1979 | 1983 | Ride removed with changes in park ownership. |
Triple Play | Six Flags Great America | ![]() |
HUSS | 1976 | Open | [21] |
Wild Flower | Six Flags Great Adventure | ![]() |
HUSS | 1975 | 1977 | Previously Wild Rider. |
Gator Bait | Six Flags New Orleans | ![]() |
HUSS | 2005 | AirBoat version. No longer in operation after Hurricane Katrina but still standing. | |
Harley Quinn Spinsanity | Six Flags Over Texas | ![]() |
HUSS | 2006 | 2017 | Previously Crazy Legs. Relocated from Six Flags AstroWorld. |
Tri-Star | Spanish City | 1984 | 1984 | Relocated from Pleasureland Southport. | ||
Scorpion | Talley Amusements, Inc. (Showman) | ![]() |
Tivoli | Open | [22] | |
Calgary Stampede | Thorpe Park | ![]() |
1993 | 2003 | ||
Troika | Toshimaen | ![]() |
HUSS | 2020 | ||
Mustang Runner | Worlds of Fun | ![]() |
HUSS | 2017 | Open | [23] |
Dancing Queen | Unknown - German Showman | ![]() |
Open | Traveling version in Germany. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mercaldo, Christopher (2014). Adventureland. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 17, 21. ISBN 9781467121705.
- ^ "Al-Rawdah Sharaco Amusement Park (Riyadh, Ar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)". rcdb.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "Saudi Constructioneers Ltd". www.saudico.com.sa. Archived from the original on 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "Тройка". Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ "Turbo Star". TowersTimes. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ "Calaway Park Website". Archived from the original on 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Do-Si-Do - Carowinds Website". Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Troika - Cedar Point Website". Archived from the original on 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Kaleidoscope - Dorney Park Website". Archived from the original on 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Troika - Elitch Gardens Website". Archived from the original on 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ Goldcurse // On/Offride // Drievliet, The Netherlands // Huss Troika, archived from the original on 2021-12-19, retrieved 2020-04-12
- ^ "Goldcurse - Drievliet (NL) - polypweb.eu". www.polypweb.eu. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- ^ "Fuji-Q Highland - Troika". www.themeparkreview.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "Wellenreiter - Hansa-Park Website". Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Bad Apple - Kings Dominion Website". Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Shake, Rattle & Roll - Kings Island Website". Archived from the original on 2019-07-28. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Humla - Kongeparken Website". 18 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Tumble Bug - Luna Park Sydney Website". Archived from the original on 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Rides - Palace Playland Website". Archived from the original on 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Thrill Rides - Santa's Village AZoosment Park Website". Archived from the original on 2019-07-07. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ "Triple Play - Six Flags Great America Website". Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- ^ www.mwdwebdesign.com, Matt's Web Design-. "Talley Amusements - Scorpion". Talley Amusements. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- ^ "Mustang Runner - Worlds of Fun Website". Archived from the original on 2018-09-11. Retrieved 2019-03-16.