Trailblazer (roller coaster)
Trailblazer is a family roller coaster at Hersheypark amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Pioneer Frontier section of Hersheypark, just below Storm Runner. The ride is notable for being the second-oldest operating coaster in the park, after the Comet, and for its family-friendly height requirement of 36 inches and above with an adult.
| Trailblazer | |
|---|---|
 Trailblazer's entrance | |
| Hersheypark | |
| Location | Hersheypark |
| Park section | Pioneer Frontier |
| Coordinates | 40.289172°N 76.653478°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 14 1974 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Development |
| Model | Mine train |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Length | 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Speed | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:15 |
| Capacity | 1125 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 36 in (91 cm) |
| Trailblazer at RCDB Pictures of Trailblazer at RCDB | |
Description
The coaster reaches speeds of up to 35 mph, and features a helix that circles 4 times. The mid-course brake zone is nearly level with Storm Runner, and the queue for that ride extends inside Trailblazer's first drop.
History
According to a 1974 Souvenir book printed before the coaster was finalized, the ride was supposed to feature two lifts.[1]
The ride received two brand new trains in 2003 built by Premier Rides. The main difference is the new cars had individual lap bars for each seat, rather than the single "t-bar" lap bars for each pair of seats.
References
- Hershey's Guidebook, Western Publishing Company, 1974.