Bayern Kurve

The Bayern Kurve is roller coaster like amusement ride that moves a train around a banked circular track, gaining speed as the ride progresses. It is made in both a portable and park model and originally debuted in 1965. It was invented by German engineer Anton Schwarzkopf.[1]

During the ride, riders sit in one of the sixteen bobsled-themed cars that travel at a high-speed around a circular single-hilled track. Riders start in an upright position and as the cars pick up speed, they tilt inward toward the center of the ride. This ride is also known for its loud horn which is similar to that of a diesel train engine that blasts its loud roar when the ride reaches maximum speed. Also akin to a train, the seamed track creates the same rail "click-clack" railway sound, particularly at the lower section of track in the front. Additionally, the ride has a distinct whine that increases with speed due to its tire/blade drive.

While the ride was originally manufactured by Schwarzkopf, a similar version known as the Olympic Bobs was also manufactured by Chance Rides.[2][3]

  • In front of Kennywood's ride during the day
    In front of Kennywood's ride during the day
  • Kennywoods Cat in the Hat and Elvis characters on the backdrop
    Kennywoods Cat in the Hat and Elvis characters on the backdrop
  • Overview of Kennywood's ride at night
    Overview of Kennywood's ride at night
  • On ride at Kennywood at night
    On ride at Kennywood at night
  • On ride at Kennywood looking across
    On ride at Kennywood looking across

Specifications
  • There are 16 cars capable of holding 2 passengers each making the maximum capacity 32 riders.
  • Theoretically this ride can thrill a maximum of 900 riders per hour.
  • The entire ride weighs approximately 29 tons.
  • The outer diameter of the ride is approximately 21 meters.
  • The portable version of this ride is transported by 3 trailers.
  • The absolute top speed is approximately 75 mph (120 km/h), but it is typically run at 40 mph (64 km/h) in most parks.

Appearance

Although Bayern Kurves have been known to be re-themed on occasion, they are famous for their original Olympic bobsled appearance. The ride has a backdrop painted to look like mountain scenery with spectators looking down at the track. Originally there was a strip of lights running beneath the spectators. There is a lighted sign that reads "Bayern Kurve" and flashing sun mounted above the mountains and sometimes there are chasing lights added to edge the tops of the mountains. There are lighted Olympic rings mounted on the mountains below the track with a wooden bobsled figure on each side of the rings. The sixteen cars were each built with headlights and in some cases, the front of each car had the flag of a different nation painted on the front. The loading platform is surrounded by a railing with the Olympic rings in it and has a lighted, scalloped awning above it in parts. Also, there are lighted trees on poles in the loading platform. As mentioned above, this ride has been re-themed on numerous occasions and certain features are occasionally added or removed.

Installations

The following is a partial list of Bayern Kurve installations.

Name Park Opened Closed Notes
Bayern Kurve Knoebels Amusement Resort 2023 Under construction Being constructed from two separate rides. One was previously a Bayern Kurve at Fun Spot with the other being a Swiss-Bob from Amusements of America and parts from the Kennywood Bayern Curve.[4][5]
Bayern Kurve Thomas Bozec (Schausteller from France) Unknown Open
Bayern Kurve Kiener (Schausteller from France) Unknown Open
Bayern Kurve Charly Schweig (Schausteller from Belgium) Unknown Open
Bayern Kurve Kennywood 1994 2020 Took four-year hiatus from park before returning in 2009.[6] Kennywood announced the ride's removal in November 2020.[7]
Berserker California's Great America 1976 Open Previously known as Yukon Yahoo.[8]
Cortina Jet Lauwers, hired Godefroid-Schram (Schausteller from Belgium) Unknown Open
Bayern's Curve Canada's Wonderland 1981 2000 As of 2008, the ride was allegedly shipped to Kings Dominion where it sat in storage.[9]
Bayern Kurve Geauga Lake 1974 1980 [10]
Bayern Kurve Six Flags New England Unknown Closed Removed between 1996 and 1997
Bayern Kurve Kings Island 1973 1982 Relocated to Wonderland Sydney.[11] Appears ride model was replaced during or prior to 1981.
Bayern Kurve Fun Spot Unknown 2007 Possibly opened 2002. Standing but not operating in 2008 when rest of the park was open. Removed from property between 2011 and 2015. Possibly relocated from Six Flags New England.
Bayern Kurve Cedar Point 1970 1984 Relocated to Valleyfair.[12]
Bayern Kurve Rocky Glen Park Unknown Closed [13]
Bayern Kurve Valleyfair 1985 1997 Relocated from Cedar Point.[14]
Bayern Kurve Parque de la Ciudad 1982 Closed
Concorde Playcenter Unknown Closed
Cortina Jet Tykkimäki Unknown Closed [15]
Flower Jet Adventureland Unknown Closed Video footage of this ride can be seen in Chaka Khan's "Love of a Lifetime" (1986) music video as the video was shot in the park at the time the ride was in operation. Ride opened 1979 or earlier.
Grand Prix Blackpool Pleasure Beach Unknown Closed
Luv Machine Funtown Splashtown USA Unknown Closed
Mount Kilimanjaro Kings Dominion 1976 Closed Removed in the 1980s after ridership declined.[16]
Olympic Bobs Coney Island (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1968 1969 Olympic Bobs variant manufactured by Chance Rides. Cost the park $100,000.[3] Replaced with Galaxi.[17]
Sierra Twist Six Flags Magic Mountain 1973 Closed Formerly Swiss Twist.[18] Closed in 2007 or 2008. Scrapped in 2008
Skyline Express Skyline Park 1999 2016 2 Loop variant manufactured by BHS.
Swiss Bob Six Flags Great Adventure 1974 1979 Ride appears to have been added late in planning stages and was not included on original park map.[19] Relocated within park in 1975. Replaced with nearly identical model in 1980.[19]
Swiss Bobsled Six Flags Great Adventure 1980 1991 Replaced nearly identical model that closed in 1979, sans the themed backdrop.[20] Refurbished in 1990 and removed in 1991. Ride appears to have been intended to be relocated within the park for the 1992 season, but was never re-assembled.[20]
Wild Bull, The Carowinds 1979 1998 Featured minimal rodeo theming in the center and no backdrop.[21]
Wizard's Fury Wonderland Sydney 1985 Closed Relocated from Kings Island.[11] Closed in 2001 or 2002. Ride demolished 2002 but the structure it passed through remained in place. Ride pad reused for Galleon's Graveyard.[11]
Yukon Yahoo Six Flags Great America 1976 1991 Ride previously known as Delta Flyer.[8]

References
  1. "Anton Schwarzkopf Bayern Kurve". The Flat Joint. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  2. "Chance Rides Olympic Bobs". The Flat Joint. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  3. "New Thrill Ride Planned For Coney Island Patrons". The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 31, 1968. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. Strawser, Justin (March 2, 2022). "Knoebels to debut Bayern Kurve ride in 2023". The Daily Item. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  5. "Knoebels". Screamscape. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  6. "Welcome to Kennywood - What's New". 2011-02-09. Archived from the original on 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  7. "Kennywood Park on Instagram: "Even in a National Historic Landmark, change is a constant at Kennywood. In the past three years, we've invested more in new attractions…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  8. "Yukon Yahoo". GREATAMERICAparks.com. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  9. "Canada's Wonderland". Facebook. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  10. "Geauga Lake Map". Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  11. "Wizard's Fury Wonderland Sydney". Wonderland History. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  12. Creeva (2014-09-19). "Cedar Point Memories – Part 29 – Bayern Kurve". Creeva's World 2.0. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  13. Dreyfus, Andrea (Spring 2020). "Rocky Glen Park". NAPHA Chronicle. Vol. 42. p. 11.
  14. Wetzel, Matt (May 5, 1985). "Family amusement: Theme parks offer vacation option". Globe-Gazette. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  15. "Nojespark.net". 2008-10-26. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  16. "Volcano The Blast Coaster". COASTER-net.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  17. Palmer, George (April 27, 1970). "Cleanliness Is The Rule At Cincinnati's Coney Island". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  18. "Throwback Thursday-Sierra Twist and Yosemite Sam's Sierra Falls". Coaster Kings. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  19. "Swiss Bob I At Six Flags Great Adventure". Great Adventure History. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  20. "Swiss Bob II At Six Flags Great Adventure". Great Adventure History. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  21. "Carowinds: The Early Years". carowindsearlyyears.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
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