Tonnerre 2 Zeus

Tonnerre Deux Zeus (formerly known as Tonnerre de Zeus, commonly stylized as Tonnerre 2 Zeus) is a wooden roller coaster located at Parc Astérix in Plailly, France. Opened in 1997 and built by Custom Coasters International, it is currently the 3rd longest wooden coaster in Europe, after Colossos and Coaster Express (Parque Warner Madrid). Between 2019 and 2022, the coaster underwent a three-year renovation from The Gravity Group, eventually re-emerging as the Tonnerre 2 Zeus in 2022.[1]

Tonnerre 2 Zeus
Parc Astérix
LocationParc Astérix
Park sectionAntique Greece
Coordinates49°07′53″N 2°34′26″E
StatusOperating
Opening date1997
Cost€7,000,000 (1997)
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerCustom Coasters International
DesignerDennis McNulty, Larry Bill
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height98 ft (30 m)
Length4,044 ft (1,233 m)
Speed52 mph (84 km/h)
Duration2:05
Height restriction130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
Trains2 trains with 13 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 26 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial site
Tonnerre 2 Zeus at RCDB

"Tonnerre de Zeus" is French for "Thunder of Zeus." In Greek mythology, Zeus was regarded as the king of gods. He also is often associated as being a weather god, hurling a thunderbolt at those who displeased him.

A large statue of Zeus is featured at the entrance to the ride's queue line, which extends through a neighboring wooded areas, then follows the ride's final helix and the brake run before heading towards the station itself: a massive Greek temple allowing for a quick passenger load and unload.

History

The original Tonnerre de Zeus opened in April 1997 as the second wooden roller coaster built in France after Walygator Parc's Anaconda, and the park's second large-scale coaster after Goudurix in 1989.[2] No other wooden coasters were built in France until Walibi Rhône-Alpes – also owned by Parc Astérix operator Compagnie des Alpes – debuted Timber in 2016.[3] Built by the Gravity Group, Timber was constructed at a cost of €4.2 million and was well received by the public.

In 2019, the park began a three-phase renovation project on the coaster in which 85% of the track and structure would be replaced.[1] In conduction with the Gravity Group, Phase's 1 and 2 took place during the 2018–19 and 2019-20 park offseason's, respectively. The third and final phase was originally planned to take place in the autumn of 2020, but was put on hold for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Tonnerre 2 Zeus was officially announced by Parc Astérix on June 24, 2021, which would revitalize the coaster's image and conclude the renovations.[5] The lead car of the new Timberliner trains was unveiled at the IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona on September 28, 2021.[6] Tonnerre de Zeus officially held its last day of operation prior to the final stage of its transformation on November 7.[7][8] The new Timberliners were delivered in late March 2022, and Tonnerre 2 Zeus held its grand re-opening on April 9.[9][10]

Ride Experience

Riders exit the station and make a right-hand turn, proceeding into the 98-foot (30 m) tall chain lift hill. Upon reaching the top, yet another right hand turn sends the train down its initial drop and into a below ground tunnel, reaching a top speed of 55.9 mph (90.0 km/h). Following a turnaround, the coaster proceeds into a signature 90-degree banked airtime hill. A speed bump underneath the lift hill sends the train through a banked turnaround and then through a series of straight hills spanning the coaster site, before being greeted by yet another lower-ground turnaround. Crossing the layout yet again, riders navigate a left-hand turnaround into a darkened tunnel with smoke and strobe effects. A few more banked airtime moments lead to a final 270° counterclockwise helix, thus sending the train into the brake run. One ride on Tonnerre de Zeus lasts about 2 minutes and 5 seconds.

Characteristics

Statistics

Prior to the retrack, Tonnerre 2 Zeus was 98 feet (30 m) tall, 4,044 feet (1,233 m) long, and reached a top speed of 52 mph (84 km/h) throughout the ride. Following the refurbishment, the peak speed was increased to 55.9 mph (90.0 km/h) and a total of 14 airtime moments were accounted for, although the new length remains unknown. Much of the original structure was built out of American Yellow Pine.[2]

Trains

When Tonnerre de Zeus originally opened, it ran with two blue trains from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, each of which consisted of seven cars that sat riders in two rows of two for a total of 28 passengers per train. Another pair of trains – red and blue – purchased for the 2004 season, although the latter was repainted blue in 2014. Following the 2021-22 offseason renovation, Tonnerre 2 Zeus currently runs with a pair of Timberliner trains from Gravitykraft, each consisting of 13 single row cars that seat a pair of riders across for a total of 26 riders per train. A third train is kept to the side as a spare. The final row on each train faces backwards, and can be accessed at an €8 extra cost.

References
  1. "Tonnerre de Zeus se transforme en Tonnerre 2 Zeus au Parc Astérix". androland.com (in French). July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  2. "Oise " Tonnerre de Zeus ", nouvelle attraction du Parc Astérix". Le Moniteur (in French). March 14, 1997. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  3. "Testé ! Le nouveau grand-huit en bois Timber de Walibi Rhone Alpes, avis et vidéo". www.parc-attraction-loisirs.fr (in French). July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. "Parc Astérix 2022 : Tonnerre 2 Zeus". parcsactus.fr (in French). June 26, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  5. Petit, Cyril (June 24, 2021). ""Une attraction unique au monde" : en 2023, le Parc Astérix lance Toutatis, un grand huit à 110 km/h". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French). Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  6. @coastertouring (September 28, 2021). "Congratulations to @thegravitygroup on the unveiling..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. @ParcAsterix (November 2, 2021). "À partir du 7 novembre, les 12 travaux de #TonnerreDeZeus commencent!..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. "Parc Astérix : Tonnerre de Zeus femur ses portes le 7 novembre !". www.feminactu.com (in French). November 1, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  9. @ParcAsterix (March 23, 2022). "⚠️ Livraison éclair depuis l'Olympe ⚠️..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. Stassi, Franck (April 9, 2022). "Au Parc Astérix, bois dense, acier et nouvelles bosses au programme de Tonnerre 2 Zeus". L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Retrieved July 25, 2022.
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