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Right: The onride-camera is placed inside the
cabin |
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The icy winter as well as the lack of space caused a lengthy
construction period. During the construction the temperatures fell
below -20 degrees Celsius - normality in Helsinki. The ground was
frozen meters thick, so the excavators proceeded only with
difficulty.
Before the construction of the foundations could be begun, a
kiddy ride that led along the former "Fairytale Valley"
had to be moved. Today this attraction for children interacts with
the Liquid Coaster that is additionally flanked by the Sea
Life Aquarium and a fun house.
More than ten kilometers of wires have been laid and about 50
infrared sensors have been installed before the massive cars, each
weighing 1700 kilograms, could be sent off for the first time. Two
water pumps and three cars were included in delivery - which was
rather overdone for the small park with its regular visitors from
Helsinki and the vicinity: One pump really is enough for the water
circulation inside the run-out basin, and most of the time only
two boats are operating. The third one increases capacity only
marginally.
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Banked curve |
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Vonkaputous' themeing was done by the park themselves,
and so an area around the water coaster emerged that is a tribute
to the Finnish lumberjack and sawmill tradition. Wooden houses are
passed through twice, the first one filled with water fog, the
second one homes the onride photo point. But let's start from the
beginning...
After the passengers have taken their seats in the low and
massive boats, the trip can begin. 30 seconds later the car has
climbed the 22,5 meters high top of the lift hill that frontally
leads towards the colorful Linnanmäki sign on the
roof of the Sea Life Aquarium. The rest is told quickly.
In a curved drop a fog flooded house is shot through,
followed by a flat hill, and already now the final, 14,8 meters
high drop into the refreshing waters begins. With 64 kilometers
per hour the boat dips into a zone enclosed by acrylic glass and a
huge jet of water not only splashes against the walls, but also
back into the boat for the most part. Despite the impressive
fountain the deceleration is pretty smooth, almost like at a well
adjusted magnetic brake.
The technical design of the brake system is very interesting,
with the ride having neither classic friction brakes nor
magnetic ones for deceleration before entering the station.
Usually the boat slows down only using the water resistance while
dipping in. Friction wheels - the so called boosters
- bring the vehicle back to the station, supported by a low
current within the canal.
The water line is checked permanently: If it is too low,
resulting in danger of the deceleration being not high enough, the
ride has two safety mechanisms. Next to the clearance for the next
boat not being given this is a double skid brake with rubber face.
They are attached parallel to the track of the run-out section and
safely slow down the boats due to additional friction.
Vonkaputous' simple figure-8 layout surely doesn't make
up the appeal of this attraction, but this smooth ride convinces
with its final drop and the impressive splash. The riders' smiling
faces show that water coasters work even way up north.
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