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Asteel roller coaster is a type ofroller coaster classified by its steeltrack, which consists of long steel tubes that are run in pairs, supported by larger steel columns or beams. Trains running along the track typically rely on wheels made of polyurethane or nylon to keep each train car anchored to the track.^[1] The introduction of tubular steel drastically changed roller coaster innovation, allowing for greater speeds, higher drops, and more intense elements such asinversions.

Arrow Dynamics is credited with inventing tubular steel track and introducing the first modern steel coaster with the opening ofMatterhorn Bobsleds atDisneyland in 1959. Older steel-tracked coasters existed previously in a simpler form, such asLittle Dipper atMemphis Kiddie Park inBrooklyn, Ohio, which is the oldest operating steel coaster in North America. The oldest in the world isMontaña Suiza at Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo (Spain), which has been operating since 1928.^{[citation needed]}

• Steel coasters can generally provide a smoother ride experience than their wooden counterparts, and due to their strength, can have more complexride elements, achieve greater speeds, and feature higher drops. Despite the advantages,wooden roller coasters continue to be built and still remain popular in the industry for providing a different riding experience.^{[citation needed]}
• Most world records for height, speed, and length are typically held by steel roller coasters.^[2]
• Some designs combine steel tracks with wooden frames, or vice versa, which are referred to ashybrid roller coasters. In some cases, the original wooden track on a wooden coaster is retrofitted with steel track during a refurbishment, with one of the first beingNew Texas Giant atSix Flags Over Texas. One of the most popular conversions wasSteel Vengeance atCedar Point.^[3]

There are various types of steel coaster models and designs, includingflying,inverted,floorless, andsuspended.

• Alpengeist atBusch Gardens Williamsburg, the world's tallest full-circuit inverted coaster^[5][6]
• Banshee atKing's Island, the world's longest inverted coaster^[7][8]
• Batman: The Ride atSix Flags Great America, the first inverted roller coaster^[9]
• Corkscrew atKnott's Berry Farm, the world's first modern roller coaster to feature an inversion^[10]
• Eejanaika atFuji-Q Highland, the world's tallest and second fastest wing coaster^[11]
• Kingda Ka atSix Flags Great Adventure, the former world's tallest roller coaster at 456 feet (139 m) and second fastest at 128 mph (206 km/h)^[12][13]
• Formula Rossa atFerrari World, the world's fastest roller coaster at 150 mph (240 km/h)^[14]
• Impulse, 540°Helix atKnoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania^[15]
• Magnum XL-200, the first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 200 feet (61 m)^[16]
• Matterhorn Bobsleds atDisneyland, the first tubular steel roller coaster^[17]
• Millennium Force atCedar Point, the first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 300 feet (91 m) in height^[12][18]
• Moonsault Scramble atFuji-Q Highland, the first roller coaster over 200 feet (61 m) in height^[19]
• Ninja atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the world's fastestsuspended roller coaster^[20]
• Olympia Looping - world's tallest transportable coaster and the coaster with the most of traditional loopings (5)^[21]
• Riddler's Revenge atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the world's tallest, fastest, and longest stand-up roller coaster^[22][23][24]
• Runaway Mine Train atSix Flags Over Texas, the firstmine train roller coaster, built in 1966^[25]
• Steel Curtain atKennywood- featuring the highestinversion in the world
• Steel Dragon 2000 atNagashima Spa Land, the world's longest roller coaster at 8,133 feet (2,479 m)^[26]
• Superman: Escape from Krypton atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the first roller coaster to exceed 400 feet (120 m) in height^[12]
• The Smiler atAlton Towers, the most inversions in the world (14)^[27]
• Takabisha atFuji-Q Highland, formerly the world's steepest roller coaster with a beyond-vertical drop of 121°^[28][29] opened in 2011^[30]
• Tatsu atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the world's tallest, fastest, and longest flying roller coaster^[31][32][33]
• The New Revolution atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the first modern roller coaster with avertical loop^[34]
• TMNT Shellraiser atNickelodeon Universe theme park, steel indoor roller coaster with the most inversions^[35]
• Top Thrill Dragster atCedar Point, the world's first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet (120 m) in height^[12][36]
• Tower of Terror II atDreamworld, the first roller coaster to reach 100 mph (160 km/h) in speed and 300 feet (91 m) in height^[12][13]
• Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster atSix Flags Fiesta Texas, the world's first steel monorail roller coaster.^[37]
• X² atSix Flags Magic Mountain, the world's first4th Dimension roller coaster^[38]
• Xcelerator atKnott's Berry Farm - world's first roller coaster to feature ahydraulic launch^[39]
• Yukon Striker atCanada's Wonderland, the world's tallest dive coaster at 223 ft^[40]

• Steel roller coasters
• Types of roller coaster
• 1950s introductions
• 20th-century inventions
• 1959 introductions

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