Nuts & Bolts – February 2025

Photo: Lisa Scheinin. View full-sized image.

Kuwait’s B&M Lightning Now at Wonderla Amusement Park Chennai in India

It isn’t common for Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) coasters to be relocated. While it has happened a handful of times, such occurrences are still in the single digits. However, it has happened again.

Lightning operated at Kuwait Entertainment City (North West Al-Sulaibikhat, Al Asimah) from 2004 to 2016. It became standing but not operating in the years that followed. The park was demolished in 2020. Of the four coasters at Kuwait Entertainment City, only the B&M inverted coaster is known to have been relocated. Enthusiasts would recognize it immediately as a standard Batman The Ride layout with five inversions.

Its new home is Wonderla Amusement Park Chennai (Illalur, Tamil Nadu, India). Currently, the park is under construction. According to Roller Coaster Database, the park is expected to open in September with the B&M scream machine to be the only roller coaster. Its new name is unknown.

Kentucky Kingdom’s Thunder Run is now Woodland Run, and Storm Chaser has been renamed Wind Chaser.

Kentucky Kingdom Renames Coasters

Renaming established roller coasters doesn’t always go over well with fans. Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville) will be doing just that in its 2025 season, but park officials feel it is a good move with the current expansion.

A large section of the park is being renamed Discovery Meadow. Three new rides are being added, but the new land is more than just additions. According to a park statement, “Discovery Meadow is a place where Kentucky’s folks, flora and fauna live in harmony among family-fun attractions.” Take that as you will.

As Kentucky Kingdom is under the Herschend Family Entertainment umbrella, it wouldn’t be surprising for the area to take on a Wildwood Grove vibe. That award-winning area at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) has been immensely popular and caters to a wide family audience.

The 1990 Dinn-Summers woodie will have its name changed from Thunder Run to Woodland Run. Likewise, the RMC Storm Chaser will become Wind Chaser. Storms are out, nature is in. The previously known Roller Skater will now be Hollyhock and Roll.

Overall, it is a $11 million investment for the park and should look quite beautiful following the makeover. Gardens and new dining options are part of the expansion.

Photos: Liu Lin. View full-sized image.

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Quantum Trek … a New Boomerang?

New for 2025 is Quantum Trek. As one of the first coasters to open this year, new thrills are on offer — for anyone heading to Baiyun, Guangzhou, China. The park is Star World – Nanhu Amusement Park, and it is a recently reopened park after more than two years on hiatus. In the past, various other coasters operated at the park before it transitioned to Star World, but Quantum Trek is the sole roller coaster and star attraction at the new park.

So, what is it? On first look, one could erroneously assume it to be a classic Vekoma boomerang. But the manufacturer is Jinma. Little is known of this supplier (other than it was previously known as Golden Horse), and some observers might easily term the coaster a “knock-off.” But there are some distinct differences.

First, the train seats 20, compared with 28 on a Vekoma model. Also, a chain lift seems to be in use on both ends of the shuttle coaster. The layout is virtually identical though with a cobra roll and loop providing three inversions in each direction.

Jinma Rides/Golden Horse has built more than 400 coasters.

Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Titan Gets Texas-ier

Built in 2001 and having maintained the same colors for 24 seasons, Titan at Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington) will look completely different in 2025. The teal and orange colors are disappearing as Baynum Solutions is painting the 245-foot-tall hypercoaster blue and white. Knowing it was in need of fresh paint, park officials opted for colors that are on the Texas flag.

Titan was one of the few — and last — roller coasters built by Giovanola.

— Tim Baldwin, ACE News