The Troika is an amusement park ride designed and manufactured by HUSS Park Attractions in the mid-1970s. The name Troika means "group of three" in Russian, a reference to its three armed design. There are several variations on the design.
Design HUSS Park Attractions designed and manufactured the first Troika ride in the mid-1970s. It is named after the Russian word meaning "group of three", a reference to its three armed design.
Description and operation
A Troika consists of three arms radiating from a central column. At the end of each arm is a wheel-like assembly (star) holding seven gondolas, each of which seats 2 people side by side.
When the ride is activated, the central column rotates clockwise, while the Star at the end of each arm rotates counterclockwise. Hydraulic cylinders then raise the arms to an angle of 40°. The gondolas do have some capacity to rock from side to side, but this is minimal. At the end of the ride cycle, the arms are lowered, and the rotation stopped. Because it is a relatively mild thrill ride, it is a good ride for younger children or beginning riders who aren't up to riding more extreme attractions, like Huss's own Enterprise or Top Spin.
The main safety restraint is a buzz bar system, which locks into one of five positions. Huss recommends that riders be at least 42 inches tall with an adult or over 50 inches tall to ride alone.
Variants and modern adaptions The ride is available in both transportable and permanent forms, although due to the total weight and size of the ride (35 tons, plus an additional 27 tons for the temporary base and platform), transportable Troikas are unpopular and uncommon.
Portable versions of the Troika can be disassembled, but due to the size and weight of the machinery and platform, rack onto no fewer than three trailers.
AirBoat Huss now makes a modern version of the Troika, called the AirBoat. It is smaller and can only carry 24 people (with 3 pods and 4 cars per pod). It runs at about the same speed. One example that is no longer running was the Gator Bait ride at Six Flags New Orleans; this ride closed due to damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Scorpion The Tivoli Scorpion is based on the same pattern as the Troika, but a much smaller gondola wheel diameter results in greater speed and centripetal force experienced by the riders (claimed to be over ). The Scorpion is significantly lighter than a Troika, making it more popular for operation at carnivals and fairs.
Troika Installations +Name Park Country Manufacturer Opened Closed DetailsScorpion Adventure Island United Kingdom Tivoli 2001 Now operates as a travelling fair ride.Troika Adventureland United States HUSS 1976 Leased to park by German immigrant Willy Miller.Troika Al-Rawdah Sharaco Amusement Park Saudi Arabia HUSS 1988 Park and ride presumed closed.Тройка (Troika)All-Russia Exhibition Center Russia HUSS 1976 Тройка (Troika)Anapa Russia HUSS 2018 Originally manufactured 1974.Turbo StarAlton Towers United Kingdom HUSS1984TomahawkAttractiepark Slagharen Netherlands HUSS UnknownBarry Island Pleasure Park HUSS Now operates at CarowindsAdrenaline Test Zone Calaway Park Canada HUSS Triple Play California's Great America United States HUSS 1976 Do-Si-Do Carowinds United States HUSS 2017 Previously traveled with German showman Schafer between 1974 and 1976 before operating at several European parks between 2004 and 2010. Sold to Cedar Fair among other European flat rides.Troika Cedar Point United States HUSS 1976 Unknown Coney Beach Pleasure Park Wales HUSS Now operates at CarowindsKaleidoscope Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom United States HUSS2017 Troika Dreamland Margate 1983 Troika Elitch Gardens Theme Park United States HUSS1995 Originally manufactured 1976.Goldcurse Familiepark Drievliet Netherlands HUSS Includes extensive theming package. Previously operated as Turbo Star. Serial number 26360.TroikaFuji-Q Highland JapanHUSSTroika Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo United States HUSS Standing but not operating after park closed. Removed sometime between 2011 and 2015 and relocated to Santa's Village AZoosment Park.Wellenreiter (Wave Rider) Hansa-Park Germany HUSS1978 Scorpion Horn Luna Park Serbia Tivoli Enterprises 1997 Traveling version.Bad Apple Kings Dominion United States HUSS 2002 Shake, Rattle & Roll Kings Island United States HUSS 1975 Serial number 26731.Humla Kongeparken Norway 1997 Diablo La Ronde Canada 1978 TroikaLinnanmäki FinlandHUSS1974Relocated to Särkänniemi. Ride originally bought for Särkänniemi, but Särkänniemi did not open until 1975 and so the ride was rented to Linnanmäki for 1974 season.Unknown Loudoun Castle United Kingdom HUSS Now operates at CarowindsTumble Bug Luna Park Sydney Australia HUSS1995 L'aigle Noir (The Black Eagle) OK Corral Theme Park France HUSS1970 Super Star Palace Playland United States 1980s Tri-Star Pleasureland Southport United Kingdom 1974 Built under license by English firm Bennett. Relocated to Spanish City.Tri-Star Pleasureland Southport United Kingdom Fairmatt 2013 Unknown Pleasurewood Hills United Kingdom HUSS Now operates at CarowindsTri-NadoSanta's Village AZoosment Park United StatesHUSS2015Relocated from Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo.TroikaSärkänniemi Finland1975Riptide RescueSea World San Antonio United StatesHussAirboatRiptide RescueSeaworld San Diego United StatesHussAirboatSpiderSelva Magica MexicoWarp 2000Six Flags AstroWorld United StatesHUSS1981Most parts moved to Six Flags Over Texas for usage on its Troika.Thrillbilly Six Flags Darien Lake United States HUSS 1979 Ride removed with changes in park ownership.Triple PlaySix Flags Great America United StatesHUSS1976Wild FlowerSix Flags Great Adventure United StatesHUSS1975Previously Wild Rider.Gator BaitSix Flags New Orleans United StatesHUSSAirBoat version. No longer in operation after Hurricane Katrina but still standing.Harley Quinn SpinsanitySix Flags Over Texas United StatesHUSS2006Previously Crazy Legs. Relocated from Six Flags AstroWorld.Tri-StarSpanish City1984Relocated from Pleasureland Southport.ScorpionTalley Amusements, Inc. (Showman) United StatesTivoliCalgary StampedeThorpe Park United Kingdom1993TroikaToshimaen JapanHUSSMustang RunnerWorlds of Fun United StatesHUSS2017Dancing QueenUnknown - German Showman GermanyTraveling version in Germany.
See also
Twist (ride)
References