Gemini vs Loch Ness Monster

I keep hearing that Gemini once held the record for tallest coaster in the world. Obviously that must be for complete circuit coaster since the first shuttle loop (King Kobra) came out a year earlier and was taller. My question is about LNM. It is listed everywhere is 130' and was opened the same year. It is hard to find opening dates for either ride, but according to this site:http://www.coaster-net.com/rg/lochnessmonster.php LNM opened in March of 1978. I find it hard to believe that CP opened that early, but I cannot find anything to hint at an opening date for CP or Gemini in 1978. Does anyone know if Gemini did open before LNM?

RavenTTD - if you look here you'll notice the opening dates for almost every other coaster at Cedar Point is in May.

Yeah, I know CP usually opens in May. I just did not understand how they could say Gemini was the world's tallest if it opened after LNM. Since BGW is much further south, it makes sense that they could open sooner. I just did not know if LNM was delayed, or if Gemini had a early sneek peek, or if that other site that said Gemini opened in March is correct or if they are just guessing. On face value, it seems like CP claim of a record breaker is incorrect, but I would think someone would have caught it by now if Gemini did not open first.

I suspect RCDB has Nessie's lift and drop numbers switched. LNM's first drop goes down to the lake, below the level of the station. My guess is that the lift is 114' and the drop is 130'. Gemini, on the other hand, is on flat ground.

EDIT - This shows Nessie's station, lift, and the bottom of the first drop in the back ground. The difference in elevation is quite evident.

mOOSH

*** Edited 12/18/2004 12:34:48 AM UTC by Mamoosh***

URC=100 height, 114 drop; C-Buzz=130 height, 114 drop; Rcdb=130 height, 114 drop; Thrillnetwork= 130 height, 114 drop There are more sources that say LNM was 130. URC is the only one that says otherwise that I can find. *** Edited 12/18/2004 12:36:50 AM UTC by RavenTTD***

If I'm not mistaken, Disneyland's Matterhorn goes up higher than Gem does but doesn't have high drops...wonder why that's not considered in their claim either...

Matterhorn's moutain is tall but the ride itself is well under 100 feet.

My guess is that the drop is what was being considered. Nessie's drop is 114 ft, Gemini's is 118 ft. For that season, Gemini had the 'Tallest' roller coaster. A similar controversy occured with Hercules and the Texas Giant. Hercules had the longer drop (95 ft height, 151 ft drop) due to terrain, Texas Giant was built on level ground (143 ft height, 137 ft drop).

Even Busch's website lists LNM with a drop of 114, so it must be the drop when it's all said and done.

1978 was a record broke year for roller coasters. The tallest drop record was broken 3 times that year. First was Gemini @ Cedar Point, then Loch Ness Moster @ BGW, and then Colossus @ SFMM.

Gemini opened before LNM? Was LNM delayed? That link I posted said that LNM opened in March which is consistant with normal BGW schedules. CP usually opens 2 months later.

Moosh, in that pic, it looks like the station is way high off the ground. All the green near the station is tree tops. There is no telling how far down it goes.

As for 3 record breakers, I don't see how Colossus had any. It is shorter with a smaller drop than Gemini...and it opened last. The CP stats always add the inches to Gemini's height since Colossus is also 125. Of the three, Gemini had the largest drop, but it seems that LNM was the tallest and it looks like it opened first.

Speaking of Loch Ness Monster, does anyone know where I can get a POV of this coaster? I can't find any pictures that cover the entire layout of the ride, and I can't seem to find any recreations either. I'd be very interested to see what this ride holds, other than the interlocking loops.

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RavenTTD said:
I don't see how Colossus had any. It is shorter with a smaller drop than Gemini...and it opened last.

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Colossus was the tallest Wooden coaster at the time...maybe that's how. Gemini is a steel coaster on wooden supports...a concept I never understood...but then again it's an Arrow