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TOGO

TOGO

TOGO (株式会社トーゴ, Kabushiki-gaisha Tōgo) was a Japanese amusement ride company that built roller coasters, giant wheels, carousels, flumes, dark rides, sky cycles and other amusement rides.

TOGO
Toyo Gorakuki
IndustryAmusement Rides
FateBankruptcy
Founded1935
FounderTeiichi Yamada
Defunct2001
Wordwide (Excluding Western Hemisphere)
ProductsRoller coasters
Websitehttp://www.tohgo.co.jp/[81]

History

In 1935 Mr. Teiichi Yamada founded the Toyo Gorakuki Company and built his first attraction, a five-foot mechanical walking elephant that was a popular attraction at one of Tokyo's neighborhood parks.[1] Yamada reorganized his company in 1949 and changed the name to TOGO.

TOGO built its first roller coaster in 1953 at Hanayashiki Park in Tokyo. That coaster is still in operation and is the oldest coaster in Japan.[1]

In 1965 TOGO built Cyclone at Toshimaen Park that at the time was the largest coaster in Asia. The company also began to expand its export business, selling coasters in Russia, Cuba and China.[1] Although the company built a variety of different rides in Japan, its export business was primarily roller coasters. In 1979, TOGO installed standup trains on two of its existing coasters in Japan, Momonga Standing & Loop Coaster, at Yomiuriland and Thrill Valley, creating the world's first Stand-up roller coasters. These two installations captured the attention of Taft/Kings Entertainment company, who then purchased TOGO's Astro-Comet, the world's first coaster designed from the ground up as a stand-up roller coaster, installing at Kings Island as King Cobra.[1]

In 1986 TOGO developed the Ultra Twister Coaster.

This unique concept had rails on the side of the vehicle allowing the coaster to perform true heartline rolls as it navigated the course.

TOGO also incorporated a vertical lift hill and near-vertical drop into the ride.[1] TOGO built seven of these models, all similar, but not identical to each other.

The original versions were not capable of making turns, so all seven operated as shuttles.

However, TOGO did display a full-circuit model at the IAAPA trade show in the mid-1990s that was capable of making turns, but the ride was never built.[1] In the fall of 1989, Arrow Dynamics began building a similar concept called the Pipeline, which failed to get past the prototype stage.[3]

TOGO went bankrupt in 2001 due to a lawsuit by Knott's Berry Farm for problems with their Windjammer Surf Racers roller coaster. TOGO created several unique coasters, including its combination of a looping sit-down coaster and a hypercoaster with its Manhattan Express coaster in Las Vegas (now known as "The Big Apple Coaster"). The looping wild mouse by TOGO was a style of ride with a drop into a vertical loop, followed by the hairpin turns and drops of a wild mouse coaster. The former Windjammer coaster at Knott's berry Farm was a variation of the looping wild mouse; it didn't feature any hairpin turns.

TOGO is also renowned for inventing the Twist-and-Dive roll, an inversion maneuver that combines elements of a half-heartline roll with a half-loop.

A version of this maneuver included a half-oblique loop instead of a half-loop, so riders exited the element at an angle.

This was used on the now-defunct Viper at Six Flags Great Adventure.

In 2018, TOGO announced a possible comeback after releasing a concept of their new stand up coaster model.

Notable rides

  • Bandit at Yomiuriland – It was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1988 and inspired Richard Kinzel of Cedar Point to build Magnum XL 200.[1]

  • Fujiyama – A hypercoaster at Fuji-Q Highland, Japan. Until 2000, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world.

  • King Cobra at Kings Island (1984–2001) – The world's first coaster designed specifically to be a stand-up looping coaster. It was taken down and scrapped after TOGO went out of business, making parts very expensive.

  • Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino (first opened in 1997 as the "Manhattan Express").

  • Ultra Twister – A pipeline roller coaster that uses single cars that ride between the rails. Because of the design, the cars are unable to make lateral turns and require switch tracks at either end of the ride.

  • Viper at Six Flags Great Adventure – A roller coaster that featured a unique heartline roll. The ride was scrapped in 2005, and its station was re-used for El Toro.

  • White Canyon at Yomiuriland – White Canyon was the tallest and longest Cyclone-style roller coaster in the world before it closed in 2013.

  • Windjammer Surf Racers at Knott's Berry Farm – a twin racing coaster with 65-foot vertical loops. This coaster was a massive failure, and part of the lawsuits would lead to TOGO's bankruptcy.

  • Shockwave – Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia. Built in 1986 Specifically for Kings Dominion, was retired August 9, 2015.

  • SkyRider – Canada's Wonderland Opening date May 1985, retired in 2014 dismantled and sent to Italy.

  • Freestyle is a stand-up roller coaster operating at Cavallino Matto in Tuscany, Italy. It opened as the park's fifth roller coaster on 18 July 2015. Freestyle originally opened at Canada's Wonderland in 1985 as SkyRider

List of roller coasters

As of 2019, TOGO has built 61 roller coasters around the world.[5]

NameModelParkCountryOpenedStatusRef
Jet CoasterSitdown CoasterNagashima Spa LandJapanUnknownOperating[6]
SL CoasterSitdown CoasterYomiurilandJapanUnknownRemoved[7]
Roller CoasterSitdown CoasterBeijing Amusement ParkChinaUnknownRemoved[8]
Zola 7Sitdown CoasterFuji-Q HighlandJapanUnknownRemoved[9]
Diving ShooterSitdown CoasterItozu No Mori ParkJapanUnknownRemoved[10]
Cycle CoasterCycle CoasterEnakyo WonderlandJapanUnknownOperating[11]
Jet CoasterSitdown CoasterKagoshima Jungle LandJapanUnknownRemoved[12]
Crazy MouseLooping MouseKagoshima Jungle LandJapanUnknownRemoved[13]
Jungle MouseWild Mouse CoasterYoshinogawa YuenchiJapanUnknownRemoved[14]
UnknownFormerlyUltra TwisterUltra TwisterSix Flags AmericaSix Flags AstroWorldSix Flags Great AdventureUnited StatesUnknown1990 to 20051986 to 1988Removed[15][16][17]
Roller CoasterSitdown CoasterHanayashikiJapan1953Operating[18]
Jet CoasterSitdown CoasterTokyo Dome CityJapan1955Removed[19]
CycloneSitdown CoasterToshimaenJapan1965Operating[20]
Diving CoasterSitdown CoasterGrinPaJapan1973Removed[21]
BobsterBobsterTakakonuma GreenlandJapan1973Removed[22]
Jet CoasterSitdown CoasterYatsu YuenchiJapan1976Removed[23]
Momonga Standing and Loop CoasterFormerly Standing and Loop CoasterStand-Up Coaster & Sitdown CoasterYomiurilandJapan1979Operating[24]
Crazy MouseLooping MouseTobu Zoo ParkJapan1981Removed[25]
BobsterBobsterShirakaba Resort Family LandJapan1982Operating[26]
DangaiStand-Up CoasterThrill ValleyJapan1982Removed[27]
Ultra TwisterUltra TwisterNagashima Spa LandJapan1984Operating[28]
King CobraStand-Up CoasterKings IslandUnited States1984Removed[29]
Standing CoasterStand-Up CoasterRusutsu ResortOtaru ExpoJapan19851984Operating[30][31]
Ultra TwisterUltra TwisterTokyo Dome CityJapan1985Removed[32]
Montaña RusaBobsterParque LeninCuba1985Removed[33]
ShockwaveStand-Up CoasterKings DominionUnited States1986Removed[34]
Star JetStand-Up CoasterBrazilian Park Washuzan HighlandTsukuba ExpoJapan19861985Operating[35][36]
BanditSitdown CoasterYomiurilandJapan1988Operating[37]
SL CoasterSitdown CoasterMinamichita Beach Land & Minamichita Toy KingdomJapan1989Removed[38]
UnknownSitdown CoasterFantasy Dome TomakomaiJapan1990Removed[39]
Milky WayFormerly Fujin-RaijinFormerly Ultra TwinStand-Up Coaster & Sitdown CoasterGreenlandJapan1991Operating[40]
Ultra TwisterUltra TwisterBrazilian Park Washuzan HighlandJapan1991Operating[41]
Fujin Raijin IIStand-Up CoasterExpolandJapan1992Removed[42]
GeopanicSitdown CoasterTokyo Dome CityJapan1992Removed[43]
Super Roller Coaster DIOSSitdown CoasterOdakyu Mukogaoka YuenJapan1992Removed[44]
Aladdin CoasterSitdown CoasterAliba CityJapan1992Removed[45]
Surf Coaster LeviathanFormerly Surf CoasterSitdown CoasterSea ParadiseJapan1993Operating[46]
Ultra TwisterUltra TwisterRusutsu ResortJapan1994Operating[47]
UnknownSitdown CoasterFantasy Dome SeiroJapan1994Removed[48]
UnknownSitdown CoasterFantasy Dome KishiwadaJapan1994Removed[49]
Ultra Twister MegatonUltra TwisterGreenlandJapan1994Operating[50]
White CanyonWooden CoasterYomiurilandJapan1994Removed[51]
ClipperSitdown CoasterSpace WorldJapan1995Removed[52]
ViperSitdown CoasterSix Flags Great AdventureUnited States1995Removed[53]
FujiyamaSitdown CoasterFuji-Q HighlandJapan1996Operating[54]
Mega CoasterSitdown CoasterHamanako Pal PalJapan1997Operating[55]
Big Apple CoasterFormerly Roller CoasterFormerly Manhattan ExpressSitdown CoasterNew York, New York Hotel & CasinoUnited States1997Operating[20]
Windjammer Surf RacersFormerly JammerLooping MouseKnott's Berry FarmUnited States1997Removed[57]
Kiddy ShuttleKiddy ShuttleThrill ValleyJapan1998Removed[58]
Crazy MouseLooping MouseKitami Family LandNakajima ParkJapan2000UnknownOperating[59][60]
Hyper Kid CoasterSitdown CoasterFantasy DomeJapan2000Closed[61]
Flounder's Flying Fish CoasterSitdown CoasterTokyo DisneySeaJapan2001Operating[62]
Rushing CarWild Mouse CoasterKashiikaen YuenchiJapan2002Removed[63]
Actpo KometaSitdown CoasterMavilandMetalworkers' PalaceRussia20021992 to 2000Operating[64][65]
Loop ScrewSitdown CoasterSeibuen YuenchiJapan2004Removed[66]
Go Go SneakerSitdown CoasterRusutsu ResortKintetsu AyameikeJapan2005UnknownOperating[67][68]
Hurricane - Screw & Loop CoasterFormerly TornadoSitdown CoasterHimeji Central ParkKintetsu AyameikeJapan20071981 to 2004Operating[69][70]
Ultra CoasterFormerly Ultra TwisterUltra TwisterMarah Land SabahiyaIkoma SkylandKuwait20082004 to 2006Removed[71][72]
Bledek CoasterFormerly Loop & CorkLooping MouseSuroboyo Carnival Night MarketJawa Timur Park 2Maruyama KidLandIndonesia2014UnknownUnknownOperating[73][74][75]
Grand CanyonFormerly CobraFormerly Kiddy ShuttleKiddy ShuttleParc de la ValléeLunapark FréjusOdakyu Mukogaoka YuenFrance20142004 to 20111998 to 2002Operating[76][77][78]
FreestyleFormerly SkyRiderStand-Up CoasterCavallino MattoCanada's WonderlandItaly20151985 to 2014Operating[79][80]

References

[1]
Citation Linkportal.issn.orgRuben, Paul (1988). "Innovative thrills from TOGO". RollerCoaster! Magazine. Vol. 9 no. 3. Chicago, Illinois: American Coaster Enthusiasts. pp. 50–53. ISSN 0896-7261.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.themeparkreview.comhttp://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40141
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[5]
Citation Linkrcdb.comTOGO - rcdb.com
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[6]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Jet Coaster  (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[7]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "SL Coaster  (Yomiuriland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[8]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Beijing Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[9]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Zola 7  (Fuji-Q Highland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[10]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Diving Shooter  (Itozu No Mori Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[11]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Cycle Coaster  (Enakyo Wonderland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[12]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Jet Coaster  (Kagoshima Jungle Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[13]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Crazy Mouse  (Kagoshima Jungle Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[14]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Jungle Mouse  (Yoshinogawa Yuenchi)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[15]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Unknown  (Six Flags America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[16]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Ultra Twister  (Six Flags AstroWorld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[17]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Ultra Twister  (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[18]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Hanayashiki)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[19]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Jet Coaster  (Tokyo Dome City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[20]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Cyclone  (Toshimaen)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[21]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Diving Coaster  (GrinPa)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM
[22]
Citation Linkrcdb.comMarden, Duane. "Bobster  (Takakonuma Greenland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Sep 29, 2019, 6:44 AM