DOLLYWOOD

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  Thunderhead Emerges At Dollywood; New Coaster Set For Spring Completion

December 2003 (Newstream) -- Dollywood's new wooden roller coaster-Thunderhead-is quickly taking shape as the park prepares to introduce the $7 million addition in spring 2004.

After four months of construction, all concrete footings and piers are complete as are the foundations for the loading station and maintenance facilities. The wooden framework, comprised of more than 700,000 board feet of lumber, is approximately 75 percent complete.

"Thunderhead makes a really bold statement as it continues to emerge from its beautiful mountain setting in Thunderhead gap," said Barbara Joines, VP/General Manager of Dollywood. "Whether you're a coaster fan or an admirer from afar, I think our guests are going to be impressed."

A new railroad trestle is required as part of a connector project to connect the park's existing Showstreet area to Thunderhead Gap, a new five-acre area which will be anchored by the new coaster. This is the first time Dollywood has expanded the size of the 118-acre park since Dollywood Boulevard in 1996.

Due to this phase of construction, the Dollywood Express, the park's 110-ton coal-fired steam train, will not operate from Dec. 7 through April 2, 2004 to provide construction crews access to the site.

Thunderhead features a 3,230-foot long ride with a drop of 100 feet and maximum speeds of 55 mph. It also features "the world's first fly-through station." Half-way though the ride, the coaster will travel through the ride station at approximately 40 mph on tracks eight feet above the exit platform where future riders wait to board the coaster.

Dollywood's 2004 season gets under way April 3 with its annual grand opening festivities. -dollywood2003-