On last year's tour, we caught a glimpse of this spectacular new resort that was rising up out of the desert sand. Perhaps even more spectacular was the fact that a big red rollercoaster was rising up along with the faux skyscrapers that served as the resorts exterior design. There would be a while to go before The Manhattan Express was ready to begin tooling passengers around and as it turns out, the wait was well worth it.
This TOGO-designed beauty rises 203 feet above the earth and weaves a graceful ring of dastardly intentions around the towering skyline of Vegas' newest playplace. The coaster cars are fashioned to look like miniature taxis, complete with headlights, and feature an unusual two-piece restraint system which utilizes a lap bar and a floating shoulder harness.
This set-up allows for more freedom of motion, a welcoming change from the restraints found on some trains that even Houdini would struggle with.
The front car affords the best view, as the head rests are rather large. But if you tend to ride with your eyes closed, it shouldn't make that much of a difference.
The train dispatches out of the station and goes for a quiet little cruise, rounding the bend and dramatically revealing the huge lift. The towers of the hotel rise like an island out of the casino roof and the coaster track completely surrounds the structure. Whether intentional or not, the reflection of your train in the shiny glass of the skyscrapers is a nifty effect.
Once at the top of the lift, it's a quick dive down past the parking garage and up a slope that sets you up for a head-reeling drop that parallels Tropicana Blvd. After clearing a graceful rise, the tumultuous taxis dive down to the left and into a loop before engaging the most heinous, devilish and twisted element ever devised by an engineer.
Known as a "twist and dive", the train soars up towards this element and promptly flips you upside-down. But unlike other coasters that politely set you right-side up or offer something else for you to scream about, this mad ride leaves you hanging there like bats in a cave before diving sharply towards the ground with a new surge of velocity and before you can fully catch your breath, you're racing along again, hitting camel humps and a wicked double-spiral.
Is it done yet? Yes, in fact--but not before some air-time inducing speed dips and an odd ending as you re-enter the casino through a dark tunnel that delivers you at an obscene angle back into the station.
Early reports of head-banging were taken to task by the resort and a re-profiling of the ride has resulted in a smooth, yet terrifying trip. Apart from the shining thrill factor, the scenic payoff is outstanding and even more spectacular at night, when the strip is at its best.
TOGO seems to be learning a few things about coaster-making and if The Manhattan Express is any indication, then we've got a lot of furious fun in store for us in the future! Hail this taxi and then hold on for dear life.
Digital photography by Bing Futch