Ride Engineering Competition

Block Party.
Hersheypark. 2027.

THRILL's competition team designs, builds, and operates a fully functional scale roller coaster, judged on engineering, safety, theming, and real ride performance. This year's challenge: two trains running simultaneously with block-zone safety logic.

Competition

April 10, 2027 at Hersheypark, PA

Challenge

Block Party: two trains operating simultaneously with PLCs, sensors, and block-zone safety logic

Riders

Jolly Rancher chews

Track

Gravity Group-style vertical laminate wood, laser-cut and puzzle-fitted

Envelope

1000mm wide × 900mm tall × 750mm deep

Scoring

1,000 pts across Systems Report, Acceptance Tests, Functional Ride, Theming, and Team Outreach

Team Size

Around 10 core members, up to 28 registered

Roles on the Team

Train Team

Car bodies, bogie geometry, wheel systems, restraints, anti-rollback, and brake fins

Supports Team

Track structure, vertical laminate rail, support columns, FEA, and fatigue analysis

Controls Team

PLC programming, block zone logic, sensors, and safety-related control systems

Theming Team

Ride theme, visual design, marketability scoring, and outreach materials