This is the Only Operating Holding Brake on a Roller Coaster! Riding Steel Venom at Valleyfair!

There's several operating Intamin impulse coasters around the world, but only one of them still operates with what we call a holding brake: it's when the train traveling backwards up the vertical spike comes to a dead stop for a brief second, causing riders to dangle, before being released back down to the ground. Steel Venom at Valleyfair is the only place you can find this at, so we went out to take a ride on it and show you what it's like!
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Production, Filming, & Editing: Taylor Bybee and Sarah Anderson
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[@RidesAndBites]

They should add a holding brake to the TT2 spike

[@MattGoelz]

Should have kept it dragster/NHRA themed but move the launch tree up to the spike with a holding brake so you do the burnout, back up and then race from the tree after a brief hold

[@blockin9556]

yessss ive been wanting this

[@Zatoka.]

That's not a bad idea, actually

[@ParkVisions]

Sarah’s reaction on the holding break has me laughing😂Great POV!

[@Kykymonkey1]

So true 😂😂

[@Thelightning1out]

dive coasters: AM I A JOKE TO YOU

[@butthead54]

Cringe

[@BloodCyl]

@@butthead54fr

[@kingdefens138]

Dive coasters don't have a holding brake

[@Thelightning1out]

@@kingdefens138ever ridden griffon or sheikra

[@CoasterCurly]

@@Thelightning1outDive coasters don’t stop at the top it uses a chain lift.

[@Banner16]

Probably the greatest impulse ever made! The holding brake is so unique!

[@shanedenmark5536]

It’s only unique NOW. All the standard Impulse coasters had a holding brake but as they needed service, parks just disabled them entirely.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

How many impulse coasters are there?

[@shanedenmark5536]

@@detroitdiezel7856 Possessed @ Dorney Park Flash: Vertical Velocity @ SFGrAm Flash: Vertical Velocity @ SFDK Steel Venom @ ValleyFair! Legendary Twin Dragons in China

[@chet183]

@@detroitdiezel7856 There are only 6 impulse coasters in the world operating at the moment.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

@@chet183 any left in the US?

[@Jetstreme]

I was heartbroken when Cedar Point retired Wicked Twister - I'd almost say Steel Venom alone made the trip to ValleyFair worth it because it brought back so many memories and ended up being even better than wicked twister

[@mnsirens]

Thank you for showcasing this! The other impulses just aren't as good as this one solely because of that holding brake. It seems like such a small detail but it makes the ride experience SO much better.

[@ejectorairtime]

That hold is so crazy in the front row!! Renegade may be the best coaster in the park, but getting that hold brake on Steel Venom made the six hour drive worth it for me last summer!! And we all know it's the second best coaster in the Cedar Fair chain whose name starts with Ste-Ve 😉😂

[@dantc2403]

This makes me wanna just call it "Steve" from now on.

[@bigman9094]

The best Impulse out there! That back row was scary as hell the first time lol

[@porkryne72]

Vertical velocity at great america braked up until 2009. My first ride was the very back row and the first time looking straight down, was insane. V2 is elevated a good 20 feet up and the spike is over water

[@shanedenmark5536]

When that holding brake clamped down on S:UE @ SFWoA, that was one of those rare crap-your-pants-on-a-coaster moments. Loved it. I wish more standard Impulses still had a working hold brake. Looking at you, Possessed.

[@Aftermath779]

Maybe it's time for Possessed to get some love. Bring back the holding brake!

[@kickthesky]

I remember when Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great America had one. It was my absolute favorite ride in the park at the time because of that holding brake.

[@Aidea._.]

Technically the brake is still there, but we don't use it anymore unfortunately.

[@coastermania17]

I find that specific model to be best in the front so you get more twisting. Wicked Twister was good in the front or back because of the twisting on both spikes

[@SupremeCakeVR]

In the back row, you get so high on the vertical spike and it’s so intense, and it makes the holding break even better.

[@SkateClipsAndTips]

That holding brake maintenance must be a nightmare

[@longboardcat98]

The ride is pretty much never closed, I have never once been to the park where they had the ride shut down.

[@SkateClipsAndTips]

@@longboardcat98 They must have a great maintenance team then :)

[@mushieslushie]

Its a magnet just like the launch. All of them were built with one they just all broke or they just stopped using them.

[@Aidea._.]

I believe most parks stopped using them because of the strain they put on the support structure. Not sure what's different about Steel Venom, but glad they're able to keep it

[@coastingthrills7297]

This is why I’m always going to have Steel Venom as my second favorite roller coaster at Valleyfair! Glad it’s at my home park!

[@billchief397]

Renegade is my top coaster there

[@coastingthrills7297]

@@billchief397 And it will be for the next few years at least! Renegade is nearly perfect, they just need to retrack. And believe me they know it needs retracking! It’s my #1 at the park as well!

[@Mr._Kagle]

Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great America used to make use of its holding break until around 2008-2010. I really wish that they fixed it and turned it back on; there's nothing the feeling of getting stopped while staring straight down down over 150 feet in the air.

[@jaybaren4965]

I'm so jealous. I miss wicked twister 😢😢

[@coasterboss1654]

I remember when possessed had it’s holding brake. Good times!

[@BRISTOLFORCE2009]

Wish impulse coasters actually had layouts

[@MatthewLavan]

Yesss Sarah with your reactions ✨😂 love you guys! I rode Possessed at Dorney back during its opening year and I think it had the holding brakes working then 🥹 sigh they should make a comeback, and a comeback for impulse coasters 🤷🏻‍♂️😆 why not

[@Aidea._.]

There was a new generation impulse coaster built in 2021, so I could see new ones coming to the west in the future! I think most parks stopped using the holding brakes to avoid putting extra strain on the support structure. Not sure what's different about Steel Venom that lets them keep it... maybe they could make it work on these new gen ones!

[@Kykymonkey1]

I went on possessed at Dorney park and I thought that was scary 😂 dude the looks on ur faces too😅

[@TheZreich]

Rode V2 at SFGAm with the holding brake around 2001. Such a shame they haven't used it in like 15 years.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

The holding brake is still going strong.

[@SingleRiderGuy]

I have heard about the holding break on it for years before i rode it and it still freaked me out.

[@nickrap]

Possessed at Dorney definitely used to have that. I remember it clear as day despite only ever riding it in 2010 and 2012. They must have removed it since.

[@carsonpendleton8095]

The sounds of those slm launches always remind me of the sound you hear before you shot out the volcano….. RIP 🌋

[@aspenstay1315]

my top 2 ride rn tbh

[@maxhagenauer24]

Impulses are really fun and kind of underated considering you get a bit of a weightlessness feeling on them and a really good launch.

[@JAXXNCREATED]

I can definitely see intamin or even other manufacturers bringing this back.

[@shanedenmark5536]

Intamin built a second-generation Impulse a few years back in China… An Impulse with just lap bars?!? YES PLEASE!

[@GLJosh]

I am very impressed that Sarah's glasses stayed near perfectly in place.

[@Ganyurerunwhen]

Since its called Steel venom it has a simulation of being stunned when bitten

[@dantc2403]

Dive coasters don't have you pulling negative gs into the back of your seat before they put you into the holding break. Pulling those negatives into the hold means you slam into your restraint with all your bodyweight. Nothing like it out there.

[@Zak-iw7ee]

Wassup Sarah and taylor, I actually like steel of venom more than wicked twister

[@maxhagenauer24]

My home park is SFGAM and I really wish V2 had the holding braje working. I feel like when they repainted it and added a support to the non twisting spike, they could of also gotten that holding brake working.

[@Aidea._.]

As far as I know, the brake itself still works! But I don't see the park reprogramming the ride to use it again, unfortunately.

[@maxhagenauer24]

@Aidea._. That's what I mean by works, being enabled. Have they enabled it before on V2?

[@Aidea._.]

@@maxhagenauer24 Yeah, but it's been years since we enabled it here.

[@lacrls]

GP loves freaking out on it

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Give all these another decade before every last one is gone.

[@coasteringkid]

I cant remember if I knew about the break going in but I do remember freaking out. I dislike most impulse coasters but this one stands out as the best by far

[@technoandrew]

The only impulse I've done (the one at Great America) made me feel sick unfortunately. :(

[@FandarelPandrylaes]

Oh thats were this coaster went too. I have this credit. I rode this at its my former home park. The defunked park Geauga Lake. Nice to see its still giving good rides

[@Drbcoaster]

The one from Geauga Lake actually went to Dorney Park. Steel Venom is original to Valleyfair.

[@Cheezbat]

I hated the holding brake on Vertical Velocity…it literally knocked the wind out of my chest the first time I ever rode it. Glad it was removed. I find them more fun now.

[@lexanon5315]

This ride received an upgrade in its drive systems from Intrasys

[@Maselino]

How about SkyWheel (Maurer Skyloop) at Skyline Park Germany? It catches you vertically once you have completed the course once and pulls you up a second time :)

[@hageja01]

"I did expect it and it still scare the BEE-JEBUSs out of me!" 😂

[@aaronwallace7426]

Me thinking this was wicked twister for a second

[@NHoxworth]

R.I..P. Geauga Lake is all I can think of seeing this in it's new home.

[@MikhaelJames]

cedar point should build one of these

[@blakematthews1311]

Possessed at dorney has one

[@Terrapins360]

The one at Dorney Park used to do this cause it happened when I went on it. It does just launch you toward the ground its freaky

[@coasterfair2602]

I wish that they’re more (like Carowinds) instead Carowinds has a Vekoma boomerang

[@anonrandomsshit]

rip wicked twister

[@beautywearsboots6458]

Sarah's glasses! How do they not move?!

[@SamApocalypse]

They should put that on top thrill 2 😂

[@Neglected-Nostalgia]

Superman: Ultimate Escape from Six Flags Worlds of Adventure (Geauga Lake)

[@LucyLoud2002]

I have to make a return trip here sometime because this thing was closed the day I went.

[@raghavsyoutubechannel1558]

Awesome!

[@mitchellries256]

The holding break on Possessed at Dorney Park doesn't work anymore? How long ago was it disabled?

[@cheesethrower]

When did they get rid of the holding brake on Vertical Velocity at SFDK?

[@coasterbreakdown]

You guys should do a really dramatic documentary type video going to Camden park as a joke for like April fools or something. 😂

[@jonathanripka8724]

Does possessed at Dorney not have the holding break anymore?

[@876portturbo]

Be pretty cool if TT2 was like , hold my beer lol

[@CoasterfreakRaptor]

Does Posessed at Dorney Park had the active holding Break anymore? I rode it in 2015 and ist was active then…

[@leonsteen3085]

Pretty sure the first one in Illinois at Great America did that.

[@Aidea._.]

The one at Great America and a few of the other impulse coasters with this layout used to do that. Wish ours still did, but now the one at Valleyfair is the only one left.

[@samplautz5586]

I’m so mad, I was there a couple weeks ago and it was closed

[@alonzopulley8752]

I liked Sarah face on that ride

[@PR0_Gam3r]

I’m wondering what day y’all went cause I went recently

[@covertzebra]

val raven has a holding break

[@halesej]

“What?!?! That’s the feeling?!?!”

[@billchief397]

They need to add this to top thrill 2.. a holding brake.

[@jonah5175]

I remember when possessed had one and when I went on the first time I didn’t know about it. Scared me to death

[@rickym7380]

Maurer skyloop?

[@ShadezParks]

I wish they all had it😢

[@OniAsterix]

Sarah’s reaction😂

[@chrixeditz1111]

I was there

[@TheRealKensterBoosteryt]

heard of dive coasters? Like oblivion?

[@ArchJ17]

Imagine they put a holding break on tt2’s spike

[@2hoots1cup]

What does X-Coaster at Magic Springs use? Seems similar...

[@CoasterStudios]

that uses a chain to catch the car. This uses LIMs

[@2hoots1cup]

@CoasterStudios Interesting, that doesn't seem ideal. One of the super rare coasters that truly terrified me. Not just the chain catching you, the whole damn thing.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

So which is better? This or Wicked Twister?

[@shanedenmark5536]

Wicked Twister.

[@schleichtheater2342]

What about invertigo at ki? Is that a holding brake?

[@juiceman8108]

Can we get more videos of just Sarah?

[@TimmahRap]

Does anyone know why holding brakes are being removed/not being used? Possessed at Dorney Park use to have one.

[@shanedenmark5536]

They use a ridiculous amount of energy and they are very expensive to repair. So when they break, they just get disabled. ValleyFair had done a great job keeping Steel Venom’s hold brake intact.

[@kevin-727]

Wasn't this originally located at Geuaga Lake then moved after cedar fair closed the park down? Superman themed if memory serves me correct.

[@bryantoliveira2813]

You’re thinking of Possessed at Dorney

[@tylerkriesel8590]

Your memory does NOT indeed serve you correct. This was originally built at valleyfair, and was never moved.

[@rollertoaster812]

Same exact model, though. I at first had trouble remembering which cedar fair park Superman aka steel venom went to. Geauga Lake used to be the closest park to me, now most of the coasters are spread around the country!

[@DanJonesShow]

Superman Ultimate Escape>Steel Venom- Dorney Park relocate- Voodoo > Possessed

[@kevin-727]

@@tylerkriesel8590 I wasn't aware there were two models of the same coaster.

[@SafeDodecahedron]

ppl who already get a fear of junior coaster ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

[@sairosekk]

Wicked not twister?

[@Newsky79]

Sorry to be THAT GUY but I can't help but ask, What happens if your hair get's caught up in the wheels!? It looks more than possible on this ride!

[@thecoastergnome8603]

wha- what????? alll the Bnm Dives dont count as holding breaks, what about hangtime at knotts........

[@kingdefens138]

Dive coasters have a chain, no breaks

[@thecoastergnome8603]

@@kingdefens138 okay…. Hangtime still stands

[@thecoastergnome8603]

@@kingdefens138 also why does it being a chain make it not breaks? It still breaks the coaster? Just because it uses a different mechanism it’s not a break? So are drive tires not a break?

[@shanedenmark5536]

B&M dives don’t actually stop at the top of the dive, believe it or not.

[@thecoastergnome8603]

@@shanedenmark5536 oookay so even If BNM dives dont hangtime does lol