Different Types

Wooden roller coasters are coasters that have laminated steel runnng rails ontop of a wooden track.  The wheels of  the coaster have the same flanged design as the wheels of a train: the inner part of the wheel has a wide lip that keeps it from falling off the track. Wooden coaster tracks have wooden crossites and diagonal support beams. The track lays on a lattice of wooden or steel beams. With these materials, builders can make the roller coaster do twists and turns, but it is very difficult to make a wooden roller coaster go upside down.

Wooden Roller Coaster

Tubular steel roller coasters' tracks are made of long steel tubes. These tubes are supported by a sturdy, lightweight superstructure made out of slightly larger steel tubes or beams. The wheels are made from polyurethane or nylon. The coaster has two sets of wheels: traditional wheel that sit right on top of the track and another set that is securely anchored on to the sides of the tube. A tubular steel roller coaster's track aren't many small segments but long curved pieces. The track pieces are welded together, for an incredibly smooth ride.

Tubular steel roller coaster