Roller coasters race up and down tracks at county fairs and theme parks around the world, bringing hair-raising thrills to children of all ages. Sometimes called “scream machines,” roller coasters have been the main attraction wherever they are for more than a century.
The coasters of today are taller, faster and wilder than ever before, causing operators to offer photos that capture the experience at the pinnacle of its excitement. Just making it to the end of the thrilling ride is cause for celebration for most riders. Others need more and sometimes stage that moment when the camera flashes, bringing us the wacky photos in this gallery.
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Looking for more roller coaster photos?
CoasterGallery has over 4,000 original roller coaster pictures from hundreds of amusement parks.
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Check out this video of the top 10 roller coasters in the world.
[Flickr photo by joellybaby]