Parc Astérix in France has announced a large-scale, multi-year renovation of its iconic wooden roller coaster Tonnerre 2 Zeus, which will receive a substantial partial retrack carried out by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). The project will transform significant portions of the coaster into a hybrid-style track while preserving the existing layout. By the end of the refurbishment, more than half of the coaster’s length will have been modernised.
Details of the RMC 208 Retracking Project
Tonnerre 2 Zeus will undergo what is known as a 208 retrack, a process where the original wooden rails are replaced with RMC’s steel track while maintaining the ride’s existing course. This method improves smoothness, durability and long-term reliability without altering the fundamental layout that has defined the attraction since its debut.
The retracking will take place over two phases. In 2026, Parc Astérix will replace approximately 350 metres of track. This first stage includes the entire section from the top of the first drop through to the 90-degree turnaround, as well as the lowest part of the layout. The improvements are designed to enhance pacing and comfort in some of the ride’s most dynamic elements.
In 2027, the park will continue with an additional 180 metres of RMC track. This second section extends from the end point of the 2026 work zone up to the entrance of the tunnel. When both phases are completed, a total of 530 metres will have been retracked.
With the coaster measuring just under one kilometre in length, the project will update roughly 60 percent of its entire layout, marking one of the most significant refurbishment efforts ever undertaken for an attraction at Parc Astérix.
Background on Tonnerre 2 Zeus
Tonnerre 2 Zeus is one of Parc Astérix’s landmark attractions and an evolution of the wooden coaster Tonnerre de Zeus, which originally opened in the late 1990s. Following a major renovation ahead of the 2022 season, the coaster was reimagined with updated trains, enhanced theming and refreshed trackwork. The upcoming multi-year RMC retrack builds on this transformation, ensuring that the attraction remains one of the park’s most prominent and reliable thrill rides.
Wooden coasters require continuous maintenance, and Parc Astérix has committed to ensuring that Tonnerre 2 Zeus remains competitive with modern thrill experiences while staying true to its wooden-coaster heritage. The adoption of hybrid-style track technology allows the park to enhance ride comfort and durability without sacrificing the coaster’s visual identity or its traditional structure.
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