unlike most racing coasters, rolling thunder's tracks were not always next to each other, they separated at several points in the ride. after the first drop, the left track traveled over a big hill, followed by a small hill, whereas the second track reversed that. on the turnaround at the back, the left track traveled up and made a level turn, while the right track traveled up and dropped while turning. the hills on the return segment were also staggered. the trains were not always raced.