New Texas Giant
New Texas Giant | |
---|---|
Previously known as Texas Giant | |
Chain lift hill | |
Height | 153 ft (47 m) |
Drop | 147 ft (45 m) |
Length | 4,200 ft (1,300 m) |
Speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
Inversions | 0 |
Max vertical angle | 79° |
Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
Trains | 3 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
New Texas Giant at RCDB |
New Texas Giant is a
Texas Giant closed in 2009 for a major refurbishment by
New Texas Giant was well-received, winning Best New Ride in the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards and ranking highly in industry polls. A fatal incident occurred on July 19, 2013, and resulted in modifications to the ride's restraint system.
History
In September 1989, Six Flags announced the hiring of Dinn Corporation to build two new wooden roller coasters,[1] with Curtis D. Summers as the designer.[2] One would go to Six Flags Over Texas as The Texas Giant and the other would go to Six Flags Over Georgia as Georgia Cyclone.[1]
Construction had already started in June 1989.[3] The Texas Giant was constructed using over 900,000 board feet (2,100 m3) of wood.[4] The trains were manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.[2] The Texas Giant officially opened on March 17, 1990.[2] At opening, the ride was the world's tallest wooden roller coaster, standing 143 feet (44 m) high.[5]
Following the ride's opening it had several modifications and renovations, which included reprofiling parts of the ride, shortening the seven-car trains to six-car trains, and performing maintenance on the wooden track.[6] Six Flags Over Texas performed over 1,200 feet (370 m) of trackwork on the ride in the 2008–2009 offseason, with the ultimate aim of improving the ride's smoothness. Although the maintenance did improve the ride, park officials needed a more permanent solution. Initial speculation indicated the ride would be removed entirely from the park; however, Six Flags Over Texas denied any intention or consideration to do so.[7] In March 2009, the park announced the closure of Texas Giant prior to a $10 million renovation.[5] Following Fright Fest for that year, the ride closed on November 1, 2009.[7][8]
Renovations began almost immediately and involved the removal of all of the wooden track and modifications to some of the support structure.
Characteristics
As the name suggests, New Texas Giant is located within the Texas section of Six Flags Over Texas.
The original Texas Giant by Dinn Corporation was 10 feet (3.0 m) lower in height than its Rocky Mountain Construction counterpart. The refurbished New Texas Giant features a steeper and longer first drop, and therefore achieves a faster maximum speed.[2][8] Additionally, a 540° helix after the mid-course brake run was converted into a 180° turnaround, resulting in its track length being shortened by approximately 400 feet (120 m).[2][16][17][18]
Statistic | Texas Giant[2] | New Texas Giant[8][16] |
---|---|---|
Years | 1990–2009 | 2011–present |
Manufacturer | Dinn Corporation | Rocky Mountain Construction |
Designer | Curtis D. Summers | Alan Schilke |
Track | Wood | Steel |
Height | 143 ft or 44 m | 153 ft or 47 m |
Drop | 137 ft or 42 m | 147 ft or 45 m |
Length | 4,920 ft or 1,500 m | 4,200 ft or 1,300 m |
Speed | 62 mph or 100 km/h | 65 mph or 105 km/h |
Max vertical angle | 53° | 79° |
Trains | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) | Gerstlauer |
Ride experience
The New Texas Giant begins with a right turn out of the
Reception
The original Texas Giant was well received, though its popularity had declined towards the end of its operation. Following its 2010 renovation, the ride's popularity returned.
In
Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 1[19] | 1[20] | 3[24] | 8[25] | 8[26] | 10[27] | 9[28] | 12[29] | 14[30] | 20[31] | 28[32] | 32[21] |
Year | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 6[22] | 5[23] | 6[33] | 8[34] | 10[35] | 16[36] | 9[37] | 23[38] | 26[39] | 36[40] | 42[41] |
Incidents
On July 19, 2013, a 52-year-old woman fell to her death while riding New Texas Giant. The ride was closed indefinitely pending further investigation.[42][43][44] The park completed its investigation stating on September 10, 2013, that mechanical failure was not to blame. The ride reopened on September 14, 2013, after redesigned restraint bars, pads, and seat belts were installed on all three trains.[15][45] The incident resulted in the introduction of seat belts as a precaution on other roller coasters throughout the Six Flags chain.[46]
References
- ^ a b Boyer, Mike (September 18, 1989). "Local firm will design two coasters". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Marden, Duane. "Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ Weist, Jon (June 15, 1989). "Six Flags building giant ride". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ a b Moiser, Jeff (March 16, 2009). "Six Flags Over Texas to close Texas Giant for renovations in 2010". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ Stooksbury Guier, Cindy (April 24, 2000). "Parks Hope State's Tourism Increase Is Just The Ticket". Amusement Business. 112 (17): 15–18.
- ^ a b c d Baldwin, Tim (May 2011). "The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (2): 1, 5–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marden, Duane. "New Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
- ^ a b c d e Slade, Gary (April 2010). "Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant". Amusement Today. 14 (1): 9–10.
- ^ US application 2011146528, Schilke, Alan; Grubb, Fred; Bachtar, Dody, "Rolling Vehicle Track"
- ^ a b "Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant". Amusement Today. 14 (1): 9. April 2010.
- ^ "The New Texas Giant Is Virtually Here".
- ^ "Thrill Rides". Six Flags Over Texas. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ Sandy, Adam (May 2011). "Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains". Amusement Today: 8.
- ^ a b "The Texas Giant to Re-Open Following Implementation of Incremental Safety Measures" (Press release). Six Flags Over Texas. September 10, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Fast Facts". Amusement Today. 15 (2): 5. May 2011.
- ^ Theme Park Review. YouTube. Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- Theme Park Review. YouTube. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ a b "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998.
- ^ a b "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999.
- ^ a b "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 46–47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012.
- ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000.
- ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 40–41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
- ^ "2014 Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 38–39. September 2014.
- ^ "2015 Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2021.
- Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archivedfrom the original on September 12, 2022.
- ^ Wilonsky, Robert (July 19, 2013). "Breaking: Woman dies on Six Flags' Texas Giant roller coaster". dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ Kretz, Chelsea; Collins, Calvert (July 19, 2013). "Six Flags: Woman died while riding Texas Giant". KDFW FOX 4. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- ^ James, Michael; Shaw, Alexis (July 20, 2013). "Witnesses on Six Flags Over Texas Roller Coaster Death: 'That Could Have Been Me'". ABC News. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- ^ Shoichet, Catherine E.; Sutton, Joe (September 11, 2013). "Texas roller coaster set to reopen after woman's death". CNN. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ^ "Six Flags Fiesta Texas adds seat belts to Iron Rattler after deadly fall in Arlington". WFAA. August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
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