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New Texas Giant

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New Texas Giant is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It originally opened as Texas Giant, which was the tallest wooden coaster in the world when it debuted in 1990. Manufactured by Dinn Corporation and designed by Curtis D. Summers, Texas Giant operated for nearly two decades and was highly-ranked in Amusement Today magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards. Before its refurbishment, the ride's popularity declined over the years as it gained a negative reputation for increasing roughness.

New Texas Giant
Previously known as Texas Giant
New Texas Giant features steel track and overbanked turns
Six Flags Over Texas
LocationSix Flags Over Texas
Park sectionTexas
Coordinates32°45′23″N 97°4′23″W / 32.75639°N 97.07306°W / 32.75639; -97.07306
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 22, 2011 (2011-04-22)
Cost$10 million
ReplacedTexas Giant
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerRocky Mountain Construction
DesignerAlan Schilke
ModelI-Box – Custom
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height153 ft (47 m)
Drop147 ft (45 m)
Length4,200 ft (1,300 m)
Speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Inversions0
Max vertical angle79°
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains3 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

Texas Giant closed in 2009 for a major refurbishment by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). It reemerged as New Texas Giant in 2011. While the coaster retained much of the original wooden support structure, the wooden track was replaced with steel featuring RMC's I-Box track technology. The renovated hybrid coaster saw an increase in height from 143 to 153 feet (44 to 47 m) and drop length from 137 to 147 feet (42 to 45 m), as well as a steeper drop angle of 79°. New Texas Giant also increased the angle of multiple banked turns producing steeper angles.

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

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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]

 
Texas Giant during its renovation

Renovations began almost immediately and involved the removal of all of the wooden track and modifications to some of the support structure.[7] On March 3, 2010, Six Flags Over Texas and Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) unveiled the steel I-Box track which would be used on the refurbished ride. The track was developed over the course of three years by RMC owner Fred Grubb, and Ride Centerline, LLC engineers Alan Schilke and Dody Bachtar.[9][10] The steel track was designed to be a replacement for any existing wooden track structure, with the rail shape, approximate weight, and dimensions remaining the same.[9][11] Schilke designed the modifications to the layout, giving specifications to Grubb for manufacturing at RMC's Idaho plant. There, two-dimensional plates of steel were machine-welded to form the three-dimensional track parts.[9] The redevelopment saw much of the track get reprofiled; the lift hill was increased by 10 feet (3.0 m), the first drop was steepened to 79 degrees, and several overbanked turns (ranging from 90° to 115°) were added.[7][11] In October 2010, Six Flags announced that the renovated ride would be called the New Texas Giant.[12] It opened on April 22, 2011.[8]

Characteristics

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The Texas Giant before and after its renovation, showcasing the profile of the first drop and a turnaround. The renovated ride features a steeper and longer first drop, as well as several overbanked turns up to 115° (pictured).

As the name suggests, New Texas Giant is located within the Texas section of Six Flags Over Texas.[13] It was Rocky Mountain Construction's first installation of I-Box track.[9] New Texas Giant operates with three trains manufactured by Gerstlauer.[8][9] There are three trains (colored red, blue, and black) themed to 1961 Cadillac Devilles.[14] Each train is made up of six cars, each seating riders in two rows of two.[8] Riders are restrained through the use of an individual hydraulic lap bar and a seat belt.[8][15]

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

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An overview of part of the New Texas Giant's layout including the double up, 90° overbanked turn, and final tunnel

The New Texas Giant begins with a right turn out of the station. This leads directly to a 153-foot-tall (47 m) chain lift hill. Once at the top, riders drop 147 feet (45 m) at an angle of 79°. A double up leads into a 90° overbanked turn, a dip and a 95° overbanked turn. Another dip and rise leads the train into a 115° overbanked turn. The exit from the overbanked turn leads into a small air-time hill, which delivers the greatest negative g-force on the ride, before ascending up into the mid-course brake run. The train drops from the brake run and continues through a series of low-to-the-ground air-time hills and directional changes. This runs through three separate tunnels, finishing with the final brake run and short path back to the station.[16][17]

Reception

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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 Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards Texas Giant ranked as the number one wooden roller coaster for 1998 and 1999.[19][20] Its ranking slowly declined to position 32 in 2009, its final year of operation as a wooden roller coaster.[21] Following its 2010 renovation, the New Texas Giant again ranked highly in the Golden Ticket Awards (this time amongst steel roller coasters), achieving ranks of 6 and 5 in 2011 and 2012, respectively.[22][23] The ride also won a Golden Ticket Award for being the Best New Ride of 2011.[22]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
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]
Golden Ticket Awards: Top Hybrid Roller Coasters
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

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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

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  1. ^ a b Boyer, Mike (September 18, 1989). "Local firm will design two coasters". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Weist, Jon (June 15, 1989). "Six Flags building giant ride". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Marden, Duane. "Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Stooksbury Guier, Cindy (April 24, 2000). "Parks Hope State's Tourism Increase Is Just The Ticket". Amusement Business. 112 (17): 15–18.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Marden, Duane. "New Texas Giant  (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  9. ^ a b c d e Slade, Gary (April 2010). "Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant". Amusement Today. 14 (1): 9–10.
  10. ^ US application 2011146528, Schilke, Alan; Grubb, Fred; Bachtar, Dody, "Rolling Vehicle Track" 
  11. ^ a b "Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant". Amusement Today. 14 (1): 9. April 2010.
  12. ^ "The New Texas Giant Is Virtually Here".
  13. ^ "Thrill Rides". Six Flags Over Texas. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  14. ^ Sandy, Adam (May 2011). "Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains". Amusement Today: 8.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ a b c "Fast Facts". Amusement Today. 15 (2): 5. May 2011.
  17. ^ a b Alvey, Robb (April 21, 2011). "New Texas Giant REAL POV Six Flags Over Texas Roller Coaster Media Day 2011". Theme Park Review. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  18. ^ Alvey, Robb (December 10, 2011). "Original Texas Giant Wooden Roller Coaster Front Seat POV Six Flags Over Texas". Theme Park Review. YouTube. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998.
  20. ^ a b "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ a b "Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012.
  24. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000.
  25. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  26. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  27. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  28. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007.
  29. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  30. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  31. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  32. ^ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ "2014 Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 38–39. September 2014.
  35. ^ "2015 Top 50 Hybrid Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015.
  36. ^ "2016 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016.
  37. ^ "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017.
  38. ^ "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018.
  39. ^ "2019 Top 50 Wood Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019.
  40. ^ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021.
  41. ^ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ Kretz, Chelsea; Collins, Calvert (July 19, 2013). "Six Flags: Woman died while riding Texas Giant". KDFW FOX 4. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ Shoichet, Catherine E.; Sutton, Joe (September 11, 2013). "Texas roller coaster set to reopen after woman's death". CNN. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  46. ^ "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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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Preceded by World's Tallest Wooden Roller Coaster
1990–May 1991 		Succeeded by
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