American Eagle At SFGAm Still Sets Record.
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I'd hate to see AE go but you have to wonder what Six Flags is doing. They're spending millions on 2 new coasters when one new one would be good and they could use the other money for re-doing AE and adding some queue line covers so you don't bake while waiting for Viper, V2, etc.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
They NEED to race this coaster! It's my goal to get to GrAm this year, and this is one of the key reasons i want to go.
The Racer at PKI is literally hundreds of times more exciting when it is raced for 2 reasons. When the coasters are in sync and leave the lift hill at the same time, the other train running beside you gives the sensation and intensity of going much faster than when the train is running solo. The other reason is the spirit of the race, the riders getting into winning, cheering for their train.
Why do these parks build racing coasters, operate both sides, and not race them? Capacity is usually not an issue as these coasters have the highest capacity in the park, capable of running at least 4 trains. It really takes away from the overall quality and experience of the ride.
The Racer at PKI is literally hundreds of times more exciting when it is raced for 2 reasons. When the coasters are in sync and leave the lift hill at the same time, the other train running beside you gives the sensation and intensity of going much faster than when the train is running solo. The other reason is the spirit of the race, the riders getting into winning, cheering for their train.
Why do these parks build racing coasters, operate both sides, and not race them? Capacity is usually not an issue as these coasters have the highest capacity in the park, capable of running at least 4 trains. It really takes away from the overall quality and experience of the ride.
Park: Six Flags Great America
Type: Wooden
Status: Operating since 5/23/1981
Categories: Twin
Builder: Intamin AG
Statistics
Track: Red Blue
Length (feet): 4650'
Height (feet): 127'
Drop (feet): 147'
Inversions: 0
Speed (mph): 66
Duration (m:ss): 2:23
Angle Of Descent (degrees): 55
Capacity (riders per hour): 900
Vehicles
Arrangement: 4 trains with 5 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train.
Other Information
Structure: 2,000 concrete footings (average of 18" in diameter, 4.5 feet in). 1,360,000 board feet of lumber used. 129,720 bolts. 30,600 lbs. of nails (15 tons). 9,000 gallons of white paint. over 20,000 man hours to build.
Type: Wooden
Status: Operating since 5/23/1981
Categories: Twin
Builder: Intamin AG
Statistics
Track: Red Blue
Length (feet): 4650'
Height (feet): 127'
Drop (feet): 147'
Inversions: 0
Speed (mph): 66
Duration (m:ss): 2:23
Angle Of Descent (degrees): 55
Capacity (riders per hour): 900
Vehicles
Arrangement: 4 trains with 5 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train.
Other Information
Structure: 2,000 concrete footings (average of 18" in diameter, 4.5 feet in). 1,360,000 board feet of lumber used. 129,720 bolts. 30,600 lbs. of nails (15 tons). 9,000 gallons of white paint. over 20,000 man hours to build.
The figure that surprised me is that of the turnaround helix. It is 117 feet tall! Almost as tall as the lift hill. I thought it would have been less than that.
Some other interesting information paraphrased from an article ran on July 2, 1981 in The Milwaukee Journal by Frank Clines:
Even back in its first year, the Eagle didn't always race. With up to four hour waits, the park favored seperate operation for capacity. The Eagle was Great America's first coaster entirely run by computer. Because of that, there were some minor problems. One person complains about the brakes "in some spots." Riders per hour used to be 3200 with both tracks.
Chitown, I remember you saying that there were no brakes from lift hill to final brake run. Is that what you remember?
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Perry
SFGAm home park for 25 years
Experience the Force in THX
*** This post was edited by Snake Oil Elixir on 6/26/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Snake Oil Elixir on 6/26/2001. ***
Some other interesting information paraphrased from an article ran on July 2, 1981 in The Milwaukee Journal by Frank Clines:
Even back in its first year, the Eagle didn't always race. With up to four hour waits, the park favored seperate operation for capacity. The Eagle was Great America's first coaster entirely run by computer. Because of that, there were some minor problems. One person complains about the brakes "in some spots." Riders per hour used to be 3200 with both tracks.
Chitown, I remember you saying that there were no brakes from lift hill to final brake run. Is that what you remember?
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Perry
SFGAm home park for 25 years
Experience the Force in THX
*** This post was edited by Snake Oil Elixir on 6/26/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Snake Oil Elixir on 6/26/2001. ***
Snake Oil Elixir said:
Chitown, I remember you saying that there were no brakes from lift hill to final brake run. Is that what you remember?
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Perry
SFGAm home park for 25 years
Experience the Force in THX
*** This post was edited by Snake Oil Elixir on 6/26/2001. ***"
You damn right thats what I remember. I have ridden this woodie since its grand opening. I was only 10 years old at the time but I wasnt afraid of anything. If you dont count the brakes at the top of the lift hill, than yes, their were no brakes from the initial drop until you came into the station. On top of that, this was the tallest and fastest wood coaster when it debuted. Marriott decided to do the unthinkable and create a world class coaster. This woodie also raced throughout the 80s and early 90s. No other woodie could touch this masterpiece. Today it is a different story. I now only ride one side because of the hard braking that goes on. Its a shame, because this was the talk all, be all, of coaster riding. Alot of you young enthusiasts dont know what AE was able to produce but just let me tell you that it was a godsent back in the day.
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Chitown, who knows that the first hill on AE is still the best in the business. Also was the fastest woodie for 19 years until SOB dethroned her.
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Chitowns 6 year old daughter says "Daddy, Dippin Dots are nasty!!" I must say that I agree!! *** This post was edited by Chitown on 6/27/2001. ***
Chitown,
That's what I thought! I was surprised to hear that person mention the braking back in 1981 when I pulled the article out of my archieves last night. Although, if there weren't brakes on the top of the helix, how do they achieve blocking for three trains? With the orginal brakes at the top of the hill, could that be considered a block?Or there is a booth up there. Did they use visual confirmation?
I'm not doubting your memory Chitown! I was only six when AE opened, but I remember the excitement it stirred up in Wisconsin! I remember getting a bank statement that had the layout of AE on it. I didn't have a chance to ride it until 1987. Even then, it was, and still is, a feared coaster. I agree on the best hill. It feels like an outside loop!
That's what I thought! I was surprised to hear that person mention the braking back in 1981 when I pulled the article out of my archieves last night. Although, if there weren't brakes on the top of the helix, how do they achieve blocking for three trains? With the orginal brakes at the top of the hill, could that be considered a block?Or there is a booth up there. Did they use visual confirmation?
I'm not doubting your memory Chitown! I was only six when AE opened, but I remember the excitement it stirred up in Wisconsin! I remember getting a bank statement that had the layout of AE on it. I didn't have a chance to ride it until 1987. Even then, it was, and still is, a feared coaster. I agree on the best hill. It feels like an outside loop!
Yeah, for the 160 something feet, sorry, but thats A little bit more than it is. Its 147 ft. The blue track is longer than the red, but its not always the same . Years ago, especially when it was first out, pictures will show, the Red train was where the Blue is now. I personally like the Red side much better.
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