Eagle to run backwards at Six Flags Great America

I rode it this past Saturday, its an awesome ride. It should bring alot of people back to that ride again.

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This is the 3rd time the park has done this in the Eagle's 21 year history. The first, was back in 1991, and the 2nd was in 1996. In both cases, the park only ran it this way for a "limited time". I don't remember exactly when they switched it back, but I know it was not the whole season. It was something like opening weekend till the end of May. Of course, back in 1991 and 1996, the park did open for at least 1 or 2 weekends in April to the General Public (Last weekend and this weekend are private buyouts), so it may go longer then that.

Michelle Hoffman told those in attendance at Ace's No Coaster event back in January that they would be doing this, and again mentioned that it would be for a "limited time". But, I have heard some talk from people at the park that it may be all season this time.

I agree with CoasterDude316 on this one...Eagle is an awsome ride to begin with, and going backwards over that hill is totally cool. The ride is totally diferent, as everything is now reversed (so if you are expecting to turn left, and you brace yourself, you are caught off-guard, as the car turns to the right).

I know the other 2 times they did it, it was very popular with the guests.

I do want to point out that only the Blue Train will be running the course backwards. The Red Train will travel the course in the normal manner. That way, the guests have a choice to ride forwards or backwards. So, one side forwards, one side backwards.

--Brian Plencner

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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@attbi.com

That first drop is killer facing forwards, backwards must be heavenly.

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If the shoe fits, find another one.

It is. Especially front car(last one out of the station). You just get whipped over that hill. As mentioned in my TR from last Saturday, the trims are on very lightly in both the turnaround helix and the final helix before the station.

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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

Now this begs the question, is there any other park that has *three* rollercoasters that go backwards (V2, Delay Ja Vu, AE-B).

That is of course discounting PKD with Rebel Yell, Volcano and Hypersonic....;)
jeremy
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Besides, if we were really shutting down people we disagreed with, would Jeremy (2Hostyl) still be around? :) I think not. - Jeff 1/24/02

lol Jeremy. It took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about with PKD, then it dawned on me that you experienced a rollback on Hypersonic.

So is it true that SFGAm now has the most coasters that go in reverse?

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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

SFMM: Delayjavu, S:TE and X

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What's YOUR favorite Intamin?

Uhhh.....X?

The last half of X is taken backwards. The lift hill and first part of the Raven Turn are taken backwards, too. I don't know if that counts, but you're body's backwards.

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I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!

X travels backwards in the station, on the breaks, on the lift, and during certain parts of the ride.

Colossus goes backwards for Fright Fest

Freefall travels backwards too.

So thats 4 coasters and 1 thrill ride that travel backwards at SFMM

SFMM- De Ja Vu', X, S:TE, Colossus (Fright Fest), freefall (thrill ride)

SFGA- De Ja Vu', V2, A.E

This backwards will last the entire season thru Fright Fest. The trims and brake 5 should remain off or very light the entire season.

They should make this a permanent thing just like Racer at PKI.

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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

Chitown,

My thoughts exactly.

They should also install some magnetic trims/breaks like they just did for The Beast.

The Eagle has hope yet !!

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Current favorite coasters:
Wooden: 1) Beast 2) Raven 3) Son of Beast 4) The Boss 5) Timber Wolf
Steel: 1) Raging Bull 2) Millennium Force 3) V2 4) Wild Thing 5) Mr. Freeze
Visit: http://www.dynamicgroove.com

X does not go backwards at all! The seats do, but the train always goes forward. If the train goes backwards, that means there has been a roll back. For a coaster's direction, go by train direction, not seat. Otherwise what way do Invertigos go as soon as they disengage the first lift? SFMM and GAm both have the same number of backwards coasters, GAm has the advantage this year, because the woodie will probably be backwards longer, and Freefall is not a coaster (otherwise CP will have 16 coaster, and so will SFMM and we all know they don't.)

Anyways, enough of my ranting. I can't wait until I can ride it on the 4th! It seems so far away yet, but it's comming up so quick, too.

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Webmaster of Travis's Websites of Infinite Boredom!
Less than 2 weeks until SFGAm opens!

This is the very reason I am visiting this year....not to mention she's my #2 woodie! What a treat this will be, not to mention something I've waited 26 years for! Missed it the first 2 times. Oh, and add the memory of Tidal Wave to that list of reverse coasters!
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Brad Sherman
Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

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X does not go backwards at all! The seats do, but the train always goes forward. If the train goes backwards, that means there has been a roll back. For a coaster's direction, go by train direction, not seat.

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In that case, Eagle wouldn't count. The train leaves the station going forward, even though the seats are facing backwards. I think you must count the direction the seats face. Invertigos, therefore, would count as backwards coasters...

free fall is a coaster! reminds me of this ROLLERCOASTER book i have that states DEMON DROP is a "full circuit drop coaster" or soemthign like that! which is true if you think Freefall is the opposite of S:TE!

In the Article they say:
"Raging Bull debuted in 1999, Giant Drop in 1997 and Viper in 1995, with 1998 and 1996 as off years. Parks are cutting back in general, said David Escalante, spokesman for American Coaster Enthusiasts. "

How were 1998 and 1996 off years, in 1996 they opened Southwest Territory and in 1998 they built Camp Cartoon Network with Spacleys Sprocket Rockets.

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Booker T and Goldust at the Movies:"Thats right you suckas better find someplace to run, cause its me Booker T. Not only am I the Scorpian King, but im the 5 time WCW Champion, and I got a sword too. Now can you dig that Sucka!"