XLR-8 in reverse! - CoasterBuzz

I've just received word that AstroWorld has hung part of the cars on XLR-8's trains on BACKWARDS for Fright Fest! The first 3 cars face forward, but the last 4 cars face backward, so of course I'm running to it as fast as I can! They've been talking about doing this to it for years, so I don't wanna miss my chance to ride it this way while it lasts! I'll give a full report from the very back car about what it's like to ride it backwards ASAP! This totally ROCKS! We have the FIRST & ONLY backwards suspended coaster now! WOO-HOO! Maybe there's still hope for SFAW after all! I can't wait!

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Gay Roller Ride
http://www.gayrollerride.com
If you build it, they will come!

For real? I'd like to see a picture. Sounds like it would be fun!

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- Peabody

Do you have any proof? Because right now, I think it is a spoof until we see proof of this.

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Rob

"Some people spend an entire LIFETIME wondering if they made a DIFFERENCE. The MARINES don't have that problem." -President Reagan 1985

Yes it is true go to www.sixflagshouston.com to see pics.

*** This post was edited by William Applegate on 10/4/2002. ***

MAN! I wish they would do that on Top Gun!!!

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Women was god's second mistake.

Yes, it looks very cool, I saw it yesterday and started drooling. What I would like to know is, is this just a last ditch effort to save this coaster?

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800,000 years in 7 seconds: Time Machine the movie or next S&S creation?

*** This post was edited by RCmuzikGuY on 10/4/2002. ***

RCmuzikGuY said:

What I would like to know is, is this just a last ditch effort to save this coaster?
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I don't care why they did it.
I will be on it in just 3 more hours and I am excited.
For those that don't believe it [url="http://www.sixflagshouston.com/temp/xlr8.jpg" target="_blank">
I am heading straight to the back car at 6:00 pm tonight!

*** This post was edited by Markieb on 10/4/2002. ***

I do not think it is a last ditch effort. Employees at SFAW have wanted to do this for a long time. I don't think XLR8 is going anywhere anytime soon. The remarks made concerning it's demise over the years have been greatly Exaggerated...

Hmm, I tried submitting this as a news story since we had a link with our picture and Jeff must have overlooked or ignored it.

Anyway, I know one train has been modified to the configuration we see, not sure if they have reversed two of them. If the guest response is pretty good, they may leave the train this way.

Man for a second there I thought you meant Xcelerator. That would be awesome.

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-Sean

Is it the lighting of the photo, or has Texas Tornado gotten a paint job? If you look at the picture of XLR-8 backwards on www.sixflagshouston.com, the drop looks white, not yellow. On a bigger note, XLR-8 LOOKS AWESOME!! Now I REALLY have to get their before the month is over! XLR-8 is such a relaxing and fun ride with just the right amount of thrill. It's especially great in the evening when the unbearable sun is going down, and it will even be better BACKWARDS!!

Now THAT looks like it would be a lot of fun. Can't wait to read what the locals think of riding XLR8 backwards.

I find it kind of strange that the lift approach is that low to the ground.

BTW, that is a very well done site. Great job on the webmasters there.

X Factor

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SFWoA: An Unofficial Guide
http://sfohio.tripod.com

Only coaster I've been on backwards is American Eagle at SFGAm. But it was great...adds a whole new thrill. For a suspended, I think it would be cool to switch every other car backwards, starting with the first... so it's kind of like a 'face-off' effect. Just an idea...

Congrats to SFAW for adding a new twist to a classic coaster.

*** This post was edited by SFGAmLover on 10/4/2002. ***

Wow, positive things said about SFAW by Iron Draggon. Wow.

Anyway, sounds like fun!

Wow....
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TOGO!
Vekoma!

I heard this on screamscape and i was like "Thats impossible. Screamscape is stupid" I had no idea it could be true.

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"The password is, 'Nice rack,', and I'll reply 'I forgot my bra,'."
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Sworn Whizzer hater because it took Shockwave down

Man if only BGW would do this on BBW,now that would be flat out awesome.

I saw the pics and I'm wondering why only half of the train is being reversed? it would make a bit more sense to just reverse the entire train on the track,still though it provides a unique thrill not found on any other suspended coaster with the exception of an invertigo shuttle ala Two face or Face off.

We expected they were going to reverse all the cars, but they didn't and now that I think about it that's kind of a good idea. In the very front all you were going to see is the rest of the train anyway, might as well leave it facing forwards - effectively there's TWO front row seats on this ride with this configuration. It just gives you the choice to ride forwards or backwards.

I'm definitely going to try to get out there this weekend and give it a whirl. Who'd have thought I'd be excited about XLR-8!

And no, Tornado hasn't been painted anytime recently. Not a lot's been done with that ride, they've been fussing with the trains and running tests, but the only coaster that has been completely painted in the last couple years was Greezed Lightnin' (Ultra Twister got a slight touch up this year, but only the lift).

I wish they'd do something about Texas Tornado...if it's not going to run, tear it out and put in some flat rides. I thought for sure XLR-8 would be leaving AW in the next few years, but if they leave the trains half backwards, and give the coaster a new paint job, it could be partially restored to it's old glory.

Now if we could get CP to do this to Iron Dragon, we'd be getting somewhere!!!

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MLEM4S rules

All the "family-oriented" suspendeds should do this routinely...what an AWESOME idea...by doing patr of the train backwards, it offers riders two completely different experiences.....GOOD move!