SIX FLAGS REVEALS PLANS TO REFURBISH AMERICAN EAGLE ROLLER COASTER
Associated Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 31, 2012
GURNEE, Illinois
The iconic 31 year old wooden roller coaster at Great America is going to be receiving a major facelift for the 2013 season.
Today Six Flags released details to fully refurbish the ride, including a fresh coat of white, red, and blue paint, four new trains, new wooden track, and rethemed loading station.
The track and train refurbishment has been contracted to "The Gravity Group," a Cincinnati based engineering company that designs and builds wooden roller coasters. The new trains, which will be hand painted with distinctly red white and blue with stripes, are dubbed "Timberliners."
The Timberliner trains are the newest in wooden roller coaster technology. Unlike traditional trains that have a fixed wheel system, the Timberliners are designed with the ability for the wheel assembly's to steer along with the the track bends providing a smoother ride and reduced maintenance needs. The new trains will also increase the rides capacity because the new lapbar system eliminates the need for seatbelts.
"We wanted to create a smoother and more comfortable ride without compromising the rides unique wooden coaster characteristics," said Salami, the President of Six Flags Illinois. The American Eagle was the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster when it opened in 1981 and is still the world's tallest and fastest racing coaster.
In order to meet the opening deadline of Spring 2013, the Eagle will close after Labor Day this season and will remain closed throughout the fall.
From: SFGamWorld.com
