Six Flags Great America (SFGAm) Discussion Thread

[kidcoaster 2]

Thanks for braving the cold for these reports everyone! I enjoyed looking through all of them!

[cal1br3tto]

Great reports, guys! I think I learned something new in each one.

[Jhcbiinoc]

Great trip reports! I might actually get to ride this in July.

[CoasterNick3157]

Pics from the Goliath construction site tour. Thanks to TPR, Brandon Bruce, and Katy Enrique.

 

 

[GayCoasterGuy]

I think it's been concluded that the Iron Wolf (now (at least partially) Goliath) station was not the Z-Force station. Many have stated this (what you posted) over the years, but if you read back in this very thread you'll see that Z-Force's station was moved across the park to be used as Rolling Thunder's station. A couple of years after Z-Force was relocated, Iron Wolf opened on that plot with a new station.

 

That does make a lot of sense, now that I think about it. Thanks for bringing up the clarification. Maybe the IW/Goliath station uses the same footers from the Z-Force station? They were in the same spot. Z-Force... hmmm... what a wicked ride. Painful wicked.

[GoBears]

The structure for the overbank turn and the twist & shout already looks pretty high, and it should nearly double in size when it's finished. I believe the part we see now will be about the height of the twist & shout. The overbank turn will be much higher.

[willthegolfer]

The structure for the overbank turn and the twist & shout already looks pretty high, and it should nearly double in size when it's finished. I believe the part we see now will be about the height of the twist & shout. The overbank turn will be much higher.

And the drop is another 60 feet bigger than the height of the overbank, so the drop will be 3x as big as the highest point in the structure right now!

[GoBears]

^The first drop will look gigantic (because it is) on the webcam when it's finished. Also, here's the latest Goliath Insider video:

 

Edit: I was confused by the angle it was bolted. I like the color of the track.

 

Edited January 23, 2014 by GoBears

[Fooz]

A tarp? Those look exactly like the top steel pieces on outlaw run, with the diagonal connecting spots and bolts and everything...

 

I guess it could be an illusion though.

[diggerg56]

A few more photos to add to the mix.

In my previous post I also neglected to thank Brandon, Katy and SFGAm for giving us a look at what promises to be an awesome new coaster.

 

The platform where the "bends" are built before being hoisted and bolted into place.

The tunnel that adds the extra distance on the 85 degree first drop

American Eagle looms in the distance

Still stuck in the snow waiting for a train ride........

Edited January 23, 2014 by diggerg56

[GoBears]

A tarp? Those look exactly like the top steel pieces on outlaw run, with the diagonal connecting spots and bolts and everything...

 

I guess it could be an illusion though.

 

Disregard that. I was viewing it on my phone and it appeared to be a tarp of some sort. Now I can see it's a completely different layer on top so that was my bad.

[willthegolfer]

Here's todays view, lots of very large bents have been assembled, the crew is really moving along!

[GoBears]

On the subject of Goliath, they're going to use a vertical transfer track and store the trains underneath the revamped station. Makes sense because the space is too small to build a transfer track beside the station to house the trains when they aren't in use.

[rcjp]

Oh really? That's interesting as there are not that many coasters doing it. It is indeed a clever way of saving space.

[3Mutts]

^^ Just wondering but is this the first coaster to do this that isn't made by Mack?

[rcjp]

Pepsi Max Big One also uses one.

[3Mutts]

^ hmm didnt know that very interesting.

[yay101]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Iron Dragon use a vertical transfer track too?

[Myself]

Iron Dragon does have its storage track under the station, but the transfer is a standard table, with a drop into the storage area. I'm pretty sure Corkscrew is the same way.

[WildStangAlex]

Loch Ness Monster would be the same, and Magnum, too, if I am not mistaken. It seems to be an Arrow thing.

[TyRush]

Looks to be coming together quite fascinating thus far. Its something about these RMC coasters that is just awesome. From the planning, to the construction, to the testing, to the riding. Maybe that's because they are awesome

[yay101]

I'm just grateful that Six Flags Great America is getting an RMC Especially one that is going to break three records! Honestly if you think about it, even if its not as good as Outlaw Run, I think it is a great addition to SFGAm.

 

I know I'm stating the obvious but that's how I feel after seeing the construction pictures.

[GigaG]

Loch Ness Monster would be the same, and Magnum, too, if I am not mistaken. It seems to be an Arrow thing.

 

Magnum uses a "normal" transfer track.

[rcjp]

^One thing I've never understood (and this may sound a bit ignorant) is this: how do they get the trains off those arrow lowered transfer tracks (like loch ness monster) back into the course?

[WildStangAlex]

They winch it up. They have a winch for Magnum too, but I'm having difficulty locating pictures right now.