Shockwave (Six Flags Great America)

Shockwave
Parts after deconstruction in 2004
Data
Location	Six Flags Great America ( Gurnee , Illinois , USA )
Type	Steel - seated
model	Custom looping coaster
Drive type	Chain lift hill
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
opening	3rd June 1988
closure	2002
length	1189 m
height	52 m
Departure	47 m
Max. speed	105 km / h
Travel time	2:20 min
capacity	2000 people per hour
Trains	3 trains, 7 cars / train, 2 rows of seats / car, 2 seats / row of seats
elements	3 × looping , block brake , batwing , double corkscrew
Inversions	7th

Shockwave in Six Flags Great America ( Gurnee , Illinois ) was a roller coaster on the model Custom Looping Coaster manufacturer's Arrow Dynamics , which was opened on 3 June 1988th It was closed in 2002, but was in the park until 2004.

With a height of 52 m and a top speed of 105 km / h, it was considered the highest and fastest roller coaster in the world at the time of its opening. With her seven inversions , including three loops , a batwing, and a double corkscrew , she broke the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster that previously owned Vortex in Kings Island .

Trains

Shockwave owned three trains with seven cars each. Four people (two rows of two people) could sit in each car. The passengers had to be at least 1.37 m tall to be allowed to ride. Shoulder straps were used as a restraint system.

Problems with the train

Over the years there have been repeated problems with the railway. Due to the speed and the pressure in the first loop, the rail broke. Therefore, she had to be checked regularly to ensure safety. The wheels of the trains were subject to high wear and tear and had to be changed frequently, sometimes even during operation, so that the train had to be closed for a few minutes to replace the wheels. Shockwave earned a reputation for a particularly rough ride. The built-in shoulder straps injured the shoulders and upper body of some passengers. In 2002 Shockwave was closed to make way for Superman: Ultimate Flight , which was originally supposed to replace Whizzer . However, since Wizzer was more popular than Shockwave, the decision was made to keep Whizzer and close Shockwave. The track was stored behind the park and offered for sale. After attempts to sell the train or move it to another Six Flags Park failed, it was decided to dispose of the train.

Recycling

Some parts of Shockwave have been reused.

• The red train came to Six Flags Great Adventure for parts at The Great American Scream Machine .
• The yellow and blue trains came to Six Flags Magic Mountain for parts to Viper .
• The entrance sign came to the American Coaster Enthusiast Museum.
• Some bolts were auctioned at a roller coaster conference.
• Some posts are in the Great America employee parking lot.
• The lift motor is used at Demon .
• The large metal gates from the entrance have been painted black and can be found at Fright Fest as part of the entrance to Seven Sins Cemetery .
• A compressor and a piece of rail are used as props at the Fright Fest.
• The main building of the queue is used today for the queue of Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Web links

• Data and pictures on RCDB

Coordinates: 42 ° 22 ′ 16.1 ″  N , 87 ° 56 ′ 3.6 ″  W.