Texas Cyclone

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Texas Cyclone
Six Flags AstroWorld
Location Houston, Texas, USA
Coordinates 29°40′36″N 95°24′35″W / 29.676696°N 95.409654°W / 29.676696; -95.409654
Park section International Plaza – Coney Island
Status Defunct
Operated June 12, 1976 to October 30, 2005
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Statistics
Manufacturer Frontier Construction Company
Designer / calculations Don Rosser
William Cobb
Type Wooden
Track layout Cyclone
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 93 feet
Drop 80 feet
Top speed 60 mph
Length 3180 feet
Inversions 0
Drop angle 53°
Duration 2:15
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Morgan (1987-2005)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1976-1986)
Riders per train 24
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Texas Cyclone was a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, USA. It operated from 1976 to 2005.

History

The park had hoped to purchase the original Cyclone from Coney Island, but this fell through. Texas Cyclone opened on June 12, 1976 as part of a new Coney Island themed area.[1]

The ride's trains were originally provided by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. They used four-bench cars, but were later replaced with three-bench ones to accommodate the ride's curvature. Headrests and additional padding were later added. These trains were then replaced with Morgan trains in 1987.

The ride closed with the park on October 30, 2005 and was subsequently demolished.[2] A short section of track from the Texas Cyclone was preserved and put into storage. In November 2020, the section of track was transported to the National Roller Coaster Museum for display. Larson International assisted with the move.[3] The trains from Texas Cyclone were transported to La Ronde.[4]

Design

Elements

The layout was a mirror-image of that of the original Cyclone at Coney Island. However, Texas Cyclone was taller and longer.

Color scheme

Unpainted track and white supports.

Trains

6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 24 riders per train. The former rolling stock was replaced with new trains from Morgan in 1987.[5]

Images

References

  1. "Astroworld's new ride real thriller". San Antonio Express.
  2. "For AstroWorld, the ride is over".
  3. "Soon you'll be able to relive the thrill of riding Texas Cyclone at Astroworld" (in English). ABC13. November 7, 2020.
  4. Callahan, Michael (March 9, 2016). "Astroworld's Texas Cyclone Demolished". Bayou City History. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. Griffin, Bob (July 3, 1987). "The Texas Cyclone at AstroWorld rated the world's best roller caoster". The Shreveport Journal. p. 52. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

External links


Articles on Six Flags AstroWorld