XLR-8
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| Manufacturer | Arrow HUSS | ||||||||||||||||
| Product | Suspended Coaster | ||||||||||||||||
| Type | Steel - Suspended - Semi-Backwards | ||||||||||||||||
| Riders per train | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| Propulsion | Two chain lift hills | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 81 feet | ||||||||||||||||
| Top speed | 31.4 mph | ||||||||||||||||
| Length | 3000 feet | ||||||||||||||||
| Inversions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2:11 | ||||||||||||||||
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XLR-8 was a steel suspended roller coaster manufactured by American firm Arrow HUSS that was previously located at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, USA.
History
XLR-8 opened on May 12, 1984, including a marketing campaign featuring the "XLR8tion" break dancers. It was manufactured by Arrow HUSS and was the second suspended coaster built by Arrow, fixing the problems of the failed Bat at Kings Island. The ride had the longest track length of all Arrow Suspended coasters ever built. The main goal was to ensure it can work rather than intensity, featuring two lift hills.
To make room for the coaster, The River of No Return was heavily modified, with many of its theme elements removed in order to construct XLR-8. The Magical World of Marvel McFey children's area was also removed to make room for XLR-8 Plaza.
The ride was also originally planned to become part of the "Six Flags Ride Rotation Program", with the ride never containing a permanent queue house or station. The ride would instead feature a tent-like structure over the station. This was to allow easy move to another Six Flags park after three years.[2][3]
In 1989, XLR-8 gained new "diapers" added to the trains to ensure that oil and crud are kept away from guests.
In 1997, XLR-8's restraints were modified.
A new entrance sign was installed in 2001.[4]
For Six Flags AstroWorld's Fright Fest 2002 event, the last four cars were reversed,[5] which had never been done before on a suspended roller coaster. The name was also switched to 8-RLX. The change was successful and the trains remained like this, however the name was reverted after the Fright Fest.
In 2003, XLR-8 gained a new queue system and exit path.
In 2004, XLR-8 was repainted orange track and blue turquoise supports.[6][7]
Six Flags AstroWorld closed permanently on October 30, 2005 following Six Flags' decision to sell the plot.[8] The trains were sent to Six Flags Magic Mountain as spare parts for another Arrow Dynamics suspended roller coaster, Ninja.[9] The track and supports were scrapped.[10]
Design
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Color scheme
When XLR-8 opened, it had light blue track and white supports. At some point, it was repainted entirely dark blue. For the 2004 season, XLR-8 was repainted orange with blue turquoise supports.
Trains
2 trains with 7 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 28 riders per train.
References
- ↑ "Astroworld to introduce new coaster". The Baytown Sun. April 12, 1984. p. 10. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ↑ "XLR-8". Six Flags Houston.
- ↑ "Six Flags Astroworld". Mike Robinson.
- ↑ "Astroworld News and Rumors". Six Flags Houston.
- ↑ "Astroworld News and Rumors". Six Flags Houston.
- ↑ "Timeline". Six Flags Houston.
- ↑ "XLR-8". Baymun Solutions.
- ↑ "For AstroWorld, the ride is over".
- ↑ "West Coast Bash 2008!". Theme Park Review.
- ↑ "Six Flags Astroworld". Screamscape.
External links
- XLR-8 on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
