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'''Goliath''' is a ] at ] in ]. It was designed by ] and is expected to open to the public on June 19, 2014. The ride will set three world records for wooden roller coasters including drop length, drop steepness, and speed. It will feature the longest drop at {{Convert|180|ft}}, the steepest drop at 85°, and the fastest speed at {{Convert|72|mph}}. Goliath will also be the second wooden roller coaster with an inversion from Rocky Mountain Construction, following ] at ], in ]. On May 27, 2014, park officials announced that Goliath's opening will be delayed citing weather-related activity as the cause. '''Goliath''' is a ] at ] in ]. It was designed by ] and opened to the public on June 19, 2014. With the opening, the ride set three world records for wooden roller coasters: Drop length, drop steepness, and speed. It features the longest drop at {{Convert|180|ft}}, the steepest drop at 85°, and the fastest speed at {{Convert|72|mph}}. Goliath is the second wooden roller coaster with an inversion from Rocky Mountain Construction, following ] at ], in ].

==History== ==History==
On August 5, 2011, Six Flags Great America announced on their official Facebook page that the '']'' would be closed on September 5, 2011.<ref name="FB closing Sep5">{{cite web|title=After a long 21...|url=http://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica/posts/10150252058661356|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=August 23, 2011|author=Six Flags Great America|date=August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="COASTER-Net closing">{{cite web|title=Six Flags Great America Losing Long-time Stand-Up Coaster|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/news/1514-iron-wolf-leaving/|publisher=COASTER-Net|accessdate=August 23, 2011|author=Coasterholic14|date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> The ride was subsequently removed and relocated to ] where it operates as '']''.<ref name="New coaster coming to Gurnee Six Flags in 2012">{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Dan|title=New coaster coming to Gurnee Six Flags in 2012|url=http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/7407158-418/new-coaster-coming-to-gurnee-six-flags-in-2012.html|accessdate=November 30, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Sun Times|date=September 1, 2011}}</ref> On August 5, 2011, Six Flags Great America announced on their official Facebook page that the '']'' would be closed on September 5, 2011.<ref name="FB closing Sep5">{{cite web|title=After a long 21...|url=http://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica/posts/10150252058661356|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=August 23, 2011|author=Six Flags Great America|date=August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="COASTER-Net closing">{{cite web|title=Six Flags Great America Losing Long-time Stand-Up Coaster|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/news/1514-iron-wolf-leaving/|publisher=COASTER-Net|accessdate=August 23, 2011|author=Coasterholic14|date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> The ride was subsequently removed and relocated to ] where it operates as '']''.<ref name="New coaster coming to Gurnee Six Flags in 2012">{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Dan|title=New coaster coming to Gurnee Six Flags in 2012|url=http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/7407158-418/new-coaster-coming-to-gurnee-six-flags-in-2012.html|accessdate=November 30, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Sun Times|date=September 1, 2011}}</ref>
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==Characteristics== ==Characteristics==
''Goliath'' will be ]'s second ], following the opening of '']'' in early 2013.<ref name="RMC coasters">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Rocky Mountain Construction|accessdate=August 30, 2013|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&co=10583&page=1&order=-10}}</ref> Although the ride will be located in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America,<ref name="ABC announcement" /> the name and theme of the ride was chosen purely on the basis of the ride's size and scale.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" /> The {{Convert|3100|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ride will stand {{Convert|165|ft}} tall; however, the ride will drop a total of {{Convert|180|ft}} at an angle of 85° into an underground tunnel. ''Goliath'' will also feature two ], two overbanked turns, and a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}.<ref name="CT announcement" /><ref name="Announcement Q&A">{{cite web|last=Salemi|first=Hank|title=Goliath - Media Event - Q & A|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01jGcmPX0Q0|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=August 30, 2013|date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> Because Goliath is being built in such a small space, the lift hill is abnormally steep at an angle of 45°. The entire track will be filled with grout to allow a quieter and smoother ride experience. The ride will be designed by ].<ref name=IAAPA13Schilke>{{Cite interview|last=Schilke|first=Alan|title=Alan Schilke Interview|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjbYHnCJ3Y|accessdate=21 November 2013|date=20 November 2013|program=NewsPlusNotes}}</ref> ''Goliath'' is ]'s second ], following the opening of '']'' in early 2013.<ref name="RMC coasters">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Rocky Mountain Construction|accessdate=August 30, 2013|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&co=10583&page=1&order=-10}}</ref> Although the ride is located in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America,<ref name="ABC announcement" /> the name and theme of the ride was chosen purely on the basis of the ride's size and scale.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" /> The {{Convert|3100|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ride stands {{Convert|165|ft}} tall; however, the ride drops a total of {{Convert|180|ft}} at an angle of 85° into an underground tunnel. ''Goliath'' features two ], two overbanked turns, and a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}.<ref name="CT announcement" /><ref name="Announcement Q&A">{{cite web|last=Salemi|first=Hank|title=Goliath - Media Event - Q & A|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01jGcmPX0Q0|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=August 30, 2013|date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> Because Goliath was built in such a small space, the lift hill is abnormally steep at an angle of 45°. The entire track has been filled with grout to allow a quieter and smoother ride experience. The ride was designed by ].<ref name=IAAPA13Schilke>{{Cite interview|last=Schilke|first=Alan|title=Alan Schilke Interview|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjbYHnCJ3Y|accessdate=21 November 2013|date=20 November 2013|program=NewsPlusNotes}}</ref>


''Goliath'' will operate with two ] manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction. Each train will be made up of six cars, with riders being arranged in two rows of two for a total of 24 riders per train.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" /> The trains will feature ] ], allowing for a quieter ride. Riders will be restrained through the use of an individual lap bar and a seatbelt.<ref name="CT announcement" /> ''Goliath'' operates with two ] manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction. Each train is made up of six cars, with riders being arranged in two rows of two for a total of 24 riders per train.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" /> The trains feature ] ], allowing for a quieter ride. Riders are restrained through the use of an individual lap bar and a seatbelt.<ref name="CT announcement" />


==Ride experience== ==Ride experience==
The ride will begin with a left turn out of the ] before ascending the {{Convert|165|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} ] at a 45° angle. The track will then drop {{Convert|180|ft}}, {{Convert|15|ft}} below ground level, at an angle of 85° reaching its top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}. The track will then ascend to a height of {{Convert|125|ft}} for an overbanked turnaround. The ride will then descend back to the ground and travel through a small ] hill which will be followed by a ]. The ride will then enter a ], where the train is suspended upside-down as it crests over a hill. This element is followed by a second overbanked turnaround, leading to the ] and a short path back to the station.<ref name=RCDB>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Goliath|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=9972|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Leshock|first=Marcus|title=Record-breaking wooden roller coaster coming to Six Flags Great America: How big will it be?|url=http://wgntv.com/2013/08/23/record-breaking-wooden-roller-coaster-coming-to-six-flags-great-america-how-big-will-it-be/|accessdate=August 30, 2013|newspaper=]|date=August 22, 2013}}</ref> One cycle of the ride will take approximately 90 seconds to complete.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" /> The ride begins with a left turn out of the ] before ascending the {{Convert|165|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} ] at a 45° angle. The track then drops {{Convert|180|ft}}, {{Convert|15|ft}} below ground level, at an angle of 85° reaching its top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}. The track then ascends to a height of {{Convert|125|ft}} for an overbanked turnaround. The ride then descends back to the ground and travels through a small ] hill which is followed by a ]. The ride then enters a ], where the train is suspended upside-down as it crests over a hill. This element is followed by a second overbanked turnaround, leading to the ] and a short path back to the station.<ref name=RCDB>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Goliath|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=9972|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Leshock|first=Marcus|title=Record-breaking wooden roller coaster coming to Six Flags Great America: How big will it be?|url=http://wgntv.com/2013/08/23/record-breaking-wooden-roller-coaster-coming-to-six-flags-great-america-how-big-will-it-be/|accessdate=August 30, 2013|newspaper=]|date=August 22, 2013}}</ref> One cycle of the ride takes approximately 90 seconds to complete.<ref name="Announcement Q&A" />


==Records== ==Records==
''Goliath'' will claim three ] when it opens in 2014. The ride's {{Convert|180|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} drop at 85° will be both the ] and ] in the world for wooden roller coasters. ''Goliath'' will also become the ], with a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}.<ref name="CT announcement" /><ref name="ABC announcement" /> ''Goliath'' claims three ]. The ride's {{Convert|180|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} drop at 85° is both the ] and ] in the world for wooden roller coasters. ''Goliath'' is also the ], with a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}.<ref name="CT announcement" /><ref name="ABC announcement" />


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 17:39, 19 June 2014

Goliath
Six Flags Great America
LocationSix Flags Great America
Park sectionCounty Fair
Coordinates42°21′58″N 87°55′52″W / 42.366111°N 87.931111°W / 42.366111; -87.931111
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateJune 18, 2014 (2014-06-18)
Opening dateJune 19, 2014
ReplacedIron Wolf
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerRocky Mountain Construction
DesignerAlan Schilke
ModelCustom
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height165 ft (50 m)
Drop180 ft (55 m)
Length3,100 ft (940 m)
Speed72 mph (116 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration1:30
Max vertical angle85°
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Platinum Flash Pass only available
Single rider line available
Goliath at RCDB

Goliath is a wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. It was designed by Rocky Mountain Construction and opened to the public on June 19, 2014. With the opening, the ride set three world records for wooden roller coasters: Drop length, drop steepness, and speed. It features the longest drop at 180 feet (55 m), the steepest drop at 85°, and the fastest speed at 72 miles per hour (116 km/h). Goliath is the second wooden roller coaster with an inversion from Rocky Mountain Construction, following Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City, in Branson, Missouri.

History

On August 5, 2011, Six Flags Great America announced on their official Facebook page that the Iron Wolf would be closed on September 5, 2011. The ride was subsequently removed and relocated to Six Flags America where it operates as Apocalypse: The Last Stand.

On August 1, 2013, Six Flags Great America began a teaser campaign entitled "Follow the Journey". In mid-August 2013, it was revealed Six Flags Great America would be building a 165-foot-tall (50 m) roller coaster, with plans being lodged with the local zoning committee to exceed the 125-foot (38 m) height limit imposed on the park.

On August 29, 2013, it was officially announced that Six Flags Great America would be adding Goliath, a wooden roller coaster by Rocky Mountain Construction, for the 2014 season. As part of the announcement, a concept computer-animated "point-of-view" (POV) and statistics of the ride were released. The ride will replace the Iron Wolf, utilising the same location, station and queue line. The station will have to be expanded because the trains for Goliath are longer than the Iron Wolf trains. The Iron Wolf's train used to have seven rows and Goliath will feature twelve rows.

On February 21, 2014, Six Flags Great America posted a collection of pictures to its official Facebook page, revealing Goliath's final design. This updated version includes a steel lift hill structure, rather than the traditional wooden structure. An updated animated POV was also released on the park's official YouTube channel.

Construction for Goliath began in September 2013, with a team of 35 employed by Rocky Mountain Construction to erect the ride. The team worked 11-hour days, six days a week through the winter to early May 2014. Following the ride running hundreds of test runs, it will officially open to the public on June 19, 2014. The lift hill was topped off on May 16, 2014 at 2:00pm. Goliath tested for the very first time on May 31, 2014. On Friday June 6, 2014, a small section of the rides station caught fire and was extinguished without any reported injuries or major damage.

Characteristics

Goliath is Rocky Mountain Construction's second wooden roller coaster, following the opening of Outlaw Run in early 2013. Although the ride is located in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America, the name and theme of the ride was chosen purely on the basis of the ride's size and scale. The 3,100-foot-long (940 m) ride stands 165 feet (50 m) tall; however, the ride drops a total of 180 feet (55 m) at an angle of 85° into an underground tunnel. Goliath features two inversions, two overbanked turns, and a top speed of 72 miles per hour (116 km/h). Because Goliath was built in such a small space, the lift hill is abnormally steep at an angle of 45°. The entire track has been filled with grout to allow a quieter and smoother ride experience. The ride was designed by Alan Schilke.

Goliath operates with two trains manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction. Each train is made up of six cars, with riders being arranged in two rows of two for a total of 24 riders per train. The trains feature polyurethane wheels, allowing for a quieter ride. Riders are restrained through the use of an individual lap bar and a seatbelt.

Ride experience

The ride begins with a left turn out of the station before ascending the 165-foot-tall (50 m) chain lift hill at a 45° angle. The track then drops 180 feet (55 m), 15 feet (4.6 m) below ground level, at an angle of 85° reaching its top speed of 72 miles per hour (116 km/h). The track then ascends to a height of 125 feet (38 m) for an overbanked turnaround. The ride then descends back to the ground and travels through a small air-time hill which is followed by a dive loop. The ride then enters a zero gravity stall, where the train is suspended upside-down as it crests over a hill. This element is followed by a second overbanked turnaround, leading to the brake run and a short path back to the station. One cycle of the ride takes approximately 90 seconds to complete.

Records

Goliath claims three Guinness World Records. The ride's 180-foot-tall (55 m) drop at 85° is both the steepest and longest in the world for wooden roller coasters. Goliath is also the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, with a top speed of 72 miles per hour (116 km/h).

References

  1. ^ "Goliath Opening Day Announced at Six Flags Great America". WLS-TV Chicago. June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Minor Fire Reported Near New Six Flags Great America Roller Coaster". NBC. June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  3. Six Flags Great America (August 5, 2011). "After a long 21..." Facebook. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  4. Coasterholic14 (August 6, 2011). "Six Flags Great America Losing Long-time Stand-Up Coaster". COASTER-Net. Retrieved August 23, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. Moran, Dan (September 1, 2011). "New coaster coming to Gurnee Six Flags in 2012". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  6. "Six Flags Great America Follow the Journey 2014". Six Flags Great America. YouTube. August 1, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  7. ^ Casas, Gloria (August 19, 2013). "Great America Planning to Add New Coaster in 2014". Patch Media. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  8. "Agenda of the Regular Meeting of the Gurnee Planning and Zoning Board - August 21, 2013". The Village of Gurnee. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  9. Susnjara, Bob (August 18, 2013). "Great America to pitch new wooden coaster to Gurnee". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  10. Moran, Dan (August 18, 2013). "Proposal for new roller coaster at Great America is on the table". Lake County News-Sun. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  11. "Great America gets OK on 150-ft.-high coaster". Chicago Sun-Times. Wrapports LLC. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  12. "Goliath | New for 2014 at Six Flags Great America". August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  13. ^ McCoppin, Robert (August 29, 2013). "Six Flags boasts latest ride will be world's fastest wooden rollercoaster". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  14. ^ "New Great America roller coaster Goliath due in 2014". WLS-TV. American Broadcasting Company. August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  15. ^ Salemi, Hank (August 29, 2013). "Goliath - Media Event - Q & A". YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  16. Marden, Duane. "Iron Wolf  (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  17. "Drum roll please... Six Flags Great America unveils final design artwork for Goliath, The World's Fastest Wooden Roller Coaster with Tallest and Steepest Drop!". February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  18. "Updated Artwork for Goliath". February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  19. "Goliath New for 2014 | - Virtual Ride". Six Flags Great America. YouTube. February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  20. McCoppin, Robert (May 6, 2014). "Goliath rises in Great America skyline". MSN News. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  21. "Goliath - Six Flags Great America FIRST TEST RUN". YouTube. May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  22. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Rocky Mountain Construction)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  23. Schilke, Alan (20 November 2013). "Alan Schilke Interview" (Interview). Retrieved 21 November 2013. {{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
  24. Marden, Duane. "Goliath  (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  25. Leshock, Marcus (August 22, 2013). "Record-breaking wooden roller coaster coming to Six Flags Great America: How big will it be?". WGN-TV. Retrieved August 30, 2013.

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