- Mega Zeph
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Mega Zeph 
The entrance of the Mega Zeph roller coaster. Location Six Flags New Orleans Coordinates 30°03′11″N 89°56′15″W / 30.053147°N 89.937486°WCoordinates: 30°03′11″N 89°56′15″W / 30.053147°N 89.937486°W Status SBNO Opened May 20, 2000 Closed August 2005 Type Wood Manufacturer Custom Coasters International Lift/launch system Chain lift hill Height 110 ft (34 m) Length 4,000 ft (1,200 m) Max speed 57 mph (92 km/h) Inversions 0 Height restriction 4 ft 0 in (122 cm) Mega Zeph at RCDB Pictures of Mega Zeph at RCDB 
Amusement Parks PortalMega Zeph is a roller coaster found at Six Flags New Orleans, in the Eastern New Orleans area of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Originally opening on May 20, 2000, as Jazzland's signature ride, the coaster has been abandoned and left in a state of decay as a result of the park's closure following 2005's Hurricane Katrina.
History
One of the Mega Zeph trains going down a hill.
Mega Zeph takes its name from the original Zephyr or Big Zephyr coaster that operated in the now-defunct Pontchartrain Beach amusement park.[1] The coaster celebrated its topping out ceremony on September 10, 1999, with the installation of the underpinnings of the coaster's highest hump.[1] At the time of its completion, Mega Zeph served as both Jazzland's signature attraction as well as it most visible due to its location adjacent to the Interstate 10/Interstate 510 interchange.[2] The coaster's opening would coincide with the grand opening of Jazzland on May 20, 2000.[3]
Shuttered since August 2005 due to severe flooding in the park as a result of Hurricane Katrina, The park has remained Standing But Not Operating (SBNO). Decisions haven't been made as to what to do with the rides. Each ride is decaying, damaged, and unusable. More information will be released at a later date.[4] As of 2009, the Mega Zeph has remained unused since August 2005, but may potentially reopen as part of a redevelopment of the park announced in August 2009 by New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin. Rumors still float around regarding the history of the park. A large section on the Mega Zeph track has completely fallen to the ground due to the decaying of the wood. The majority of the wood from Mega Zeph has decayed and the steel track has severely rusted. Also, the only train has been sent to Six Flags St. Louis. They are most likely using the train as parts for The Boss's trains.[5]
Ride Layout
View from Paris Road HighwayAfter passengers leave the station, passengers climb a 110-foot (34 m) lift hill culminating in its first drop.[2] The train then makes a quick descent towards a high speed turnaround near the lake's edge.[2] The physical construction of the ride is unique in that it consists of steel construction with a wooden track.[2]
References
- ^ a b Staff Reporters (September 11, 1999). "Reaching the top". The Times-Picayune: p. B1.
- ^ a b c d Ross, Lisa (September 19, 1999). "Mega Zeph can travel at 65 mph". The Times-Picayune: p. C1.
- ^ Staff Reporters (May 23, 2000). "Jazzland calls debut weekend a success". The Times-Picayune: p. C1.
- ^ Thomas, Greg (March 16, 2006). "Storm damage sinks Six Flags for 2006 season". The Times-Picayune: p. Money 1.
- ^ Donze, Frank; Jaquetta White (August 19, 2009). "Nagin unveils latest plan for Six Flags site". The Times-Picayune: p. A1.
Six Flags New Orleans Current Roller Coasters Former Rides Operating roller coasters Kingdom Coaster, Outlaw, Hoosier Hurricane, Zach's Zoomer, Raven, Cyclops, Pegasus, Great White, Megafobia, Timber Terror, Stampida, Zeus, Tonnerre de Zeus, Rampage, Shivering Timbers, Excalibur, Twisted Twins, GhostRider, Silver Comet, Tremors The Boss, Legend, Mega Zeph, Boulder Dash, Cornball Express, Cheetah, Lost Coaster of Superstition MountainDemolished roller coasters Categories:- Wooden roller coasters
- Custom Coasters International roller coasters
- Six Flags roller coasters
- Six Flags New Orleans
- Roller coasters in Louisiana
- Roller coasters introduced in 2000
- Defunct roller coasters
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