American Eagle (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name=The American Eagle


caption=Blue side crests the lift.
location=Six Flags Great America
section=County Fair
type=Wood
type2=Racing
opened=May 23, 1981
status=Open
manufacturer=Intamin AG
designer=Curtis Summers, James Figley, Leonard Wright
model=Wooden Racing Coaster
track=Out-and-back with helix
lift=Chain lift hill
capacity=1800
length=4650
height=127
drop=147
inversions=0
speed=66
duration=2 mins, 23 sec.
angle=55
Thrill Rating=Moderate
restriction=48
rcdb_number=9

The American Eagle is a racing wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, United States. It was manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland (their first wooden roller coaster [ [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?coastername=&parkname=&type=2&status=&design=&category=&contact=8&location=0&column=1%2C10%2C30%2C3%2C26%2C4%2C5&order=1%2C2&search=Search Roller Coaster Database] ] ) and built in 1981 by the contracting firm Figley-Wright. The American Eagle debuted as the fastest roller coaster in the world. While this record has since been relinquished, the American Eagle continues to remain the highest (drop height), fastest, and longest racing roller coaster ever built. In 2006, the American Eagle celebrated its Silver Season (25th anniversary).

Overview

Soaring high above the County Fair section of the park, this massive dual-track wooden racing coaster spans almost the entire southern edge of Great America. The out-and-back design features an instantly recognizable 560-degree helix at the turnaround point and a first drop that dips 20 feet below grade level. A unique, original design feature was a set of holding brakes that would perch trains at the top of the lift hill for a brief moment giving riders a bird's-eye view before releasing them to soar down the 147-foot-tall (45 m) first drop at a 55-degree angle. Use of the holding brakes was short lived and the brakes themselves were eventually removed. The ride was also originally designed to run with a total of six trains, however, that number has since been reduced to four. The American Eagle uses three-bench, five-car trains built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The trains were originally designed with single position lap bars but are now equipped with individual lap bars and seatbelts.

Ride experience

Guests enter the queue area to the right of the new Wiggles World section (see The Wiggles). Prior to Wiggles World being built, guests entered the queue through the "Eagle Tent", which was used for a circus between 1976 and 1980. Approaching the station, the queue line splits allowing Guests to choose between riding the “Red Side” or the “Blue Side.” Both sides offer similar ride experiences, although in 1991, 1996, and from 2002 to 2005, the Blue Side ran its trains facing backwards. Guests then enter the ride platform from either side of the station.

Upon boarding the train, riders fasten their seatbelts and lower their individual lap bar into place. Both red and blue trains are dispatched simultaneously and make a 200-degree turn opposite each other and proceed toward the lift hill. The trains meet up again behind the station where they turn back 20-degrees and begin their ascent side by side. At the top, the trains slowly make their way towards the edge before careening down the first drop reaching speeds of over 66 mph (106 km/h). Rider’s race over two small, yet powerful airtime (time spent out of your seat) filled hills before turning upwards and leveling out into a set of trim brakes at the far end of the out-and-back layout. Here, trains are slowed and riders enter a massive 560-degree helix where they circle downward over a small marsh, gradually picking up speed along the way. The helix circles to the left allowing the red train to pull away, being on the inside of the track. Riders fly out of the helix and into another set of trim breaks before the trains finally separate. The blue train drops low to the ground in an attempt to take back some of the ground it lost in the helix while the red train rises up and passes over the blue. Both trains turn right 20-degrees until they are running parallel with but separated by the outbound track. The red train drops down after passing over the blue and flies over two more airtime hills while the blue train only leaps over one hill after turning its way through the wooden supports. Both trains then rise into the massive wooden structure of the lift hill and are slowed by a final set of trim brakes. Each train then dives opposite each other into a final 360-degree helix. The blue train circles at a significantly smaller radius in a final attempt at making up the ground it lost in the first helix. The two trains then emerge and rise into the brake run to determine the winner.

Some races are close, but in most cases, one side finishes far ahead of the other. Several variables factor into this occurrence. One is that the two sides are not linked with oneanother and ride operators on each side must try and time their dispatches together. Another big factor is weight and weight distribution. A train fully loaded with riders will gain more momentum and travel faster than a train carrying no passengers at all. Also, trains with weight positioned more towards the front of the train will allow the train to disengage from the lift sooner as the center of gravity passes over the apex of the hill. A final major factor is the brake pressure of the many trim brakes throughout the ride. Often, brakes will be applied stronger to one side of the track than the other leading many riders to believe their race is being fixed. Other factors such as differences in track friction and wind speed play a lesser role. All variables being equal, however, the ride is designed to end in a tie.

World Records

Previous world records

*Fastest roller coaster until 1988 (7 years)
*Largest drop on a roller coaster until 1988 (7 years)
*Tallest wooden roller coaster until 1985 (4 years)
*Fastest wooden roller coaster until 2000 (19 years)
*Largest drop on a wooden roller coaster until 1991 (10 years)

Current world records

*Fastest racing wooden roller coaster
*Longest racing wooden roller coaster
*Largest drop on a racing wooden roller coaster

Construction

The American Eagle was built with approximately 1,360,000 feet of lumber, 129,720 bolts, and 30,600 pounds of nails. Supports are attached to approximately 2,000 concrete footings that average 1.5 feet in diameter and are 4.5 feet deep. The American Eagle was painted with approximately 9,000 gallons of white paint, and took over 20,000 man hours to build. [ [http://rcdb.com/qs.htm?quicksearch=american+eagle RCDB] ] The American Eagle was designed by Curtis Summers, James Figley, and Leonard Wright. Marriott originally contacted John C. Allen to design the coaster but he did not want to attempt it.

The tent which housed the American Eagle queue area from 1981 to 2006, was used as a circus tent from 1976 to 1980. In 2007, it was converted into a children's area named Wiggles World. The new entrance is located to the right of Wiggles World utilizing part of the entry building for the adjacent Dare Devil Dive skycoaster. The old entrance has been demolished, however the tent is still being used. The original Bald Eagle that was on the roof of the old entrance is being used again on the current entrance.

Accidents and injuries

*9/9/1984: Three Guests were hospitalized after two trains collided in the station. [http://coasterbuzz.com/rollback.htm ³]
*9/7/1997: Four Guests were slightly injured after the second and third cars separated and collided in the brake run. [http://coasterbuzz.com/rollback.htm ³]

External links

* [http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/rides/American_Eagle.aspx Official Page on the Six Flags website]
* [http://sfgamworld.com/coasters/americaneagle.php Additional photos and information]

Notes