Rattler (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name= Rattler


caption= The Rattler
location= Six Flags Fiesta Texas
section=
type= Wood
type2= Custom
type3= Twister
status= Open
opened= March 14, 1992
manufacturer= Roller Coaster Corporation of America
designer= John Pierce
model= custom
track=Terrain
lift= chain
height= 179
drop= 124
length= 5080
speed= 65
inversions= 0
duration= 2:26
angle= 61.4
capacity=
cost=
acceleration= no launch
gforce= 3.6
restriction= 48
rcdb_number= 56 The Rattler is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. When it was opened in 1992, it was the tallest wooden coaster in the world, with a height of 179 feet and a first drop of 166 feet. It held this title for several years until being eclipsed by the massive Son of Beast roller coaster at Kings Island. The Rattler is currently the world's fourth tallest wooden coaster and has the fifth largest drop, although it would still rank third in this category had its first drop not been shortened from 166 to 124 feet several years after its opening. The original plans did not include such a large first drop, but construction of the Mean Streak at Cedar Point prompted the design change. Some have alleged that this change may have contributed to the high rate of injuries in the ride's early years.

The Rattler is located in the Western-themed Crackaxle Canyon area of Fiesta Texas. The roller coaster spends much of its course atop the cliffs surrounding the park and includes a tunnel through the cliff after its mid-course brake run and a huge, 900° helix atop the cliff after the first two drops. The coaster was manufactured by The Roller Coaster Corporation of Texas. The ride has been publicly criticized for being jerky, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. Many people report soreness in the heads and necks and complain of back pain after riding. It is known as one of the roughest wooden coasters in the world.

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-AQncuShro A video of The Rattler, taken from the ride]
* [http://www.rideaccidents.com/rattler.html A series of reports on The Rattler's early history from RideAccidents.com.]