Mr. Freeze (roller coaster)

Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze at Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags Over Texas
Park section	Gotham City
Coordinates	32°45′28″N 97°04′03″W / 32.75778°N 97.0675°W / 32.75778; -97.0675
Status	Operating
Opened	1998 (1998)
Six Flags St. Louis
Status	Operating
Opened	April 1998 (1998-04)
General statistics
Type	Steel - Launched - Shuttle
Manufacturer	Premier Rides
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	LIM Shuttle Loop Coaster
Lift/launch system	Linear induction motors
Height	218 ft (66 m)
Length	1,300 ft (400 m)
Max speed	70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions	1 (traversed twice)
Max vertical angle	90°
Acceleration	0 to 70 mph (0 to 113 km/h) in 3.8 seconds
Height restriction	4 ft 6 in (137 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Mr. Freeze at RCDB
Pictures of Mr. Freeze at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

Mr. Freeze is a steel launched, shuttle roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas and Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. The two rides, mirror images of each other, were inspired by Mr. Freeze, one of Batman's arch-enemies, and use linear induction motor (LIM) launch systems to accelerate riders from 0–70 mph (0–110 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.^[1][2]

History

Mr. Freeze was planned to open in 1997^[1][2] with the release of Batman & Robin. Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Clooney were scheduled to appear at the opening of Gotham City at Six Flags Over Texas and be the first people to ride it, but troubles with the LIM system delayed the opening until 1998. This was the main reason why Schwarzenegger never appeared (since he had another promised project at the time; Clooney decided not to come because Schwarzenegger didn't).^{[citation needed]}

When it first opened, Mr. Freeze used over-the-shoulder restraints (commonly called OTSRs), which were replaced with individual ratcheting lap bars for the 2002 season at both locations.^[1][2]

In June 2006, all Premier Rides' LIM roller coasters were closed as they underwent emergency inspection after an accident on the now-defunct Batman & Robin: The Chiller where a wheel fell off on the lowest part of the track. This problem apparently existed on all of Premier Rides' coasters with booster LIMs. New wheels and bearings were ordered and have been replaced.^{[citation needed]}

The station where trains are launched at 0–70 miles per hour (0–110 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.

Both roller coasters were originally painted in light blue. The Texas Mr. Freeze received a new paint job that was completed in 2007. Now, the rest of the track is painted a bright red and the supports are dark blue. For 2009, the St. Louis Mr. Freeze was repainted with dark blue track and supports.

Two-train operation

Unlike most all shuttle roller coasters, Mr. Freeze is able to simultaneously operate two five-car (20 passengers total) trains because of an innovative sliding platform in the station. One train loads and unloads on either the right or left side of the station while the other train is launched out onto the main track. When this train returns to the station, it slides to the unused side of the room and unloads as the other train slides to the middle and launches. These trains are launched by 244 linear induction motors that help them achieve a top speed of 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.^[1][2]

Rider experience

Riders enter an old, abandoned ice cream warehouse that is themed to be the hideout of Batman's enemy, Mr. Freeze. The ride begins when the lights in the launch tunnel turn on and the lights in the station dim. LIMs launch the train through a 190-foot (58 m) tunnel and up into a 150-foot (46 m)-tall inside top hat that flips riders completely upside-down. This element is followed by a 105-foot (32 m) overbanked turn and a vertical spike. As the train climbs this spike and slows, it is gently pushed up almost all the way to the top by another set of LIMs. The LIMs stop and the train runs the entire course in reverse.^[1][2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze  (Six Flags Over Texas)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster DataBase. http://www.rcdb.com/281.htm. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze  (Six Flags St. Louis)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster DataBase. http://www.rcdb.com/427.htm. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 

External links

• Mr. Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas
• Mr. Freeze at Six Flags St. Louis