Goliath | |
---|---|
Previously known as Gambit (1995-2002) Batman: The Ride (2003-2005) | |
Six Flags Fiesta Texas | |
Park section | Los Festivales |
Coordinates | 29°35′56″N98°36′28″W / 29.59889°N 98.60778°W |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | April 18, 2008 |
Six Flags New Orleans | |
Park section | DC Comics Super Hero Adventures |
Status | Removed |
Opening date | April 12, 2003 |
Closing date | August 21, 2005 |
Thrill Valley | |
Status | Removed |
Opening date | 1995 |
Closing date | May 6, 2002 |
General statistics | |
Type | Steel –Inverted |
Manufacturer | Bolliger &Mabillard |
Designer | Werner Stengel |
Model | Inverted Coaster - Batman |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 105 ft (32 m) |
Drop | 80 ft (24 m) |
Length | 2,693 ft (821 m) |
Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
Inversions | 5 |
Duration | 2:00 |
Capacity | 1400 riders per hour |
G-force | 4 |
Height restriction | 54 in (137 cm) |
Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train. |
Flash Pass Available | |
Goliath at RCDB |
Goliath is an inverted roller coaster located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio,Texas,United States. Designed by Werner Stengel and Swiss manufacturer Bolliger &Mabillard,Goliath initially opened in 1995 at an amusement park in Japan,and has been operating at Six Flags Fiesta Texas since 2008. It stands at a height of 105 feet (32 m),reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h),and features multiple inversions.
Goliath originally opened in 1995 as Gambit at Odakyu Gotemba Family Land,a former amusement park in Japan that was later known as Thrill Valley. [1] [2] When Thrill Valley closed on May 6,2002, [1] Six Flags purchased several of its rides,including Gambit,and transported them to various Six Flags parks. [3] Gambit went to one of their newly acquired theme parks,Six Flags New Orleans. [3] It was repainted and renamed Batman:The Ride in accordance with the park chain's use of DC Comics theming and reopened on April 12,2003. [4]
After Hurricane Katrina made landfall over New Orleans in 2005,the park's drainage system failed,leading to substantial flooding that submerged many of the park's rides in water and damaging them beyond repair. [5] Batman:The Ride survived relatively unscathed primarily due to its high elevation above sea level and corrosion-resistant support structure. When flooding retreated,Six Flags New Orleans was permanently closed,and any rides that could be salvaged were moved to other parts of the country. [6] Batman:The Ride was moved to Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio and would be refurbished and repainted. [7] The coaster reopened on April 18,2008 renamed as Goliath. [8]
After departing from the station,the train immediately climbs the 105-foot (32 m) chain lift hill. [8] At the top,the train makes a sharp 80-foot (24 m) [8] downward right turn into the roller coaster's first element,a vertical loop,reaching a top speed of approximately 50 mph (80 km/h). After exiting the loop,the train enters a zero-g roll inversion before entering a second vertical loop. This is followed by an upward right-handed helix and a downward left turn into a series of corkscrews separate by a sharp left turn. The train then veers right into a brake run and returns to the station. One cycle of the ride lasts approximately 2 minutes. [8]
Goliath has a track length of 2,693 feet (821 m) and climbs to a height of 105 feet (32 m). [8] As Gambit at Thrill Valley,the ride featured a painted black spine and black crossties,unpainted rails and grey supports. [9] When it was known as Batman:The Ride in New Orleans,the track was painted black and orange with grey supports. At Six Flags Fiesta Texas,the ride has a blue track with yellow supports. Friction brakes are used to control the speed of the train. The track was manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators located in Batavia,Ohio. [10]
Goliath is a clone of Bolliger &Mabillard's Batman model. The original was introduced in 1992 and became a huge success after multiple parks introduced it to their lineup. Today,the Batman model can be found all over the world. Goliath differs from other models as it is a mirror image. [11] It is not the only Batman model to be found in San Antonio;SeaWorld introduced The Great White first in 1997. [12]
Goliath operates two steel and fiberglass trains with seven cars each. Each car seats four riders in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train. [8] The supports for the seats are orange,the seats themselves are black with yellow over-the-shoulder restraints connected to each one,and the coverings for the wheels are orange,blue,and yellow. [13]
A stand-up roller coaster is a roller coaster designed to have the passengers stand through the course of the ride.
Bolliger &Mabillard,officially Bolliger &Mabillard Consulting Engineers,Inc. and often abbreviated B&M,is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey,Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard,both of whom had worked for Giovanola.
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Giovanola Frères SA was a prominent steel manufacturing company based in Monthey,Switzerland. It was known for building electrical power stations,water storage tanks,pipelines,boilers,highway bridges,submarines,ski lifts and many other steel products. The company started out as a small metal forging shop,founded by Joseph Giovanola in 1888. Joseph Sr. died in 1904,and the company was taken over by his sons,the eldest of which,Joseph Jr.,was just 17 years of age. By 1930 the company had grown to the point that it required a new factory which was constructed in Monthey.
A hypercoaster can mean one of two things:
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