XLR-8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The XLR-8 was the world's first successful suspended roller coaster. It was designed by Arrow Dynamics (at the time called 'Arrow-Huss') and built at Six Flags Astroworld in 1984. The XLR-8 was the successor to the troubled Bat at Kings Island, which had closed due to several problems.
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[edit] XLR-8/8-RLX
For Astroworld's Fright Fest 2002 event, the last four cars were reversed, which had never been done before on any other suspended roller coaster. The change was successful and the trains remained like that until Astroworld's closure in 2005.
[edit] Other information
- XLR-8 was originally intended to be part of Six Flags' (now discontinued) Ride Rotation Program, and it was only supposed to be at Astroworld for about 3 years.
- The XLR-8 is named that because if you say it fast enough, it sounds like "accelerate".
- XLR-8 was originally painted light blue track and grayish-white supports. For the 2004 season, it was repainted with blue supports and yellow track. The trains also received a new paint job.
- XLR-8 was built to get the concept to work and was not designed to be an intense ride.
- XLR-8 is 81 feet tall and reaches speeds of 31 miles per hour.
[edit] XLR-8's Fate
Astroworld closed for good in 2005. On February 3, 2006 the ride was sold for $50,000 and was most likely scrapped.
