Rattler (roller coaster)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (November 2007) |
| Rattler | |
 The Rattler |
|
| Location | Six Flags Fiesta Texas |
|---|---|
| Type | Wood - Custom - Twister |
| Status | Open |
| Opened | March 14, 1992 |
| Manufacturer | Roller Coaster Corporation of America |
| Designer | John Pierce |
| Model | custom |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | chain |
| Height | 179 ft (55 m) |
| Drop | 124 ft (38 m) |
| Length | 5,080 ft (1,550 m) |
| Max speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:26 |
| Max vertical angle | 61.4° |
| Acceleration | no launch |
| Max g-force | 3.6 |
| Height restriction | 4 ft 0 in (120 cm) |
| Rattler at RCDB Pictures of Rattler at RCDB |
|
|
|
|
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.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- A video of The Rattler, taken from the ride
- A series of reports on The Rattler's early history from RideAccidents.com.
|
|||||
