America Eagle STATUS

[jbujwit10]

Hi everyone,

I am here to open up a new discussion that I don't see much talk about. Regardless, there are two sides to the current status of American Eagle, our loved wooden roller coaster.

First off, American Eagle is a roller coaster at Six Flags Great America. It was "born" 5/23/1981. It goes at a top speed of 66 mph. This ride was made by Intamin AG, and has 2 tracks, a blue and red. One goes backwards, one goes forwards.

Now, one side could be negative. Even thought that American Eagle has been with us for over 20 years, we now see ourselves riding on a near run down roller coaster that can cause a definite headache. This roller coaster even nearly falls back when going up the chain lift because it is so old. Also, all throughout the ride you find yourself trying to stay in the cart.

Contrary, some thrill seekers would believe that since America Eagle is so old, and yet able to run, we should keep it. Also, some even like the fact that it is so shaky, that it give you a adrenaline rush because it seems like you are going to fall out, although in reality, you probably will not. Some even would go as far as saying that this is their favorite roller coaster in the park!

Well, go ahead. Have a battle. Do you think that American Eagle should continue to be with us regardless of its flaws, or should it go, and the con's outweigh the pro's?

Thanks for reading,

-jbujwit10

[tp41190]

Normally, I wouldn't bash other peoples opinions as everyone has the right to one. But when people make up stuff, and a new topic. then there is a valid reason to bash.

1. The ride is very safe. It doest "fall back" on the lift hill because it is so old. That is just the slack of the chain trying to pull up a very heavy train instantly. If it wasn't safe, it wouldn't be running.

2. This feeling where you are "flying out of car" is called airtime. Most people like this feeling and it is on almost every coaster.

3. American Eagle is rough, but it is not as bad as you think. I can probaly think of 5 coaster in the midwest the are worse then Eagle...and those are all safe too.

[jbujwit10]

Hi tp41190,

I thank you for your reply, but I think that you are getting the wrong idea here. I wasn't taking a side on this topic. Also, I was not being bias. But, since you go there, I will too.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID!!! I enjoy all of that airtime that some people find scary. I enjoy it, it gives me a extra thrill. Also, no matter what the cause is for the chain lift,, I actually like how they have that. It gets you feeling like you are on a true wooden roller coaster, and I completely encourage it.

Now, I hope you understand where I was on this topic. Sorry for any confusion!

Thanks again for your and all other replies,

-jbujwit10

[tp41190]

I'm just a little confused though. Are all of your new topics just for discussions? Because I don't really get where your going here.

[jbujwit10]

Hi tp41190,

Yes all of my posts are just for discussion! That's why I'm here, to make great conversations about the amusement park industry! And I hope you don't have a problem with that.

-jbujwit10

[Bob O]

I am conflicted on this one.
I dont find any flaws with AE(other than SF's inability to get all the trains ready for opening day). The times of I've ridden it this year I have had great rides, had excellant air time for AE and found nothing wrong with the ride. It operated very good with no safety issues. So I see no reason at all to get rid of a classic coaster. I for one have no problem at all with the ride we are getting on AE, no head banging etc!!

But if we had a chance to get a new wooden coaster of the quality of Hades/Voyage, then it would be a tough call because right now I cant see us getting another big wooden coaster without the removal of AE due to the amount of land needed.

[CoasterDude12-2]

Hi jbujibberish....,

Obviously you haven't been on many wooden roller coasters. If you have, you'd kno that American Eagle isn't very rough at all. I'm not saying it's the smoothest, but compared to the Beast, Mean Streak, the former Psyclone, and countless others, it's not really that bad.

There is no way that the coaster could "fall back" on the lift due to anti-rollback devices that are on the lift. no matter how old it gets, it won't "fall back". I don't find myself trying to stay in the cart because I put on the seatbelt and restraint, which allow safety and airtime.

Both tracks are white. Only the trains have different colors. Both trains go forwards.

I don't think any thrill seeker believes they are going to fall out of American Eagle. Very many would say it's their favorite ride in the park!

Oh, and one thing, don't intentionally try to start a "battle". You don't realize how far that can get.

Personally, I think of American Eagle being a huge staple of the park, and SFGAm wouldn't be the same without it. Does that mean it's my favorite ride in the park? No.

[jbujwit10]

Obviously you haven't been on many wooden roller coasters. If you have, you'd kno that American Eagle isn't very rough at all. I'm not saying it's the smoothest, but compared to the Beast, Mean Streak, the former Psyclone, and countless others, it's not really that bad.

A comment to this is that Mean Streatk is not at all rough!

There is no way that the coaster could "fall back" on the lift due to anti-rollback devices that are on the lift. no matter how old it gets, it won't "fall back". I don't find myself trying to stay in the cart because I put on the seatbelt and restraint, which allow safety and airtime.

The roller coaster American Eagle, when going up the hill does in fact slightly fall back, then continues to go up the roller coaster.

Both tracks are white. Only the trains have different colors. Both trains go forwards.

Alright man, you are completely wrong! Both trains do not go forwards!Everyone on this site would agree! One train goes forward, and one goes backwards!!!

I don't think any thrill seeker believes they are going to fall out of American Eagle. Very many would say it's their favorite ride in the park!

I disagree with this. You are telling me that not 1 thrill seeker feels that this ride is unsafe and that you are not going to fall out? That's insane. I think that you will not fall out, but other's do think differently, guaranteed!!!

Personally, I think of American Eagle being a huge staple of the park, and SFGAm wouldn't be the same without it.

I couldn't agree more. I am just saying that there are some people who think differently than me and you about it. I think that American Eagle should, and probably will stay around for a long time.

-jbujwit10

[Mr. SFGAm]

I personally love American Eagle, granted I have gotten a headache on it before(I remember the blue side being very rough during one of it's backward years). I do think AE has one of the best first drops in the park, right after Raging Bull. Also, the first time I ever rode it backwards, that first drop going backwards to this day is still one of the most terrifying feelings I've ever had on any coaster.

There has actually been a lot of work done on AE in the past few seasons, most notably with the constant re-tracking process, the new trains, the new horribly long queue line, and finally repainting the red handrails. Now if only they would paint the structure.

Can anyone tell me which parts of the ride were re-tracked this past offseason?

By the way, if you want rough, go ride the 9 year old Gwazi it Busch Gardens Florida. OUCH.

[jbujwit10]

Also, the first time I ever rode it backwards, that first drop going backwards to this day is still one of the most terrifying feelings I've ever had on any coaster.

I am still waiting for that day to come, maybe when I go this Memorial Day weekend! I want to go on it backwards so darn bad that I can not even explain!!!

Thanks again for your replies,

-jbujwit10

[Cove26flags]

Ok first of all to everyone slamming jbujwit10, apparently you don't know how to read because one of the first lines in the post reads out, "there are two sides to the current status of AE" That right there clearly says that jbujwit10 isn't trying to start an argument on AE or that they are trying to bash the ride. They're here to discuss Six Flags Great America and all the things that are in it. That is what a "Forum" is for, to discuss topics, not to bash. I like a good discussion, it gets boring after all you see on here are posts demanding pictures or questions about a ride experience. AE is a good sturdy coater and I think that it will be with us, years from now. It's a landmark of the park and Great America wouldn't simply be the same without it. There is no reason for people to get mad over a discussion, so stop hating on people that use a forum for it's purpose.

[jbujwit10]

Ok first of all to everyone slamming jbujwit10, apparently you don't know how to read because one of the first lines in the post reads out, "there are two sides to the current status of AE" That right there clearly says that jbujwit10 isn't trying to start an argument on AE or that they are trying to bash the ride. They're here to discuss Six Flags Great America and all the things that are in it. That is what a "Forum" is for, to discuss topics, not to bash. I like a good discussion, it gets boring after all you see on here are posts demanding pictures or questions about a ride experience. AE is a good sturdy coater and I think that it will be with us, years from now. It's a landmark of the park and Great America wouldn't simply be the same without it. There is no reason for people to get mad over a discussion, so stop hating on people that use a forum for it's purpose.

Hi Cove26flags, thanks so much for backing me up! From the beginning everyone was misunderstanding the purpose of this forum! I just wanted to talk about the status, and if people think it should stay around. I opened it up showing 2 sides to the story, then later revealing my thoughts. I have to admit, this has been the most popular topic as of late, and thanks to everyone!!!

-jbujwit10

[diggerg56]

Uh...Unless something changed since last week both sides are running forwards.

[jbujwit10]

Uh...Unless something changed since last week both sides are running forwards.

What? That's ridiculous! This problem with the trains has been going on for what seems to be forever! They need to fix it, because before this ride gets torn down, may that be next year or in 20 years, I want to ride it backwards! This is very disappointing, and I hope they can fix it. They had all Winter, and were worried about new trains! How about getting the ride to operate the way it's suppose to, then getting new trains. I would have no problem waiting for this, and SFGA has made a poor decision on this!

-jbujwit10

[LAFFfan4lyfe]

Wow, just wow.

I think that getting rid of Eagle would be a horrible decision. I still like to ride it, and though it is pretty old, I don't think it's that rough. It may just be personal taste, but I still like it. Also, last I checked, turning Eagle Blue backwards messed the ride up even more. Sorry you didn't get to ride it that way, but unless you want more damage to the ride, I think it should stay forwards.

[jbujwit10]

Hi again LAFFfan4lyfe,

I understand that riding American Eagle backwards can cause damage to the ride, but we both know that they could find a way so that would not happen. There is so much technology out there, it is without a doubt possible.

I also would like to say that I too like American Eagle and hope that they do not get rid of it anytime soon. I like the feeling of its oldness, it makes it much more thrilling! However, I still wish that it went backwards! I have never felt that feeling before, except Deja Vu, but the whole roller coaster was not backwards.

-jbujwit10

[tp41190]

^ All the technology in the world wouldn't fix that problem. They would have to get all new trains and that is expensive.

[cycamps]

A comment to this is that Mean Streatk is not at all rough!

Is that a joke? Mean Streak is one of the roughest rides I've ever ridden. Where have you been?

The roller coaster American Eagle, when going up the hill does in fact slightly fall back, then continues to go up the roller coaster.

It doesn't "fall back". As it's been stated before, it's just the slack in the lift pulling a heavy load, making it feel like you are "falling back", but isn't actually happening.

Alright man, you are completely wrong! Both trains do not go forwards!Everyone on this site would agree! One train goes forward, and one goes backwards!!!

I'm going to have to say that I disagree. As Bob O said, both trains DO go forward, as they have for quite awhile now.

I'm not trying to bash you, but I'm just stating the facts.

[zjohn1988]

Uh...Unless something changed since last week both sides are running forwards.

What? That's ridiculous! This problem with the trains has been going on for what seems to be forever! They need to fix it, because before this ride gets torn down, may that be next year or in 20 years, I want to ride it backwards! This is very disappointing, and I hope they can fix it. They had all Winter, and were worried about new trains! How about getting the ride to operate the way it's suppose to, then getting new trains. I would have no problem waiting for this, and SFGA has made a poor decision on this!

-jbujwit10

American Eagle doesn't need new trains..maybe new bus bars....but either way..Eagle should NEVER have ran backwards in the first place. So much damage has been done to Eagle because of Blue side running backwards. Chances of it running backwards ever again are close to impossible.

[tp41190]

^I meant new trains for it to run backwards.

[traincrossing9]

From what i've heard AE is going forwards on both sides. Last year blue was backwards, but because of damage done to the track it has been swtched around and retracked. I think the part before the lift and parts of the helix were retracked. The damage was caused to the track because the axle that turns on the train is on the back, not the front when it goes backwards. Appharently they can't change it.

I love AE! Classic coaster and it's the tallest and fastest racing coaster around! Blue was my favorite backwards, but I can understand why they switched it back. But now we'll know what the ride felt like when it opened. (both sides were forward when it opened)

[tp41190]

^Eagle wasn't running backwards last year either.

[jbujwit10]

^Eagle wasn't running backwards last year either.

I was aware of that it was not going backwards last year, but I thought that it was this year. I am very disappointed!

Thanks for the reply,

-jbujwit10

[skeptic555]

Jbuj - Even though it appears you mean well with your notes, you'll want to be careful to avoid the appearance that you are "trolling" - ie attempting to start an argument. Most of these "take a side in a controversial subject" issues have been discussed to death in prior notes - just do a quick search and you'll see.

Here's my position in this topic: the Eagle is completely and utterly awesome. A bit of a legend, in fact. In addition to the awesomeness of the ride, it's notable as a visual hook, so to speak, from the highway. It isnt going anywhere anytime soon, as the retracking this season confirms. If the park had any designs on phasing it out, step one would be to stop maintaining half of the ride completely - and thankfully that hasnt happened.

I'm always a little sad when people walk by and dismiss it - they just dont build 'em like that anymore. It's especially sad when the people passing judgement are YOUNGER than the ride itself - yeah, the ol Eagle has been kicking peoples tail for longer than some of you have been drawing breath. It's fast, FULL of air, and feels chaotic - just like a woodie should. I love the viper, I love Bull, but every time I hit that last brake run on Eagle I just shake my head and think "Now THAT'S a roller coaster."

That said, I look forward to further exclamation point-laden notes from you (!)

[cowboy1192]

Hello jbujwit10,

You are very odd.

-cowboy1192