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| Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast | |
|---|---|
| Previously known as Mr. Freeze | |
| File:Mr Freeze Reverse Blast logo.png | |
| File:Mr. Freeze (Six Flags St. Louis) 1.jpg Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast 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 97.06750°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 24, 1998[1] |
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| Six Flags St. Louis | |
| Park section | DC Comics Plaza |
| Coordinates | 38°30′53″N 90°40′39″W / 38.51472°N 90.67750°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | April 11, 1998 |
| Cost | $10 million |
| 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) |
| Drop | 194 ft (59 m) |
| Length | 1,300 ft (400 m) |
| 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 | 54 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. |
File:Fastpass availability icon.svg Flash Pass Available | |
| Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at RCDB Pictures of Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at RCDB | |
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Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast, previously known as Mr. Freeze, is a shuttle roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas and Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. The steel coasters feature a linear induction motor (LIM) launch system that accelerate riders from 0–70 mph (0–113 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.[2][3] The two installations are mirror images of one another and are based on the famous Batman villain Mr. Freeze. Originally, they were themed after the 1997 film Batman & Robin prior to a conversion in 2012 to operate backwards.
History[]
Mr. Freeze (1998–2011)[]
On December 18, 1996, Six Flags Over Texas announced that Mr. Freeze would be added to the park.[4] Premier Rides was hired to build the new shuttle coaster using an LIM launch system.[2] It was billed as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Texas.[4]
Mr. Freeze was planned to open in 1997[2][3] 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 problems with the LIM system delayed the opening to 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 did not).[citation needed] The ride itself was fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.[5]
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Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at Six Flags Over Texas
During Mr. Freeze's latest test runs, the LIM motors were overheating and Six Flags officials could not provide the full thrust necessary the ride consistently at high speeds.[6] They were not concerned though, as Flight of Fear at Kings Dominion in Virginia also had issues with the launch system.[7] One of Mr. Freeze's trains suffered damage as the launch system closed onto the fins. It was removed for adjustments and was later put back in place.[8]
On September 30, 2000, the Over Texas location closed due to an issue with the trains. The ride reopened a few days later after this was fixed.[9]
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.[2][3]
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 replaced.[citation needed]
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.
Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast (2012–present)[]
On March 22, 2012, Six Flags announced that both versions of Mr. Freeze roller coasters at Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis would feature backwards facing trains and be renamed Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast.[10] The St. Louis version reopened on May 5, 2012,[11] with the help of David Freese (then a St. Louis Cardinals baseball player).[12] The Over Texas version reopened on May 12, 2012, and also Vanilla Ice helped open the ride up and had a concert.[13][14]
Two-train operation[]
Unlike most other 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 116 linear induction motors that help them achieve a top speed of 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. The main launch requires 2.4 megawatts (5,000 amps x 480 volts) of electric power for three seconds to propel a single train.[8]
Ride experience[]
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The station of Mr. Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas
Riders enter an old, abandoned ice cream factory that has now become the hideout of Mr. Freeze, one of Batman's most famous supervillains. Although the ride was originally based on Batman & Robin, the statue that can be seen in the station seems to be based on Batman: The Animated Series.
Queue[]
At Six Flags Over Texas, guests walk into Snowy's Cones by passing under the mouth. Inside the factory, guests make a left turn and start on the lower level, where they approach some paths. In the center, there is a mixer and four flavor containers. These containers are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and orange. Guests turn right and pass through a hallway with spray paint walls. An outdoor section of the queue can be found in this hallway. This area features switchbacks that run next to the Six Flags & Texas Railroad train tracks. Guests go up some ramps and navigate through the upper level. Along the way, there is a sign that says Home Of The Big Freeze. Now on the upper level, guests can get views of the lower level, the mixer and the flavor containers. Guests then head into the station, where they board the ride.
The Six Flags St. Louis location features a different queue line which takes place outside. Guests pass underneath the mouth to Snowy's Ice Cream Factory Tours, where they make a right-handed curve followed by a left-handed curve. These curves lead to a straight path and some small ramps. After making a left turn, guests walk down a long pathway where they can get views of the ride. Guests turn right and cross a bridge over the Thunder River rapids ride. Following the bridge, guests go down a curved ramp. Then, guests enter an area with switchbacks and a few passages. Several curved paths lead to a straight section of the pathway followed by a left turn. As guests get closer to the factory, there is a board with news and advertisements. After a right turn, guests enter the factory where they navigate through a hallway. Guests then climb the staircase and enter the loading station.
Layout[]
The ride begins when the train slides onto the main launch. Soon afterwards, an alarm is sounded and riders are boosted backwards 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 113-foot (34 m) overbanked turn that banks riders at a 140-degree angle 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 train then freefalls down the tower back through the course.[2][3]
References[]
- ↑ "Six Flags hit by 'Freeze' yesterday". Dallas Business Journal. American Business Journals. March 25, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze (Six Flags St. Louis)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Strope, Leigh (December 18, 1996). "Sky high and really cool". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Star-Telegram Staff Writer. Retrieved October 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Amusement". Intermountain Lift, Inc. July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ↑ Bunuel, Diego (August 1, 1997). "On Ice: Mr. Freeze Won't Be Opening This Summer". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Post-Dispatch Staff. Retrieved October 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Square D solves a Roller Coaster's Voltage Sag Problem". Schnieder Electric. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Coaster: Still out in the cold". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. June 29, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Wood, Sean (October 4, 2000). "Mr. Freeze ride shut down". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Star-Telegram Staff Writer. Retrieved October 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Chill Out Backwards at 70 mph as Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis launch new ride experience". Market Watch. The Wall Street Journal. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ Patton, Julie Brown (April 9, 2012). "Six Flags St. Louis Opens". Eureka Wildwood Patch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
- ↑ Patton, Julie Brown (22 March 2012). "Ultimate Head Freeze Heads to Six Flags". Eureka Wildwood Patch. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ Janda, Greg (22 March 2012). "Six Flags to Reverse Mr. Freeze". NBC Dallas Fort Worth. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ Six Flags Over Texas (April 3, 2012). "The ride opening date..." Facebook. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
External links[]
- Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at Six Flags Over Texas
- Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at Six Flags St. Louis
- Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast (Six Flags Over Texas) at RCDB
- Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast (Six Flags St. Louis) at RCDB
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