When it opened in 1984, XLR-8 became the world's first successful suspended roller coaster. XLR-8 was a second generation suspended coaster from Arrow Dynamics. The first generation suspended coaster, The Bat at Paramount's Kings Island, was built a few years earlier, but failed due to design flaws. XLR-8 sends riders seated in cars hanging from the steel track through a series of dives and swooping turns which send the cars swinging in each direction.
Year | Track | Type | Designer |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | Steel | Suspended Freeform | Arrow Dynamics |
October 2002 - The last four cars of the train were reversed in direction so riders could ride facing backwards.October 30, 2005 - XLR-8 ends its run at Six Flags Astroworld when the park closes its gates forever.
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