Goliath (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)

Goliath is an inverted roller coaster located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park in San Antonio, Texas. Designed by Werner Stengel and Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, Goliath initially opened in 1995 and has been operating at Six Flags Fiesta Texas since 2008. It rises to a height of 105 feet (32 m) and reaches top speeds of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) through multiple inversions.

Goliath
Previously known as Batman: The Ride, Gambit
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Location	Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Park section	Los Festivales
Coordinates	29.59889°N 98.60778°W / 29.59889; -98.60778
Status	Operating
Opening date	April 18, 2008 (2008-04-18)
General statistics
Type	Steel – Inverted
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Inverted Coaster - Batman[1]
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	105 ft (32 m)
Drop	80 ft (24 m)
Length	2,693 ft (821 m)
Speed	50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions	5
Duration	2:00
Capacity	1400 riders per hour
G-force	4
Height restriction	54 in (137 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
Goliath at RCDB Pictures of Goliath at RCDB

History

Goliath (known as Batman: The Ride at that time) in New Orleans after Katrina

Goliath originally opened in 1995 at Thrill Valley, a former theme park in Japan. There, the roller coaster operated under the name 'Gambit'. When Thrill Valley closed on May 6, 2002,[2] Six Flags purchased several rides - including Gambit - from the closed park and transported them to several of their parks. Gambit went to Six Flags' newly acquired theme park in eastern New Orleans,[3] a former Jazzland amusement park which Six Flags was committed to enhancing and expanding. Upon arrival, Gambit was repainted and renamed to fit with the DC Comics theme and surrounding attractions; it became Batman: The Ride. The roller coaster in its new incarnation opened on April 12, 2003.[4]

In 2005, Six Flags closed down its New Orleans theme park mid-season to prepare for Hurricane Katrina, which had entered the Gulf of Mexico and was heading towards Louisiana on August 29. The park's drainage system failed, leading to substantial flooding, and many of the park's rides were submerged in water for a long period of time after the hurricane, damaging them beyond repair.[5] Batman: The Ride survived, mainly because of its high elevation (much of the ride sat above water level) and corrosion-resistant support structure. When the floods retreated, Six Flags announced that it had no plans to reopen the New Orleans theme park, and anything in the park that was still in working condition was moved to other parts of the country.[6]

On September 27, 2007, the ride moved to its new home in San Antonio, made over with a new color scheme and given a new name: Goliath.[7] Goliath opened on April 18, 2008. It sits near the front entrance of the park.

Ride experience

Goliath at Six Flags New Orleans

After departing from the station, the train immediately begins to climb the 105-foot (32 m) chain lift hill.[1] Once at the top, the train makes a sharp 80-foot (24 m)[1] downward right turn into the roller coaster's first element, a vertical loop, reaching a top speed of approximately 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).[1] After exiting the loop, the train then goes through a zero-g roll before entering a second loop. This is followed by an upward right-handed helix, then a downward left turn into a corkscrew. After a sharp left turn, the train enters another corkscrew. Upon exiting the corkscrew, the train makes a right turn into the brake run, which leads directly back to the station where the current riders disembark and the next riders board the train.[1][8] One cycle of the ride lasts about 2 minutes.[1]

Track

Goliath has a track length of about 2,693 feet (821 m) and reaches a top height of 105 feet (32 m).[1][4][2] As Gambit at Thrill Valley, the ride featured a painted black spine and black crossties, unpainted rails and grey supports.[9] When it was known as Batman: The Ride at Six Flags News Orleans, the track was painted black and orange with grey supports. Today, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the ride has a blue track and yellow supports. Friction brakes are used to control the speed of the train at the end of the ride.[8] The track was manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators located in Batavia, Ohio.[10]

Goliath is a clone of Bolliger & Mabillard's Batman model. The original was introduced 1992 and became a huge success after multiple parks introduced it to their lineup. Today, the Batman model can be found all over the world. Goliath differs from other models as it is a mirror image.[11] It is not the only Batman model to be found in San Antonio; SeaWorld introduced one first in 1997.[12]

Trains

Goliath operates two steel and fiberglass trains with seven cars each. Each car seats four riders in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.[1] The supports for the seats are orange, the seats themselves are black with yellow over-the-shoulder restraints connected to each one, and the coverings for the wheels are orange, blue, and yellow.[13]

References

1. Marden, Duane. "Goliath  (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
2. Marden, Duane. "Gambit  (Thrill Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
3. "Six Flags to Fly Over The Crescent City in 2003" (Press release). Roller Coaster Database. November 14, 2002. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
4. Marden, Duane. "Batman: The Ride  (Six Flags New Orleans)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
5. "Six Flags, silenced by Katrina, creates uproar in New Orleans". USA Today. May 31, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
6. "New Orleans: Six Flags New Orleans". Six Flags. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
7. "Goliath Soars into Six Flags Fiesta Texas Bringing Major Park Coaster Count to Eight" (Press release). Roller Coaster Database. September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
8. "Goliath Front Seat on-ride HD POV Six Flags Fiesta Texas". wwwCOASTERFORCEcom. February 8, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
9. "Thrill Valley – ParkVault". parkvault.net. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
10. Guido, Anna (November 7, 2005). "Steel plant's business on fast track". Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 7, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
11. "Batman (Model)". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
12. Marden, Duane. "Great White  (SeaWorld San Antonio)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
13. Marden, Duane. "Goliath Train  (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 4, 2013.

External links

• Official website for Goliath