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A refurbishment of the ''Cyclone'' in 2014 saw ] from ] added to sections of the ride.<ref>{{cite web| title=Two Six Flags Rides Receive "Topper Track" for 2011| date=March 7, 2011 | accessdate=July 30, 2014 | url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/03/two-six-flags-rides-receive-topper.html| publisher=News Plus Notes}}</ref> Topper Track is steel plating that replaces the upper layers of laminated wooden track. This track style is designed to reduce the maintenance typically required for a wooden roller coaster and provide a smoother ride experience.<ref name="Georgia Cyclone: A Classic 'Woodie'">{{cite web|title=Georgia Cyclone: A Classic "Woodie"|url=http://content.sixflags.com/news/overgeorgia/rides/georgia-cyclone?ic=I0028E136&gc=GTEST0000000002|publisher=Six Flags|accessdate=July 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Rocky Mountain Construction Company CoasterNet">{{cite web|title=Rocky Mountain Construction Company|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/blogs/160-rocky-mountain-construction-company/|work=Coaster-Net|accessdate=July 9, 2012|date=February 16, 2011}}</ref> | A refurbishment of the ''Cyclone'' in 2014 saw ] from ] added to sections of the ride.<ref>{{cite web| title=Two Six Flags Rides Receive "Topper Track" for 2011| date=March 7, 2011 | accessdate=July 30, 2014 | url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/03/two-six-flags-rides-receive-topper.html| publisher=News Plus Notes}}</ref> Topper Track is steel plating that replaces the upper layers of laminated wooden track. This track style is designed to reduce the maintenance typically required for a wooden roller coaster and provide a smoother ride experience.<ref name="Georgia Cyclone: A Classic 'Woodie'">{{cite web|title=Georgia Cyclone: A Classic "Woodie"|url=http://content.sixflags.com/news/overgeorgia/rides/georgia-cyclone?ic=I0028E136&gc=GTEST0000000002|publisher=Six Flags|accessdate=July 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Rocky Mountain Construction Company CoasterNet">{{cite web|title=Rocky Mountain Construction Company|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/blogs/160-rocky-mountain-construction-company/|work=Coaster-Net|accessdate=July 9, 2012|date=February 16, 2011}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | In June 2014, Six Flags New England announced that ''Cyclone'' would close permanently on July 20, 2014.<ref name=CycloneSFNE>{{cite web|title=Cyclone at Six Flags to close next month|url=http://wwlp.com/2014/06/24/cyclone-at-six-flags-to-close-next-month/|publisher=WWLP.com|accessdate=24 June 2014|date=24 June 2014}}</ref> During its 31 seasons in operation as a wooden coaster, ''Cyclone'' was ridden by more than 15 million riders. The decision to close the ride was made over a period of one and half years.<ref name=decision>{{cite web|last=Zeitlin|first=Hugh|title=After three decades, Six Flags New England retires Cyclone|url=http://www.cbs3springfield.com/story/26066395/after-three-decades-six-flags-new-england-retires-cyclone|publisher=CBS3Springfield.com|accessdate=29 July 2014|date=20 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=million>{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Dan|title=Last chance to ride Cyclone after 30 years of memories|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/after_30_years_of_summer_memor.html|publisher=MassLive.com|accessdate=30 July 2014|date=18 July 2014}}</ref> A closing ceremony was held during the night of its final operating day. During the ceremony, several construction workers blocked the entrance with a chain and covered it with caution ribbon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2gQL1TFuWA|title=Closing Ceremony for Cyclone Roller Coaster at Six Flags New England|date=August 2, 2014|website=In The Loop|via=]|access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref> | ||
==Conversion to steel track== | |||
⚫ | In June 2014, Six Flags New England announced that ''Cyclone'' would close permanently on July 20, 2014.<ref name=CycloneSFNE>{{cite web|title=Cyclone at Six Flags to close next month|url=http://wwlp.com/2014/06/24/cyclone-at-six-flags-to-close-next-month/|publisher=WWLP.com|accessdate=24 June 2014|date=24 June 2014}}</ref> During its 31 seasons in operation as a wooden coaster, ''Cyclone'' was ridden by more than 15 million riders. The decision to close the ride was made over a period of one and half years.<ref name=decision>{{cite web|last=Zeitlin|first=Hugh|title=After three decades, Six Flags New England retires Cyclone|url=http://www.cbs3springfield.com/story/26066395/after-three-decades-six-flags-new-england-retires-cyclone|publisher=CBS3Springfield.com|accessdate=29 July 2014|date=20 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=million>{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Dan|title=Last chance to ride Cyclone after 30 years of memories|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/after_30_years_of_summer_memor.html|publisher=MassLive.com|accessdate=30 July 2014|date=18 July 2014}}</ref> |
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On August 28, 2014, it was announced that ''Cyclone'' would undergo a transformation into the ''Wicked Cyclone'' steel-tracked roller coaster. Manufactured by ] and designed by ], it features a 10-story drop, speeds of {{Convert|55|mph}} and the world's first Double Reversing Bank Airtime Hill. It is the first hybrid coaster on the East Coast, and the only hybrid to have a 200 degree stall and two Zero G Rolls. The ride reopened in May 2015.<ref name="PR Wicked Cyclone">{{Cite press release|title=Hybrid Coaster "Wicked Cyclone" is Coming to Six Flags New England in 2015|url=https://www.sixflags.com/newengland/attractions/wicked-cyclone/news-release|accessdate=August 28, 2014|date=August 28, 2014|publisher=Six Flags}}</ref> | |||
==Characteristics== | ==Characteristics== |
Revision as of 00:49, 2 September 2020
Wicked Cyclone | |
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Previously known as Cyclone (1983–2014) | |
Six Flags New England | |
Location | Six Flags New England |
Park section | North End |
Coordinates | 42°2′25″N 72°36′56″W / 42.04028°N 72.61556°W / 42.04028; -72.61556 |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | May 24, 2015 (2015-05-24) |
Cost | US$10 million |
Replaced | Cyclone |
General statistics | |
Type | Steel |
Manufacturer | Rocky Mountain Construction |
Designer | Alan Schilke |
Model | I-Box |
Track layout | Twister |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 109 ft (33 m) |
Length | 3,320 ft (1,010 m) |
Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
Inversions | 3 |
Max vertical angle | 78° |
Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
Wicked Cyclone at RCDB |
Wicked Cyclone (formerly Cyclone) is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags New England amusement park. The ride originally opened as a wooden roller coaster named Cyclone on June 24, 1983. Its name and design were inspired by the historic 1927 Cyclone roller coaster located at Coney Island. In 2014 after 31 seasons, Cyclone was closed temporarily while being re-tracked with steel. It reopened as Wicked Cyclone on May 24, 2015.
History
In 1983, Riverside Amusement Park decided to open a wooden roller coaster named the Riverside Cyclone. The ride was the second full-sized roller coaster to open at the park since its re-opening in 1940, following the installation of Thunderbolt in 1941. The $2.5 million Riverside Cyclone was designed by William Cobb & Associates and built by the Frontier Construction Company. The ride officially opened to the public on June 25, 1983, with Cobb as well as Norm Howells from Frontier Construction in attendance. The opening of Riverside Cyclone was expected to increase park attendance by more than 10% to 1 million annual visitors.
During its first season of operation, Riverside Cyclone featured two trains from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) where riders were restrained via a lap bar. Part-way through the first season, shoulder belts were added; however, these were removed prior to its second season. During its second season, the ride's trains were damaged, forcing the park to combine parts from both trains to form a single operational train. Two new replacement trains were purchased from D. H. Morgan Manufacturing in 1985.
In the late 1990s, Premier Parks (later Six Flags) purchased Riverside Amusement Park. Over a period of four years, approximately $100 million was invested in the renovation and expansion of the park, culminating in its rebranding to Six Flags New England in 2000. As a result, the Riverside branding was dropped, with the ride being renamed to the Cyclone. The D.H. Morgan Manufacturing trains were replaced with two PTC trains. The new operators made modifications to the track in 2001, shortening the first drop by between 15 and 20 feet (4.6 and 6.1 m).
A refurbishment of the Cyclone in 2014 saw Topper Track from Rocky Mountain Construction added to sections of the ride. Topper Track is steel plating that replaces the upper layers of laminated wooden track. This track style is designed to reduce the maintenance typically required for a wooden roller coaster and provide a smoother ride experience.
In June 2014, Six Flags New England announced that Cyclone would close permanently on July 20, 2014. During its 31 seasons in operation as a wooden coaster, Cyclone was ridden by more than 15 million riders. The decision to close the ride was made over a period of one and half years. A closing ceremony was held during the night of its final operating day. During the ceremony, several construction workers blocked the entrance with a chain and covered it with caution ribbon.
On August 28, 2014, it was announced that Cyclone would undergo a transformation into the Wicked Cyclone steel-tracked roller coaster. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction and designed by Alan Schilke, it features a 10-story drop, speeds of 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) and the world's first Double Reversing Bank Airtime Hill. It is the first hybrid coaster on the East Coast, and the only hybrid to have a 200 degree stall and two Zero G Rolls. The ride reopened in May 2015.
Characteristics
Statistic | Cyclone | Wicked Cyclone |
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Years | 1983–2014 | 2015– |
Manufacturer | Frontier Construction Company | Rocky Mountain Construction |
Designer | William Cobb & Associates | Alan Schilke |
Track | Wood | Steel |
Height | 112 ft or 34 m | 109 ft or 33 m |
Length | 3,600 ft or 1,100 m | 3,320 ft or 1,010 m |
Speed | 45 mph or 72 km/h | 55 mph or 89 km/h |
Max vertical angle | 54° | 78° |
Trains | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) | Rocky Mountain Construction |
Reception
In Mitch Hawker's worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll, the Cyclone ranked moderately, peaking at position 25 in 1999. The ride dropped to a low of 122 in 2009 before returning to position 103 in 2013. The table below summarises the results.
Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll: Best wood-Tracked Roller Coaster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||||||||
Ranking | 31 | 29 | 35 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 38 | 51 | 71 | 89 | 86 | 86 | 95 | 107 | 122 | 115 | 109 | 110 | 103 |
Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride for 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ranking |
Year | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
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Ranking | 23 | 18 | 14 (tie) | 33 | 39 |
References
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Cyclone (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- Marden, Duane. "Six Flags New England". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- Powell, Tom (July 9, 1983). "Cyclone coaster expected to blow Riverside gate to 1 mil". Amusement Business.
- O'Brien, Tim (January 3, 2000). "Premier parks flags 4 more; invests millions". Amusement Business. 112 (1): 1.
- "Two Six Flags Rides Receive "Topper Track" for 2011". News Plus Notes. March 7, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- "Georgia Cyclone: A Classic "Woodie"". Six Flags. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- "Rocky Mountain Construction Company". Coaster-Net. February 16, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- "Cyclone at Six Flags to close next month". WWLP.com. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- Zeitlin, Hugh (20 July 2014). "After three decades, Six Flags New England retires Cyclone". CBS3Springfield.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- Warner, Dan (18 July 2014). "Last chance to ride Cyclone after 30 years of memories". MassLive.com. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- "Closing Ceremony for Cyclone Roller Coaster at Six Flags New England". In The Loop. August 2, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2020 – via YouTube.
- "Hybrid Coaster "Wicked Cyclone" is Coming to Six Flags New England in 2015" (Press release). Six Flags. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- Marden, Duane. "Wicked Cyclone (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- Hawker, Mitch. "Wooden Roller Coaster Poll 20 Year Results Table (1994–2013)". Best Roller Coaster Poll. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
- "Park and ride winners". Amusement Today. September 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- "2016 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- "2018 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- "2019 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
External links
- Wicked Cyclone at the Roller Coaster DataBase
- Cyclone details at UltimateRollerCoaster.com
- 2008 Review of the Cyclone (Six Flags New England) at TheCoasterCritic.com
Six Flags New England | |
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Roller coasters | |
Other rides | |
Events | |
Former rides |