:Goliath (Six Flags Great America)
{{Short description|Wooden roller coaster}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name = Goliath
| logo = Goliath (Six Flags Great America) logo.png
| logodimensions = 150px
| image = Goliath at Six Flags Great America (14696982188).jpg
| imagedimensions =
| caption = Goliath's {{Convert|180|feet}} drop
| previousnames =
| location = Six Flags Great America
| locationarticle =
| section = County Fair
| subsection =
| coordinates = {{Coord|42.366111|-87.931111|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| status = Operating
| opened = {{Start date|2014|6|19}}{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/flags-opens-record-breaking-roller-coaster/story?id=24213959|title=Six Flags Opens Goliath, a Record-Breaking New Roller Coaster|date=June 19, 2014|first=Sarah|last=Figalora|access-date=June 19, 2014|publisher=ABC News|newspaper=Good Morning America}}
| soft_opened = {{Start date|2014|6|18}}{{cite news|title=Minor Fire Reported Near New Six Flags Great America Roller Coaster|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Fire-Reported-Near-Six-Flags-Great-America-Roller-Coaster-262149481.html|access-date=June 7, 2014|newspaper=NBC|date=June 6, 2014}}
| year = 2014
| closed =
| cost =
| previousattraction = Iron Wolf
| replacement =
| extend =
| type = Wood steel
| type2 =
| type3 =
| manufacturer = Rocky Mountain Construction
| designer = Alan Schilke
| model = Topper Track – Custom
| track =
| lift = Chain lift hill
| height_ft = 165
| drop_ft = 180
| length_ft = 3100
| speed_mph = 72
| inversions = 2
| duration = 1:45
| angle = 85
| capacity =800
| acceleration =
| acceleration_from =
| acceleration_mph =
| acceleration_km/h =
| acceleration_in =
| gforce =
| restriction_in = 48
| trains = 2
| carspertrain = 6
| rowspercar = 2
| ridersperrow = 2
| virtual_queue_name = Flash Pass
| virtual_queue_image = Fastpass availability icon.svg
| virtual_queue_status = available
| single_rider =
| accessible =
| transfer_accessible = available
| custom_label_1 =
| custom_value_1 =
| rcdb_number = 9972
}}
Goliath is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) and designed by Alan Schilke, the roller coaster features RMC's Topper Track design and opened to the public on June 19, 2014. Goliath initially set three world records among wooden coasters, having the longest drop at {{Convert|180|ft}}, the steepest angle of 85 degrees, and the fastest speed of {{Convert|72|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. It still holds the record for the longest drop and fastest wooden roller coaster. In addition, the ride also features two inversions and a maximum descent that reaches {{Convert|15|ft}} below ground level.
Goliath was constructed over a nine-month period on the site previously occupied by Iron Wolf, a steel roller coaster removed in 2011 and relocated to Six Flags America. Goliath's opening allowed Great America to claim the title of having the most wooden track in one park, a recognition that was later claimed by Kings Island. Following its record-breaking debut, the coaster was well-received by the media and enthusiasts, and it has consistently ranked in the top 25 among wooden coasters in the annual Golden Ticket Awards publication from Amusement Today.
History
On August 5, 2011, Six Flags Great America announced on its official Facebook page that the Iron Wolf would be closing permanently on September 5, 2011.{{cite web|title=After a long 21...|url=http://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica/posts/10150252058661356|publisher=Facebook|access-date=August 23, 2011|author=Six Flags Great America|date=August 5, 2011}}{{cite web|title=Six Flags Great America Losing Long-time Stand-Up Coaster |url=http://www.coaster-net.com/news/1514-iron-wolf-leaving/ |publisher=COASTER-Net |access-date=August 23, 2011 |author=Coasterholic14 |date=August 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928093302/http://www.coaster-net.com/news/1514-iron-wolf-leaving/ |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }} The ride was subsequently removed and relocated to Six Flags America, where it reopened as Apocalypse: The Last Stand. For a brief period, Great America did not release any definitive plans for the site's replacement.{{cite web|title=Goliath: Documenting a Giant Six Flags Great America 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofaxGLyZZ5c|website=YouTube|publisher=Cutback Productions|access-date=August 29, 2014|date=August 15, 2014|first=Nick|last=Koss}}
In early August 2013, Six Flags Great America released a teaser campaign entitled "Follow the Journey".{{cite web|title=Six Flags Great America Follow the Journey 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSCm6QM5dlY|work=Six Flags Great America|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2013|date=August 1, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Casas|first=Gloria|title=Great America Planning to Add New Coaster in 2014|url=http://lakezurich.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/great-america-planning-to-add-new-coaster-in-2014|access-date=August 20, 2013|newspaper=Patch Media|date=August 19, 2013}} Later that month, it was revealed Six Flags Great America would be building a {{Convert|165|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall roller coaster}}, with plans to lobby the local zoning committee to exceed the {{Convert|125|ft|adj=on}} height limit imposed on the park.{{cite web|title=Agenda of the Regular Meeting of the Gurnee Planning and Zoning Board – August 21, 2013|url=http://www.gurnee.il.us/planning-and-zoning-board/agendas/08-21-2013|publisher=The Village of Gurnee|access-date=August 20, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Dan|title=Proposal for new roller coaster at Great America is on the table|url=http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/22009267-418/proposal-for-new-roller-coaster-at-great-america-is-on-the-table.html|access-date=August 20, 2013|newspaper=Lake County News-Sun|date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130829091257/http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/22009267-418/proposal-for-new-roller-coaster-at-great-america-is-on-the-table.html|archive-date=August 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2385718,CST-NWS-coaster13.article |title=Great America gets OK on 150-ft.-high coaster |date=June 12, 2010 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Wrapports LLC |access-date=September 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615183957/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2385718%2CCST-NWS-coaster13.article |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }} The official announcement for Goliath came on August 29, 2013, where it was revealed the new wooden roller coaster would be manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) and open in 2014. As part of the announcement, the ride's statistics were released, along with a concept computer-animated video demonstrating the ride's layout.{{cite web|title=Goliath {{!}} New for 2014 at Six Flags Great America |url=http://content.sixflags.com/comingin2014/greatamerica/goliath/ |date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901060658/http://content.sixflags.com/comingin2014/greatamerica/goliath/ |archive-date=September 1, 2013 }}{{cite news|last=McCoppin|first=Robert|title=Six Flags boasts latest ride will be world's fastest wooden rollercoaster|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/grayslake_gurnee_round_lake/chi-six-flags-great-america-roller-coaster-20130829,0,898248.story|access-date=August 30, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=August 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830061737/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/grayslake_gurnee_round_lake/chi-six-flags-great-america-roller-coaster-20130829,0,898248.story|archive-date=August 30, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=New Great America roller coaster Goliath due in 2014|url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/9223177/|access-date=August 30, 2013|newspaper=WLS-TV|date=August 29, 2013|publisher=American Broadcasting Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219033340/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=9223177|archive-date=December 19, 2013|url-status=live}} Situated on the site of the former Iron Wolf, Goliath utilized a majority of the station and line queue from the former ride, and the station was lengthened to accommodate the longer twelve-row trains.{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Iron Wolf|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=6|accessdate=May 11, 2014}}
Final design photos were released on Great America's Facebook page on February 21, 2014.{{cite web|title=Drum roll please... Six Flags Great America unveils final design artwork for Goliath, The World's Fastest Wooden Roller Coaster with Tallest and Steepest Drop! |website= Facebook |url= https://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica/posts/10151888000136356 |date=February 21, 2014| access-date=March 21, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Updated Artwork for Goliath |url=https://www.aceonline.org/AceNewsNow/?article=485 |date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=March 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427213432/http://www.aceonline.org/AceNewsNow/?article=485 |archive-date=April 27, 2015 }} These revealed a design change in Goliath's lift hill, which was modified to an all-steel structure as opposed to the original wood design. Another computer-animated video was also released on the park's official YouTube channel the same day.{{cite web|title=Goliath New for 2014 {{!}} - Virtual Ride|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rKNIJfLbo|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=March 21, 2014|work=Six Flags Great America|publisher=YouTube}}
Construction began in September 2013, employing a crew of approximately 35 workers by RMC.{{cite news|last=McCoppin|first=Robert|title=Goliath rises in Great America skyline|url=http://news.msn.com/us/goliath-rises-in-great-america-skyline|access-date=May 11, 2014|newspaper=MSN News|date=May 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510043623/http://news.msn.com/us/goliath-rises-in-great-america-skyline |archive-date=May 10, 2014}} The team worked 11-hour days, six days a week through winter in occasional sub-zero temperatures finishing in May 2014, which amounted to approximately 40,000 man hours.{{cite news|last1=Snyder|first1=Elizabeth|title=Go Goliath: Record-setting wooden coaster opens at Six Flags|url=http://www.kenoshanews.com/entertainment/go_goliath_recordsetting_wooden_coaster_opens_at_six_flags_477684155.html|access-date=June 28, 2014|work=Kenosha News|publisher=United Communications Corporation|date=June 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107022824/http://www.kenoshanews.com/entertainment/go_goliath_recordsetting_wooden_coaster_opens_at_six_flags_477684155.html |archive-date=November 7, 2015}} Goliath was set to open on May 31, 2014, but the opening was delayed.{{cite web|url=https://979kickfm.com/goliath-worlds-tallest-fastest-wooden-roller-coaster-opens-in-illinois-on-may-31/|title=Grand Opening For Goliath, World's Tallest, Fastest and Steepest Wooden Roller Coaster, Delayed|date=27 May 2014 }} The lift hill was topped off on May 16, with the first test run taking place two weeks later on May 31, the same day as the original opening.{{cite web|title=Goliath – Six Flags Great America FIRST TEST RUN |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQYM4OxzBIw|date=May 31, 2014|access-date=June 1, 2014|publisher=YouTube}} Lightning struck a small section of the ride's station on June 6, 2014, causing it to catch fire briefly before being extinguished. There were no reported injuries or major damage. After testing was completed, Goliath officially opened to the public on June 19, 2014.
Characteristics
Goliath was Rocky Mountain Construction's second ground-up wooden roller coaster following the opening of Silver Dollar City's Outlaw Run in early 2013.{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Rocky Mountain Construction|accessdate=August 30, 2013|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&co=10583&page=1&order=-10}} Although the ride is located in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America, the name and theme of the ride was chosen purely on the basis of the ride's size and scale. The {{Convert|3100|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ride stands {{Convert|165|ft}} tall; however, the ride drops a total of {{Convert|180|ft}} at an angle of 85° into an underground tunnel. Goliath features two inversions, two overbanked turns, and a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}.{{cite web|last=Salemi|first=Hank|title=Goliath – Media Event – Q & A|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01jGcmPX0Q0|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 30, 2013|date=August 29, 2013}} Because Goliath was built in such a small space, the lift hill is abnormally steep at an angle of 45°.{{Cite interview|last=Schilke|first=Alan|title=Alan & Scott Ride Goliath|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Uvt44NUGM|access-date=June 28, 2014|date=June 25, 2014|work=NewsPlusNotes}} The entire track was filled with grout to allow a quieter and smoother ride experience. The ride was designed by Alan Schilke.{{Cite interview|last=Schilke|first=Alan|title=Alan Schilke Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjbYHnCJ3Y|access-date=21 November 2013|date=20 November 2013|work=NewsPlusNotes}}
=Track=
File:Goliath at Six Flags Great America (14696978128).jpg
The {{Convert|3100|ft}} of track is made of six layers of laminated wood, with a steel rectangular tube acting as the topmost layer of track. This type of track is known as Topper Track and allows for more dynamic roller coaster elements to be performed on a wooden roller coaster. Additionally, this track style is designed to reduce the maintenance typically required for a wooden roller coaster and to provide a smoother ride experience.
=Trains=
Goliath operates with two trains manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction. Each train is made up of six cars, with riders being arranged in two rows of two for a total of 24 riders per train. This configuration caters for approximately 800 riders per hour. The trains feature polyurethane wheels, allowing for a quieter ride. Riders are restrained through the use of an individual lap bar, shin bar, and seatbelt.
Ride experience
File:Goliath at Six Flags Great America (14696979368).jpg
The ride begins with a left turn out of the station before ascending the {{Convert|165|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} chain lift hill at a 45° angle. From the highest point, trains drop {{Convert|180|ft}} at an angle of 85°, {{Convert|15|ft}} below ground level, reaching their top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}. After this, cars ascend to a height of {{Convert|125|ft}} for an overbanked turnaround, followed by a descent back to the ground and a small air-time hill. A dive loop is next, where riders are inverted before descending a half loop. The track then enters the second inversion, a zero gravity stall, where the train is suspended upside-down as it crests over a hill underneath the lift hill. This element is followed by a second overbanked turnaround, leading to the brake run and a short path back to the station.{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Goliath|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=9972|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Leshock|first=Marcus|title=Record-breaking wooden roller coaster coming to Six Flags Great America: How big will it be?|url=http://wgntv.com/2013/08/23/record-breaking-wooden-roller-coaster-coming-to-six-flags-great-america-how-big-will-it-be/|access-date=August 30, 2013|newspaper=WGN-TV|date=August 22, 2013}} One cycle of the ride takes approximately 105 seconds to complete.
Records
Goliath claimed three records upon opening. The ride's {{Convert|180|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} drop at 85° was the steepest and is still the longest in the world for wooden roller coasters. The steepness record is now held by Switchback at ZDT's Amusement Park, whose train at one point goes 87 degrees. Goliath is also the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, with a top speed of {{Convert|72|mph}}. After Goliath opened, Six Flags Great America had the most wooden roller coaster track of any amusement park in the world.{{cite journal|title=Medusa & Goliath: Rocky Mountain screams into Six Flags|journal=Park World Magazine|date=July 2014|pages=38, 39}} However, this record was later surpassed by Kings Island with the opening of Mystic Timbers in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2016/07/28/want-know-new-kings-island-ride/87606926/|title=Kings Island reveals new ride: Mystic Timbers|date=July 29, 2016|publisher=Gannett Newspapers|author=Carol Motsinger|work=Cincinnati.com|access-date=October 30, 2017}}
Reception
The opening of Goliath was widely reported across the world,{{cite news|title=Video: Take a virtual ride on the new world record-breaking roller-coaster Goliath|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/news/video-take-a-virtual-ride-on-the-new-world-recordbreaking-rollercoaster-goliath/story-e6frg8ro-1226961088014|access-date=June 28, 2014|work=The Australian|agency=News Corporation|date=June 20, 2014}}{{cite news|title=New rollercoaster breaks three records|url=http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8863358/new-rollercoaster-breaks-three-records|access-date=June 28, 2014|work=MSN New Zealand|publisher=Microsoft|date=June 21, 2014}} with those experiencing the ride giving positive reviews.
Jessica D'Onofrio of ABC7 Chicago stated Goliath was the smoothest roller coaster she had ever been on, describing it as "a great adrenaline rush".
Marcus Leshock of WGN-TV commended the uniqueness of the zero-g stall element, stating "it's something I've never really felt on a coaster before". He describes hanging upside down as a "really nice, fun, exhilarating feeling" without feeling disoriented.
Reviewing the ride for Shaw Media, Taylor Trimby of American Coaster Enthusiasts described Goliath as a wonderful ride, stating "You don't have time to prepare for anything. ... You're twisting and turning. ... It's great".{{cite news|last=Bustos|first=Joseph|title=Six Flags unveils Goliath wooden roller coaster|url=http://www.kcchronicle.com/2014/06/23/six-flags-unveils-goliath-wooden-roller-coaster/a3q89o5/?page=1|access-date=28 June 2014|work=Kane County Chronicle|publisher=Shaw Media|date=26 June 2014}}
Anthony Murphy of Theme Park Insider praised the ride for being "one of the most intense roller coasters" he has ever ridden.{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Anthony|title=New record-setting wooden coaster, Goliath, opens at Six Flags Great America|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201406/4083/|access-date=June 28, 2014|work=Theme Park Insider|date=June 21, 2014}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="text-align:center; background:white;" colspan="500"|Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride for 2014 |
|---|
| style="background:#white;"
! style="text-align:center;"|Ranking |{{center|3{{cite journal|title=Park and ride winners|journal=Amusement Today|date=September 2014|url=http://www.goldenticketawards.com/2014-park-ride-winners/|access-date=September 7, 2014}}}} |
{{GTA table
| type = wood
| accessdate = September 13, 2016
| 2014 = 23
| 2015 = 14
| 2016 = 13
| 2017 = 13
| 2018 = 19
| 2019 = 27
| 2021 = 26
| 2022 = 26
|2023=32|2024=24}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://content.sixflags.com/comingin2014/greatamerica/goliath}}
- {{RCDB|9972|Goliath}}
- [https://www.rockymtnconstruction.com/goliath/ Iron Rattler] at Rocky Mountain Construction
- {{Commons category inline}}
{{Six Flags Great America}}
Category:Roller coasters introduced in 2014
Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags