View source for New Texas Giant

{{Short description|Roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name                 = New Texas Giant
| logo                 = New Texas Giant logo.png
| logodimensions       = 150px
| image                = The NEW Texas Giant.jpg
| imagedimensions      = 250px
| caption              = New Texas Giant features steel track and overbanked turns
| previousnames        = Texas Giant
| location             = Six Flags Over Texas
| locationarticle      = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| section              = Texas
| subsection           = <!--Should be linked.-->
| coordinates          = {{Coord|32|45|23|N|97|4|23|W|type:landmark_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| status               = Operating
| opened               = {{Start date|2011|4|22}}
| soft_opened          = <!--Use {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| year                 = 2011
| closed               = <!--Use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| cost                 = $10 million
| previousattraction   = Texas Giant
| replacement          = 
| type                 = Steel<!--Must be "Steel" or "Wood", nothing else. Must not be linked.-->
| manufacturer         = Rocky Mountain Construction
| designer             = [[Alan Schilke]]
| model                = I-Box &ndash; Custom
| track                = 
| lift                 = [[Chain lift hill]]
| height_ft            = 153
| drop_ft              = 147
| length_ft            = 4200
| speed_mph            = 65
| inversions           = 0
| duration             = <!-- Should be mentioned in article body and cited with a source. Not listed on RCDB. -->
| angle                = 79
| capacity             = <!--1600-->
| acceleration         = <!--Expression in full form e.g. "X to Y mph (? to ? km/h) in Z seconds". -->
| acceleration_from    = <!--Initial speed in mph or km/h defaults to zero, only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_mph     = <!--Final speed in mph may contain only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_km/h    = <!--Final speed in km/h may contain only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_in      = <!--Number of seconds may contain words -->
| gforce               = <!--4.2-->
| restriction_in       = 48
| trains               = 3
| carspertrain         = 6
| rowspercar           = 2
| ridersperrow         = 2
|virtual_queue_name  = [[Flash Pass]]
|virtual_queue_image = Fastpass availability icon.svg
|virtual_queue_status= Available
| single_rider         = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| accessible           = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| transfer_accessible  = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| custom_label_1       = 
| custom_value_1       = 
| rcdb_number          = 11662
}}

'''New Texas Giant''' is a [[steel roller coaster]] located at [[Six Flags Over Texas]] in [[Arlington, Texas]]. It originally opened as '''Texas Giant''', which was the tallest [[wooden roller coaster|wooden coaster]] in the world when it debuted in 1990. Manufactured by [[Dinn Corporation]] and designed by [[Curtis D. Summers]], Texas Giant operated for nearly two decades and was highly-ranked in ''Amusement Today'' magazine's annual [[Golden Ticket Awards]]. Before its refurbishment, the ride's popularity declined over the years as it gained a negative reputation for increasing roughness.

Texas Giant closed in 2009 for a major refurbishment by [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] (RMC). It reemerged as New Texas Giant in 2011. While the coaster retained much of the original wooden support structure, the wooden track was replaced with steel featuring RMC's [[Rocky Mountain Construction|I-Box track]] technology and was the first roller coster to feature the I-box track and was the first roller coaster that was converted by RMC. The renovated [[hybrid coaster]] saw an increase in height from {{convert|143|to|153|ft|}} and drop length from {{convert|137|to|147|ft}}, as well as a steeper drop angle of 79°. New Texas Giant also increased the angle of multiple banked turns producing steeper angles.

New Texas Giant was well-received, winning [[Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride|Best New Ride]] in the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards and ranking highly in industry polls. A fatal incident occurred on July 19, 2013, and resulted in modifications to the ride's restraint system.

==History==
In September 1989, [[Six Flags]] announced the hiring of [[Dinn Corporation]] to build two new wooden roller coasters,<ref name="Dinn Hiring" /> with [[Curtis D. Summers]] as the designer.<ref name="RCDB TG" /> One would go to [[Six Flags Over Texas]] as The Texas Giant and the other would go to [[Six Flags Over Georgia]] as [[Twisted Cyclone|Georgia Cyclone]].<ref name="Dinn Hiring">{{cite news|last=Boyer|first=Mike|date=September 18, 1989|title=Local firm will design two coasters|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58376326/local-firm-will-design-two-coasters/|access-date=January 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Construction had already started in June 1989.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weist|first=Jon|date=June 15, 1989|title=Six Flags building giant ride|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89574893/six-flags-building-giant-ride/|access-date=December 14, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Texas Giant was constructed using over {{Convert|900000|board feet}} of wood.<ref name="RCDB TG2004">{{cite web|first=Duane|last=Marden|title=Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas|url=http://www.rcdb.com/id2.htm|publisher=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]]|access-date=September 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205221017/http://www.rcdb.com/id2.htm|archive-date=December 5, 2004}}</ref> The trains were manufactured by [[Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters]].<ref name="RCDB TG" /> The Texas Giant officially opened on March 17, 1990.<ref name="RCDB TG" /> At opening, the ride was the world's tallest wooden roller coaster, standing {{convert|143|ft|m}} high.<ref name="dmn2"/>

Following the ride's opening it had several modifications and renovations, which included reprofiling parts of the ride, shortening the seven-car trains to six-car trains, and performing maintenance on the wooden track.<ref name="Parks Hope State's Tourism Increase Is Just The Ticket">{{cite journal|last=Stooksbury Guier|first=Cindy|title=Parks Hope State's Tourism Increase Is Just The Ticket|journal=Amusement Business|date=April 24, 2000|volume=112|issue=17|pages=15–18}}</ref> Six Flags Over Texas performed over {{Convert|1200|ft}} of trackwork on the ride in the 2008–2009 offseason, with the ultimate aim of improving the ride's smoothness. Although the maintenance did improve the ride, park officials needed a more permanent solution. Initial speculation indicated the ride would be removed entirely from the park; however, Six Flags Over Texas denied any intention or consideration to do so.<ref name="The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn">{{cite journal|last=Baldwin|first=Tim|title=The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn|journal=Amusement Today|date=May 2011|volume=15|issue=2|pages=1, 5–6|url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/issues/may_2011/at_may_2011_web.pdf|access-date=December 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210215236/http://www.amusementtoday.com/issues/may_2011/at_may_2011_web.pdf|archive-date=December 10, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In March 2009, the park announced the closure of Texas Giant prior to a $10 million renovation.<ref name="dmn2">{{cite news|last=Moiser|first=Jeff|title=Six Flags Over Texas to close Texas Giant for renovations in 2010|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/031709dnmettexasgiant.3f612dd1.html|access-date=September 3, 2013|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|date=March 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422050429/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/031709dnmettexasgiant.3f612dd1.html|archive-date=April 22, 2009 }}</ref> Following [[Six Flags Fright Fest|Fright Fest]] for that year, the ride closed on November 1, 2009.<ref name="The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn" /><ref name=RCDB />

[[File:SixFlags-TexasGiant-5909.jpg|thumb|left|Texas Giant during its renovation]]
Renovations began almost immediately and involved the removal of all of the wooden track and modifications to some of the support structure.<ref name="The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn" /> On March 3, 2010, Six Flags Over Texas and [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] (RMC) unveiled the steel [[I-Box]] track which would be used on the refurbished ride. The track was developed over the course of three years by RMC owner Fred Grubb, and [[Ride Centerline, LLC]] engineers [[Alan Schilke]] and Dody Bachtar.<ref name="Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant" /><ref name="Rolling Vehicle Track">{{ cite patent | country = US | number = 2011146528 | status = application | title = Rolling Vehicle Track | fdate = September 13, 2010 | inventor = [[Alan Schilke|Schilke, Alan]]; Grubb, Fred; Bachtar, Dody}}</ref> The steel track was designed to be a replacement for any existing wooden track structure, with the rail shape, approximate weight, and dimensions remaining the same.<ref name="Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant" /><ref name="Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant">{{cite journal|title=Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant|journal=Amusement Today|date=April 2010|volume=14|issue=1|page=9}}</ref> Schilke designed the modifications to the layout, giving specifications to Grubb for manufacturing at RMC's Idaho plant. There, two-dimensional plates of steel were machine-welded to form the three-dimensional track parts.<ref name="Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant" /> The redevelopment saw much of the track get reprofiled; the lift hill was increased by {{Convert|10|ft}}, the first drop was steepened to 79 degrees, and several overbanked turns (ranging from 90° to 115°) were added.<ref name="The New Texas Giant - an old legend reborn" /><ref name="Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant" /> In October 2010, Six Flags announced that the renovated ride would be called the ''New Texas Giant''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/local/the-new-texas-giant-is-virtually-here/2114318/|title=The New Texas Giant Is Virtually Here}}</ref> It opened on April 22, 2011.<ref name=RCDB />

==Characteristics==
{{multiple image
| footer    = The Texas Giant before and after its renovation, showcasing the profile of the first drop and a turnaround. The renovated ride features a steeper and longer first drop, as well as several overbanked turns up to 115° (pictured).
| width     = 175
| image1    = SixFlagsTexasGiant-3988_cropped.jpg
| alt1      = The original Texas Giant
| image2    = New Texas Giant 05.jpg
| alt2      = The New Texas Giant
}}
As the name suggests, New Texas Giant is located within the Texas section of Six Flags Over Texas.<ref name="SFOT Thrill Rides">{{cite web|title=Thrill Rides|url=http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/rides/ThrillRides.aspx|publisher=Six Flags Over Texas|access-date=September 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055815/http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/rides/ThrillRides.aspx|archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> It was Rocky Mountain Construction's first installation of I-Box track.<ref name="Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant">{{cite journal|last=Slade|first=Gary|title=Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant|journal=Amusement Today|date=April 2010|volume=14|issue=1|pages=9–10}}</ref> New Texas Giant operates with three [[Train (roller coaster)|trains]] manufactured by [[Gerstlauer]].<ref name=RCDB /><ref name="Fred Grubb discusses new Texas Giant" /> There are three trains (colored red, blue, and black) themed to 1961 [[Cadillac Deville]]s.<ref name="Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains">{{cite journal|last=Sandy|first=Adam|title=Six Flags turns to Gerstlauer to deliver themed trains|journal=Amusement Today|date=May 2011|page=8}}</ref> Each train is made up of six cars, each seating riders in two rows of two.<ref name=RCDB /> Riders are restrained through the use of an individual hydraulic lap bar and a seat belt.<ref name=RCDB /><ref name="reopening"/>

The original Texas Giant by Dinn Corporation was {{Convert|10|ft}} lower in height than its Rocky Mountain Construction counterpart. The refurbished New Texas Giant features a steeper and longer first drop, and therefore achieves a faster maximum speed.<ref name="RCDB TG" /><ref name=RCDB /> Additionally, a 540° helix after the mid-course brake run was converted into a 180° turnaround, resulting in its track length being shortened by approximately {{Convert|400|ft}}.<ref name="RCDB TG" /><ref name="Fast Facts" /><ref name="NTAG POV" /><ref name="TAG POV">{{cite web|last=Alvey|first=Robb|title=Original Texas Giant Wooden Roller Coaster Front Seat POV Six Flags Over Texas|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHh7rvrdgJU|work=[[Theme Park Review]]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=September 5, 2013|author-link=Robb Alvey|date=December 10, 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! width="20%" | Statistic !! width="40%" | Texas Giant<ref name="RCDB TG">{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas)|url=http://rcdb.com/2.htm|publisher=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]]|access-date=September 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825204413/http://www.rcdb.com/2.htm|archive-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref> !! width="40%" | New Texas Giant<ref name=RCDB>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=New Texas Giant|location=Six Flags Over Texas|rcdb_number=11662|access-date=December 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Fast Facts">{{cite journal|title=Fast Facts|journal=Amusement Today|date=May 2011|volume=15|issue=2|page=5}}</ref>
|-
| Years || 1990&ndash;2009 || 2011–present
|-
| Manufacturer || Dinn Corporation || Rocky Mountain Construction
|-
| Designer || Curtis D. Summers || Alan Schilke
|-
| Track || Wood || Steel
|-
| Height || {{Convert|143|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|153|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}}
|-
| Drop || {{Convert|137|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|147|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}}
|-
| Length || {{Convert|4920|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|4200|ft|m|disp=or|abbr=on}}
|-
| Speed || {{Convert|62|mph|km/h|disp=or|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|65|mph|km/h|disp=or|abbr=on}}
|-
| {{No wrap|Max vertical angle}} || 53° || 79°
|-
| Trains || {{No wrap|Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC)}} || Gerstlauer
|}

==Ride experience==
[[File:New Texas Giant 06.jpg|thumb|An overview of part of the New Texas Giant's layout including the double up, 90° overbanked turn, and final tunnel]]
The New Texas Giant begins with a right turn out of the [[Station (roller coaster)|station]]. This leads directly to a {{Convert|153|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} [[chain lift hill]]. Once at the top, riders drop {{Convert|147|ft}} at an angle of 79°. A double up leads into a 90° overbanked turn, a dip and a 95° overbanked turn. Another dip and rise leads the train into a 115° overbanked turn. The exit from the overbanked turn leads into a small [[air-time]] hill, which delivers the greatest negative [[g-force]] on the ride, before ascending up into the [[mid-course brake run]]. The train drops from the brake run and continues through a series of low-to-the-ground air-time hills and directional changes. This runs through three separate tunnels, finishing with the final [[brake run]] and short path back to the station.<ref name="Fast Facts" /><ref name="NTAG POV">{{cite web|last=Alvey|first=Robb|title=New Texas Giant REAL POV Six Flags Over Texas Roller Coaster Media Day 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtbCi6xts7s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VtbCi6xts7s |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=[[Theme Park Review]]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=September 5, 2013|author-link=Robb Alvey|date=April 21, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Reception==
The original Texas Giant was well received, though its popularity had declined towards the end of its operation. Following its 2010 renovation, the ride's popularity returned.

In ''[[Amusement Today]]'''s [[Golden Ticket Awards]] Texas Giant ranked as the number one wooden roller coaster for 1998 and 1999.<ref name="GTA1998" /><ref name="GTA1999" /> Its ranking slowly declined to position 32 in 2009, its final year of operation as a wooden roller coaster.<ref name="GTA2009" /> Following its 2010 renovation, the New Texas Giant again ranked highly in the Golden Ticket Awards (this time amongst steel roller coasters), achieving ranks of 6 and 5 in 2011 and 2012, respectively.<ref name="GTA2011" /><ref name="GTA2012" /> The ride also won a Golden Ticket Award for being the [[Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride|Best New Ride of 2011]].<ref name="GTA2011" />

{{GTA table
| type       = wood
| access-date = September 12, 2016
| 1998       = 1
| 1999       = 1
| 2000       = 3
| 2001       = 8
| 2002       = 8
| 2003       = 10
| 2004       = 9
| 2005       = 12
| 2006       = 14
| 2007       = 20
| 2008       = 28
| 2009       = 32
}}
{{GTA table
| type       = Hybrid
| access-date = September 10, 2014
| 2011       = 6
| 2012       = 5
| 2013       = 6
| 2014       = 8
| 2015       = 10
| 2016       = 16
| 2017       = 9
| 2018       = 23
| 2019       = 26
| 2021       = 36
| 2022       = 42
}}

==Incidents==
On July 19, 2013, a 52-year-old woman fell to her death while riding New Texas Giant. The ride was closed indefinitely pending further investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20130719-breaking-news-arlington-police-fire-at-six-flags-for-fatal-incident-texas-giant-said-to-be-involved.ece|title=Breaking: Woman dies on Six Flags' Texas Giant roller coaster|first=Robert| last= Wilonsky | work=dallasnews.com |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053616/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20130719-breaking-news-arlington-police-fire-at-six-flags-for-fatal-incident-texas-giant-said-to-be-involved.ece|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/22889634/six-flags-woman-died-while-riding-texas-giant|title=Six Flags: Woman died while riding Texas Giant |last1=Kretz |first1=Chelsea |last2=Collins|first2=Calvert|date=July 19, 2013|publisher=KDFW FOX 4|access-date=July 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/flags-texas-witnesses-shocked-roller-coaster-death/story?id=19721888|title=Witnesses on Six Flags Over Texas Roller Coaster Death: 'That Could Have Been Me'|last1=James |first1=Michael |last2=Shaw|first2=Alexis|date=July 20, 2013|publisher=ABC News|access-date=July 20, 2013}}</ref> The park completed its investigation stating on September 10, 2013, that mechanical failure was not to blame. The ride reopened on September 14, 2013, after redesigned restraint bars, pads, and seat belts were installed on all three trains.<ref name="reopening">{{cite press release|url=http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/info/texasupdate.aspx|title=The Texas Giant to Re-Open Following Implementation of Incremental Safety Measures|date=September 10, 2013|publisher=Six Flags Over Texas|access-date=September 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031093121/http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/info/texasupdate.aspx|archive-date=October 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/11/us/texas-roller-coaster-reopens/|title=Texas roller coaster set to reopen after woman's death|last1=Shoichet|first1=Catherine E.|last2=Sutton|first2=Joe|date=September 11, 2013|publisher=CNN|access-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref> The incident resulted in the introduction of seat belts as a precaution on other roller coasters throughout the Six Flags chain.<ref name="Six Flags Fiesta Texas adds seat belts to Iron Rattler after deadly fall in Arlington">{{cite news|title=Six Flags Fiesta Texas adds seat belts to Iron Rattler after deadly fall in Arlington |url=http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/six-flags-fiesta-texas-adds-seat-belts-to-roller-coaster.html |access-date=January 1, 2017 |newspaper=WFAA |date=August 15, 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211011016/http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/six-flags-fiesta-texas-adds-seat-belts-to-roller-coaster.html |archive-date=December 11, 2013 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Texas Giant|New Texas Giant}}
*{{Official website|http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/attractions/new-texas-giant}}
*{{RCDB|11662}}
*[https://www.rockymtnconstruction.com/new-texas-giant/ New Texas Giant] at [[Rocky Mountain Construction]]
*{{YouTube|BjWL3zErvv4|Official POV of the New Texas Giant}}
*{{YouTube|fHh7rvrdgJU|POV of the original Texas Giant}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=World's Tallest Wooden Roller Coaster| before=''[[Le Monstre]]'' | years=1990&ndash;May 1991| after=''[[Steel Vengeance|Mean Streak]]''}}
{{s-end}}

{{Six Flags Over Texas}}
{{Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride}}

[[Category:Roller coasters in Texas]]
[[Category:Hybrid roller coasters]]
[[Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Dinn Corporation]]
[[Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction]]
[[Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags]]
[[Category:Six Flags Over Texas]]
[[Category:Texas culture]]
[[Category:Wooden roller coasters]]
[[Category:Best New Ride winners]]