Year Installed:
1967
Last Year Operated:
1989
Section:
Texas
Manufacturer: Other Names and Nicknames:
The Spindletop was a Rotor style rotating barrel ride. It was installed in 1967. Named for the Spindletop Oil Fields, the ride was originally located at the site that is now the location of the Majestic Theater.
For the 1968 season, it was moved to a location that was then part of Skull Island. In 1969, after the opening of the Tower, the same ride location placed it at site at the end of Tower Slide in the Tower Section. The ride was not moved for the 1969 season, but the tower and slide were placed around it and Skull Island was scaled back.
In 1982, the ride was moved for the second time. It was located at the former site of the Texas Astrolift. It was removed after the 1989 season.
Year Installed:
1961
Last Year Operated:
Currently Operating
Section:
Texas
Manufacturer: Other Names and Nicknames:
Crazy Horse Saloon Theater
The Crazy Horse is show saloon, complete with a small stage for western singing and can-can dancing, as well as a bar. In keeping with the park’s family friendly atmosphere, park promotional materials make it very clear that “although it is a saloon, only soft-drinks are sold there.”
The theater is rather small, with room for a small stage, a piano, and several tables for the guests. Four or five performers in saloon costumes sang period songs, danced on the stage and mingled with the guests.
In keeping with the park’s historical emphasis, the entire back bar is an actual antique bar from an 1890 vintage saloon. Carpenters crafted a new front bar to conform to the original. Antique tables and chairs were acquired from a saloon in Little Rock, Arkansas.
While there are shows and performers in all of the sections of the park, the Crazy Horse is unique in that is the park’s first indoor show. It continued as the park’s only indoor show for the first seven years of operation, until the much larger Southern Palace replaced the amphitheater in 1968. It is also the longest running theater in the park, operating continuously since the first season. Inside, the singing and dancing showgirls still entertain visitors.
Being the only indoor theater, the Crazy Horse also served as an employee auditorium, being used for orientation sessions, training, and other meetings
The Crazy Horse Saloon opened with the Park in 1961 and is the oldest theater in the park.
Year Installed:
2001
Last Year Operated:
Operating
Section:
Texas
Manufacturer:
Giovanola
Other Names and Nicknames:
The Titan was built for Six Flag’s fortieth anniversary season. Construction of the Titan was one of the Six Flags over Texas’ largest capital expenses. The ride, a” mega-coaster”, is located in the southwest corner of the park, west of the Texas section, in an area that had previously been outside the park. Much of the ride extends out over one of the park’s parking lots.
The ride starts with a 245 foot high hill. The lift leads to a 255 foot 65 degree drop into a 120 foot long below ground tunnel. After topping the first hill, the ride reaches speeds of up to 85 mph. The ride track is 5,312 feet in length. The three thirty rider trains can carry up to1600 guests per hour. During the three minute ride, guests can experience up to 4.5 Gs.
The Titan is an extended version of the Goliath built at Six Flags Magic Mountain. When built, the two rides tied for the third tallest roller coaster in the world. Since then they have dropped to fifth tallest. The pair are currently the sixth fastest steel coasters in the world. Both rides were built by Giovanola of Switzerland.
Year Installed:
1990
Last Year Operated:
Currently Operating
Section:
Texas
Manufacturer:
Dinn Corporation
Other Names and Nicknames:
Giant
On opening day, March 17, 1990, Six Flags opened the Texas Giant Rollercoaster, at the time, the world’s tallest wooden roller coaster. The Giant, Six Flags second wooden roller coaster, is located on 2.9 acres of the park in the Texas section, across the railroad tracks from the Texas Railroad station.
The trains travel up an initial lift of 143 feet, followed by a 53 degree drop of 137 feet. The trains travel the 4,920 feet of track in a little over two minutes. They average speeds of up to 39 mph and the riders feel g-forces of up to 2.7.
The three trains carry up to 28 guests for a capacity 1,800 riders per hour. The trains were built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The track was designed by Curtis D. Summers and built by the Dinn Corporation.
The ride closed on November 1, 2009, for a yearlong renovation, to reopen in the 2011 season. Being more than just a rebuild, it is anticipated that the new version will have alternate elements.
Year Installed:
1961
Last Year Operated:
On-going
Section:
Texas
Manufacturer: Other Names and Nicknames:
Section: Texas
Year installed: 1961
The Gunfighter Shows have been held in the Texas section since the park opened in 1961. The shows recreate the good-guy/bad-guy shoot-outs of the wild west. They are designed to be entertaining more than historically accurate. Typically they take place on the street in front of the Courthouse in the Texas Section. Over the years, however, shows have been held in various locations around the park. In some shows, outlaws rob the Train while it is running, leading to a shoot-out in front of the Texas train station. Shoot-outs have also been held in front of the Jersey Lilly, around the corner from the Courthouse.
Starting in 1994, the Texas section hosted the Texas Backlot Stunt Show, an outdoor action-comedy stunt-show featured in the Texas section. Additional sets were built next to the Jersey Lilly for this show. The first show, the O.K Corral Shootout Backlot show,was tied to the release of the Warner Brother’s movie Wyatt Earp. The stunt shows continued through the 1990s.
At this time, the Gunfights continue in front of the Courthouse.
1961 OPENING SEASON Updated Six Flags Railroad Spiel Written by, Mr. Charles R. Meeker, Assisted by James Thompson and Hulen Buckner of the SFRR Crew. Revised, August, 7, 1961. Provided by James Thompson
(While Train is unloading just before Bullpen Gates are open.)
Now loadin’, boardin’ and, filling up. This here Express Train is going to Buffalo Gulch, Scalpers Corners, Johnson’s Creek, New Town, Rim Rock, Mexican Junction, Will’s Point, and this here Great Southwest Station. All Aboard!
(As Train is loading.)
Well Howdy there you Folks, this here is yore Con-ductor (Brakeman) speakin’ at you from back here on the backend of this bran new Express Train. We’s just tickeled to death, to have y’all on here with us. But now before we git started they is a few rules you got to go by, a fore we can git started.
First is, there ain’t suppose to be no stannin’ up on this Train, cause when it starts off you might git knocked down, and hurt yoreself and besides the folks behind you couldn’t see and they’ll libel to git mad at ya! Also now, don’t be sticking yore Arms, Legs, Feet, Heads, ner yore Younguns out of the Train cause they might git bumped or knocked off.
Then, don’t be a throwin’ no Sassparilly cups, Ice Cream Sticks, Lunch Baskets, Wives, Younguns, ner Mother n Laws off this Train neither, cause it messes up the Tracks, and we just might stop and make you git off and up pickum up.
Also, you gotta put out all yore Ciggeretts, Stogies, Charoots, and Seegars cause there ain’t no Smokin’ allowed on this Train. And for them of ya that might be a Chewin, be sure and don’t SPIT cause yore libel ta git it all over you and the folks behind ya, and nobody would appreciate that.
Then finally, in case of an Indian Attack, I want all you Women and Childurn to git down underneath the Seats, and all you Men folk with yore Shootin Irons, and Six Guns ta git’im out and see if you can pick off a few of them critters.
Now we is just about ready to go, as soon as the Station Master down there gives the Signal, and the Engineer toots the Whistle. (Train usually will make a slight lurch forward, when this happens say.) Boy, did you feel that Power?
(As the front half of the Train clears the Water Tower start this.)
The next Station is Buffalo Gulch. If you folks will look down there to your right you can see the Folks riding on the Butterfield Stage. Ya’all need to wave at them cause it’s hot n dusty down there, and it’ll take them 3 Days to get where there goin’. We’re all most to the Station and if you will all look out under them Trees, you can see our Happy Family of Buffalo. There is the Momma, Poppa, a Baby, and the Big Ugly one over there is the Mothern Law.
(When the Engine starts across the 2nd Bridge.)
We’re coming to Scalper’s Corners. As I said, while ago. You fellas keep yore eyes peeled for any Injuns a hiding behind the Bushes here, and see if you can get a shot at one of them.
Page 2… (Revised 1961 Opening Season SFRR Spiel.)
(When back of Train clears the Scalper’s Corners Station sign.)
Next Station, Johnson’s Creek. Now folks when we start across this here next Bridge at Johnson Creek. I don’t want to see nobody lean out too far and fall in, cause there is a couple a three, great big Snapping Turtles, and a bunch of Water Moxkins down in there, and we don’t allow ya’all to feed them.
(As Engine clears the far end of Johnson Creek Bridge.)
Folks we’ll be coming in to “New Town” Station in a minuet . Now I want you all to look up here on you right at the folks riding these new fangled con-traptions. Me and the other fellas working on this Train, was a looking at them the other Day and, we figured it wasn’t too smart of them to be riding on them things. Cause as you can see, as far down in them things as they are, and as fast as they are a going, if the bottom was to fall out of it. They’ed wear the Seat of their Britches out before they could get it stopped!.
Now if you think that was funny looking, I want you to look at this thing down her next to the “New Town” Station. See there, they got these boxes with wheels on them running around on that little biddy track. Now who in the world would want to be on something like that when it’s a jerking and banging you around like that. They got some pretty funny looking stuff over here in this part of the Country.
(As Engine crosses RR Crossing just past “New Town” station.)
“Rim Rock” station is right down here, and we’er fixing to go thru the Tunnel. So I want all you Women and Childurn to git out yore Hankies and kivver up yore Faces, so you don’t choke on the Coal Smoke. (After Con-ductor clears Tunnel.) Now, didn’
(When Train gets about 2 way up the grade past the Tunnel, Call next station!)
“Mexican Junction” Now folks if’un you’ll look right out there to your right, in a minuet you can probably see the Little Mexican Train that you can connect with if you wuz to get off this Train here. But you can’t git off, cause we ain’t stopping, cause nobody told me you wanted off.
Next Station is “Will’s Point”. Now when we git down here, I want you to look down thar among them Trees and you can probably see them Folks riding on then Mules with one of them Con-cestidoor fellas a looking for one of them Cities of Gold.
(After Engine passes “Will’s Point” Station Sign, Station Master at Great Southwest Station will Signal a STOP with the White Flag. Engineer will answer with the Train Whistle, say.)
Now Folks we’re fixing to come in to “Great Southwest” Station and we’ll be a stopping cause the Station Master there has Signaled us to stop. Now I don’t want see nobody to start to git up and git off til the Train comes to a complete stop, and I tell you it’s alright to git off. Cause If’un you wuz to git off to quick, you might fall down and Skin yore knees, Scuff yore Boots, Rip the Seat of yore Britches, or Dent up the Platform, or no tellin what, and we can’t have that, so just keep yore Seat. Now just hold it, wait a minuet, Hold it. (Train stops with slight jerk. Then say.) Ok, Now you can git off, and Ya’
Railroad Spiel as Given SFOT – 1974 (written in dialect)
Great Southwest Texas Depot (Leaving for Good Times Square)
We-e-e-ll, howdy there folks. This here is yore corn-ductor speakin’ at cha’ll frum th’ very tail end of this here brand spankin’, spiffy new, luxurious, stre-e-e-m lined, an’ air corn-ditioned 1897 (for General Sam Houston,)/ 1901 (for Maribeau B. Lamar) narry-gauge railroad train.
Yessiree, you folks is in fer th’ time of yore life. But just so as it won’t be th’ last time, there are a few important company policies you to be abidin’ by. First off, don’t you go to a standin’ up, jumpin’ up and down, playin’ tag, flyin’ kites out the winders, runnin’ up an’ down th’ runnin’ boards, er a playing musical chairs. Second of all, I don’t want to see none of y’all throwin’ off you paper cups, ice cream sticks, brothers, sisters, or mother-in-laws, causin’ ifin’ you don’t want them, well neither do we. And I don’t want to see no smoking of any sort aboard this here train, cause the engine up front will be doing enough for the all of us, I ga-a-a-ranteee.
Now in just a second that corn-ducter down there on the platform is goin’ to be givin’ the signal an’ we’re going be pullin’ outa here. Y’all see that there corn-ductor? Well, she’s mighty fine at givin’ that there signal. Yessireee, she went to school for three week learnin’ ta signal thata way. Ain’t that somethin’? Well, don’t you be too impressed, ’cause it was only a two day course.
Well there was the signal, and here we go, [engine usually makes one big pull before] and there we went [and then comes to a near stop.] [While the train is barely moving]. Why if you don’t believe that were a really movin’, just look behind us. See?, we are a leavin’ tracks.
[Train leaves the station heading south, towards the flume.]
As well pull out of the station, I want you to look to your immediate left. There you will see the Six Flags Watermelon patch. If you ever go a get a whole in your watermelon, that’s were you can take it to get a patch.
Also off to yore left is the original, genuine, first in the country, Six Flags Over Texas Log Flume Ride. Yessiree, those folks have the time of their life floating around in that there giant horse trough. An’ if you think that Horse trough is big, wait’ll you see the size of the horse that a drinks out of it.
[Flume ride to the left in the trees.]
Yessireee, I hear that is one might fine ride, ‘cept at the end. They tell me it’s a real let down.
Off to yore left is a long green building. That’s our En-jun house. That is where we put our engines to bed at night. But don’t ch’all corn-fuse the Engine House with a teepee or a wigwam, ya hear?
Next stop is Me-e-e-x-i-i-can Junction! Here’s where ya’ll can join in the singin’ and the dancin’ an’ th’ wild Bull-fightin’. If ya’ll cast yore peppers up there to yer left an way up in th’ sky ya’ll see a real live volcano. An’ I bet if we was ta stay here long enough we’d get ta see a mighty molten mass move down th’ mountain hotter than the sun!
The weather forecast for this here junction is “chilly today’ and “hot tomalle”.
[On the right and left are dancing tamales, and Mexican men riding very small horses. All left over animations from the Mexican hat train.]
These here are our Dogwood trees. Do ya know why we calls ’em Dogwoods? ’cause of their bark.
All you ladies best look off to th’ right, ’cause on yore left my friend Zeke is goin’ be out takin’ his monthly showery bath. I’m shore he’d be a might embarrassed if you was to watch ‘im. Well for shame for shame own you, lady!
[Hillbilly in a shower barrel taking his shower.]
Every year we get hundreds of thousan’s of letters complimenting us on our beautiful landscaping. You may be a wondering whats we call these beautiful plants a growing to your left and your right. We calls ’em weeds.
An’ now look up there ta your right. To the sky, to your right, Do ya see it? Do ya see it? Of course ya don’t see it. There’s nuthin’ up there to see.
[Nothing to see in the sky.]
Cover up ya noses now, ’cause shoe-oe-oe-oe-weeeee we’re coming to a tunnel. Don’t that smell sweet as fried bacon on a Sunday mornin” at th’ farm. That smell so sweet, we wus thinkin’ of bottlin’ it up an’ selling’ it as a fancy perfume. We wus gonna call it “Tun-nel” number five.
Now everyone, look to your left and to your right, you see that there thing swerving around that track, that’s there is the big bend roller coaster.
Yes sireee, those there trains go around that there a swevin’ a curvin’ track faster than Ewell Gibbons chasin’ after a wild hickory nut!
(If the B.B. is broken down: Do ya see them trains runnin’ up and down the’ swervin” an’ curvin’ track? Do ya see ’em? Of course ya don’t, ’cause them trains move so fast they can’t be seen!)
[Big Bend cue house to the left of the train. Track to the left and around the train. Ewell Gibbons was a popular health food/nature sponsor of the time.]
Now looky off to yore left, seem them things sputterin’ around th’ road bed? Thems called automobiles. But don’t you go and learn that fuelish word, cause those thangs won’t never replace the horse an’ buggy. Why, there built so fast and so low to th’ ground, you’d burn th’ seat of your britches off if ya ever did tried to stop one.
[Happy Motoring off to the left.]
Off to the right is a Great Big Ol’ Yella Buildin’. Do ya know what we call that there Great big ol’ yella Buildin’. That’s right – we calls it the Great Big Ol’ Yella Buildin’! Actually, that there’s the Sid an’ Marty Krofft Puppet Show. And we have a real fine show there, no strings attached.
[Puppet show off to the right.]
In just a minute we’ll pull into the Good Time Square Station an’ all of ya’ll’ that wants to get off kin get off when we get ta a complete stop an’ after I tell you to. You folks that wanta stay on are more than welcome to do that to.
Like I said, now, wait a minute, just a second! Hold it now… just a cotton pickin’, finger licken’, ever lovin’ ever lastin’. I say “1”, (“pause”) I say “2” … I say “2”, I say “2”. Well I done said to three times now, so Get Off.
Good Times Square Station
Howdy folks. (pause) I sed “Howdy” (pause) Howdy! (pause) I gives ya’ll a great big Texas Howdy and all I get back is a little ole Rhode Island “hi”. I sed “Howdy”. Well, ain’t ya’ll a trainful of Minnie Pearlz.
Th’ Six Flags Over Texas Narry Gage Railroad Company is proud ta announce th’ imminite departure of th’ General Sam Houston/Mirabeau B. Lamar on track #1, which is th’ only track we got, non-stop for the Great Southwest Texas Depot.
Soasta we kin get from here ta yonder just like we got frum yonder ta here, I’m gonna give y’all a few important compuny policies. First off, don’t ya be standin’ up, er jumpin’ up an’ down, er be actin’ wild, wolley, weird, wicker er way-out. An’ don’t nobody be smokin’ nuthin’, ’cause the engine up front just might get excited, an’ just might get ignited. Don’t ya be a throwin off your ice ream sticks, an’ paper cups. An’ last of all, don’t ya be danglin’ yer arms and legs off the train, “cause if ya stick out off fer a little too long, you may bring ’em back in a little too short.
Of course, th’ most important rule is that nobody is ta be turnin’ around an looking at yer handsome, good-lookin’, swave, debonair, personable, modest, intelligent, resourceful, charmin’ cornuductor at th’ very tail end of this train. (pause) What’s th’ matter Lady, ain’t you never seen a corn-ductor before?
Well, now just as soon as that there corn-ductor down on th’ platform gives th’ engineers th’ signal, we’ll be pullin’ outa here.
(Signal) Well there’s th’ signal. Here we go, an’ there we went. Did you feel that blinding burst of speed? Yessireee, why, we’re a moving faster than a whole heard of man-eating mud turtles, a slipping and a sliding down to the creek on a salty Saturday in September.
As we leave, I want you to be sure and waive good-bye to that there conductor on the platform, cause if you don’t waive goodbye, he won’t a know that were a leavin’.
Lookee of there ta your left an’ y’all see th’ Six Flags over Texas Carousel Ride. That’s a fancy name for a merry-go-round. There’s one identical to this one at th’ Smithsonian Institute.
[Passing the Merry-go-Round on the left.]
That there track yore a seeing now is th’ Six Flags Mini-mine train. We built it ‘specially fer all ya little folks an’ all you big chicken’s whats to scare to be a ridin’ on th’ Six Flags Over Texas Runaway Mine Train. It’s guaranteed ta jar, jive, jump an’ jolt you socks off with its mighty trestle, mighty track, and might mine trains.
To your right is th’ Ghost Town Saloon. Y’all can see my friends are still playing’ the poker game they started last Thursday. You may be a thinkin’ that they is on a crash diet. That’s not it at all, its just that the bartender has been forgettin’ ta put the olives in there drinks.
Iffin’ everyone will lookee ta yer left, y’all see th’ Caddo Indians in their canoes. Little is it known that them canoes are faster than th’ U.S. Mail. That’s cause not only do they have an injun in th’ front, they had an injun in the rear. By th’ way I’ll bet cha’ll don’t know why th’ Indians were th’ first folks on th’ American Continent? It’s cause they had reservations!
Iffin y’all will cast yer peepers to yore right, you’ll see th’ scariest ride at Six Flags Over Texas. We call it th’ Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike. (Now we call it I-30).
Now if you’ll look there ta yer left, you’ll see a cement pond where we corral our dolphins. Yessirree, we was gonna have George C. Scott teach us a dolphin how to talk, but Larry Zonka couldn’t make it.
[At the time, George C. Scott had released a movie about teaching a dolphin to talk and Larry Zonka played for the Miami Dolphins.]
That great big ol’ orange thang next to th’ dolphin pool is th’ worlds tallest land-based oil derrick. Yessireee, we got elevators there that’ll take ya 300 feet into the sky, an’ bring ya back down 320. Course, if ya don’t want to go all the way to th’ top, ya kin walk up them steps an’ slide down on one of th’ longest slides in this part of th’ country.
Inside that funny locking building there to yer left is where ya kin see the Chevy Show. The Chevy Show is a real fine show. You had better see it before you leave the park tonight, ’cause it’s awfully hard ta see it after ya leave.
Off to your right is our Music Meal Theater.
To your left is the horseless carriages produced by the Chaparral Motor Car Company of Cleburne, Texas. In 1911 them thangs was selling better than buttered biscuits at th’ State Fair, but Henry Ford came along and put ’em out of business, cause Ford had “a better idea”.
In just another minute were gonna pull into th’ Great Southwest Texas Depot an’ when we do you folks that want ta get off can get off, and you people that want to stay on can stay on. But ya can’t do both, an’ ya can’t do neither either, so you best make up your mind.
It’ll be just another second, just another minute, hold it, wait, wait till I give you the word. Hey there Mister, will you pleas pull your big, fat, hairy leg back into th’ train? Oh! Sorry about that Lady!
Now hold it, wait… Let me give you th’ word, hold it, wait…. Word. I sed, “WORD”. “WORD” Well, I done said the word three times, what are you a waitin’ fer? Get off. This here train don’t go no slower.
The Six Flags Railroad is the oldest operating attraction at Six Flags Over Texas and has the distinction of being the ONLY attraction remaining from the park’s initial season.
The trains make a one mile run around the park. The ride is enhanced by the “Spiel of the Conductor“, which points out the sights for the riders, highlights interesting facts about the park, and provides some “corny” entertainment. The spiel changes over the years as new attractions are added and others are removed.
The Engines
The center pieces of the Railroad are the two engines, each of which has an extensive history of its own. Engine Number 1 is known as the Green Train due to its green paint scheme. The Green Train was constructed in 1901 as Engine 1280 of the Dickson Works of the American Locomotive company.
Engine Number 2 is known as the Red Train for its red color scheme. It is the older and smaller of the two engines. It was manufactured in 1897 as Engine Number 1754 of the Porter Company.
Enterprise Plantation
Both Engines were originally built for the Enterprise Plantation, a Sugar Cane Plantation, in Patoutville, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, owned by the Patout family. The Red Train was Enterprise’s first engine and tender and was named the “Lydia”. The Green Train was Enterprise’s second engine and tender and was named the “Mary Ann”.
The Engines were part of a fleet of 8 engines and 220 4 ton cars eventually owned by the plantation railroad, which operated until 1945.
The Engines are Narrow Gauge (36″), meaning that the distance between the two tracks is thirty-six inches. This is smaller than Standard Gauge Railroads, but allows for better maneuverability on tight tracks.
Both engines were leased to Six Flags Over Texas by the Patout Family when the park opened in 1961. As of 1995, the Trains still operated in the park under a lease agreement.
Six Flags Rebuilds the Engines
The Green Train, originally the “Mary Ann” at the Enterprise Plantation, was renamed the “General Sam Houston” by Six Flags, in honor of the Texas hero. Its pulls four cars, and is the primary train of the railroad, operating even on slow days when only one of the two trains is running.
The Red Train, originally the “Lydia” at the Enterprise Plantation, was renamed the “Maribeu B. Lamar”, also in honor of the a Texas hero. It pulls a compliment of three passenger cars. It usually runs as an extra train on crowded days.
The two engines were rebuilt by the park at an estimated cost of $50,000 each. Photographs of the original “Lydia” and the “Mary Ann” hang in the lobby of the Texas Station. Due to reconstruction of the engines, they look different from their current appearance and may not instantly be recognized. A lantern and cattle guard was added the front end of the each train. The Engines are no longer wood burning and the tenders were converted accordingly. Additional guide wheels were added to the front of each engine under the cattle guards.
The front smoke stack on the Green Train was modified. On the Red Train, the covering for the Engineer and Fireman was moved back on the engine and additional windows were added.
The passenger cars were also built for the park.
The Red Train has since been renamed to the Charles Jefferson Patton, in honor of the engineer that operated the Six Flag engines for many years. The Green Train has been renamed in honor of Larry Cochran.
The Engine House
The home to the Trains is an engine house built in the Southwest Corner of the park, outside of the Spanish and Mexican Sections. The Engine House can be viewed by Guests as they ride the trains.
Train Operations – Sights
The Trains originally operated only out of the Six Flags Railroad Station in the Texas Section. The station was officially named the “Great Southwest Station.” Trains left the Texas Station heading North towards the Chaparral cars. They made a non-stop round trip run around the park, which was completely enclosed by the track. Along the way, riders could see some of the parks rides and attractions. Some of the route, however, was through as of yet undeveloped areas of the park. The park added sights to these areas. In what was to become the boomtown area of the park, Buffalo lived in pens for viewing by guests on the trains.
The trains made their one way run until Six Flags added Boomtown in 1963. The Boomtown Station was added as part of the boomtown section and the trains began the tradition of stopping on the east end of the Park so riders could disembark and new riders could embark.
When the StageCoach ride closed, the “Ghost-town saloon” animation was moved to become part of the train’s landscape. Likewise, in 1968 when the Fiesta Train was rebuilt, the Train landscape became the home of several of the old Fiesta Train’s animations, including the “dancing tamales“. This section of the landscape became known as “Mexican Junction”, although the Trains never actually stopped there.
Station Houses
The ride stayed basically the same until Six Flags added Good Times Square in 1973. At that time, the old Boomtown Station house was removed and the Good Times Square Station was added in its place. Rather than being inside the track like the Texas and Boomtown Stations, the Good Times Square Station was on the outside of the track. The Passenger cars were modified accordingly so that they could be entered from either side.
At the same time that the Good Times Square Station was added, the Trains were “turned” so that they ran the opposite direction, leaving the Texas Station South, heading towards the flume. Of course, the Conductors now how to learn to spiel “backwards”.
The Trains were “turned” again in the early 1980s, so that they now depart Texas in the same direction as they did in 1961, heading North, towards the Chaparral cars.
In 1987, the Good Times Square Station was removed to make way for the Mr. Freeze Ride. At that time, a new Boomtown Station was built.
Texas Station has now been renamed from “Great Southwest Station” to the “Johnson Creek Station“.
The Six Flags Railroad is an official operating railroad regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission.
An Official Texas Historical Plaque hangs on the outside of Texas Station, documenting the history of Narrow Gauge Railroads in Texas. The plaque, placed in 1966, incorrectly states that the engines were originally manufactured in 1887 and 1903.
The Trains remain a popular ride, in that they can be enjoyed by both the young and the old. More importantly, the preserve a piece of American history that many generations can only read about. Hopefully, the whistle of the engines will always be heard throughout the park.
Year Installed:
2003
Last Year Operated:
Currently Operating
Section:
Tower
Manufacturer:
S&S Power, Inc
Other Names and Nicknames:
The park opened the Superman tower ride for 2003. The ride, a three leg free-fall tower, stands 325-feet tall from the ground to the top of the ten-foot tall US flag mounted on the structure. It is one of the world’s tallest free falls rides. At the time that it was installed, it was the tallest structure in the park when measured to the top of the American flag.
Built by S&S Power, Inc. of Logan, Utah, each one of the three legs has three sides. Each of the three sides holds three seats, for a total of twenty-seven simultaneous riders. The ride has a capacity of 1,200 riders per hour.
The ride seats are propelled by compressed air. Riders feel 3.5 g’s on the ascent and a negative .8 g’s on the descent. The cost of construction was estimated at over $10 million dollars.
The Superman Tower of Power was previewed with a media event on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2003. The ride officially opened to the public the following Saturday. Twelve contest winners were the initial riders for the ride’s official opening. Named for Superman, the hero of comic books, TV shows, and movies, the ride followed the park’s practice of naming rides after DC Comic characters.
In 1965, the Arena was added to the west of the Railroad tracks. The first show featured circus acts. In 1966, the arena featured a wild-west show. In 1970, the arena was remodeled and featured the Las Voladores Flying Indian Spectacular. The Arena closed in 1974, after the opening of the Music Mill Theater.
For the 1983 season, the Spindletop was moved to the site of the Texas Lift.
In 1990, the Texas Giant wooden roller coaster was added. The Spindletop was removed from the park in 1989, to make way for the photo booth at the exit of the Texas Giant.