Mr. Freeze (roller coaster)

Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast (previously known as Mr. Freeze) is a steel, launched, shuttle roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas and Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. The two rides, mirror images of each other, are based on the famous Batman villain Mr. Freeze, and were both originally themed after the 1997 film Batman & Robin prior to the 2012 backwards conversion. Both versions use linear induction motor (LIM) launch systems to accelerate riders from 0–70 mph (0–113 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.[2][3]

Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast
Previously known as Mr. Freeze'
Mr. Freeze at Six Flags St. Louis, 2004
Six Flags Over Texas
Park sectionGotham City
Coordinates32°45′28″N 97°04′03″W
StatusOperating
Opening dateMarch 24, 1998 (March 24, 1998)[1]
Six Flags St. Louis
Park sectionDC Comics Plaza
Coordinates38°30′53″N 90°40′39″W
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 11, 1998 (April 11, 1998)
Cost$10 million
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched – Shuttle
ManufacturerPremier Rides
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelLIM Shuttle Loop Coaster
Lift/launch systemLinear induction motors
Height218 ft (66 m)
Drop194 ft (59 m)
Length1,300 ft (400 m)
Speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions1 (traversed twice)
Max vertical angle90°
Acceleration0 to 70 mph (0 to 113 km/h) in 3.8 seconds
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Trains2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at RCDB
Pictures of Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at RCDB

History

Mr. Freeze (1998–2011)

On December 18, 1996, Six Flags Over Texas announced that Mr. Freeze would be added to the park.[4]

Mr. Freeze was planned to open in 1997[2][3] with the release of Batman & Robin. Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Clooney were scheduled to appear at the opening of Gotham City at Six Flags Over Texas and be the first people to ride it, but troubles with the LIM system delayed the opening until 1998. This was the main reason why Schwarzenegger never appeared (since he had another promised project at the time; Clooney decided not to come because Schwarzenegger did not). The ride itself was fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.[5]

When it first opened, Mr. Freeze used over-the-shoulder restraints (commonly called OTSRs), which were replaced with individual ratcheting lap bars for the 2002 season at both locations.[2][3]

In June 2006, all Premier Rides' LIM roller coasters were closed as they underwent emergency inspection after an accident on the now-defunct Batman & Robin: The Chiller where a wheel fell off on the lowest part of the track. This problem apparently existed on all of Premier Rides' coasters with booster LIMs. New wheels and bearings were ordered and replaced.

Both roller coasters were originally painted in light blue. The Texas Mr. Freeze received a new paint job that was completed in 2007. Now, the rest of the track is painted a bright red and the supports are dark blue. For 2009, the St. Louis Mr. Freeze was repainted with dark blue track and supports.

Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast (2012–present)

On March 22, 2012, Six Flags announced that both versions of Mr. Freeze roller coasters at Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis would feature backwards facing trains and be renamed Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast.[6] The St. Louis version reopened on May 5, 2012,[7] with the help of David Freese (then a St. Louis Cardinals baseball player).[8] The Over Texas version reopened on May 12, 2012, and also Vanilla Ice helped open the ride up and had a concert.[9][10]

Two-train operation
The station of Mr. Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas

Unlike most other shuttle roller coasters, Mr. Freeze is able to simultaneously operate two five-car (20 passengers total) trains because of an innovative sliding platform in the station. One train loads and unloads on either the right or left side of the station while the other train is launched out onto the main track. When this train returns to the station, it slides to the unused side of the room and unloads as the other train slides to the middle and launches. These trains are launched by 116 linear induction motors that help them achieve a top speed of 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.[2][3]

Ride experience

Riders enter an old, abandoned ice cream factory that has now become the hideout of Mr. Freeze, one of Batman's most famous supervillains. Although the ride was originally based on Batman & Robin, the statue that can be seen in the station seems to be based on Batman: The Animated Series.

The ride begins when the alarm is sounded and riders are boosted backwards through a 190-foot (58 m) tunnel and up into a 150-foot (46 m)-tall inside top hat that flips riders completely upside-down. This element is followed by a 105-foot (32 m) overbanked turn that banks riders at a 140-degree angle and a vertical spike. As the train climbs this spike and slows, it is gently pushed up almost all the way to the top by another set of LIMs. The train then freefalls down the tower back through the course.[2][3]

References
  1. "Six Flags hit by 'Freeze' yesterday". Dallas Business Journal. American Business Journals. March 25, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  2. Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze  (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  3. Marden, Duane. "Mr. Freeze  (Six Flags St. Louis)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  4. "Sky high and really cool".
  5. "Amusement". Intermountain Lift, Inc. July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  6. "Chill Out Backwards at 70 mph as Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis launch new ride experience". Market Watch. The Wall Street Journal. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  7. Patton, Julie Brown (April 9, 2012). "Six Flags St. Louis Opens". Eureka Wildwood Patch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  8. Patton, Julie Brown (22 March 2012). "Ultimate Head Freeze Heads to Six Flags". Eureka Wildwood Patch. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  9. Janda, Greg (22 March 2012). "Six Flags to Reverse Mr. Freeze". NBC Dallas Fort Worth. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  10. Six Flags Over Texas (April 3, 2012). "The ride opening date..." Facebook. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
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