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Mr. Freeze (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
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, were inspired by Mr. Freeze
, one of Batman's
arch-enemies, and use linear induction motor
(LIM) launch systems to accelerate riders from 0 mi/h in 3.8 seconds.
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 didn't).
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.
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 have been replaced.
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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.
s that help them achieve a top speed of 70 mi/h in 3.8 seconds.
The ride begins when the lights in the launch tunnel turn on and the lights in the station dim. LIMs launch the train through a 190 feet (57.9 m) tunnel and up into a 150 feet (45.7 m)-tall inside top hat that flips riders completely upside-down. This element is followed by a 105 feet (32 m) overbanked turn 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 LIMs stop and the train runs the entire course in reverse.
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
launched
Launched roller coaster
The launched roller coaster is a modern form of roller coaster which has increased in use in the last decade. In place of a traditional chain lift, the launched coaster initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or series of Linear Induction Motors , Linear Synchronous Motors ,...
, shuttle
Shuttle roller coaster
A shuttle roller coaster is any roller coaster that ultimately does not make a complete circuit, but rather reverses at some point throughout its course and traverses the same track backwards...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
located at Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a major amusement park located in Arlington, Texas , east of Fort Worth and about west of Dallas. It is the oldest park of the Six Flags chain. The park opened on August 5, 1961 following just a year of construction and an initial investment of US$10 million by real estate...
in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
and Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags St. Louis , is an amusement park owned by Six Flags, Inc. It is located in Eureka, Missouri, USA . Opened in 1971 as the third theme park of the Six Flags chain, this was the last park that was built under the Six Flags name...
in Eureka, Missouri
Eureka, Missouri
Eureka is a city located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, between St. Louis and Pacific, Missouri, along Interstate 44. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 10,189. The city is west of the former site of Times Beach, the site of dioxin contamination discovered in...
. The two rides, mirror images of each other, were inspired by Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
, one of Batman's
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
arch-enemies, and use linear induction motor
Linear induction motor
A linear induction motor is an AC asynchronous linear motor that works by the same general principles as other induction motors but which has been designed to directly produce motion in a straight line....
(LIM) launch systems to accelerate riders from 0 mi/h in 3.8 seconds.
History
Mr. Freeze was planned to open in 1997 with the release of Batman & Robin. Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
and George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
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 didn't).
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.
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
Batman & Robin: The Chiller
Batman & Robin: The Chiller was a sit down dual track looping shuttle roller coaster designed by Premier Rides that operated at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey from 1997 to 2007. Due to the constant downtime and flaws in the ride's operation, Six Flags removed the ride from the...
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 have been replaced.
Two-train operation
Unlike most all 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 244 linear induction motorLinear induction motor
A linear induction motor is an AC asynchronous linear motor that works by the same general principles as other induction motors but which has been designed to directly produce motion in a straight line....
s that help them achieve a top speed of 70 mi/h in 3.8 seconds.
Rider experience
Riders enter an old, abandoned ice cream warehouse that is themed to be the hideout of Batman's enemy, Mr. Freeze.The ride begins when the lights in the launch tunnel turn on and the lights in the station dim. LIMs launch the train through a 190 feet (57.9 m) tunnel and up into a 150 feet (45.7 m)-tall inside top hat that flips riders completely upside-down. This element is followed by a 105 feet (32 m) overbanked turn 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 LIMs stop and the train runs the entire course in reverse.