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This article is about the roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas. For the stand-up roller coaster at Drayton Manor, click here.

Shock Wave
Shockwave_(Six_Flags_Over_Texas)_-_OnRide_-_(1080p)
General
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Park Six Flags Over Texas
Location
Status Operating
Operated
Operated
Opened April 22, 1978
Opening April 22, 1978
Cost
Height restriction 3 ft 6 in (107 cm)
Statistics
Manufacturer Schwarzkopf
Builder
Designer Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH
Type Steel- Sit-Down
Type
Model
Riders per train
Riders per hour 1,100
Lift/launch system Chain, Lift Hill
Height 116 feet
Drop 105 feet
Top speed 60 mph
Length 3,600 feet
Dimensions
Duration 2:00
Inversions 2
Steepest drop 46 deg
Maximum g-force 5.9G

Shock Wave is a Schwarzkopf sit-down roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas.[1] Contrary to popular belief, it was not the first roller coaster to feature back to back vertical loops. That distinction goes to Double Loop at Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom, which opened in 1977, a year before Shock Wave. Shock Wave is located at the very edge of the park, easily seen from the Interstate Highway 30.

Design[]

Trains 7 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train.

History[]

When Shock Wave opened on 22 April 1978, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world, at 116 feet tall. It was overtaken only weeks later by the Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens: The Old Country

While not the fastest, scariest, or most technically advanced ride today, it still is ideal toward younger riders looking to go on their first "upside down" roller coaster as well as nostalgics and coaster enthusiasts

The ride is built on Johnson Creek real estate and had to temporarily shut down in the 2004 season because of a flood. Shock Wave temporarily closed again in early 2008 for an extensive remodeling.

Ride Experience[]

After the 116 feet (35 meters) lift hill, a U-Turn with a slight dip follows. The coaster then goes down the first drop into the back-to-back loops, with peak forces at 5.9G. The train then travels up a hill into the mid-course brake run. The ride then turns right and dives down and back up. The ride then turns left and drops down again. The final element is a hill with a left turn that goes into a 270 deg helix to the right, before returning to the station.

Colour Schemes[]

Since it's opening, Shock Wave has had many color schemes. On opening, the track and supports were all-white. since then, the coaster has been painted dark-blue, light blue, silver, white track with yellow supports and dark-blue with red supports.

Currently, the ride is painted green with blue supports.

Photo Gallery[]

References[]

Six Flags Over Texas Roller Coasters
Operating Batman the RideJudge Roy ScreamLa VíboraMini Mine TrainMr. FreezeNew Texas GiantPandemoniumRunaway Mine TrainRunaway MountainShock WaveTitanWile E. Coyote's Grand Canyon Blaster
Former Big BendFlashbackCucaracha
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