In Part 1 we looked back at the original Texas Giant roller coaster and how its trademark size and speed was ultimately its downfall. Six Flags over Texas had decided to take a chance on an innovative idea to transform an aging, wooden classic into an all-new, future classic.
The Texas Giant gave its final ride at the conclusion of Fright Fest in November 2009 before shutting down for over a year of construction. Work started soon afterward in meticulously removing the existing track and catwalks. Guide to SFoT’s construction updates began in June of 2010 once this initial step was complete.
June 6, 2010
Site visitor Byron Burkett sent in these images in early June, kicking off our construction coverage. Track replacement started by mostly following the ride’s path, beginning with the turn out of the station and the lift hill.
After the original track was removed, workers then installed horizontal steel ledgers that laid the base to which the new RMC track would attach.
Giant Under Construction
Before construction, comes demolition
Brake Run
New track installed on the brake run
Bare Lift Hill
The lift looks mighty bare with the track removed
Lift Hill
Look closely to see the original profile/height of the lift hill
Lift Hill
New ledgers installed on the lift hill
End of Ride
Track removed from the “magic carpet” finale
Overview
View from the Oil Derrick
Track Removed
Bare structure left behind after removing track
First Turn – New Track
New track installed on the turn out of the station before the lift
Turnaround
Turnaround with all the track removed
July 13 & 15, 2010
By mid-July, the lift hill and first drop were complete, showing off the new 79° descent. New supports could be spotted atop old supports throughout the lift, which allowed New Texas Giant to be 10 ft (3 m) taller.
The new high-speed “double-up” element after the first drop also started to take shape, sure to promise strong airtime.
Lift Hill
The completed turnaround and lift hill
First Drop
First drop shortly after completion
Double-Up
The double-up after the first drop starts to take shape
Bare Supports
Track removed from the turnarounds next to the lift hill
Double-Up
Completed double-up feature after the first drop
Double-Up
The double-up leads to the first sweeping turn
July 20, 2010
Our photos from July 20 show work had completed on the valley after the first drop and track progressing after the double-up and into the first turn.
Workers
Workers install track to the ledgers
Double-Up
The completed double up differs from the original Giant which just went straight up into a turn
First Drop
The completed first drop
First Drop
The completed first drop
First Drop
The completed first drop
First Drop
The completed valley of the first drop
Track Installation
Track rails being installed
Workers
Workers hanging out on the ride structure
July 28 2010
By late July, work on the double-up/turnaround feature had slowed a bit as the track with the banking transition was installed. Below the banking transition, track for the inner turn had also been installed, as well as the new transfer track.
Post Double-Up
Supports are prepared for the first overbanked turn
Inside Turn
Lower track on the inside turn starts to take shape
Overview
The completed first drop and double up
August 15, 2010
In mid-August it seemed progress on the first turnaround had stalled. Meanwhile, work on the inner track before the midcourse brake run had revealed another thrilling departure from the original Giant, as described in our quote from the original construction update.
Yet another significant change has emerged: this time a relatively small bunny hill after the large second turnaround drop that’s sure to provide some intense negative Gs.
Twisting track
Track being installed on the transition up into the midcourse
Course Taking Shape
After the bunny hill, the track will swoop up to the midcourse
Progress Aerial
The pre-midcourse bunny hill is evident in this image
Progress Aerial
Equipment staged around the construction site
Bunny Hill
A bunny hill in the background that leads up to the midcourse
Lift and Drop Profile
Note where the original lift supports end and new ones begin
Banners
Promotional signage advertising the new Texas Giant
Marketing
Early promotional signage claimed records for wood coasters
Track
Track sections waiting to be installed
September 11, 2010
In September, progress was slightly delayed due to tropical storm Hermine sweeping across Texas, flooding the construction site.
Track for the midcourse brake was placed, while ledgers being installed revealed both vertical and extremely overbanked turns. It was becoming increasingly clear that the New Texas Giant would be taking full advantage of the new track system’s capabilities.
Turn 1
An overview of the double-up and transition into the first overbanked turn
Turn 1 Ledgers
Ledgers are set for the first overbanked turn
Pullout
Track leaves the double-up and into the first turn
Turn 2
Ledgers for turn 2 show the intense level of banking riders will experience
No More Double-Helix
Structure removed from the original double helix around the lift
Midcourse
Midcourse brake run track installed
Midcourse Brake
The midcourse brake was lowered due to the new train losing more speed
Overview
Track being attached to supports
Finale
Track for the finale being installed
Overbanked Turn
112-degree overbanked turn
Overbanked Turn
Severe overbanking on the third turn
October 2, 2010
By early October, track for the final bunny hill before the final brake run was installed, while track began to climb up the first turn after the double-up. Magnetic brakes and drive tires were also installed on the final brake run.
Overview
Texas Giant construction progress
Brake Run
Drive tire installed on final brake run
First Turn
The vertical banking is apparent on the first turn
Overview
First turn track progressing up the supports
Turn
Ledgers installed for the under-lift turn
Finale
Final bunny hop before the brake run
Finale
A turning bunny hop along the finale
Magic Carpet Finale
A future hill along the finale
Ending
Ledgers installed for the replacement to the “magic carpet” finale
Midcourse Drop
Ledgers placed for the drop out of the midcourse
October 6, 2010
On October 6, Six Flags over Texas unveiled the unique design for Texas Giant’s new trains on their official Facebook page.
The Gerstlauer-designed trains are themed to a 1961 Cadillac (an homage to the park’s inaugural year) and even have steer horns attached to the front.
October 17, 2010
Our update from mid-October showed the next-to-last bunny hop completed, and prep for track showing that the original Giant’s double-helix around the lift hill was being replaced with a diving turn under the lift.
Finale
The hoppy finale track near the railroad
Finale
Track completed along the finale into the brake run
Turn Ledgers
Ledgers reveal the modified ride path underneath the lift
Old Trains
The old Texas Giant trains sitting in a field near Titan
Overbanked Turn
Highly-overbanked turn
Overview
An overview of construction from the railroad
Turn 1
Overbanked turn 1 and the turn into midcourse
Turn into Midcourse
The track builds toward the midcourse brake run
October 30, 2010
Steelworkers had completed the first overbanked turn by the end of October, along with various new sections of the finale and the turn into the midcourse.
This would be our last construction update until December due to the park closing in between Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park (Six Flags over Texas wouldn’t start year-round operation until 2020).
Plans for what will replace the double helix encompassing the lift hill of the original Giant are now evident, with a tight, highly-banked, ground-hugging turn swooping under the helix and into the finale.
Start of Overbanked Turn
Track builds up toward the 3rd overbanked turn in the background
New Turns
Track builds up to connect to the finale (pictured left)
Double Helix Replacement
A highly-banked turn underneath the lift hill
Promotional Sign
A sign advertising the new attraction
First Turn and Midcourse
Track being installed side-by-side towards the midcourse brake
First Turn
The completed first turn