Runaway Mine Train

Added to the Boomtown section in 1966, the Runaway Mine Train is Six Flags over Texas’ oldest operating roller coaster (technically another ride was SFoT’s first coaster). The first mine train roller coaster in the world, the ride cost an estimated $1 million — about $9.4 million when adjusted for inflation to 2023. Its track winds through a heavily wooded area complete with mining theming for a true out-of-control mine cart experience.

Although the ride was originally named the “Runaway Mine Train,” the park mostly stopped using the “Runaway” part of its name in 1996 when Runaway Mountain was added to avoid confusion. The park has since resumed referencing the ride as the Runaway Mine Train.

The Mine Train is known for its three separate lift hills that sends riders through tunnels, around trees, and alongside Johnson Creek. The third lift hill takes riders into the “Ace Hotel and Saloon” before it dives down below the Caddo Lake and back into the station. The coaster’s long track and three lift hills theoretically allowed for up to four trains to operate simultaneously, although this was rarely done.

For the ride’s 40th anniversary season in 2006, the American Coaster Enthusiasts named the Runaway Mine Train a roller coaster landmark for its historical significance.

Mine Train was closed throughout 2022 and 2023 for a complete renovation of the ride’s control systems. It reopened mid-2023 with a relocated operator panel.

Signs for Mine Train and Mini Mine Train

Mine Trains’ Sign

The original Runaway Mine Train was so popular the park ended up building the kiddie-sized Mini Mine Train for children not quite ready for its bigger brother.

Mine Trains

The Mine Train was the first traditional-style tubular steel roller coaster

Track in the Flood Plain

The Mine Train’s low terrain and proximity to Johnson Creek makes it subject to occasional flooding

Swooping Turn

One of Mine Train’s swooping sections of track. This looks smoother than it really is.

First Lift Hill

A train crests the top of the first of three lift hills

Second Lift Hill

The top of the second lift hill

Station

The strange-looking Mine Train station

Through the Trees

Trees surrounding the Mine Train have grown considerably over the 40+ years of its operation, making photographing somewhat of a challenge

Historical Plaque

The American Coaster Enthusiasts declared the Mine Train to be a landmark coaster for its 40th anniversary in 2006

View from the Railroad

The Six Flags Railroad is one of the best (and only) ways to see the Mine Train’s track

Station

Inside the Mine Train’s station

ACE Hotel and Saloon

The final lift takes riders into the ‘ACE Hotel and Saloon,’ named for John ‘Ace’ Cocharo in 1974 who was a Mine Train foreman-turned-supervisor

Final Drop

On the other side of the ACE Hotel is a drop that’s likely to surprise first-time riders distracted by the Hotel’s mannequins.

Underwater Tunnel

The Mine Train’s underwater tunnel was also a world’s first

Mine Train Trivia

Burning Bridges

The park originally planned for the Mine Train to have more theming including sending the train across a butane-powered burning bridge.

Re-Profiled

The section after the second lift hill had to be re-profiled after the ride opened and was deemed too wild for most riders. Originally there were more turns and a section of speed bumps that caused many guests to lose their belongings.

A Temporary Waterfall

Six Flags added a tunnel with waterfalls that trains passed through when the track between the second and third lift hills was renovated. The waterfall was removed after partially collapsing due to heavy rains in 1988.

The First Tubular Steel Roller Coaster?

The Mine Train was historically billed by Six Flags as being the “world’s first tubular steel roller coaster.” However, that honor actually belongs to Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds which opened in 1959.

The Mine Train is however the first tubular steel coaster with traditional coaster trains (versus the toboggans that Matterhorn uses).

Mine Train Stats

Ride Type:	Steel mine train coaster
Height:	35 ft
Top Speed:	26 mph
Length:	2484 ft
Year Introduced:	1966
Inversions:	0
Manufacturer:	Arrow Development
Duration:	3 min
Height Requirement:	48 in
Status:	Operating
Flash Pass Enabled:	No