Fact Sheet: Shock Wave
Six Flags Magic Mountain
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BUSINESS IS "SHOCKING" — Six Flags Magic Moutain's new thrill ride, Shock Wave, has received
standing ovations from summer funseekers. Since Magic Mountain introduced the standup roller coaster at the end of May,
the family theme park's attendance has been up 18 percent compared to the same period last year.
Shock Wave, constructed at a cost of $3.5 million, takes riders on an incredible standing journey
through a towering, 360-degree vertical loop and features a breathtaking series of steep drops and
hairpin turns.
SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN NEWS CONTACT: Sherrie Bang or Scott Piazza (805) 255-4816 (818) 367-2271 SHOCK WAVE FACT SHEET Description: A standup, looping roller coaster. Riders stand instead of sit in trains as they are propelled over a half-mile track of steep drops, tight curves and 360-degree vertical and horizontal loops. Speed: 55 mph Ride Time: 2 minutes Track Length: 2,300 feet (nearly half-mile) Highest Drop: 90 feet (first hill) Loops: Vertical: Riders are propelled upside down through a 66-foot high, 360-degree vertical loop. Horizontal: Following the vertical loop, a 360-degree horizontal loop suspends riders nearly parallel to the ground. G Forces: Approximately 3.4 positive g forces entering the vertical loop. Train Capacity: Each of three 18,600-pound trains carry 24 riders standing four across. The ride capacity is 1,200 guests per hour. Engineering Features: Braking System: Fail-safe air brakes on the track in three locations, including the station, are able to stop vehicles by squeezing a caliper rail under each train. In addition, at each electronically sensorized location, the computer signals drive tires to correct for proper train speed, position on the track and weather conditions. Seating Comfort: A bicycle-shaped seat, controlled by a ratchet pawl system, is adjusted to each standing rider. Riders are then secured by padded, over-the-shoulder and torso locking harnesses. Total Ride Weight: 350 metric tons Manufacturer: Intamin AG in Montreaux, Switzerland Shipping of Ride: The ride was dismantled in its Montreaux test location and shipped in 50 40-foot containers to the L.A. Harbor. Location: West side of park, on 3.3 acres behind Spillikin Handcrafters Junction Cost: $3.5 million Opening Date: May 16, 1986 040186 Reader Comments. Cory Rubin (2020): That ride has an interesting story. After running for 2 years at SFMM, she was disassembled and shipped across country to SF Great Adventure in New Jersey where it again ran for 2 years before again being disassembled and shipped to SF Astro World in Houston and was rebranded as Batman the Escape. It ran until that park closed in 2005. It was then shipped to SF Darien Lake in New York where it sat in pieces in a "bone yard" before finally being sold for scrap in 2018. Lizabeth Woods Bunkell (2020): I worked as a supervisor in that part of the park. At least twice a week after closing, the maintenance crews were out there re-welding things on the ride, especially around the looping part. Never would I ever ride it after seeing that. Beth Marshall Mullis (2020): I worked as a lead ride operator on that ride. Some of those maintenance crews were still welding in the a.m., minutes before we were supposed to open. Geoffrey Alan Stahl (2020): There was a naming contest for ride but the winning name didn't make the final cut, "Trauma Tron." Jim Householter (2020): I worked as a ride operator during those years. You could actually see the loop sway back and forth slightly as the coaster passed through it. Scary ride in more ways than one.
CW8601: (Photo) 9600 dpi jpeg from original photograph. From Connie Worden-Roberts' City Formation files; to photo file.
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