XLR-8

For the Filipino boy band, see XLR8.

XLR-8 (pronounced "accelerate") was a suspended roller coaster located at the defunct Six Flags AstroWorld. Manufactured by Arrow Huss at a cost of $3.2 million,^[1] the ride opened to the public in 1984, where it operated until the park's closure in 2005. It was one of Arrow's first attempts at producing a successful suspended coaster following troubles with The Bat at Kings Island, which operated briefly from 1981 to 1983.

XLR-8
XLR-8 in 2004 showing the different orientation of cars
Six Flags AstroWorld
Location	Six Flags AstroWorld
Coordinates	29.674818°N 95.405643°W / 29.674818; -95.405643
Status	Removed
Opening date	May 12, 1984 (1984-05-12)
Closing date	October 30, 2005 (2005-10-30)
Cost	$3.2 million
General statistics
Type	Steel – Suspended
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Model	Suspended Coaster
Height	81 ft (25 m)
Length	3,000 ft (910 m)
Speed	34.1 mph (54.9 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	3:00
Height restriction	42 in (107 cm)
XLR-8 at RCDB

History

Car reversal

For AstroWorld's Fright Fest 2002 event, the last four cars on XLR-8's trains were reversed, a first for a suspended roller coaster.^[2] The change proved popular and successful, and the trains remained reversed until the park's closure in 2005.^[3]

Closure

In September 2005, it was announced that AstroWorld would not reopen for the 2006 season.^[4] XLR-8 closed along with the rest of the park on October 30, 2005, and was later demolished.^[2] A portion of the trains were sent to Six Flags Magic Mountain for use on Ninja.^[2][3]

See also

• History of the roller coaster
• Former Six Flag properties