Honesty, this ride isn’t that “ruined”. Yes it sucks it can’t race anymore…but if people claim not being maintained, how come operating and safe to ride, if the structure was in a state like Son of Beasts was…they would not be operating it period. This ride is still getting the best care as possible. During January of 2024 both lift chains were replaced, and the fronts of both trains got updated artwork. Eagle is 42 years old and working on a giant helix that’s over a road doesn’t sound as easy as you would think. Not trying to defend Six Flags for being lazy, but building this thing was a large task of itself back when Marriot was in charge. Eagle may not be in 100% shape right now…but it’s not literally in that bad of shape as many say it is. But I agree it does need some help even though I love it dearly
Since Viper got retrack before Eagle did I think its days are numbered. Getting both sides open again is definitely a plus even if it isn't racing, but the park is probably putting in just enough effort to keep it going long enough to hit 50 years in 2031. Who knows honestly.
@@DAcubsfan2I was at six flags last Sunday and the American eagle was running both tracks at the same time just not side by side it even had two cars on its track.
RMC Eagle could make it the longest wooden coaster ever if they connect the sides (even without the Helix it would still break “The Beast”’s record. If RMC Eagle happens, the name should be “The Great American Eagle”. It’s a no brainer.
Howdy, worked for SFGA in the 2024 season, reason it seems neglected is due to the fact that major repairs would cause road closures near the park which is a massive hassle for Six Flags and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
What I think is very bizarre is that Viper got a bit of a retrack and honestly didn't even need it so soon. If they would retrack a coaster, it would've been Eagle. I'm not sure if that is a bad thing or not.
@@christopherswanson1628 To me, Viper was fine as it was. It never seemed rough and I still don't see the difference. BUT there was a pothole on one of the hills and since has been fixed soo.
It was the last wooden coaster to hold the drop record when it opened in 1981 and it kept it until 1988 until either Bandit opened in Japan or Shockwave opened in the same park.
No MORE RMCs re track and leave it alone. We need more classic woodies to stick around another half a century. All this needs is major love and new track profiling keep that record. that coaster is wild and i love it. One of my fave woodies just like the boss as well, another rough but good classic woodie.
Not disagreeing necessarily, just surprised how quickly the consensus in the community went from PLEASE RMC THIS!!! to NO MORE RMC CONVERSIONS EVER AGAIN. People are really serious about it too. They get mad at you for suggesting anything get converted. Idk I think there’s a way to maintain balance between classic woodies and new hybrids but that doesn’t seem to be how most people feel.
@@gUnwhFsuw I feel like woodies just got too big to the point where they are a nightmare to maintain and dont really offer anything new besides stats. Smaller classic woodies definitely deserve to be preserved, but these bigger ones I feel like would be better off getting overhauled to update them to more modern expectations like an rmc. Cedar Point for an example: Blue Streak is great, but Mean Streak was massive and didn't do much. Steel Vengeance was definitely the right move. I think the same thing applies here with Viper and Eagle but something obviously caused RMC to build Goliath instead.
@@gUnwhFsuw IMO they should only RMC if the layout does nothing/ is unbearably rough or a lesser combination of the two. Sure Texas Giant and Mean Streak had some fans but realistically no one is missing those rides. I personally would like to see American Eagle stay the way it is, get the maintenance it needs to continue dueling like it did years ago, but before they built Goliath I could see the argument to RMC it as well. Most of the good candidates are gone since the remaining pieces of junk made by RCCA are in parks that probably don't have the money for a conversion anyway. From this point on I could see RMC only building ground-ups and either GG/ GCI re-track old woodies as needed.
Hopefully there attention goes to American Eagle again for coaster related stuff, i do agree they've been shifting away from it for too long and figuring out how to make it race/less rough should be something they consider now (over whatever new coaster Enthusiasts want)
Rode it for first time ever a week ago, loved it. It’s not gonna be butter smooth for 43yr old woodie and can definitely use some TLC, no doubt. Rode 6x on non axle seat with no issues. They ran both sides all day, just not at same time.(4x blue, 2x red) Didn’t feel any potholes on the drops at all. RMC’ing it is silly, you already have one. This & Whizzer keeps your old school cred & nostalgia with locals. Making this a racer again would be phenomenal.
So IDK if this is rage bait or just general lack of knowledge, but SFGA pours tons of money into this ride to keep it online. They constantly retrack, resupport, and retool the ride just to keep it standing. Hence one reason why they don't race the ride anymore and leave one side open per season. While one side is open, the other side is being refurbished so it can support itself. New chain lifts, new supports, new tracks, all have been done multiple times in the past 10 years. So here is some reasons for the lack of a MAJOR RENNOVATION 1. The RMC debate. It cant happen. Legally cannot happen. Eagle cannot be RMCed. The Helix was built under old zoning laws and inside of a flood zone. Under modern zoning laws, the helix is in direct violation. An RMC is not a "renovation" but classified as a completely new ride altogether and requires new permits. Permits that would not be given out because of legal violations of building in flood zones and proximity to major roadways. 2. Eagle is a Landmark. American Eagle is a Historic Landmark. Further complicating the path of renovation for the ride. Most landmarks need to go through a long process in order to get permission to rennovate the structure. Realistically. With the 50th coming up and Wrath. Eagle will likely be getting a steel skeleton with wood surrounding the steel for show. Steel skeletons will allow the helix to support the ride for racing and the wood will keep its imprint
American Eagle is not a landmark. Batman and Whizzer are, but the Eagle is not. Basic maintenance requirements are not major investments. If the ride can’t operate as intended, they’re not doing a great job maintaining it.
Cedar Flags, (new leadership) will hopefully invest in the repairs, refurbishment and clean up of legacy six flags parks. It seems over the last 10yrs that old six flags focus only on shareholder dividends and shaved every dollar out of the park's to pay shareholders rather than maintain a long term theme park enterprise.
Interesting information about the flood zone. I never realized it was part of a natural landscape thrill. I always thought it was kind of creepy that you were spiraling down to a constantly murky water pit, but never put 2 and 2 together.
Honestly six flags makes me kind of mad sometimes, about a month and a half ago I went to SFNE and rode Thunderbolt, it was so uncomfortably rough that if I ever ride it again I will make sure I don’t ride in a wheel seat, it has a lot of potential but six flags isn’t giving it the retrack it needs
You have more experience than me, but I got 5 rides on 3 different days in July, and it was not that rough. It had some bite to it, but well within my tolerance, and I am one who says that Voyage has always been on the edge of being too rough for me. American Eagle roughness would be a 4 out of 10, while Voyage is about a 6, Raven 9, Viper 3, Goliath 2, El Toro 5, Outlaw Run 6, Prowler 5, Mystic Timbers 0, Beast 3, Screamin' Eagle 8, American Thunder 6, Boss 10+. I like my wood coasters to be at a 5 for roughness, the perfect sweet spot. I didn't think roughness was any issue at all with this ride, even in a wheel seat. It's only issue is that it doesn't race. Even the airtime delivered, and I forget which row I was in that gave incredible airtime, but my first ride was much weaker. It has potential to be better, even beyond the racing, but it's still my # 4 in the park behind Goliath, X Flight, & Raging Bull.
Ditching 3 bench PTC’s for Millennium Flyers to increase smoothness is like tearing down a B&M inverted to build a Vekoma hang ‘n bang. Less axle seats is more. American Eagle’s problem was already predicted in Rolling Thunder. Six Flags just doesn’t give a damn.
Two simple words for American Eagle. GRAVITY GROUP!!! Grizzly used to be nothing but Hot Garbage of a Rollercoaster. Since Gravity Group gave Grizzly an overhaul? It gets nothing but Much Love!!!
You are partially incorrect, sir. I went to great America on healthcare day which was on September 8, and eagle was definitely running both sides, two open lines at the fork and all. However, they still weren't "racing"; they launched trains in a staggered pattern. So maybe they've found it's ok to run both sides at once as long as they stagger the launches
There’s a fourth option. They might just close the American Eagle forever and just leave it standing as aesthetics. This option doesn’t seem very smart from an operational or from a business standpoint, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did such a thing. They’re not that far, anyway, from an all out closure of Eagle. It’s all very sad. 2031 is the Eagle’s 50th anniversary. That’s only 6 years for them to do the right thing and at the very least refurbish what’s there. Demolition of this great coaster on or near its 50th would be a travesty! Hell, demolition would be a travesty, period… Come on Six Flags do something, do the right thing!!
This thing has been rickety since at least 97 when I started going lol We used to say that was the scariest part of Fright Fest bc it could fall apart at any moment lol
A fourth option would be to simply demolish the American Eagle, and then re-build the American Eagle, using all new materials. Same ride experience, same track layout, but new structures and materials.
They've a schematic for 2026 for a ride called Tumble Weed. It involves removing eagle as rmc said it can't be refurbished for a reasonable price. Tumble weed would be a 280ft 4d coaster. Will a stop and launch like maverick and velocicoster. Make speed of 80mph. With a light and sound package for the trains.
Nah. We can't expect any park in the new Six Flags chain to get 2 coasters 2 years in a row. I know Cedar Point did, but Top Thrill 2 was announced before the merger, and Siren's Curse is an off-the-shelf tilt coaster that probably only went to Cedar Point because of Top Thrill 2's failures, and because Cedar Point is the favorite child of the old Cedar Fair chain. This is aside from the fact that there are no launched 4d coasters, Six Flags' supposed unhappiness with Maxx Force/S&S, other things the park could certainly use more, and lastly that you're the only one saying this lmao.
While overall I agree with the general sentiment of the video, it's not like Six Flags has been doing absolutely nothing. Both lift chains were replaced last offseason, and there's been some work done consistently over the last couple years at least, but it's been incremental. Great America did start running both trains late this year, but they have been staggering dispatches. Six Flags has definitely been lacking though, and I think they'll have to make a decision very soon. I think RMC is all but completely off the table given Cedar Fair avoiding them and no new I-Box coasters in the SF chain since 2018, so that leaves the 2 options you mentioned. I hope they decide to give it a full refurbishment and keep it going for at least another 10 years, but I could see them just maintaining it for a few more years, maybe to make it to the park's 50th anniversary and the country's 250th and giving it a proper farewell after that season. I just hope that if they do demolish it, they use the space effectively and don't just leave it sitting there.
Six Flags is trying to make the eagle race! They are now running both sides at a time. Maybe they are going to renovate it? I went on it 4 weeks ago and they are running both sides but not at once.
I feel that now legacy cedar fair loves gravity group precut track (for good reason) they used it on the racer and the beast at kings island and it made them so enjoyable. They could reprofile the ride maybe add an extra ejector airtime hill, and because of how well it seems to hold up it shouldn’t go bad with Six Flags Maintenance.
As a local and an enthusiast, I would like American Eagle to get some GG Pre-Cut Wooden Track. Not only would it smooth out the ride, but the coaster would remain a woodie.
I feel the same way about Rebel Yell. It should be about as good as Kings Island's Racer, but it just isn't. Six Flags needs to get their act together.
It’s funny because on the parks social media they make fun of enthusiasts whining about wanting them to RMC Eagle and it’s seems like they are sick of this idea whenever they make these meme worthy posts. Which actually makes me laugh. Whoever’s running their social media is WELL aware. 😅
Its one of the worst parks in the franchise, has terrible attendance, and lackluster maintenance. They may be aware of what the population wants, they sure as hell aren't attempting to give it. They have their priorities all jacked up.
@@FAFO4wisdom-s9o Also if they have poor maintenance, then why did Batman get a repaint this year, why did Eagle get both of its lift chains replaced, why is Whizzer and Demon still going strong after their manufacturers have long gone extinct. If this park was poorly maintained…it would not be operating period.
I'm not sure you're correct that the whole ride would fall apart if they raced. It is rough but not that bad, other than maybe the helix. They've finally started running both sides again this season. I would love a full restoration or a full RMC re-track. I know some perfer a full woodie there, but I'd love to see a full RMC conversion while keeping the racing aspect.
From what I'm aware, six flags is planning on getting American eagle racing in 2025 but it needs some serious help to get it back up to that ability One other problem I see is the Helix and the trains getting absolutely separated 50 ft apart
The (old) six flags sucked. They gave Rolling Thunder at Great Adventure the same neglect to the point it had to be closed and torn down, and they almost destroyed El Toro.
@@tigerrocks503 lift chains is minor, the park needs to make repairs to the Eagle otherwise nobody will be riding it soon. Effects updates on a ride are a good thing, but necessarily a sign of park improvements. I have heard some renovations are on the way….lets hope
sadly, I have to say Erika's Scream'n Eagle to it's rival park to the south is probably a better coater now than American Eagle with all the problems American Eagle has now.
Well, now under the new ownership of Cedar Fair combined with Six Flags with "Six Flags Entertainment Company", I do wonder if this was Six Flags's choice to update the coaster, whereas Cedar Fair would have kept it as it is, but update the track a bit and no do an overhaul, but that's just me. You also have to remember that many new coaster enthusiasts want newere, more smoother trains, whereas me I'm more in the middle between old and new, but would prefer keeping the old as long as possible and just update the track. Yeah I know it's a bunch of wood that's been standing there for nearly 40 years now, but even The Beast is still around and it's still got the same wooden construction it did 45 years back, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't want to redo the track from scratch and update each structure of the wood for a good amount...Oh well...
They need to RMC it or demolish and get something legit. Also make all that space between the midway and the lift a nice area to hang out and watch the ride. GP would barely appreciate a retack and they've held off on this too long. GA needs a world class #1. They wouldnt need any crazy investments for 5+ years after that
I feel like the Cedar Fair merger makes demolition of it even more likely. Cedar Fair is historically quicker to remove rides like this than Six Flags ever was, and with Great America being one of their higher attended parks it'd make sense to me that they'd want to take it down to expand the park more. If the land is capable of it, I could fully see the new chain taking it down and using it's plot for a giga in the next decade.
I think you're right. The area where the helix is probably wont be used by anything new, but there is probably enough space for something similar to Orion. Maybe they extend the path by Justice League to get more foot traffic over there if they do go that route.
How hard is it for them to get GCI or Gravity Group to do a complete retracking? Literally only a matter of time before it gets so neglected to the point where it pulls a Son of Beast 2006 incident.
Goliath was never the world’s tallest wooden coaster. Just because it was trademarked as the tallest, fastest, and steepest wooden coaster doesn’t make it true. El Toro is 16 ft taller than Goliath and T-Express is 18.8 ft taller than Goliath so it was actually the third tallest wooden coaster when it first opened!
Unless you have proof of what you say I wouldn't be surprised if Six Flags sues you. To claim that if they run both sides of the ride it might collapse from neglect goes against everything that the inspectors and company allow.
Can it be done?? Well SFGA is land locked. So no more space for a different lay out. I would hate to see it go. So, a re boot of the eagle should be done.
I heard from another video that the park president plans to have it racing again and they will be doing all the work on eagle in house to get it racing again, unfortunately since the trians we have are the only ones that can make it around the course, we won't getting new trains for it beause they won't be able to make it back to the station dou to them being to light. and if it was torn down they can't build anything on the plot of land dou to the highway since beyond the park property line not sure if that's true but don't shoot the messenger.
@@GreatAmericanCoasterI spoke to a ride op today cause I did red side today and I asked him “will it ever duel again” and he said “probably not”. Might be a sign it’s on a the chopping block
PLEEEEASE No RMC. A little track topper is all this ride needs. I like RMC designs alright, but I really do not like their trains. It's like I'm riding in an unnatural squat position, and the accentuated knee bend hurts my knees terribly. Just wait until you get older or have a knee injury.....you'll see.
I almot fell off the one in Gurnee i was only 6 im not sure why they allowed me on it but i was too small and almost flew off i dont remeber it at all or ever riding any Rollercoaster not sure if i was too young or i just blocked it out but everyone else remebers my dad was drunk and had me my sister ride it she remeberd but i didnt
I’ve talked to a lot of GP, and the general consensus from the younger GP want it gone. I truly believe that SFGAm will run this down to the ground, and it’ll be done
Then these teenagers and 20 year olds will grow up and go “why did we get rid of all the old classic attractions”. The trains are still usually full, and Striker gave it a bump.
@@singthelongswansong Sky Striker definitely gave it a boost in line. I just think after next season it’s going to be sbno. The structure is starting to give out
@@RollerCoasterManiac2020 they just got blue side open after not using it for years. I feel like they are trying to keep it up for as long as possible but there's not much they can do due to the helix area like he said in the video.
Please get rid of this piece of crap. It’s my home park and I despise it. Screw iconic, it’s so awful. Tear it down and replace it with a giga to give us our headline attraction. As I stand in this moment, in line for American Eagle, I know I’m getting another awful ride in. I spoke to a ride op as he was buckling me in and I asked him “will it ever race again” and he responded with “probably not”
Plus Eagle is not a piece of crap. Le Monstre is the crap racing wooden coaster. And if it was crap, wouldn’t it be covered in bird poop like Bull’s supports?
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Is it rough? Yes. Is it old? Yes. Is it still fucking awesome? Yes. They need to bring back the racing of the blue and red track.
Honesty, this ride isn’t that “ruined”. Yes it sucks it can’t race anymore…but if people claim not being maintained, how come operating and safe to ride, if the structure was in a state like Son of Beasts was…they would not be operating it period. This ride is still getting the best care as possible. During January of 2024 both lift chains were replaced, and the fronts of both trains got updated artwork. Eagle is 42 years old and working on a giant helix that’s over a road doesn’t sound as easy as you would think. Not trying to defend Six Flags for being lazy, but building this thing was a large task of itself back when Marriot was in charge.
Eagle may not be in 100% shape right now…but it’s not literally in that bad of shape as many say it is.
But I agree it does need some help even though I love it dearly
Since Viper got retrack before Eagle did I think its days are numbered. Getting both sides open again is definitely a plus even if it isn't racing, but the park is probably putting in just enough effort to keep it going long enough to hit 50 years in 2031. Who knows honestly.
@@DAcubsfan2I was at six flags last Sunday and the American eagle was running both tracks at the same time just not side by side it even had two cars on its track.
RMC Eagle could make it the longest wooden coaster ever if they connect the sides (even without the Helix it would still break “The Beast”’s record. If RMC Eagle happens, the name should be “The Great American Eagle”. It’s a no brainer.
I like that name although I dont see them doing anything with it besides running it how it is today until they can't operate it anymore.
Yea it can combine like twisted colossus and this would be like 8000 feet long
But they are spending like 20million on a dive coaster so I say it's coming down soon
It would be a hybrid
They would have to use topper track, otherwise it would be a steel coaster (based on rcdb at least)
This ride was so rough that my Grandpa's chiropractor threw out his back while riding it.
Howdy, worked for SFGA in the 2024 season, reason it seems neglected is due to the fact that major repairs would cause road closures near the park which is a massive hassle for Six Flags and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
This is what supervisors told us when a group of us were discussing the ride.
It's stuff like this that really makes me respect HersheyPark for keeping Lightning Racer in race mode so well.
Rocky Mountain probably told them they can't even RMC it.
I remember in the early 90s when the helix was all water like a swamp
What I think is very bizarre is that Viper got a bit of a retrack and honestly didn't even need it so soon. If they would retrack a coaster, it would've been Eagle. I'm not sure if that is a bad thing or not.
The viper needed it. It became unbearably rough. Until they stop buying new rides, i don't see American eagle getting overhauled
@@christopherswanson1628 To me, Viper was fine as it was. It never seemed rough and I still don't see the difference. BUT there was a pothole on one of the hills and since has been fixed soo.
It was the last wooden coaster to hold the drop record when it opened in 1981 and it kept it until 1988 until either Bandit opened in Japan or Shockwave opened in the same park.
It is a beautiful coaster. Deserving of restoration.
No MORE RMCs re track and leave it alone. We need more classic woodies to stick around another half a century. All this needs is major love and new track profiling keep that record. that coaster is wild and i love it. One of my fave woodies just like the boss as well, another rough but good classic woodie.
Not disagreeing necessarily, just surprised how quickly the consensus in the community went from PLEASE RMC THIS!!! to NO MORE RMC CONVERSIONS EVER AGAIN. People are really serious about it too. They get mad at you for suggesting anything get converted. Idk I think there’s a way to maintain balance between classic woodies and new hybrids but that doesn’t seem to be how most people feel.
@@gUnwhFsuw I feel like woodies just got too big to the point where they are a nightmare to maintain and dont really offer anything new besides stats. Smaller classic woodies definitely deserve to be preserved, but these bigger ones I feel like would be better off getting overhauled to update them to more modern expectations like an rmc. Cedar Point for an example: Blue Streak is great, but Mean Streak was massive and didn't do much. Steel Vengeance was definitely the right move. I think the same thing applies here with Viper and Eagle but something obviously caused RMC to build Goliath instead.
@@DAcubsfan2 i try to like the boss, but every time I come off of it I am always in so much pain
@@gUnwhFsuw IMO they should only RMC if the layout does nothing/ is unbearably rough or a lesser combination of the two. Sure Texas Giant and Mean Streak had some fans but realistically no one is missing those rides. I personally would like to see American Eagle stay the way it is, get the maintenance it needs to continue dueling like it did years ago, but before they built Goliath I could see the argument to RMC it as well. Most of the good candidates are gone since the remaining pieces of junk made by RCCA are in parks that probably don't have the money for a conversion anyway. From this point on I could see RMC only building ground-ups and either GG/ GCI re-track old woodies as needed.
Hopefully there attention goes to American Eagle again for coaster related stuff, i do agree they've been shifting away from it for too long and figuring out how to make it race/less rough should be something they consider now (over whatever new coaster Enthusiasts want)
I thought Six Flags Great America recently allowed American Eagle to duel each other again this year
Kinda they are running both sides again but they are not racing
Yeah but it goes red side then blue side
Iirc the park president said that the park is working on getting the ride to race again soon, but it isn't racing right now.
I only remember one side running, and the other side's chain lift was rusted.
Rode it for first time ever a week ago, loved it.
It’s not gonna be butter smooth for 43yr old woodie and can definitely use some TLC, no doubt.
Rode 6x on non axle seat with no issues.
They ran both sides all day, just not at same time.(4x blue, 2x red)
Didn’t feel any potholes on the drops at all.
RMC’ing it is silly, you already have one.
This & Whizzer keeps your old school cred & nostalgia with locals.
Making this a racer again would be phenomenal.
I don't know how I didn't realize that american eagle was on a flood zone. The helix is always surrounded by water.
Eagle will ALWAYS be enjoyable :)
What's insane, and still boggles my mind, is how these things are built.
So IDK if this is rage bait or just general lack of knowledge, but SFGA pours tons of money into this ride to keep it online. They constantly retrack, resupport, and retool the ride just to keep it standing. Hence one reason why they don't race the ride anymore and leave one side open per season. While one side is open, the other side is being refurbished so it can support itself. New chain lifts, new supports, new tracks, all have been done multiple times in the past 10 years. So here is some reasons for the lack of a MAJOR RENNOVATION
1. The RMC debate. It cant happen. Legally cannot happen. Eagle cannot be RMCed. The Helix was built under old zoning laws and inside of a flood zone. Under modern zoning laws, the helix is in direct violation. An RMC is not a "renovation" but classified as a completely new ride altogether and requires new permits. Permits that would not be given out because of legal violations of building in flood zones and proximity to major roadways.
2. Eagle is a Landmark. American Eagle is a Historic Landmark. Further complicating the path of renovation for the ride. Most landmarks need to go through a long process in order to get permission to rennovate the structure.
Realistically. With the 50th coming up and Wrath. Eagle will likely be getting a steel skeleton with wood surrounding the steel for show. Steel skeletons will allow the helix to support the ride for racing and the wood will keep its imprint
American Eagle is not a landmark. Batman and Whizzer are, but the Eagle is not. Basic maintenance requirements are not major investments. If the ride can’t operate as intended, they’re not doing a great job maintaining it.
Cedar Flags, (new leadership) will hopefully invest in the repairs, refurbishment and clean up of legacy six flags parks. It seems over the last 10yrs that old six flags focus only on shareholder dividends and shaved every dollar out of the park's to pay shareholders rather than maintain a long term theme park enterprise.
Yes it’s rough but it used to be way worse and it’s rare for parks to build these big wooden coasters
Interesting information about the flood zone. I never realized it was part of a natural landscape thrill. I always thought it was kind of creepy that you were spiraling down to a constantly murky water pit, but never put 2 and 2 together.
Honestly six flags makes me kind of mad sometimes, about a month and a half ago I went to SFNE and rode Thunderbolt, it was so uncomfortably rough that if I ever ride it again I will make sure I don’t ride in a wheel seat, it has a lot of potential but six flags isn’t giving it the retrack it needs
I rode it a few years ago when it was actually smooth. Trust me, the ride does nothing.
You have more experience than me, but I got 5 rides on 3 different days in July, and it was not that rough. It had some bite to it, but well within my tolerance, and I am one who says that Voyage has always been on the edge of being too rough for me. American Eagle roughness would be a 4 out of 10, while Voyage is about a 6, Raven 9, Viper 3, Goliath 2, El Toro 5, Outlaw Run 6, Prowler 5, Mystic Timbers 0, Beast 3, Screamin' Eagle 8, American Thunder 6, Boss 10+. I like my wood coasters to be at a 5 for roughness, the perfect sweet spot.
I didn't think roughness was any issue at all with this ride, even in a wheel seat. It's only issue is that it doesn't race. Even the airtime delivered, and I forget which row I was in that gave incredible airtime, but my first ride was much weaker. It has potential to be better, even beyond the racing, but it's still my # 4 in the park behind Goliath, X Flight, & Raging Bull.
Ditching 3 bench PTC’s for Millennium Flyers to increase smoothness is like tearing down a B&M inverted to build a Vekoma hang ‘n bang. Less axle seats is more. American Eagle’s problem was already predicted in Rolling Thunder. Six Flags just doesn’t give a damn.
Two simple words for American Eagle. GRAVITY GROUP!!! Grizzly used to be nothing but Hot Garbage of a Rollercoaster. Since Gravity Group gave Grizzly an overhaul? It gets nothing but Much Love!!!
You are partially incorrect, sir. I went to great America on healthcare day which was on September 8, and eagle was definitely running both sides, two open lines at the fork and all.
However, they still weren't "racing"; they launched trains in a staggered pattern. So maybe they've found it's ok to run both sides at once as long as they stagger the launches
That type of operation is still the same as running just one side. One train at a time. Especially as slow as there ops are.
Don’t mess with my American eagle
There’s a fourth option. They might just close the American Eagle forever and just leave it standing as aesthetics. This option doesn’t seem very smart from an operational or from a business standpoint, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did such a thing. They’re not that far, anyway, from an all out closure of Eagle. It’s all very sad. 2031 is the Eagle’s 50th anniversary. That’s only 6 years for them to do the right thing and at the very least refurbish what’s there. Demolition of this great coaster on or near its 50th would be a travesty! Hell, demolition would be a travesty, period… Come on Six Flags do something, do the right thing!!
This thing has been rickety since at least 97 when I started going lol
We used to say that was the scariest part of Fright Fest bc it could fall apart at any moment lol
A fourth option would be to simply demolish the American Eagle, and then re-build the American Eagle, using all new materials. Same ride experience, same track layout, but new structures and materials.
They've a schematic for 2026 for a ride called Tumble Weed. It involves removing eagle as rmc said it can't be refurbished for a reasonable price.
Tumble weed would be a 280ft 4d coaster. Will a stop and launch like maverick and velocicoster. Make speed of 80mph. With a light and sound package for the trains.
Intamin blitz? I'd be down for that for sure since Great America lacks a (steel/modern) Intamin.
Nah. We can't expect any park in the new Six Flags chain to get 2 coasters 2 years in a row. I know Cedar Point did, but Top Thrill 2 was announced before the merger, and Siren's Curse is an off-the-shelf tilt coaster that probably only went to Cedar Point because of Top Thrill 2's failures, and because Cedar Point is the favorite child of the old Cedar Fair chain. This is aside from the fact that there are no launched 4d coasters, Six Flags' supposed unhappiness with Maxx Force/S&S, other things the park could certainly use more, and lastly that you're the only one saying this lmao.
While overall I agree with the general sentiment of the video, it's not like Six Flags has been doing absolutely nothing. Both lift chains were replaced last offseason, and there's been some work done consistently over the last couple years at least, but it's been incremental. Great America did start running both trains late this year, but they have been staggering dispatches. Six Flags has definitely been lacking though, and I think they'll have to make a decision very soon. I think RMC is all but completely off the table given Cedar Fair avoiding them and no new I-Box coasters in the SF chain since 2018, so that leaves the 2 options you mentioned. I hope they decide to give it a full refurbishment and keep it going for at least another 10 years, but I could see them just maintaining it for a few more years, maybe to make it to the park's 50th anniversary and the country's 250th and giving it a proper farewell after that season. I just hope that if they do demolish it, they use the space effectively and don't just leave it sitting there.
Six Flags is trying to make the eagle race! They are now running both sides at a time. Maybe they are going to renovate it? I went on it 4 weeks ago and they are running both sides but not at once.
Cedar Fair's decision to reverse the backward facing train on King's Island Racer is unforgivable.
I feel that now legacy cedar fair loves gravity group precut track (for good reason) they used it on the racer and the beast at kings island and it made them so enjoyable. They could reprofile the ride maybe add an extra ejector airtime hill, and because of how well it seems to hold up it shouldn’t go bad with Six Flags Maintenance.
I've been to Great America 3 times this summer, and American Eagle has been broken down literally every time I decided I wanted to ride
I hope the gravity group comes in and does their magic to this ride like they did to The Racer, The Beast and Grizzly
Fingers crossed
😂😂😂😂 Guess you didnt know SIX FLAGS and Cedar fair merged so they are planning on a LOT of improvements. in 25-26.
As a local and an enthusiast, I would like American Eagle to get some GG Pre-Cut Wooden Track. Not only would it smooth out the ride, but the coaster would remain a woodie.
I went on American eagle 4 times last visit and raging bull 5 times and that was like 1 week ago am I crazy 💀💀💀
I feel the same way about Rebel Yell. It should be about as good as Kings Island's Racer, but it just isn't. Six Flags needs to get their act together.
6 flags pretty much ruins everything
It’s funny because on the parks social media they make fun of enthusiasts whining about wanting them to RMC Eagle and it’s seems like they are sick of this idea whenever they make these meme worthy posts. Which actually makes me laugh. Whoever’s running their social media is WELL aware. 😅
If rmc’d it could 100% become perhaps the greatest ride on earth
Its one of the worst parks in the franchise, has terrible attendance, and lackluster maintenance. They may be aware of what the population wants, they sure as hell aren't attempting to give it. They have their priorities all jacked up.
@@FAFO4wisdom-s9o La Ronde?
Great America is not that bad my guy
@@FAFO4wisdom-s9o Also if they have poor maintenance, then why did Batman get a repaint this year, why did Eagle get both of its lift chains replaced, why is Whizzer and Demon still going strong after their manufacturers have long gone extinct. If this park was poorly maintained…it would not be operating period.
@@tigerrocks503 after how many years?????
I'm not sure you're correct that the whole ride would fall apart if they raced. It is rough but not that bad, other than maybe the helix. They've finally started running both sides again this season. I would love a full restoration or a full RMC re-track. I know some perfer a full woodie there, but I'd love to see a full RMC conversion while keeping the racing aspect.
From what I'm aware, six flags is planning on getting American eagle racing in 2025 but it needs some serious help to get it back up to that ability One other problem I see is the Helix and the trains getting absolutely separated 50 ft apart
For what it's worth, at least towards the end of fright fest this year, they were running both sides at the same time, albeit not dueling.
I would be pissed if american eagle gets rmc
I could see the American Eagle removed and replaced with a Giga steel coaster in the same location.
I lost sooo much time on this ride when I went to the park as it broke down on the lift hill and I was stuck on it for a good while.
The (old) six flags sucked. They gave Rolling Thunder at Great Adventure the same neglect to the point it had to be closed and torn down, and they almost destroyed El Toro.
The last two weekends red and blue cars were running. You are correct, horrible rough ride. Park itself is falling apart, sad state from its heyday
Then how come Batman got new effects and Eagle gots its lift chains replaced?
@@tigerrocks503 lift chains is minor, the park needs to make repairs to the Eagle otherwise nobody will be riding it soon. Effects updates on a ride are a good thing, but necessarily a sign of park improvements. I have heard some renovations are on the way….lets hope
Ah yes the ride can’t handle the structure but will surely handle a new twisting RMC layout. Remember the structure issues on Steel Vengeance
All right well I'm never getting on a coaster that's literally one set of coaster cars away from a structural collapse.
sadly, I have to say Erika's Scream'n Eagle to it's rival park to the south is probably a better coater now than American Eagle with all the problems American Eagle has now.
My neck hurts just thinking about the last time I rode this. Is say torch it!
Every park needs to be like Holiday World
Hey maybe cedar fair will fix this…
Well, now under the new ownership of Cedar Fair combined with Six Flags with "Six Flags Entertainment Company", I do wonder if this was Six Flags's choice to update the coaster, whereas Cedar Fair would have kept it as it is, but update the track a bit and no do an overhaul, but that's just me.
You also have to remember that many new coaster enthusiasts want newere, more smoother trains, whereas me I'm more in the middle between old and new, but would prefer keeping the old as long as possible and just update the track. Yeah I know it's a bunch of wood that's been standing there for nearly 40 years now, but even The Beast is still around and it's still got the same wooden construction it did 45 years back, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't want to redo the track from scratch and update each structure of the wood for a good amount...Oh well...
7:11 the delivery LMAOAOA
When I rode it last June, the other track's chain lift looked rusty to me.
I love this ride and hope it survives
5:00 Yes, Iron Eagle would be sick
Demon is rough Two Batman in one Park but sure enough, it's fun as f***
They’ve been running both sides lately, just with staggered dispatches.
They need to RMC it or demolish and get something legit. Also make all that space between the midway and the lift a nice area to hang out and watch the ride.
GP would barely appreciate a retack and they've held off on this too long. GA needs a world class #1. They wouldnt need any crazy investments for 5+ years after that
I understand the nostalgia factor, so then RMC it. But something like hyperion back there (vekoma hyper??) would be wwaaayyyy better than a retrack
I feel like the Cedar Fair merger makes demolition of it even more likely. Cedar Fair is historically quicker to remove rides like this than Six Flags ever was, and with Great America being one of their higher attended parks it'd make sense to me that they'd want to take it down to expand the park more.
If the land is capable of it, I could fully see the new chain taking it down and using it's plot for a giga in the next decade.
I think you're right. The area where the helix is probably wont be used by anything new, but there is probably enough space for something similar to Orion. Maybe they extend the path by Justice League to get more foot traffic over there if they do go that route.
Please never go in another wooden coaster… have been in there last week and it is way more smooth then most wooden coasters 😂😂
How hard is it for them to get GCI or Gravity Group to do a complete retracking?
Literally only a matter of time before it gets so neglected to the point where it pulls a Son of Beast 2006 incident.
Yeah or an el toro
Screamin' Eagle at Six Flags St. Louis is in just as bad a shape. It runs so unbelievably rough.
I don't think they ruined it. It's just run its course of it's lifespan
Goliath was never the world’s tallest wooden coaster. Just because it was trademarked as the tallest, fastest, and steepest wooden coaster doesn’t make it true. El Toro is 16 ft taller than Goliath and T-Express is 18.8 ft taller than Goliath so it was actually the third tallest wooden coaster when it first opened!
they refer to the drop for the record 180 ft
@@GreatAmericanCoaster But that’s a foot shorter than El Toro’s height and 3.8 ft shorter than T-Express’ height!
They should run the blue side backwards again
Unless you have proof of what you say I wouldn't be surprised if Six Flags sues you. To claim that if they run both sides of the ride it might collapse from neglect goes against everything that the inspectors and company allow.
both sides are open but they only alternate dispatches... there's got to be a reason for them not racing anymore.
Naw. He is right. They can not run both sides at the same time.
Can it be done?? Well SFGA is land locked. So no more space for a different lay out. I would hate to see it go. So, a re boot of the eagle should be done.
They don't want to out do goliath. That's why they haven't rmc it
I rode it in 2001 and got a wood chip/splinter in my eye. Kinda ruined the experience for me.
I rode the red side in 2022 and it was definitely shaky, but not unbearable.
Only hope is if they RMC it to bring up some hype so people go and Ride it
I heard from another video that the park president plans to have it racing again and they will be doing all the work on eagle in house to get it racing again, unfortunately since the trians we have are the only ones that can make it around the course, we won't getting new trains for it beause they won't be able to make it back to the station dou to them being to light.
and if it was torn down they can't build anything on the plot of land dou to the highway since beyond the park property line not sure if that's true but don't shoot the messenger.
I road gurney mills six flag Eagle the year it was built. Is scary, does creak... Good coaster.
when i go American Eagle one side do stuck a lot
Both sides were open this month???? I rode both sides and my husband rode the opposite we just didnt race.
I went in this today despite the horrible lines. Both sides are running (I even got on red!)
were they dueling though or just alternating
@@GreatAmericanCoaster Sadly, alternating .
@@GreatAmericanCoasterI spoke to a ride op today cause I did red side today and I asked him “will it ever duel again” and he said “probably not”. Might be a sign it’s on a the chopping block
@@Random_EebsYet I hear rumors the park president wants to get it racing again and has no plans to remove it at the mommentx
@@tigerrocks503 if the park pres had plans to make it race again why would the ride op lie
PLEEEEASE No RMC. A little track topper is all this ride needs. I like RMC designs alright, but I really do not like their trains. It's like I'm riding in an unnatural squat position, and the accentuated knee bend hurts my knees terribly. Just wait until you get older or have a knee injury.....you'll see.
7:49 Gravity Group Pre-cut Track retra-- oh..... I Guess Demolition Then
Leave it running. All the locals love the ride
@@singthelongswansongno they don’t thats a complete lie lol. I’m a local and I hate this ride with a passion
@@Random_Eebs thumbs down
@@singthelongswansong “thumbs down”🤓🤓🤓
@@Random_Eebs I suggest rough riders
Bruh. I was there 2 weeks ago and both sides were running 2 trains
were they dueling or alternating
Six Flags deferring maintenance...that's unheard of... sorry... I mean 'par for the course'.
I love american eagle at six flags in gurnee so fun
Tear it down and build an RMC T-Rex
(I’m sorry)
The coaster at least looks beautiful.
I almot fell off the one in Gurnee i was only 6 im not sure why they allowed me on it but i was too small and almost flew off i dont remeber it at all or ever riding any Rollercoaster not sure if i was too young or i just blocked it out but everyone else remebers my dad was drunk and had me my sister ride it she remeberd but i didnt
eventually the thing is gonna fall down
I actually enjoyed this somewhat
I’m from the area it’s sad 😢
I don’t think it’s that rough
I’ve talked to a lot of GP, and the general consensus from the younger GP want it gone. I truly believe that SFGAm will run this down to the ground, and it’ll be done
Then these teenagers and 20 year olds will grow up and go “why did we get rid of all the old classic attractions”. The trains are still usually full, and Striker gave it a bump.
@@singthelongswansong Sky Striker definitely gave it a boost in line. I just think after next season it’s going to be sbno. The structure is starting to give out
@@RollerCoasterManiac2020 they just got blue side open after not using it for years. I feel like they are trying to keep it up for as long as possible but there's not much they can do due to the helix area like he said in the video.
@@DAcubsfan2 the bandaids will catch up to them. Eagle has like 5 years left, max
Keep it as is .
RMC RMC RMC RMC!!!!!
We already have one
Please get rid of this piece of crap. It’s my home park and I despise it. Screw iconic, it’s so awful. Tear it down and replace it with a giga to give us our headline attraction. As I stand in this moment, in line for American Eagle, I know I’m getting another awful ride in. I spoke to a ride op as he was buckling me in and I asked him “will it ever race again” and he responded with “probably not”
Welp if it makes you feel better the park president has no plans to remove it at the moment. >:3
Plus Eagle is not a piece of crap. Le Monstre is the crap racing wooden coaster. And if it was crap, wouldn’t it be covered in bird poop like Bull’s supports?
@@tigerrocks503 😭😭😭😭
@@Random_Eebs Yeah le Monstre makes me cry too.