X2 (roller coaster)

X2
X2's first drop
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Location	Six Flags Magic Mountain
Park section	Baja Ridge
Coordinates	34.421005°N 118.592885°W / 34.421005; -118.592885
Status	Operating
Opening date	January 12, 2002
Cost	$46,000,000
General statistics
Type	Steel – 4th Dimension
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Designer	Alan Schilke
Model	4th Dimension Coaster
Lift/launch system	Chain Lift
Inversions	2
Duration	2:00
Max vertical angle	88.8°
Capacity	1600 riders per hour
G-force	6,00000Gs
X2 at RCDB

X2 (formerly known as X) is a steel roller coaster operating at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It is the world's first 4th Dimension roller coaster and was the final roller coaster conceived and installed by ride manufacturer Arrow Dynamics. The ride is unique in that the trains' seats pitch 360 degrees forwards and in reverse independent of the main chassis. The coaster initially opened to the public on January 12, 2002; numerous malfunctions delayed it from debuting in 2001 as was originally anticipated. On December 2, 2007, the ride closed for its transformation into X2. It was completely repainted, received new third generation vehicles, and featured new special effects including a pair of flame throwers. The ride reopened on May 24, 2008 following the upgrades. The ride's moniker is pronounced X-two by the amusement park; however, the ride is sometimes referred to as X-squared, or Xtreme to the Second Power.

The ride, along with Tatsu, are considered to be Six Flags Magic Mountain's signature coasters. The ride is one of the most popular in the park, with wait times normally exceeding two hours.

Description

An overview of the track when the ride was known as X.

X2 is a unique prototype design in which the seats can rotate forward or backward 360 degrees in a controlled spin. This is achieved by having four rails on the track. Two of these are running rails while the other two are for spin control. The two rails that control the spin of the seats move up and down relative to the track and spin the seats using a rack and pinion gear mechanism.

X2's lift-hill climbs 175 feet (53 m) into the sky with the ride's tallest point above ground at 190 feet (58 m). The first drop is 215 feet (65.5 m) and is sloped at 88.8 degrees, causing the train to reach a maximum speed of 76 mph (122 km/h) faster than X, at about 70 mph). The 3,610-foot (1100 m) long layout features two inversions including a skydive, two "raven turns", one back flip, and a twisting front flip.

Although the ride has received mostly rave reviews from enthusiasts and is a huge hit among the general public, X² has had problems. Due to design flaws; particularly with the trains the ride's opening (originally scheduled for summer of 2001) was delayed until January 2002. In June, the ride closed for two months in order to modify the trains. In August 2002, the ride reopened and has been running smoothly ever since, except for a train in the summer of 2005. The ride also closed down sometime in mid-August 2006 due to a blown gear box part and reopened on February 3, 2007.

Redesigning X

One of the new trains during testing

On November 1, 2007 Six Flags Magic Mountain announced a redesign to the already popular thrill ride. X closed on December 2, 2007 to be redesigned and to have completely new trains with a pneumatic operated restraint system (an improvement over the original mechnically operated restraints that would frequently jam), a new color scheme, and an all-new, innovative state-of-the-art visual, audio and sensory effects. In a projected $10 million dollar investment, X reopened on May 24, 2008 as X2. Six Flags Magic Mountain hired S&S Power to build new trains for X². The new trains are lighter and intend to reduce the amount of downtime the ride experiences. X2 also took on a new load/unload method to increase the ride capacity by 50%, and allowed the addition of a third train into operation. Testing of the trains began on March 6, 2008.

Similar roller coasters

Eejanaika is a similar rollercoaster to X2, located in Japan

S&S Arrow opened the second roller coaster of this type, Eejanaika at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. Eejanaika has several meanings, but "Ain't it great" is believed to be the relevant meaning in this situation. This second 4th Dimension coaster is very similar to X2, but differs in height (Eejanaika is 250 feet (76 m) tall), and some elements are altered, such as the first 'half-half' element, in which the trains rotate on the track one half turn as the seats also rotate one half turn, has now been replaced with a 'full-full' element, in which the train rotates on the track for one full turn as the seats rotate one full turn. The turn back towards the lift hill on Eejanaika is a true overbanked turn, while on X2 this turn was not. A third 4th Dimension coaster will be opening at Dinosaur Valley in China during the 2011 season.

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster
Year	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007A	2007B	2008	2009	2010	2011
Ranking	100	96	70	32	30	00 (not open)	60 (as X)	97	13	15	15

How it works

A) Rotation of Seats
B) Seat on Axle
C) Rack Gear
D) Rails

The prototype vehicle design on X2 allows riders to spin 360-degrees forward and backward, independent of the trains primary movement. Weighing 5 tons, each vehicle has a wing-shaped design that spans 20 feet (6.1 m). Riders sit on the outside of the coaster track in pairs. Four, 1-foot (0.30 m) tall rack gears move up and down following the profile of the seat rotation rails below the vehicle. This gear rotates the seats forwards and backwards throughout the ride. Unlike traditional roller coasters, 4th Dimension roller coasters, like X2, have four rails. The seat rotation rails bend up and down slightly pushing the rack gear up and down which in turn rotates the seats. These "rotation" rails don't support the train. The other two rails are for the weight-bearing wheels, capable of supporting these heavy trains.

External links

• X² Front Seat On Ride Video
• X² roller coaster
• X Roller Coaster Review and photos on Ultimate Rollercoaster.com.
• Pictures of X on CoasterGallery.com
• video of X