Iron Wolf Could Be Headed from Chi-Town to the Capital, Just Like the Pres.
Arguably one of the most trusted news source in the industry, Screamscape, has reported that stand-up roller coaster Iron Wolf is leaving Six Flags Great America (Chicago). Built in 1990, RCDB lists Iron Wolf as Bolliger & Mabillard’s first roller coaster. Apparently Six Flags America (Washington D.C.) has been rumored to receive a B&M coaster to replace Skull Mountain. Lance from Screamscape has pretty much confirmed Iron Wolf’s removal, but hasn’t confirmed its new location. If you connect the dots though, as he did here, it makes sense that Iron Wolf could be headed to Six Flags America.
Knowing the size of Six Flags America, how the company has invested in it, and its perceived importance in the chain, a relocated 20+ year old roller coaster sounds about right. I missed Iron Wolf on my trip to Six Flags Great America as the park shut it down when rain moved in. I would imagine it’s somewhat like Vortex at my home park Carowinds. Given it’s age and the fact that it’s a stand-up it’s probably a bit on the rougher side. But, for a park that hasn’t received a new roller coaster in so many years, local fans should be excited. I wonder if it’ll carry the Green Lantern theme or some other DC Comics super hero.
Here are overhead views of Iron Wolf at SFGA and Skull Mountain at SFA:
They’re at the same ‘scale’ in Google Maps. I’m not sure if that means the Skull Mountain area is much bigger than Iron Wolf or if that’s just an issue with satellite images. I don’t claim to know ‘Wolf’s dimensions, but I could see it sliding into Six Flags America in that location. It would look pretty cool with Roar to the left and Wild One behind it.
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of this news and the Six Flags America rumor? Leave a comment below. Image courtesy of Coaster Image.
July 24, 2011 at 08:13
I'd hope they improve Iron Wolf a little, because at the moment it is a very poor rollercoaster.
July 24, 2011 at 09:35
rehab it and get some new generation trains and it may make sense. SFGAm deserves better and SFA deserves to get just about anything at all.
July 24, 2011 at 11:34
If they do send it to SFA, add some seats! I havent ridden Iron Wolf, but I would imagine it is as painful as other stand ups. The stand ups push your legs down with such force after a drop or loop, it is just very uncomfortable. I think i would rather ride an arrow headbanger than stand ups because at least you get to sit down on those! After waiting in line for a coaster, there is a great relief sitting down for the ride. But on stand ups you stand up. I think every stand up should have seats added in. Yeah, the general crowd wouldn't think it is as unique as standing up, but personally i dont care how unique it is or how different it is I just don't care to ride in that position.
As for the rumor, Iron Wolf does look like it would fit in that space.
July 24, 2011 at 21:23
I wish that would happen too, but it isn't possible due to how the track is heartlined for the stand up trains. It would probably result in a rough ride experience.
August 3, 2011 at 04:11
Iron Wolf isn't really fun at all. The only good part is the first hill and loop right after. Everything after that is really rough and then it has really tight turns and a corkscrew that gives you bad whiplash and banging head. I'm glad to see it go even though its SFGA's first B&M, but whatever, something newer and smoother would be nice.
July 24, 2011 at 17:56
Seems very likely, but like the others said, it need work. And paint.
July 24, 2011 at 18:06
That Iron Wolf coaster was one of the roughest un-enjoyable coasters i have ever been on!! Six Flags America deserves a better coaster than that.It has been forever since they have gotten a good ride in that park!
July 24, 2011 at 21:06
I have to agree with you although I've never ridden Iron Wolf. Stand ups just aren't good rides for the most part and the park deserves better than this. If I was at the park this would be a ride I would probably skip. Vortex at carowinds was fun for a stand up but every other one I've been on has been terrible. SFA deserves better than a hand me down.
July 25, 2011 at 10:05
Wherever it goes, they'd better enjoy it. It was B&M's first coaster!
July 25, 2011 at 15:45
Iron Wolf was OK, not great, not terrible, but I've only ridden it in the front and middle seats. I only rode twice and didn't risk a back seat ride.
The twists of the last part of the ride was the roughest part, the opening act of the loop and swoop was pretty good.
If SFA is getting a used coaster that would not be a surprise (except for the idea that Six Flags would spend anything on that park).
Perhaps Iron Wolf will be a good fit with the Mind Eraser and Roar … it's not of the same quality as Superman (an excellent ride that would be top ten if the helixes had some undulation to them).
Seriously, the only good coaster there is Superman.
Wild One was better in Boston than it is at SFA (I rode it as a teenager).
I've ridden Iron Wolf, Vortex (CGA), Mantis and Riddler. Riddler is the best standup. Vortex at CGA was awful, I guess it was B&M's worst creation (unless it was nice on opening day, but it's terrible now). Mantis had nice moments and miserable moments, I didn't find it very re-rideable. I don't think B&M did the math correctly for Mantis.
Riddler is one of the best rides I've been on, not quite my favorite (305 is that) but it's excellent. You do, however, need to ensure the bicycle seat is properly positioned before the ride. It can be very unpleasant if this is not done.
July 25, 2011 at 15:48
Another thought: it's about the footprint of the "SBNO" B&M coaster at Hard Rock Freestyle Fleece The Investors Park in South Carolina. I imagine the banks holding the loans for that farce want to recoup some of their losses and selling their slightly used B&M to SFA or some similar second tier park would be a good thing.
July 25, 2011 at 19:31
No!!! I missed it on my trip to SFGA! My cousins favorite ride there!
July 25, 2011 at 20:36
Owwwww!!! Why can't we just get a NEW coaster, like MM's Green Lantern? (Nice, small footprint!) Iron Wolf was as bad as Mantis and the one they moved form Jersey to Texas. The only two rideable ones ever for me were Georgia Scorcher and Chang. Never really cared for stand ups. Togo or even the B&M ones.
July 26, 2011 at 08:34
Iron Wolf is a horrible roller coaster, but unless Great America is going to get something to replace it, I'd rather not see it go.
July 26, 2011 at 08:49
I think that it's time to retire the stand up coaster concept. As for SFA, they deserve better.
July 27, 2011 at 22:19
i think iron wolf is not that great of a rollercoaster mainly because its to rough what i think they should do is yes put iron wolf in six flags america and make major improvements and maybe pimp it out a little new paint job cooler trains and maybe even some special effects and maybe rename it 2 to give it a new look for its new park then for six flags great america i think in it's spot they should add a small woodie not as small as the little dipper i mean maybe something like the wooden warrior maybe a little bigger longer faster and they might have something there then if there is anymore room left in that area maybe add a thrill ride of some type or maybe some kind of family attraction or something
July 29, 2011 at 08:48
It's been confirmed that SFA has filed for permits for a standup coaster,I just hope it's a new design & not this POS from SFGRAM….I'd take KD's shockwave over IW any day.
July 30, 2011 at 08:48
SFGAm Needs a new coaster sooooo badly, I wouldn't be sad if IRON WOLF Left the park honestly,i don't care for it somthing better should replace iron wolf at SFGAm. SFM should have a coaster like that for a low operating theme park.
July 31, 2011 at 13:42
I don't want Iron Wolf to stay, but I also don't want it to go to another park simply because I feel bad for who ever gets stuck with such an old ride being marketed as the "new thing" Iron Wolf is so bumpy and painful hardly anybody rides it anymore. I think if it goes anywhere it should be a trash heap or a very small locally owned park. SFGA can find room to put a new ride somewhere else! I don't understand why this park operates like there is no land left for the past 10+ years!
July 31, 2011 at 22:48
Again…. OOOWWWWW!!!! My poor little home park deserves a lot better. New restraints, PLEASE! I'm not that tall and those horse collars ruined my day @ SFGrAM.
(I only claim SFA it because it's slightly closer than Hershey and I've been going there through three incarnations.)
August 4, 2011 at 06:13
Iron Wolf Kills Your Head on the corkscrew. My opinion is BYE BYE Iron Wolf Hello New Coaster
August 4, 2011 at 13:59
Guys I know this has nothing to do wit ironwood and SFGAm or SFA. I made a knex rollercoaster and a need you to help me pick out a name for it thanks
September 10, 2011 at 09:16
they better not ever demolish this ride, its B&M first ride, its a classic