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.
December 7, 2011 at 12:01
wow this is just sad
December 21, 2011 at 23:31
IRON WOLF has its bad attributes and being a former employee and riding it since i was just 54" tall i noticed it was just getting more rough every year. come to figure out the area it was built on is a borderline swamp. There are sections 9" or more by now out of place from the original design due to the sinking support pads. A new sturdy foofprint and some more comfy (perhaps new) trains would make the ride a good asset to any park.
August 24, 2012 at 11:05
I was just at six flags in August and I saw where Iron Wolf was. It still a station and a line formation. But it had no track. They must be building a new coaster there in 2013.