Road Runner Express (Six Flags Magic Mountain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Road Runner Express |
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| Previously known as Rex's Rail Runner | |
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Road Runner Express
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| Six Flags Magic Mountain | |
| Park section | Bugs Bunny World |
| Coordinates | 34°25′32″N 118°35′45″W / 34.425656°N 118.595842°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 28, 2011 |
| at at RCDB | |
| Six Flags New Orleans | |
| Park section | Looney Tunes Adventures |
| Coordinates | 30°03′15″N 89°56′10″W / 30.054167°N 89.936128°W |
| Status | Relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| Opening date | May 20, 2000 |
| Closing date | August 21, 2005 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Junior |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Junior Coaster (207m) |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 27.9 ft (8.5 m) |
| Length | 679.2 ft (207.0 m) |
| Speed | 21.7 mph (34.9 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 0:44 |
| Capacity | 780 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 36 in (91 cm) |
| Trains | Single train with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass available |
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 Must transfer from wheelchair |
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Road Runner Express is a fun steel roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It's a "junior" roller coaster, which means it's designed to be exciting but not too intense. This makes it perfect for families and younger riders. The ride opened on May 28, 2011, just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. You can find it in the park's Bugs Bunny World area.
Contents
History of Road Runner Express
From New Orleans to Magic Mountain
Road Runner Express first opened in New Orleans on May 20, 2000. Back then, it was called Rex's Rail Runner. It was part of the Kid's Carnival section at a park named Jazzland.
In 2002, Six Flags took over Jazzland and changed its name to Six Flags New Orleans. The roller coaster was then renamed Road Runner Express. It became part of the "Looney Tunes Adventures" area in the park.
A big storm called Hurricane Katrina hit the park on August 29, 2005. This caused a lot of flooding, and the park had to close down. After the storm, Six Flags started moving rides from the New Orleans park to their other parks. For example, a ride called Batman: The Ride was moved to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. It was updated and renamed Goliath in 2008. Road Runner Express was also moved in 2009 to its new home at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Road Runner Express at Six Flags Magic Mountain
After being moved in 2009, Road Runner Express was planned to open at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2010. It was going to be called Mr. Six's Dance Coaster and be in the Cyclone Bay area. However, its opening was delayed for a year.
In August 2010, news reports said the junior coaster would keep its red and black colors. It would also stay in the same planned spot in the park's northwest corner. But it would likely get a new name and theme. On November 4, 2010, Six Flags announced the ride would not be Mr. Six's Dance Coaster. Instead, it would open in May 2011 as Little Flash, themed to DC Comics superhero sidekicks. This would be in Bugs Bunny World.
However, the plans changed again! On January 18, 2011, the LA Times reported that the park decided to keep things simple. They would name the coaster Road Runner Express. Two days later, Six Flags Magic Mountain confirmed the name. They also said it would open on March 19, along with the updated Superman: Escape from Krypton. But construction delays pushed the opening date back again.
Finally, on April 25, 2011, construction was finished. Road Runner Express officially opened on May 28, 2011, for Memorial Day Weekend. The ride now has a fun Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote theme. Its roller blade-style train has rockets, and the background looks like the Arizona desert.
Riding Road Runner Express
When you get on Road Runner Express, you'll board a train that holds 16 riders. The train is pulled up a lift hill using a special system to a height of about 9.1 metres (30 ft).
After reaching the top, you'll go through about 207 metres (679 ft) of twists, turns, and small hills. The ride lasts about one minute, and you'll reach a top speed of 40.2 kilometres per hour (25.0 mph). Finally, the train comes to a stop in the brake run.
The ride's background fits perfectly with its Road Runner theme. The station area is decorated with rocks and Acme crates. You can even spot Wile E. Coyote standing on top of some Acme crates, trying to catch the Road Runner!
