River King Mine Train

River King Mine Train
Entrance
Six Flags St. Louis
Coordinates	38°30′56″N 90°40′26″W / 38.515499°N 90.673765°WCoordinates: 38°30′56″N 90°40′26″W / 38.515499°N 90.673765°W
Status	Operating
Opening date	1971
General statistics
Type	Steel – Mine Train
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Model	Mine Train
Height	32 ft (9.8 m)
Drop	41 ft (12 m)
Length	2,500 ft (760 m)
Speed	37 mph (60 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	3:00
Capacity	1800 riders per hour
Height restriction	42 in (107 cm)
Trains	5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
River King Mine Train at RCDB Pictures of River King Mine Train at RCDB

Overview

The River King Mine Train is a hybrid wood structure roller coaster located at Six Flags St. Louis. Built in 1971, it was the first coaster of the park. The actual ride itself is one of two tracks, one which was later sold. Today, the ride operates with its original name. The ride has also received modern upgrades, including a new control panel. It is a popular family and beginner coaster being it is the smallest in the park. The Mine Train as it is often called, is unique in the fact that it has no automatic system for the lap bars. Instead, employees have to manually lock and unlock the bars. Trains are 5 cars with riders arranged 2 across in 3 rows. In total, the coaster has 3 trains that have a total capacity of 90 riders (30 each).

History

In 1971, Six Flags St. Louis along with Arrow Dynamics, built the park's first coaster. One year after it was installed, the name was changed to the River King Run-Away Mine Train. During the 1984 season, major alterations were made to the ride including the addition of stand up cars, paint detail and changes to the track. In addition, the roller coaster was renamed the Rail Blazer. Due to a death the same year on it, the modifications were undone, and its first name returned. Eventually, a modern control panel was put in. Also, the trains received a divider between seats.

Secondary Track

When the River King Mine Train was built, it originally had two tracks. In 1988, it was sold to Dollywood where it was renamed Thunder Express and later moved to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls as Big Bad John where it operates with modifications today. The removal was due to a new coaster coming in, the Ninja from Seattle. This track was not outfitted with the modifications that the other track received.

Rider Experience

Upon leaving the station, the train takes a short drop and then does a 180* turn to the right. After passing the train storage area, it takes a short turn to the left. Then, up the first lift hill. At the top, a short dip followed by a slight right turn is taken. The train then dives 180* to the left to the ground. After a slight right turn, it then proceeds to take a 270* left turn crossing over the tracks it was just on. After another slight right turn, it climbs the second lift hill. The track does the same thing as the first lift hill, but finishes with a 360* turn instead. After a bunny hop, a slight climbing right 180* turn, the train climbs a small last lift hill. The train goes slight right, then slight left, with another slight right. The train then drops into the mine. After briefly leveling out at the bottom, it then climbs out. After some braking, it then takes a slight right, and goes into the station brake run.

Incidents

On July 7, 1984, after stand-up modifications, a woman fell out of the ride and died due to brain injury. Much speculation has surrounded the reason for her fall, for example, some believe that she was too heavy or even that she was pushed off the coaster. However, the Six Flags/Bally’s Corporation released a statement which explained that the woman had simply fainted which caused her to slip through the restraints and fall out of the ride. Soon after, all the modifications were removed.

External links

• Roller Coaster History
• Six Flags Official Website
• Six Flags St. Louis Official Fan Site
• Roller Coasters at Six Flags St. Louis