New Texas Giant is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It originally opened as Texas Giant, which was the tallest wooden coaster in the world when it debuted in 1990. Manufactured by Dinn Corporation and designed by Curtis D. Summers, Texas Giant operated for nearly two decades and was highly-ranked in Amusement Today magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards. Before its refurbishment, the ride's popularity declined over the years as it gained a negative reputation for increasing roughness.
Texas Giant closed in 2009 for a major refurbishment by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). It reemerged as New Texas Giant in 2011. While the coaster retained much of the original wooden support structure, the wooden track was replaced with RMC's steel I-Box track, making this the first roller coaster to feature the I-Box track, as well as the first roller coaster that was converted by RMC. The renovated hybrid coaster saw an increase in height from 143 to 153 ft and drop length from 137 to 147 ft, as well as a steeper drop angle of 79°. New Texas Giant also increased the angle of multiple banked turns producing steeper angles.
New Texas Giant was well-received, winning Best New Ride in the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards and ranking highly in industry polls. A fatal incident occurred on July 19, 2013, and resulted in modifications to the ride's restraint system.
History
In September 1989, Six Flags