American Eagle

American Eagle is a large wooden racing roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. It opened to the public on May 23, 1981, as one of the major attractions introduced with the park. Unlike a conventional single-track coaster, it has parallel red and blue tracks intended to operate as a race, allowing two trains to travel through much of the layout at the same time. The attraction occupies a substantial portion of the southern edge of the park and is located in the County Fair area. The coaster was designed by Curtis D. Summers, James Figley, and Leonard Wright. Construction began in June 1980 and used approximately 1.36 million feet of lumber, tens of thousands of bolts and pounds of nails, about 2,000 concrete footings, more than 9,000 gallons of white paint, and over 20,000 labor hours. Figley-Wright served as the construction contractor. The reported construction cost was $10 million in 1981 dollars. American Eagle was the first wooden coaster designed by Intamin of Switzerland. Its out-and-back design includes a 147-foot first drop, a maximum speed of about 66 mph, two major helix sections, multiple airtime hills, and a racing sequence in which the trains separate, cross relative positions, and reunite near the finish. The first drop is approximately 55 degrees and descends below ground level. An original holding-brake feature briefly paused trains at the crest of the lift hill, but the feature was later removed. The ride uses Philadelphia Toboggan Company trains with five cars and three benches per car; its restraints have been updated from the original single-position lap bars to individual lap bars and seatbelts. When it opened, American Eagle held several wooden-coaster and overall-coaster records, including records for speed, height, and drop. Most of those records were later surpassed, but the attraction continues to be recognized for its scale and racing format. It remains identified with Six Flags Great America and is operated as a theme-park attraction rather than as a separately sold consumer product. Operations have varied over time. The red and blue sides have sometimes run backward or with different operating patterns, and after roughly a decade without regular simultaneous racing, the two sides were scheduled to race again during a limited period for the park's 50th anniversary in 2026. Maintenance and refurbishment work in the 2020s included retracking, chain-lift replacement, entrance improvements, and new lighting. In 2025, American Coaster Enthusiasts designated American Eagle a Landmark roller coaster, recognizing its continuing historical and operational importance.

American Eagle was developed as one of the principal early attractions for Six Flags Great America. Construction began in June 1980, and the coaster opened on May 23, 1981. It was designed by Curtis D. Summers, James Figley, and Leonard Wright, with Figley-Wright acting as contractor. Intamin of Switzerland designed the ride, making American Eagle the company's first wooden roller coaster project. The reported construction cost was $10 million. The project was unusually large for its period. Its wooden structure used roughly 1,360,000 feet of lumber, supported by about 2,000 concrete footings. Construction consumed approximately 129,720 bolts, 30,600 pounds of nails, more than 9,000 gallons of white paint, and over 20,000 labor hours. The design stretches across the park's southern boundary and uses two parallel tracks so that trains can race through an extended out-and-back course. At opening, American Eagle established several major records. It was the fastest roller coaster and had the largest drop overall for a period, while also setting records for wooden-coaster height, speed, and drop. Later attractions displaced most of those records, but American Eagle retained its identity as one of the most prominent racing wooden coasters in the United States. Its defining elements include a 147-foot first drop, a speed of approximately 66 mph, a 560-degree turnaround helix, a second helix near the finish, and a sequence of hills designed to create airtime. The attraction has undergone changes in both hardware and operating practice. The original lift-hill holding brakes were removed after a relatively short period. The ride originally had six trains in its design, while later operations used four, two for each track. The blue side operated backward during several historical periods, including selected seasons in the 1990s, early 2000s, 2011, and 2013. From approximately 2016 or 2017, the two tracks generally stopped racing simultaneously and were operated alternately. In 2021, the red side operated while the blue side underwent retracking and refurbishment; in 2022, the pattern was reversed. Similar alternating operation continued in 2023 and 2024, although both sides operated at points during the 2024 season. Work announced before the 2024 season included replacement of both chain lifts, a new entrance, and colored projection lighting. In February 2025, American Coaster Enthusiasts designated American Eagle a Landmark roller coaster, with a plaque ceremony held in June. Six Flags Great America subsequently announced a limited simultaneous-racing program for its 50th anniversary, scheduled for June 20 to August 9, 2026. The ride remains an active attraction, subject to normal seasonal, weather, maintenance, and operational constraints.

• 2026

  Planned anniversary racing program

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The park announced planned simultaneous racing from June 20 through August 9 for the park's 50th anniversary.

• 2025

  Landmark coaster designation

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  American Coaster Enthusiasts recognized American Eagle as a Landmark roller coaster.

• 2022

  Blue-side refurbishment cycle

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The blue side reopened while the red side underwent comparable refurbishment work.

• 2021

  Red-side operation during blue-side refurbishment

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The red side operated while the blue side was closed for retracking and refurbishment.

• 1988

  Overall speed and drop records end

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other roller coasters surpassed American Eagle's overall speed and largest-drop records.

• 1981

  Public opening

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  American Eagle opened at Six Flags Great America on May 23.

• 1980

  Construction begins

  [1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Construction of the large dual-track wooden coaster began in June.

A landmark, high-capacity wooden racing coaster and signature attraction within Six Flags Great America.

• Wooden racing roller coaster · 1981

  American Eagle

  American Eagle is a dual-track wooden racing coaster with red and blue sides. Its layout combines a 147-foot first drop, speeds of approximately 66 mph, airtime hills, a 560-degree turnaround helix, crossing visual elements, and a final helix before the brake run. The ride uses Philadelphia Toboggan Company trains and is designed to deliver both the individual coaster experience and the spectacle of two trains competing on parallel courses.

• 2026

  Return of scheduled simultaneous racingStrategy

  Background

  The park's 50th-anniversary programming created an occasion to restore the ride's signature racing presentation after years without regular simultaneous racing.

  Action taken

  Six Flags Great America announced simultaneous dispatches from both sides from June 20 through August 9, 2026.

  Aftermath

  The announced program is limited to the specified anniversary period and remains subject to operational conditions.

  Source

• 2024

  Lift, entrance, and lighting upgradesStrategy

  Background

  Six Flags Great America prepared the attraction for the 2024 season after several years of alternating operation between the two sides.

  Action taken

  The park announced replacement chain lifts, a new entrance, and red, white, and blue lighting projected onto the structure.

  Aftermath

  The blue and red sides operated at different points during the season, with alternating operation continuing for much of the year.

  Source

• 2021

  Alternate-track refurbishment programOther

  Background

  The attraction required retracking and refurbishment work on its two independently operated sides.

  Action taken

  The park operated the red side while the blue side was closed, then used the reverse arrangement in 2022.

  Aftermath

  The work enabled the blue side to reopen in 2022, although simultaneous racing did not immediately return as the normal operating pattern.

  Source

• 2026

  American Eagle scheduled to resume simultaneous racing for the park anniversary[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  For Six Flags Great America's 50th anniversary, the park announced a planned period of simultaneous red- and blue-side dispatches from June 20 through August 9, 2026.

• 2025

  American Coaster Enthusiasts names American Eagle a Landmark coaster[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  American Coaster Enthusiasts recognized American Eagle for its lasting impact and continued operation; the plaque ceremony was held on June 16, 2025.

• 2024

  American Eagle receives refurbishment and entrance upgrades[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The attraction received chain-lift replacement work, a new entrance, and red, white, and blue lighting. Operating patterns continued to vary between the two sides.

• 2002

  Guest hospitalized after reported medical incident[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  An 11-year-old girl was taken to hospital on May 22, 2002, after suffering a brain hemorrhage following a ride.

• 1997

  Blue train cars separate on the brake run[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Four guests sustained minor injuries on September 7, 1997, after the second and third cars of the blue train separated and collided on the brake run.

• 1984

  Two trains collide in the station[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Seven guests were hospitalized after two trains collided in the station on September 9, 1984.

• 1981

  American Eagle opens at Six Flags Great America[1]American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The wooden racing coaster opened to the public on May 23 as a major attraction at the newly established Six Flags Great America.

1. 1American Eagle (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2American Eagle Launches New Compressor, Expands LubeMate Line : CEGconstructionequipmentguide.com