Let's talk about those Iron Cyclone rumors
The Iron Cyclone rumors have been going on for months now. Let’s talk about them.
Update August 28:
This rumor is true! Click here to learn about the all new Wicked Cyclone – coming to Six Flags New England in 2015!
Original post:
Before we get into the Iron Cyclone rumors everyone should watch this interview with Six Flags New England’s Communications Manager, Jennifer McGrath. Pay close attention to the answer to the question at 48 seconds in.
Summary of everything we know so far:
- Two new coasters coming within the next four years
- Rumors have been going around since the fall that Six Flags New England’s next coaster would be from Rocky Mountain Construction
- In the new year, rumors started spreading that Cyclone would get the Iron Horse treatment. These rumors continued to gain traction
- When the park opened for the season, construction markers were spotted all around Cyclone
- Construction instructions have been written on Cyclone’s supports
- New colors are being tested on Cyclone’s station
Now that we’ve summed up everything we know up to this point, let’s look at each subject in more depth…
A history of rumors:
Every year it seems like immediately after the new capital for one year is announced, rumors for the year after start. Once New England SkyScreamer was announced, history indeed repeated itself. In the weeks after the announcement our sources informed us that we should expect to see Six Flags New England’s next project be from Rocky Mountain Construction. For those of you not familiar with the name, Rocky Mountain Construction, or RMC, is the group of people behind New Texas Giant, Outlaw Run and Iron Rattler. Right now they are finishing up work on Six Flags Great America’s Goliath and Six Flags Mexico’s Medusa Steel Coaster. The rendering below is of Goliath at Six Flags Great America.
At the Superhero Celebration event put on by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) and Six Flags New England, the park president, John Winkler, mentioned that the park would see two new coasters within the next few years. The four year count would start in 2015. Since we were told to expect something from RMC we thought for sure that 2015 would bring a new topper track wooden roller coaster similar to Outlaw Run and Goliath. We didn’t think Cyclone getting the Iron Horse treatment (the same refurbishment seen on Texas Giant, Rattler, and Medusa) was even possible. In fact, at an ACE event a few years back, the park mentioned that they looked into doing the Iron Horse treatment to Cyclone but decided against it. All rumors went quiet for most of the winter until March. This is when the Iron Cyclone rumors started to appear out of nowhere. Things really heated up once the park opened for the season…
Construction and Support Markings :
On opening day this year we immediately noticed orange markers around Cyclone’s layout. We even noticed some around the North End. We’re not sure if they have to do with what’s going on with Cyclone or not but they probably do. You don’t really see many when waiting in line, but when you ride the coaster you can see a lot of them. These next two pictures are of the markers you can see from the paths around the ride.
These are the most visible orange markers from the queue. There are also some visible ones on the fence near Flashback and on the trees. Once you ride, however, you can see a lot more. On the old entrance/exit paths there are a few triangular orange markers with dots in the middle. This usually symbolizes new footers for supports. The whole southern infield of Cyclone is marked up as well as the turn out of the station to the lift hill. When you are sitting on the brake run you can get a good look at all of them.
In addition to the orange markers there are some things written on the supports that you have to pay attention to closely. Huge thank you to Dennis for pointing out all of these and taking the pictures.
If you can’t make this out, it says “Cut here” with a number below it. These are on most of the supports near the entrance to Cyclone. Based off of Dennis’ knowledge, this whole helix is slated to be lowered to about 6 feet based on the cut marks. He estimates that there are about 250 + cut here markings based off of the number in the above picture. They circle the whole entrance area. Even the lift hill has some markings on it.
This next picture is a little hard to make out. If you look closely you can see the number 7.5 with a line next to it. This is exactly 7.5 feet up on the second drop supports – about 20 feet in. This indicates potentially a steeper drop on the second hill.
Color testing on Cyclone’s station:
The following pictures were taken this past weekend. While at media day for New England SkyScreamer on Thursday, I didn’t notice any of this. I’m usually pretty observant so I have to say this must’ve been done on Friday. The colors are definitely new but I could’ve missed this.
We have no idea why they would be painting patches of Cyclone’s station now. Are they testing potential colors? Are they just trying to throw people off? Who knows.
One last small thing we want to mention… Has anyone looked closely at the 2014 park map? If you have a 2014 map and a 2013 map nearby compare Cyclone’s station. If you don’t have one, look at this screenshot.
Still can’t see it?
Yep. The park put the ACE logo on Cyclone’s station for some reason. If you have a 2013 map you will notice that it’s not there. This could simply mean nothing. Or it could be a hint to enthusiasts that they should be getting their last rides on Cyclone this year. We’ve looked closely at the map and this is the only place where the ACE logo appears. It’s also placed perfectly on the station. So I doubt it is a mistake.
To wrap things up… There are a total of about 13 visible orange markers along the ride and a lot more written on the supports. Coupled with the rumors we’ve been hearing for months now all of this points to one thing… Cyclone is being transformed. We don’t know if it’s Iron Horse or regular topper track. Heck, the park could be totally messing with us as far as we know. Either way, you guys should get your last rides in just in case. We will keep you guys updated as more things start to happen.
What do you think is going on with Cyclone? Do you think our assumptions are wrong? Let us know in the comments.
Even though the whole Iron Horse treatment would be cool in all, I would miss Cyclone. It would be a huge loss to the park considering it wouldn’t be a full fledged wooden coaster. In my opinion, they should just make the first drop larger (similar to the way it was before 2001) and put in some 90 degree turns. Also, I think it would be a pity to see it loose its iconic white color.
It could be the first full topper track renovation for all we know. But I do agree that it would suck being down to only one wooden coaster.
As for the part in your comment about losing its iconic white color… This would be the first RMC renovation with painted supports so it will be interesting to see what they do with that. I assume they will make sure everything is repainted white but who knows with Six Flags. Haha.
Well, they repainted the Thunderbolt (to my pleasant surprise).
This will be the first coaster closing to get the (iron) treatment in July. And the others like the new giant and the iron rattler.
Oh, and did anyone notice the resemblance between Cyclone and the roller coaster in the ACE logo?
If I’m not mistaken, the coaster on the logo is supposed to be the Cyclone at Lakeside.
This sounds wicked cool!!!!! Cyclone sucks as it is so Anythng would be better than what it’s now.
Lololol look I desecirbed this rumor as wicked cool And the rumor turned out to be WICKED cyclone
Hey guys, but if you haven’t heard the news, Cyclone is shutting down in August this year. This could mean we have further proof to backup the rumor.
I threw that info out in the forum last week. 😉
https://sfneonline.org/forums/index.php?threads/2015-speculation.1404/page-44#post-46953
Well if you will excuse me, I will be hiding in the corner thinking about how embarrassing this will be in the future O.o
HAH! Don’t worry about it. You aren’t even a member of the forum yet, are you?
Sadly, no I am not. I have yet to become more integrated into this ecosystem.
You should definitely join. If you like the content on the homepage then you’ll like the forum even more.
and announced today it will close July 20th for good its being retired wow i wonder whats going to go there next?>>>>> lol
Screw that keep cyclone,the coaster holds a history,my parents rode cyclone first year it was opened,I want my kids to experience the same rush they did minus 20ft ant 10 mph like I did,sad to see thunderbolt outlasted cyclone whats up with that!!!! Im a enthusiast love cyclone,if six flags took care of their rides better stuff like this wouldnt happen
They can’t get rid of thunder it is historical and can’t be removed
Maybe there will level the entire ride and start from scratch.
well
all my coaster friends it’s no secret at this point!…at 7:48 am while
driving thru Suffield Ct into Agawam Ma and past SFNE on my way home
from Enfield Ct i drove right by a Rocky Mountain Construction vehicle
pulling out of the maintenance entrance by Cyclone…long live Iron
Cyclone bitches!~
The rumor is true! Learn about the all new Wicked Cyclone here: https://sfneonline.org/2014/08/28/wicked-cyclone-six-flags-2015/
Cool it was true! Reading this post after know wicked cyclone is coming is odd.