The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) will recognize two iconic roller coasters as ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks in 2025: Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas and American Eagle at Six Flags Great America.
These coasters, known for their innovation and lasting appeal, will join an elite list of 50 Roller Coaster Landmarks across 42 parks worldwide.
Since opening in 1978, Shock Wave, a Schwarzkopf-designed double-looping coaster, has remained a standout attraction. It was the first roller coaster to incorporate heartlining, a groundbreaking design feature that enhances ride comfort by aligning rotational forces with the rider’s heart position. Its distinctive quad-tube track and minimal support structure further set it apart.
The ride recently gained renewed recognition in The Legacy of Schwarzkopf, a documentary highlighting the work of legendary coaster engineer Anton Schwarzkopf.
Shock Wave will be the second coaster at Six Flags Over Texas to receive ACE Landmark status, joining Runaway Mine Train, the park’s oldest operating coaster.
American Eagle, which debuted in 1981, was the first wooden roller coaster built by Intamin Amusement Rides. Upon opening, it set records as the world’s tallest and fastest wooden coaster, boasting a 147-foot drop and a top speed of 66 mph. It remains the longest double-racing wooden coaster, with 9,300 feet of combined track.
ACE will officially recognize American Eagle during Coaster Con 47, the organization’s largest annual gathering of coaster enthusiasts, hosted at Six Flags Great America in June. It will be the third coaster at the park to receive Landmark status, following Batman The Ride and Whizzer.
Founded in 1978, ACE is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the appreciation, preservation, and knowledge of roller coasters, both classic and modern. The organization has grown to more than 7,000 members across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 12 countries.
In addition to publishing a bimonthly online newsletter and a quarterly print magazine, ACE hosts numerous events at amusement parks each year, including Coaster Con, a six-day annual convention celebrating the thrill of roller coasters like no other event in the world.
As a proud ACE member, I know firsthand the passion and excitement that unites coaster enthusiasts. Whether you’re drawn to the history, engineering, or pure adrenaline rush of these rides, ACE offers a community unlike any other.
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(Shock Wave Photo: Six Flags Over Texas)
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