American Eagle Construction - circa 1981

Dug from the archives, check out this video of construction of the American Eagle, now celebrating its 30th anniversary at Six Flags Great America.

[@horsecockexpress7612]

that stretch of 94 where you see the Eagle drop is iconic.

[@JeremieKowalik]

The American Eagle is such an amazing roller coaster... So glad it has remained in the park for so long!

[@gamingwiththeboy736]

Great ride lets hope this attraction will remain for much more years

[@jacobscanlan]

the airtime hills made me feel like I was going to fly out of the seat

[@avortigaunt3922]

Yep. That's the point, it's great airtime too.

[@MegaJamesj]

They worked really hard to keep this attraction for generation to generation. This will be forever treasured.

[@bg147]

As a kid, Chicago did not have much in the way of amusement parks. There was Adventureland which closed as well as Old Chicago. The news of Great America being built was a dream come true and we were old enough to drive by that point.

[@granthaynes2213]

"Maybe a great day is just what you need this year" yeah we could use some of those here in 2020.

[@Samuelon552]

2020 was a great year

[@xAPPLEx99]

If this ride ever falls apart i will cry

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@Arrow Dynamics Inc. seems like a rumor to me- considering the Washington street entrance runs through it- also Great America brings in so much Tax Revenue for the city of Gurnee and is the only reason that City is to where it is now. I’m sure that they would be fine with RMC Eagle or a new roller coaster as that draws more people that spend more money which means more tax revenue.

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@Arrow Dynamics Inc. the ride it self does not no- the park is gonna still need the same amount of water regardless.

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@Arrow Dynamics Inc. I doubt it personally; Gurnee is only a big city because of Six Flags and that’s where they get all there money from all the taxes on it. Furthermore if you were true there would have been headlines and news articles. If Gurnee actually wanted the land they would have forcefully told Six Flags and be tearing Eagle down for that as Government can do that they just have to pay the demolition costs and the cost of land and possibly the ride.

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@Arrow Dynamics Inc. what would the city even need that land for?? Nothing they can’t widen the road and likely wouldn’t do you have any sources??

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@Arrow Dynamics Inc. Eagle is a good coaster- my first infact; but the amount of money, effort and material they spend to actually keep it like that- not to mention they're trying to preserve the structure by not racing them- less force so it last longer, I think RMC Eagle would be good as it would be the Worlds Longest Roller coaster if Mobius looped, smoother- and we don't have any open space if you think about it. I don't know if you have ridden it recently- but every year you ride it front row it's more and more bumpy, you get saw dust in your eyes, and it's just not as fun without the racing element- it's sad to see it that way, so personally I think RMC Eagle wouldn't be bad, since it's reimagined- and the structure would get to provide that fun racing experince again and breaking new records.

[@XGaming1]

One part of me wants rmc to bring in Twisted Eagle, but the other half is frightened by the idea of loosing an old friend, this ride has sentimental value, it never really gets a very long line, and racing really makes it fun, it’s sort of a hidden gem of the park...

[@troythompson747]

Yes it needs to race more they have all new wood to re due make the support better revamping it

[@jisooxgrande876]

@@troythompson747 They can't race because people would spit at each other and stuff that's why they stopped

[@kyle-bi1uu]

UkerBoss1772 i-

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

In 2021 she had solid lines over the bridge- it made me happy that people were returning to the classic- I will say when you ride it now you get saw dust in your eyes- I hate to see her go but if she does I can't say I'll be to sad since the ride has just gotten to a point where it's so bumpy- Iron Eagle (RMC) would be great for the ride; A there isn't to much open space, B; the gold classic gets a modern influence- if you mobius loop RMC Eagle... You could go for longest coaster in the world.

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

@@jisooxgrande876 Another side and what I've heard in the past though; if you think about it when you race two trains the amount of weight and force that puts on the wood structure- it'll just ware it down that much quicker so to extend the life of it, if you don't race it she'll last longer. I miss the racing days.

[@super1321]

Wow, it’s crazy to see what’s now an amazing wooden coaster built by pretty much all hand. Defenetly this should never be removed

[@tylerkaufmann7310]

My grandpa helped build the majority of the American Eagle

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

are you saying he was there and was like 1/100 people who were there the whole time or he built it by him self?

[@patriciabahena3898]

Faker

[@arrowguy173]

Still one of my favorite coasters, both in design and experience. Great to see footage of this majestic scream machine being built. 30 years and still soaring.... :)

[@dude-wt8rv]

My grandpa was one of those people that build that ride

[@partydude002]

That build the ride?

[@veronicagomez4109]

Well then why say “that ride” instead of the NAME of the ride?

[@Optuhmist]

Harley quinn gomez Maybe because it's very clear what ride he's referring to?

[@lurxy9997]

dude 2459 my grampa did to

[@sachalikescoaster7717]

Cool

[@Mancavehobbies]

To the people at great America if you see this. This ride might not be the most appealing to everyone anymore. But the potential and the meaning to us will never be understood. The history the ride itself everything about this ride is perfect. Please just listen to the people retrack it get it racing again. It will go so far to bring the ride back to its former glory

[@WolfRaging95]

We need this whole song. Come on, Six Flags!

[@The2Trolles]

Gotta love a classic woodie! So happy you guys are repainting this! Now maybe you guys can retrack this? :P

[@gio11138]

*gasp* it’s the guy with the stick!

[@avortigaunt3922]

I dont know if I want them to rmc it or have it retracked

[@showbizwisconsin8350]

NO RETRACKING!!!!!!!!!!

[@danielgranados8459]

Retrack, great idea👍👍 what they’ve done to kings island’s beast recently, they should do the same thing to American Eagle so the trains can race again. Anyone agree??

[@waba320sc]

If they do this, American eagle isn't American Eagle anymore, Six Flags Keep this ride because of Noise Law

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

Eagle turned 38 today Happy birthday Eagle! 🦅

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

@WaterishDog Yep.

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

Yeah why do you ask?

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

Its okay, I don’t mind knowledgeable people

[@fillybassappleton3051]

I, for one, prefer steel coasters, but American Eagle is still one of my favourites!

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

FillyBass Appleton I would take a steel any day but you gotta love a good old classic woodie

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

Unless the steel is an slc

[@lnboria3498]

National Coaster News Vekoma SUCKS LIKE CRAP or SLC for short

[@SFGAmZone]

Fantastic work, this gave me goosebumps!

[@XGaming1]

My dads friend worked on the painting crew and my dad stopped by and he got to help paint, he painted one board and his friend painted the other side and they both carved there names with a knife and they made there name really deep and thick so it will still be there after it gets repainted...

[@bryanterry1111]

It's crazy to see American Eagle with brown supports

[@rollercoastertown8762]

Bryan Terry yeag

[@lucaswald8905]

KEEP THIS AWESOME RIDE!!

[@BHV0810]

This historic wood racer isn't getting torn down anytime soon!

[@Pepperpants_Coasters]

its weird not seeing the raging bull station/turn right next to the helix

[@IronwolfSFGAm1]

It's funny, how the Illinois Great America got a massive Racing Wooden coaster that reaches 66 mph and has a 147ft drop will California's Freat America got Grizzly, a 91ft tall and 55 mph single-track wooden coaster.

[@sharkmanxbro7082]

My third favorite ride behind Goliath and raging bull!

[@isaac161000]

Those wooden coaster have been known to out last steel coasters if they are maintained properly

[@MrRandomness128]

A great ride!

[@GreatAmerica1976]

@Schwob94 This entire video, including the vintage Marriott's Great America marketing song, is currently being shown at Great America (Gurnee) in the ride queues; it plays about every 10-15 minutes. Happy 30th, American Eagle!

[@isaac161000]

This is part of a movie they played last year. The movie was about the parks history from the time it opened under the Marriott company in the 1970s to about 1985. Both the music and video are from that movie. The music was the theme for Marriott's great America before six flags bought the park

[@nick42085]

actually x flight is where splash water falls was

[@ronaldstubbs9450]

A great ride, one of a kind classic.

[@NoahVR321]

Go to American Eagle memories🥰🥰

[@EarthySmerky]

I love this park it’s my home park :)

[@beakebros3]

i allways go on the eagle every time i go to six flags

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

beakebros3 me too

[@Schwob94]

@randumguy100 What do they play? The video or the song?

[@kdizzle901]

I couldn’t imagine the responsibility building things that can easily malfunction and kill someone

[@ZMan036]

@xAPPLEx99 doubt it. This ride has stayed longer than Iron wolf. (Which they are taking down and replacing with a wing coaster.)

[@FREDDYGAMING-so6dm]

Yes

[@nick42085]

sorry sir that spot is still empty have you rode the railload this past season?

[@TnseWlms]

Looks like a dam. The Santa Clara park never had one.

[@Evan.]

Can you put this music on cd

[@branman312]

By the way, everyone, if you ever hear a rumor about Eagle being torn down, it's crap. Just sayin. Since it comes so close to the highway, the park couldn't use the space.

[@adjacent819]

i am from the futrue and i can confirm its lasting at least until the 2021 season

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

City of Gurnee could make an exception if they want to- as they regulate local ordinances so it's possible Six Flags could go to him and considering how much revenue Six Flags brings in for the city- I'm sure they would.

[@avortigaunt3922]

YOU GUYS SHOULD *CONSIDER* THE RMC TREATMENT. IM JUST CURIOUS

[@tigerrocks503chase8]

Ernest P worrell Too Classic. It’s not getting touched.

[@kadajremnant778]

@@tigerrocks503chase8 well, we'll see. Most likley it will be untouched. Maybe not

[@Realzzzzzzz609]

Since it is so close to the road, the part would need to be shut down + they would need to get the citys approval

[@Mancavehobbies]

no not every coaster needs rmc

[@juangrimaldo8178]

What is this song

[@Bryce_TBS_Films]

if mariott didnt build this it wouldn’t be here im glad six flags bought the park from mariott go #American Eagle

[@bullresay]

it still the bst it my top 4th coster

[@zoeylilcuds]

@ZMan036 x-flight wont be going in the same spot though

[@DogeMcBananaChanel]

what is this music?

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

TheSwedishJew 2 I think it was a song created personally for the park.

[@ZMan036]

@fourquarter Yes? Isn't that what I said 4 months ago? It will be taking a few spots where the Iron Wolf was too. :|

[@joshthelegoman]

i live in illinois.yes,yes it is.

[@ZMan036]

@zoeylilcuds ... i know.

[@OzmanTheWizard]

They play this at six flags

[@wallyramone5912]

;)

[@anelaa117]

I hate the part where it spirals down, I feel like coaster is just going to fly off the tracks.

[@super1321]

anelaa that’s the fun part

[@claudiakerleferreira7667]

Rmc American eagle plz You dont have a standout coaster

[@ILOVEAMERICANEAGLE]

American eagle is the best at the park. Don't ruin it

[@Mancavehobbies]

no not every coaster needs rmc

[@IronwolfSFGAm1]

@IronwolfSFGAm1Great*

[@Darkton80]

This brings tears to my eyes. A time when there was Freedom, Personality, some Values, a massive Middle Class in the United States, NO New World Order, and NO Facebook which is a Cyborg "Friendship" Society. Seriously, it brings tears. R.I.P. Good Times.

[@XGaming1]

Darkton80 exactly, the government destroyed freedom, creative thinking, and being able to live happily, I was born in 2001 and I always wish I could go back to these times, I always watch old films and clips and it seems like people would actually think back then and use there ideas.

[@BobMocarski]

100% agree. I missthose times. So much simpler to live

[@jasonkrause6778]

I'm with you My Friend Amen !!!!

[@nickolas40oz54]

It’s sad that it’s being rmc

[@ILOVEAMERICANEAGLE]

No

[@Mancavehobbies]

it’s not

[@Milesyork]

Uh ok

[@grantweilandt9077]

Now I don’t want it rmced

[@ILOVEAMERICANEAGLE]

Please dont change american eagle

[@toastinwafles4343]

circa 1983 (certain people will understand)

[@rockingtr1]

Certain people rode it when it opened in 81

[@TheTrollGamers5000]

NOOO, X-FLIGHT is where iron wolf was.

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

TheTrollGamers5000 That's not true. Goliath is where Iron Wolf was.

[@ProfessorIgor]

TheTrollGamers5000 and Iron Wolf was where Z Force was, which was where Whirligig and a Ferris wheel were !! (I'm old)

[@gio11138]

now iron wolf is at Six Flags America

[@planetplutotravel15]

TheTrollGamers5000 Goliath is where the Iron Wolf was

[@ryanmai7888]

Well your not because the Whirligig is still here and is not in the spot of goliath so get your facts straight

[@jimgoebel5348]

It's the 40th anniversary, and you guys did nothing to celebrate the anniversary!

[@mikestepo6008]

God what if one of the workers made a mistake. I'm going next week.

[@VarietyMix]

mike stepo I think you forgot about this comment

[@grantweilandt9077]

Rmc it please!!!!!!!!

[@ILOVEAMERICANEAGLE]

No

[@Mancavehobbies]

no not every coaster needs rmc

[@XtreamZombie11]

i hate the eagle it's very very rickety.sry if u like it.

[@ProfessorIgor]

Gonna get hell for this, but... It's time for Eagle to go away. G.A. NEEDS a Cedar Point level giga coaster. Something that makes you say "OMFG"... It needs to have a country-wide draw.. Eagle lived a good 37yr run. Time to retire.

[@ryanmai7888]

Hell no we cant have a giga we have a heigh limit we cant build over 300 feet tbh I would keep it so many people grew up with this ride and its in the heart of many people and an rmc version would be insane but cost tons

[@ProfessorIgor]

Ryan Mai I have been going to GA since it opened. Eagle was just amazing back then. There was no racer like it anywhere. But the old girl has REALLY suffered in the tough IL weather. It needs a TON of work to get it tolerable again.

[@ryanmai7888]

naww they cant remove it so many people will not go and it will be a huge money lost they could RMC it but its too expensive considering the size

[@super1321]

Sean Ninneman NEVER

[@ProfessorIgor]

@WaterishDog I have ridden it since it was built. Other than the first drop and a couple air timers on the way back (red train especially), it's a pretty dull coaster. Couple that with the fact that it's hideously rough. Unnecessarily rough. The thing looks knackered. Viper is a better woody all day. It's time to send it to it's maker. A bad ass launch coaster like Maverick would work too. And be under the RIDICULOUS height restrictions.