X Testing - August 2001 (60FPS Extended Version)

Join me in taking an upgraded look back at the testing of Six Flags Magic Mountain's original X coaster. Test runs 5-8 are seen in this video. The close-up footage of the trains at the beginning of this video was recorded by Chris Murray.
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#x
#x2
#x2coaster
#rollercoasters
#themeparks
#amusementpark
#sixflagsmagicmountain
#60fps
#vintage
#60fps
#prototype
#california
#valencia

[@brucegibson1813]

This just brings me back nostalgia of an event that didn’t even occur in my life

[@SeanFlaharty]

I don't know why but that comment made me smile.

[@nikotheghostrider]

Your reaction to looking at X for the first time is my same reaction when I saw X2 for the first time, it is massive.

[@scottshepard1215]

Seeing that in 2001 must have been mind blowing.

[@SeanFlaharty]

Indeed it was. I remember the day when the park announced X. The thought of riding a coaster like that was just a dream. I was literally shaking when I was recording this video. I finally took my first ride a couple weeks after it opened in 2001.

[@diazjr1975]

It was! I remember I got to ride a few weeks before it opened. I have a picture sitting on the train. Before they put the X logo on the seats. That 1st ride was the best ever. On that day I rode it 14 times. As I was walking to the restroom people were asking me how it was and if I could take them on it.

[@seanlewis1148]

An ABSOLUTE BEAUTIFUL MOMENT IN TIME OF A MONSTROUS BEAST X/X² I HAD THE PLEASURE RIDING CHRISTMAS EVE 2001(pass holder preview)....and STILL LOVE TO THIS VERY DAY!!!!! X² ROCKS!!!!! Alan Schilkie is a genius!!!! Mr Flaharty....I salute you sir!!!!

[@SeanFlaharty]

Thank you! I didn't ride it until a few weeks after it opened. I preferred the original as I got my ass kicked on X2. While smoother, it's Japanese sibling also kicked my ass. Lol.

[@seanlewis1148]

@@SeanFlaharty Have you ridden it's Chinese sibling yet(Dinoconda)?

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@seanlewis1148 I haven't. I did do the Japanese version in 2019 though. It was a much more intense ride. It was smoother but I still got my butt kicked. I only rode it once.

[@seanlewis1148]

@@SeanFlaharty COOL MAN, I WISH that there some way....SOME CRAZY WAY to give X² that Eejanaika/ Dinoconda twist!!!

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@seanlewis1148 The twist part on Eejanika is the most memorable part of that ride for me. It was difficult to figure how what was going on. Lol.

[@jeffc1347]

That guys original V2 shirt from Six Flags Marine World has major nostalgia value. Not only was V2 completely reprofiled right after that, then later the park was renamed, then later the ride was renamed lol.

[@SeanFlaharty]

We had ridden V2 the day before this video was recorded. I remember riding V2 and telling my friend that there was no way this was a 150ft version (that the park stated at the time) of the impulse coaster as I had ridden the Six Flags Ohio version dozens of time and knew it very well. It stood at a 180ft. It looked and felt the same as V2. Soon after that trip is when Six Flags Marine World made the announcement that V2 was being modified because it was too tall.

[@chibiesora270]

What Sean Flaharty videos was missing...... B-roll?

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

This ride was delayed to 2002 due to mechanical flaws!

[@CivilianSatellite]

Love the extended footage. Even though you clearly state at the beginning what happened, I was still waiting in nervous anticipation to see if you'd get to see a test cycle lol. I can't even imagine what it must be like to see such a novel never-before-seen coaster concept at the time come to life before your eyes.

[@SeanFlaharty]

Out of all the coaster moments I have experienced, this has to be one of the most memorable. There was some stuff that I didn't record that was a lot of fun. Our conversation with Alan was much longer than what I recorded. He told us how he came up with the idea of that concept when he was like twelve years old. Such a genius! I hid a little Easter egg during my channel closing graphic. If you listen closely, you can hear Iron Gwazi's lift hill. That was my way of giving a nod to Jon Smith as he finally got to work with Alan when designing IG. I believe Jon was in college when I recorded that and he was a big fan of Alan's work.

[@Paneeks1960]

Excellent flashback footage Sean. Seeing archive clips is always enjoyable. I remember how much this coaster was talked about before and after they opened it. It does not surprise me to see you there. You are still the master Sean. No one does it better~ Rob/Boston

[@SeanFlaharty]

It was a fun time, for sure. Thanks, as always Rob! You are the best! Seeing Meshuggah in a couple of nights. Can't wait!!

[@Paneeks1960]

@@SeanFlaharty I watched a few clips from the Worcester show that was a few nights ago Sean. Not only did they sound good but their lightning was very impressive too. That should be a killer show. Enjoy yourself.

[@Lucky_9705]

I love old coaster footage like this

[@SeanFlaharty]

Thank you for watching!

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

I remember coming up that hill as a kid with my parent and seing X for the first time and I almost cried tears of joy

[@ThyPandora]

This must've been such a sight back in 2001 - just mindboggling for the time?

[@ThyPandora]

I say that in respect to X, then almost two years later Top Thrill Dragster would show itself, too at a certain park up north... something about the early millennium just being this innovative race that I don't think we've been able to match until recently?

[@danieltaylor1666]

Man, did Arrow go out with a bang! Would have been amazing to see what Alan and Arrow could have done in the 21st Century together. (Him just chilling watching his creation is so cool) P.S. I loved the color scheme

[@Marty_NZ]

So good. Love how you got to talk to Alan at the end.

[@michaelhorio4046]

nice

[@jjmailman]

Forgot about the “Jon Smith” comment - That’s hilarious!!

[@SeanFlaharty]

I also added a little Easter egg about that. If you listen closely, during the very end where it shows my channel name, you will hear the sound of Iron Ghazi's lift hill. That was my little acknowledgment that Jon finally worked with Alan on a project.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

You filmed this video one month before the September 11 attacks!

[@SeanFlaharty]

Very close to a month. On the 11th of August, 2001, I was at Silverwood for the first time.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Did you film any Silverwood videos?

[@Shockzone1495]

Little did everyone know that this would be the very last construction site of Arrow Dynamics.

[@jorge3997]

Do you still have the X b-roll footage?

[@SeanFlaharty]

I have it archived but no longer online. It was one of the videos KZbin "suggested" I remove a couple years ago.

[@jorge3997]

You think it’s possible to have a copy of the b-roll footage? I wish I could watch it again

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@jorge3997 If you go to the 'about' section of my channel page, I can be reached via email from there. If you send me an e-mail, I should be able to send you a link.

[@csxisaiahjonesproductions2290]

@Sean Flaharty ✅In This Video It Takes Places Before X2 In 2008 ?

[@SeanFlaharty]

It sure does!

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

It takes place on August 11, 2001, a day after the opening of American Pie 2.