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Nov 1, 2009 7:07 pm US/Central
Six Flags' Texas Giant Closes For A Facelift
ARLINGTON (AP/CBS 11 News) ―
The Texas Giant took a ride into the sunset this weekend, but will be back in bigger fashion soon.
The Giant's final ride was Sunday night at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington.
Known as a very intense ride for the way the coaster turned and dropped, as well as its 60 mile per hour speed, the ride is being closed for a $10 million renovation including a new track, trains and controls.
Park officials say the 19-year-old ride has carried more than 23 million riders since opening in 1990.
Catelyn Gibbs says being one of the last to ride the Giant was bittersweet. "I have ridden it since I was a kid it was my first rollercoaster ride so it was a great honor to be one of the last persons ever to ride it."
When it opened the Giant was considered the world's tallest wooden roller coaster, at 143 feet tall.
Tim Baldwin was one of the first to ride the Giant, and made sure to be there for Sunday's goodbye. "It's sort of sad to know it will be gone I know Six Flags will do a stupendous job as far as making it taller, faster and steeper and smoother and I know everybody will love lit like they did in 1990."
Six Flags officials shuttered the roller coaster this summer after one of its cars lost its proper position on the track and began gouging the rails. Officials said the hot dry weather caused the track misalignment.
The 14-story ride will roll to a stop Sunday and will reopen as part of Six Flags' 50th anniversary celebrations in 2011.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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