Uploaded June 2013 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Climb aboard an absolute pioneer of thrill-ride history and travel back to 2003 to relive a permanently lost Texas classic! This is a full, uncut ride-through of the historic "XLR-8" suspended roller coaster at the beloved Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, beautifully preserved from April 26, 2003.
Debuting in 1984, XLR-8 was the world's second operating suspended swinging coaster ever built by the legendary Arrow Dynamics. Unlike traditional coasters, its trains hung beneath the track, allowing the structural steel cars to swing wildly out to the sides at a 45-degree angle as they navigated the winding course through the trees. This vintage 2003 archive captures the entire smooth, sweeping layout just two seasons before the park was tragically closed and completely demolished in October 2005. Because this classic coaster was scrapped during the demolition, this footage stands as a vital historical record of AstroWorld's golden era.
If you spent your childhood summers waiting in line for XLR-8, miss the unique magic of AstroWorld, or love defunct coaster history, hit that Subscribe button and turn on notifications for more amusement park time capsules! 🎢🌳🇨🇱
📅 Attraction Details:
Ride: XLR-8 (Classic Arrow Dynamics Suspended Swinging Coaster)
Location: Six Flags AstroWorld (Houston, TX)
Operating Years: 1984–2005 (Park closed and demolished in 2005)
Filmed: April 26, 2003
#SixFlagsAstroWorld #AstroWorld #XLR8 #ArrowDynamics #SuspendedCoaster #DefunctCoasters #SixFlags #HoustonHistory #TexasNostalgia #SwingingCoaster #RidePOV #ThemeParkArchive
Climb aboard an absolute pioneer of thrill-ride history and travel back to 2003 to relive a permanently lost Texas classic! This is a full, uncut ride-through of the historic "XLR-8" suspended roller coaster at the beloved Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, beautifully preserved from April 26, 2003.
Debuting in 1984, XLR-8 was the world's second operating suspended swinging coaster ever built by the legendary Arrow Dynamics. Unlike traditional coasters, its trains hung beneath the track, allowing the structural steel cars to swing wildly out to the sides at a 45-degree angle as they navigated the winding course through the trees. This vintage 2003 archive captures the entire smooth, sweeping layout just two seasons before the park was tragically closed and completely demolished in October 2005. Because this classic coaster was scrapped during the demolition, this footage stands as a vital historical record of AstroWorld's golden era.
If you spent your childhood summers waiting in line for XLR-8, miss the unique magic of AstroWorld, or love defunct coaster history, hit that Subscribe button and turn on notifications for more amusement park time capsules! 🎢🌳🇨🇱
📅 Attraction Details:
Ride: XLR-8 (Classic Arrow Dynamics Suspended Swinging Coaster)
Location: Six Flags AstroWorld (Houston, TX)
Operating Years: 1984–2005 (Park closed and demolished in 2005)
Filmed: April 26, 2003
#SixFlagsAstroWorld #AstroWorld #XLR8 #ArrowDynamics #SuspendedCoaster #DefunctCoasters #SixFlags #HoustonHistory #TexasNostalgia #SwingingCoaster #RidePOV #ThemeParkArchive
