When Great American Scream Machine opened at Six Flags Over Georgia on March 31, 1973, it carried a bold claim: the tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster in the world. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and designed by William Cobb, Don Rosser, and legendary wooden-coaster architect John C. Allen, the out-and-back wooden coaster gave early riders a “Red Badge of Courage” button just for surviving the ride.
More than five decades later, the coaster still rumbles through its original wooden structure in Austell, Georgia, making it one of the park’s oldest continuously operating attractions. In 2017, American Coaster Enthusiasts recognized it as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, citing both its status as the first wooden coaster built by Six Flags and the exceptional upkeep that has kept its ride experience intact since the 1970s.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Over Georgia
- Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
- Opened: March 31, 1973
- Height: 105 feet
- Top speed: 57 mph
- Length: about 3,450 feet
- Inversions: 0
- Track type: Wood, out-and-back
The Ride Experience
Great American Scream Machine follows a traditional out-and-back wooden layout, launching riders up a 105-foot lift hill before sending them down an 89-foot first drop at speeds up to 57 mph. The ride’s two trains, each carrying six cars, deliver the rattling airtime and lateral jolts that defined the golden age of wooden coasters, with no inversions needed to produce its signature floater moments.
To mark milestone anniversaries, the park has twice reversed the train’s direction of travel, running the coaster backwards for its 20th anniversary in 1993 and again for its 45th anniversary in 2018. That same year, trains originally built for the retired Georgia Cyclone were added to the ride to improve lap-bar reliability while preserving the classic PTC ride feel.
A Georgia Landmark
Great American Scream Machine has appeared on Golden Ticket Awards wooden-coaster rankings multiple times between 2001 and 2013, peaking at number 40 in 2005. Its lasting popularity and historical significance led American Coaster Enthusiasts to formally designate it an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark on May 21, 2017, an honor reserved for rides that have shaped the industry and remained well preserved over time.
As one of the last original attractions still running from Six Flags Over Georgia’s opening era, the coaster remains a touchstone for the park and for wooden-coaster enthusiasts who seek out classic PTC designs across the country.
Explore more: Explore more roller coasters.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Great American Scream Machine FAQs
When did Great American Scream Machine open at Six Flags Over Georgia?
It opened on March 31, 1973, and was marketed at the time as the tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster in the world.
Who built Great American Scream Machine?
It was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and designed by William Cobb, Don Rosser, and John C. Allen.
How fast does Great American Scream Machine go?
The coaster reaches a top speed of about 57 mph during its 89-foot first drop.
Get More from Great American Scream Machine
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Great American Scream Machine, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: CillanXC at English Wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.