Judge Roy Scream opened on March 1, 1980, as the first wooden roller coaster ever built at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. Designed by Don Rosser and Bill Cobb and constructed by William Cobb & Associates at a cost of about $2.1 million, the coaster took its name from Judge Roy Bean, the colorful 19th-century Texas justice of the peace known as the “Law West of the Pecos.”
Built in the classic out-and-back style, Judge Roy Scream winds through the wooded terrain near the park’s entry lake, with riders reaching the attraction via a tunnel that passes beneath the parking lot entrance road. More than four decades after opening, it remains one of the park’s signature rides and a favorite among wooden coaster enthusiasts for its traditional, airtime-filled layout.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Over Texas
- Manufacturer: William Cobb & Associates
- Opened: March 1, 1980
- Height: 71 feet
- Top speed: 45 mph
- Length: 2,670 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
As a classic out-and-back wooden coaster, Judge Roy Scream sends riders up a chain-lift hill before delivering a 65-foot first drop and a series of airtime hills that wind through the trees. The ride lasts about 90 seconds and reaches speeds up to 45 mph, delivering the traditional rattle-and-sway experience that defines vintage wooden coasters, with roughly 4.0 g-forces at its most intense moments.
The coaster’s trains carry 24 riders at a time, four cars with two-across seating. In a memorable twist, Six Flags Over Texas ran the ride with trains facing backward for much of the 1994 season after a planned 10-week trial proved unexpectedly popular with guests.
A Park Landmark
Judge Roy Scream sits beside the park’s entry lake, and guests reach it through a tunnel that runs under the parking lot entrance road in the Goodtimes Square area. Its longevity and Old West theming, tied to the legend of Judge Roy Bean, have made it a beloved fixture at Six Flags Over Texas since 1980, and it has been celebrated with anniversary events by the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
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Judge Roy Scream FAQs
When did Judge Roy Scream open?
Judge Roy Scream opened on March 1, 1980, as the first wooden roller coaster built at Six Flags Over Texas.
How tall is Judge Roy Scream and how fast does it go?
The coaster stands 71 feet tall with a 65-foot first drop and reaches a top speed of about 45 mph.
Who is Judge Roy Scream named after?
The ride is named after Judge Roy Bean, a 19th-century Texas justice of the peace nicknamed the “Law West of the Pecos.”
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Photo: slgckgc / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.