Wicked Cyclone is a steel hybrid roller coaster at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts, built by Rocky Mountain Construction and designed by Alan Schilke. It opened on May 24, 2015, standing 109 feet tall, stretching 3,320 feet of track, and reaching a top speed of 55 mph through three inversions.
When it debuted, Wicked Cyclone earned the distinction of being the first hybrid coaster on the East Coast. Its signature elements include a 200-degree zero-g stall and two zero-g rolls, plus what was at the time a world-first ‘double-reversing bank airtime hill’ — a combination that made it an instant hit with enthusiasts and earned it a second-place finish in the 2015 Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Ride.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags New England, Agawam, Massachusetts
- Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction
- Opened: May 24, 2015
- Height: 109 ft (33 m)
- Top Speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
- Length: 3,320 ft (1,010 m)
- Inversions: 3
The Ride Experience
Riders board one of two 24-passenger trains and ascend a 109-foot chain lift hill before plunging at a 78-degree angle. The layout blends airtime-heavy hills with three inversions: a massive 200-degree zero-g stall that briefly holds riders upside down, followed by two zero-g rolls that deliver a floating, twisting sensation. The combination of Rocky Mountain Construction’s IBox steel track — layered over the original wooden structure — produces a remarkably smooth ride with intense lateral and ejector forces throughout.
The back half of the course dives into a series of low-to-the-ground twists and quick direction changes, making full use of the 3,320-foot layout. Capacity runs at 24 riders per train, and Six Flags New England also offers Fast Lane access for those looking to minimize wait times on busy summer days.
From Cyclone to Wicked Cyclone
Wicked Cyclone’s story begins with Cyclone, a traditional wooden coaster that opened at Six Flags New England on June 24, 1983, and carried more than 15 million riders over three decades. By 2014, the aging structure was closed and handed over to Rocky Mountain Construction for their signature RMC conversion treatment, which replaces the wooden track with steel IBox rail while retaining the original wooden support structure.
The $10 million transformation took roughly a year, and the result was a coaster that bore little resemblance to its predecessor in terms of intensity or layout. Where Cyclone was a classic out-and-back wooden ride, Wicked Cyclone became a terrain-hugging, inversion-packed hybrid that quickly rose into enthusiast rankings as one of the best coasters in New England.
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Wicked Cyclone FAQs
What type of roller coaster is Wicked Cyclone?
Wicked Cyclone is a steel hybrid coaster built by Rocky Mountain Construction using their IBox track system. It uses the original Cyclone wooden support structure but replaces the wooden rails with smooth steel track, combining the classic feel of a wooden coaster’s layout with a modern steel ride quality.
How many inversions does Wicked Cyclone have?
Wicked Cyclone features three inversions: a 200-degree zero-g stall and two zero-g rolls. These elements are woven into a fast, airtime-heavy layout that keeps riders off their seats throughout the course.
Is Wicked Cyclone suitable for first-time thrill seekers?
Wicked Cyclone is rated as an extreme coaster by most standards — it hits 55 mph, drops at a 78-degree angle, and throws riders through three inversions. It is best suited for riders who are already comfortable with high-intensity roller coasters rather than those new to the experience.
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Photo: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.