A small fire at Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee was quickly extinguished, according to the amusement park's communications manager.

The fire was on the roof of the Goliath station and caused "minimal damage," according to Six Flags. Park personnel quickly extinguished the fire, officials said, and Gurnee Fire department crews were called to investigate.

No injuries were reported and officials said the fire will not affect the ride's opening. Goliath's initial opening was scheduled for May 24, but was halted due to "delays in the final touches."

Story: http://abc7chicago.com/news/six-flags-goliath-fire-damages-station-roof/98389/

Goliath is Six Flags' newest wooden roller coaster, which is the first of its kind to propel riders upside-down

Silver Dollar City would like to disagree.

Son of Beast would also like to say "Hi", as would Hades 360 and all those vintage looping woodies from before the Great Depression in the 1930's.

Yep, Just realized that, Most of the media is dumb

Sorry for the double post, But just remembered that Outlaw Run`s Station caught on fire during construction...

http://www.amusementtoday.com/2013/12/13/minor-fire-at-causes-damage-to-outlaw-runs-station-at-silver-dollar-city/

This poor coaster is having some difficulties....

Sorry for the double post, But just remembered that Outlaw Run`s Station caught on fire during construction...

http://www.amusementtoday.com/2013/12/13/minor-fire-at-causes-damage-to-outlaw-runs-station-at-silver-dollar-city/

probably because its one of the only wooden parts of this coaster.. Its bad juju calling a steel coaster a woodie.

I remember another looping wooden roller coaster that had issue after issue, delay after delay...

Not a good omen.

I remember another looping wooden roller coaster that had issue after issue, delay after delay...

Not a good omen.

I might be worried about it if Goliath were a wooden coaster.

There were even arguments:

That's steel...that loop is steel. Others said look at how the track itself is constructed.

I can't even believe it's been 14 years.

Deja Vu all over again....

These arguments seem silly to me. By my definition, Goliath is very much steel, Son of Beast was very much wooden, and that's not up for debate. Others disagree.

Not to date myself here, but I suppose it all depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is...

Well, you might want to talk to RMC about it as they consider Goliath's track wood (as do I).

http://www.rockymtnconstruction.com/topper-track.php

Of course they do. They are selling it. A Yugo salesman told me it was the finest car sold in America. True story that.

Of course they do. They are selling it. A Yugo salesman told me it was the finest car sold in America. True story that.

And the spare tire is in the engine compartment to keep it warm?

Be careful! Early Subarus also had the spare there.

I've given this some thought and did a LOT of research and just looking at how the trains attach to the Topper Track. I'm in the middle of flip flopping and saying Topper Track rides are steel coasters, and here's why.

While there is wood in the track portion, the actual wheels don't touch any wood. The lower layers of wood serve really serve no purpose except perhaps to make the construction cheaper than if it were entirely steel a la Iron Horse. The layer of steel on the top is the only thing the wheels are touching. While wood coasters do have steel plates where all the wheels make contact, they are thin and the wood bending and warping from the weather, wear and tear, etc. still has an affect on the ride experience. That probably is less the case, if at all, with the Topper Track (just guessing here). I've heard recent, although unconfirmed, reports that Guinness is not giving records for the wooden category to Goliath (I have yet to find a source, only going by hearsay at the moment).

I guess the confusion stems from the fact that some existing woodies have had Topper Track renovations which only replaced portions of the track. The one I know for sure is Tremors at Silverwood, which in its current state, most would be still more apt to calling a wooden coaster than the likes of Outlaw Run and Goliath.

See also the Georgia Cyclone.

I think that thin layer of wood serves a very important purpose.

Marketing.

Ya'll do realize that when the wooden track under the topper track needs replaced that it will effect the ride and have to be replaced. It is a structural element just like crossties on a railroad track....

Goliath and Outlaw Run are as wooden as The Beast and Racer....

Or not. This is being done to save money.

I still think the parks want to market these coasters as wood. Therefore, they claim its wood.

In years to come, sections of wood track will rot and compress to point that replacement will be required.

<a href="http://s362.photobucket.com/user/x241/media/imagejpg1-2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/x241/imagejpg1-2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo imagejpg1-2.jpg"/></a> notice where the wheels run along, a boxed steel track.