Camden Park - Thunderbolt Express

I've always had a soft spot for those old shuttle loops as Lightnin' Loops at Great Adventure was my first looping coaster. It's hard to see the demise of one of these old rides but its demise came a long time ago. The rusted ugly pile of steel is only a corpes and it is beyond time they got rid of it. It will do wonders for Camden's image. While many people see the park as hanging on by a thread, it is actually in a state of renewal with many improvements over the last few years.

I call the dark ride the "Hawnted House as well and yeah, there isn't much there in the stunt department but it is a unique, interesting, and rare ride that is well worth a visit.

And am I wrong or is the recently-passed-away-owner's son in charge of the park now?

I envy everyone that got to ride the coaster. I missed my chance to ride it at Kings Island. When it moved to Camden I wanted to give it a ride.

I decided to pay the park my first visit mainly to ride T-Bolt. As my luck would have it, I missed it by one day. One of the launching cables broke(which seemed to be the norm) and the ride never opened again.

I did get a chance to walk up to the top and sit in the train (thanks Mark) but never did get to see it run. =:^(

-Sean

Shaggy, I called a haunted house superb and you think I was being anything other than sarcastic? Perhaps a winky face would have helped?;)

Tina, I'll be hitting up Camden more than likely in April, if you show me round then, we can both do the honors for Bill:).

Its been far too long since I've been, esp. with friends that go every year. But since I've been 18, and had my own car, this is the first time that Camden wasn't 4 or 5 hours or more away, so I'm anxious to get to the park this coming summer.

Luckily I was able to ride it a few times at the Screamin Demon and as the Tbolt Express.

For a while they were letting enthusiasts climb to the top but stopped due to insurance issues, at least that's what I heard.

-Tina

What Tina just said shows you the difference between small parks and large ones. Could you imagine Busch Gardens allowing enthusiasts to climb on Drachen Fire or SFMM letting us climb on Flashback when it's closed.

I visited Camden for the first time last season. I was pleasantly surprised. Seeing this coaster in such a sorry condition did make the park seem very poor.

How long did it run and how long did it stand idle

John, I think it ran from 1988 until 1999, but not consistantly. It broke down quite often, and was closed for several days while repairs were made. I'm pretty sure 1999 was the last time it operated, and then it sat idle from then until now.

I rode Lightning Loops at SFGAdv and the Black Widow at Riverside and I don't remember anything other than the long climb up he stairs... I guess the experience wasn't anything too noteworthy. Too bad to see the ride allowed to deteriorate to the point where is has to be junked, but maybe a better, more appropriate steel coaster will be in Camden's future?

Or wood, perhaps?

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Mamoosh said:
Bill - You will LOVE the park. It's so you.

So Camden sucks, eh? ;)

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That's it, I'm suing for *definition of character*...:)

john13601,

back in 2000, I actually did inspect a closed Flashback. I was able walk up the exit ramp all the way to the station to where the exit gate was locked. I got a good look at the train and was able to check out the control booth. No one ever stopped or questioned me.

Later,
EV

You won't hear me complaining about a new wood coaster at Camden! But right now, maybe diversity is important, and I think that some kind of mouse or small spinning coaster would be a good addition for the park.

I really doubt Camden will be getting any coasters anytime soon. I look for them to add a few more flats, if anything. :-)

-Tina

Thrill Shot Drop Zone anyone?:)

How about an intamin? Oh hell, I would just move to Camden Park if I had one of those babies within a half hour from me!

Maybe PKI will take the Demon back in exchange for the Drop Zone?

LOL! LOL! LOL! I know.....I know. It was a fantasy for about 10 seconds.

Man, sometimes I just kill me. :-D

-Tina

^LOL but you have to ask yourself this:Why would PKI take back SD/TE when for a couple million more they could travel down to a certain park in Largo MD. & pick up the same ride that is in far better condition to operate?

Next thing you know they'll be begging PKD for SW as a replacement for KK....man I sure wouldn't mind seeing that thing go.

BFSFA....pretty sure Tina was screwing around, we're all aware that it is nothing more than scrap iron right now...The only reason Tina wants DZ at Camden is so she can make fewer trips to Concy every summer, LOL...;)

Concy? ;-)

Yes.....I was was just humoring myself Batwing.....might as well have fun with it. :-D

-Tina

Of course I know Tina was joking there & of course so was I. :-D

Small update on the Thunderbolt removal. I drove past the park today after classes were over. The coaster looks to be completely removed, there are no signs of track or scraps anywhere. On another note, the Big Dipper looked to be in desparate need of a fresh coat of paint.

Dipper has needed paint for the last 20 years, but thats an expense they are not willing to make right now.