Americana's Screechin' Eagle
From what I see on its unofficial web site, Americana's rumored re-opening for Spring 2001 is not going to be happening and its rides are all forsale through someplace called "Rides-4-U".
My question is this... what will be the fate of the Screechin' Eagle? I assume it is still standing and is SBNO.
While in another thread people were lamenting the loss of Chippawa Lake, nothing has been said about Americana. Chippawa's Big Dipper is in such a state that it is a total loss and will never run again. However, Schreechin' Eagle is a coaster (and an air time machine at that) just waiting to be saved and relocated. Why no out cry over this?
-------------
"Resistance is futile... you will be assimilated." The BORG's (and Six Flags') motto.
My question is this... what will be the fate of the Screechin' Eagle? I assume it is still standing and is SBNO.
While in another thread people were lamenting the loss of Chippawa Lake, nothing has been said about Americana. Chippawa's Big Dipper is in such a state that it is a total loss and will never run again. However, Schreechin' Eagle is a coaster (and an air time machine at that) just waiting to be saved and relocated. Why no out cry over this?
-------------
"Resistance is futile... you will be assimilated." The BORG's (and Six Flags') motto.
My friend was near the park back in March and said that everything looked okay. The coaster should hold up a few seasons more without use, but if something is not done by, say, 2005, parts are really going to need to be replaced to even get it started with testing.
Jerry Couch wants to open the park. Really. many of my freinds agree that he just doesn't know how to. He needs some low-cost professional help.
Jerry Couch wants to open the park. Really. many of my freinds agree that he just doesn't know how to. He needs some low-cost professional help.
Someone else needs to take over the park. for the first season anyway.
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
I dunno anything about whether or not the Screechin' Eagle will be saved or not, but that's one helluva ride! My personal record is on this coaster! Back in 1989 I rode it 64 times in one day. Ouch! I had bruises on my thighs for a week. I think at least a quarter of those were in the back seats. Anyone ever see the logo for that ride? It's an Eagle on crutches with a bandage around his head, pretty cool! I hope they save it...
-------------
Ow! My lap bar IS down all the way.
-------------
Ow! My lap bar IS down all the way.
I have a bad feeling about this whole thing. The owner promised to open the park this year, and he's not going to. His ideas sucked anyway (install trailers at the park for people to spend the night in?!?). And the park would be prime land for a growing part of suburban Dayton. I hate to say this, but I have a feeling the park will be leveled for homes. :( :( :(
If that was the case, I would love to see the Eagle moved, perhaps to Cincinnati's Coney Island, Stricker's Grove or another small park. The airtime off the turnaround is the strongest I've ever felt. Yes, even stronger than the double dip on Jackrabbit. In fact, every hill on the return leg has extreme airtime. None of this floating stuff either...stand-up, slam-into-the-lapbar, seat-belt-literally-saving-your-life, crash-back-down-onto-your-seatmate's-lap airtime.
If that was the case, I would love to see the Eagle moved, perhaps to Cincinnati's Coney Island, Stricker's Grove or another small park. The airtime off the turnaround is the strongest I've ever felt. Yes, even stronger than the double dip on Jackrabbit. In fact, every hill on the return leg has extreme airtime. None of this floating stuff either...stand-up, slam-into-the-lapbar, seat-belt-literally-saving-your-life, crash-back-down-onto-your-seatmate's-lap airtime.
I think he's talking about Lighthouse Point, which I don't think looks that bad.
-------------
Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com/
-------------
Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com/
The owner's a weenie. can't he just give it up and let it reopen? At least let Americana celebrate it's 100th birthday!
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
I think that Mr. Couch needs to let someone that has run the park before step in for one year and watch how to effectively run it. Also, maybe he is trying to fix up the park and is trying to make money by selling his rides. That might be the problem cause I heard there is a lot to do, and he just plain run out of money.
-------------
http://www.islandguide.8m.com
all about PKI
the Beasts` Den
-------------
http://www.islandguide.8m.com
all about PKI
the Beasts` Den
I've tried so hard to keep my mouth shut about Jerry Couch. I agree with the most of you all. He's not really able to run an amusement park. He has enough problems running his grocery store in New Miami let alone a large attraction such as Americana. I honestly don't see Americana opening with Jerry Couch as owner. :( They ought sell it to "Jungle Jim's" and he'll make a park out of it! Plus they'll have some use for PKI's old monorail.
-------------
1 SRM 2001 t-shirt, $12; 1 used Gerstlauer lapbar, $50; Getting bruised kidkeys from the Legend, Priceless *** This post was edited by Sheik al Squeak on 5/19/2001. ***
-------------
1 SRM 2001 t-shirt, $12; 1 used Gerstlauer lapbar, $50; Getting bruised kidkeys from the Legend, Priceless *** This post was edited by Sheik al Squeak on 5/19/2001. ***
Sheik al Squeak,
I think you have gotten Jerry mixed up with his brother Gary. Jerry owns Couch's Campers and Gary owns The Al Couch Market. They are just across the street from each other. As a locomotive engineer I work the CSX line that passes by the park. My last trip by there the only ride missing was the Tempest (some type of portable flat ride). I believe it was sold to Coney Island who by the way installed the ride at Americana when they owned the park. It did look like Mr. Couch was cleaning the park and keeping the grounds maintained but did not appear he had done any ride maintenance or preparations for any kind of opening in the future.
I think you have gotten Jerry mixed up with his brother Gary. Jerry owns Couch's Campers and Gary owns The Al Couch Market. They are just across the street from each other. As a locomotive engineer I work the CSX line that passes by the park. My last trip by there the only ride missing was the Tempest (some type of portable flat ride). I believe it was sold to Coney Island who by the way installed the ride at Americana when they owned the park. It did look like Mr. Couch was cleaning the park and keeping the grounds maintained but did not appear he had done any ride maintenance or preparations for any kind of opening in the future.
Why would he close the park anyway? From a $$ standpoint it's a waste of $4 million and from our viewpoint it could be a waste of a coaster. He could still make at least some money if he opens it now. Why doesn't he sell the whole camper thing and do the park full time. I think his camper business is his "lifeboat". He doesn't plan on taking the park seriously. as I said before; what a weenie.
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
-------------
Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
http://www.woodencoaster.com
I came across some pictures of Americana in its closed state along with some weird narrative by a guy with an intersting fetish.
http://www.geocities.com/illicitohio/americana.html
-------------
everything's better with a banjo
http://www.geocities.com/illicitohio/americana.html
-------------
everything's better with a banjo
You must be logged in to post
