Activity at Drachen Fire

I don't know if it means anything or is just routine activity, but Drachen Fire and the surrounding area had a lot of activity today. I go to BGW about once a week, and most times it is just a ghost town over there. Today there were park employees walking on the walkway to the coaster behind Das Festhaus, lights on in the station and all the track lights were on as well. It was really great to see it all lit up as I rode the other coasters. Like I said, I'm there a lot and this was the first time I've seen this much activity over there. However, I wanted to know if others have observed this routinely or if it is a sign that something may be happening soon.

I am going to BGW next summer, I hope that this coaster will be brought out of retirement by then.

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I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to keep riding roller coasters

When I was there last fall there was nothing going on over there. I hope that they will reopen this great coaster.


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3..2..LAUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was there about 2 weeks ago and Drachen Fire was all lit up for the 3 days/nights I was there(track, station, service area). One of my friends swore he saw someone walkin around the station and service area, but I didn't see it so I'm not to sure about it. When we were on the train ride I saw employees in the old gift shop, looks like a rest area for them now. I also saw a guy in a shirt and tie walk back there, he asked us what we were doing and we said just checkin out the coaster and remembering what it was like. We asked if it was gonna open, and he said not a chance.

I didn't see any activity when I was there last Thursday, for whatever that may mean.

I was there like a week ago and didnt see anything except for the huge nest on the corckscrew thingy. What kind on nest is it. It looks like an osprey or something?!?!

It's an American Bald Eagle's nest... if it was anything else (except maybe a Dodo bird), they'd just brush it off and fire up the coaster again (or dismantle it and sell it to a worthy park!!)

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The Great Escape... Soon to become Six Flags Adirondack Escape!!!

Maybe they could be nice and give it to Conneaut Lake Park to help ease their 1 million $$ debt. Or they could reopen it :) They can't operate it with the nest? What if wildlife people came it and removed it?

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Rollercoasters are the secret of life!

http://www.woodencoaster.com

It would take a lot to remove a nest like that - Eagles are notoriously picky, and being endangered and all it's a touchy subject! Since the coaster isn't being used, they wouldn't have a good reason to move the nest, and they'd have to get permission to move it first.

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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html

How long do Bald Eagles live?

Average life span of an American Bald Eagle (my guesstimate) is between 15 to 25 years...

However, they don't nest in the same location that long. That is only until their young can successfully leave the nest (which can be up to 3 years as that is how long they stay with their parents). Then it becomes abandoned as eagles find a new site. However, they have been known to add to the nest year after year.

Taken from the encyclopedia on-line...
. The nest, or aerie, of twigs and sticks is built at a vantage point high in a tree or on a cliff in a permanent feeding territory and is added to year after year, the refuse of the previous nests decomposing beneath the new additions. The eaglets (usually two) do not develop adult markings until their third year, when they leave parental protection and seek their own mates and territories.!!!

Good luck, Busch Gardens! You can't wait that sucker out if you wanna get rid of it soon!!
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The Great Escape... Soon to become Six Flags Adirondack Escape!!!

I think it is ironic that the eagle has taken up nesting on Drachen Fire, when they have the disabled Bald Eagle sanctuary over in Jack Hanna's. I really hope that it either abandon's or is moved, because I really have a feeling the coaster will reopen next year if it does. Also, I haven't noticed any sign of young in the nest, just a single eagle.

I took the train ride this year and according to the conductor it is an osprey nest(the big one on top).

If it is truly an eagle's nest, and knowing Busch's stance on conservation, I think they'd rather leave the nest be than move it. I don't think anything is going to happen to Drachen Fire for a while.

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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

I really don't think a several million dollar roller coaster would be shut down because of a BIRDS NEST.

Anyone see the repeat coaster special on Discovery last weekend showing the construction of Drachen Fire, with all of the original inversions in place? Good times.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

which one of the 3 coaster shows was that if Jeff

It does suck that DF isn't open. It closed in 1998 didn't it? I would be sad to see it get torn down. I would be angry if five years from now DF is still SBNO

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Beeman65
Assistant Webmaster
Kennywood Park Unlimited
www.kpunlimited.com

Those eagles should have built their nest 45 minutes north of Chicago!
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Thanks for riding Tidal Wave and enjoy the rest of your day at Marriott's Great America!

good one ARROW GUY,I say they should just shoot the darn bird and reopen the coaster