Caterpillars

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The_Lost_Phantom said:
Does anybody know if Kennywood has another Caterpillar in storage somewhere? Something keeps sticking out in my mind that they have one in storage whether it be for parts or what, I don't know. Thanks for the help.

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The parts from Kennywood's Caterpillar they gave to Idlewild. I'm not sure what parts they gave to Idlewild or when they did, I just know that whatever parts Kennywood gave to Idlewild they are on the Caterpillar now. (I can't remember what the parts where, I wanna say the wheels to the cars) Maybe somebody else can tell you what the parts were.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

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KpExpress said:

The parts from Kennywood's Caterpillar they gave to Idlewild. I'm not sure what parts they gave to Idlewild or when they did, I just know that whatever parts Kennywood gave to Idlewild they are on the Caterpillar now. (I can't remember what the parts where, I wanna say the wheels to the cars) Maybe somebody else can tell you what the parts were.

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If I'm not mistaken, Idlewild was given the cars that were on Kennywood's model from the 1960s (I think). Idlewild's 1947 model had wooden cars, which are now in the park's boneyard.

I will ask now, if someone know other parks, which have still a caterpillar? Where I can find some photos of caterpillar rides?

Well, I have a few:

Idlewild Here and Here

Delgrosso's Here

Canobie Lake Park Here

*** Edited 8/5/2005 9:51:31 PM UTC by Cyclonic***

As someone who has never ridden a Caterpillar, how fast do they go in relation to a well run Himalaya?

I don't know why I think this, but aren't the fans under the ride to help keep the canopy "fluffed" up?

Dexter, read my second post up above. That's why the fans were there, "back in the day".

Dutchman, I read your post before I posted that question. It triggered intrest; That's why I asked it.

Maybe I should streach out my short question, just so people can understand what I am trying to ask.

I have only rode the Idlewild Catipillar twice, both times in one day. It is the only enclosed Catipillar I've seen. I can't remember exactily, but I thought that the fans helped the canopy from falling onto riders by blowing air into the "tent". It seemed that they had something to do with the comfortableness of the riders under the canopy.

Could the fans have anything to do with that (and maybe serve a double purpose by lifting skirts as well)? Do, or did, all Catipillars with a canopy have the fan trick? An anwser to this question would help me in figuring out the answer to the question in my previos post.

I don't know the answer to my question, and I am not saying that I think anyone is wrong. I am telling my observations, and what I thought the reason for the fans was with my limited expereince with the ride. I am not challanging your knowledge, Dutchman, rather I am trying to add to the conversation by telling of my observations of said ride.

EDIT - Added a "w". *** Edited 8/6/2005 4:25:38 AM UTC by dexter***

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dexter said:
I don't know why I think this, but aren't the fans under the ride to help keep the canopy "fluffed" up?

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No. Canobie's runs fine without a fan. When the canopy is up it is pulled pretty taught by the supports that carry it.

Canobie's does not have a fan, but it also does not have a metal grate on the base of the cars rather a solid base - so a fan would be pointless.

Knoebel's Cosmotron had WestView Park's (Pittsburg) Catapillar and I believe the upkeep became to much and it was replaced by the Himalaya. I have been told that Knoebels did use fans when it was still using the catapillar. They do still have the Catapillar in their graveyard along with hundreds of other rides too!

Long Live the Saturn 6 and B&B Carousell!

Jim 'jimvid' McDonnell

Idora Park in Youngstown used to have a Caterpillar. Kennywood had one too, and don't know why it was taken it down.

Not to get off the subject, but CP's Raptor reminds me of a Caterpillar on a branch when the train is climbing that 137 ft lift! ;)

Finally got my first Caterpillar - the one at Canobie. Lit up at night it was awesome, had to even get a re-ride. The op even appreciated what a gem it was, that was an added bonus. LOVE that park! :)

P.S. The Schmeck was running awfully well too! ;)

First caterpillar? Wow, I guess I'm just blessed, I've been on them at the Pavilion, state fair, and at least one or 2 other places.

I swear I never SAW one at the Pavilion...considering the time-frame of my visit there, if I had seen it, I'd have been on it....around late May '03 I think?? Was theirs still around then? Can't say I knew about one there beforehand, COULD have just missed it I suppose...

Yes, it is still there now, actually, Bill :).

You musta just missed it, I believe it is across from part of the log flume. Actually, I know it is, just dont' remember where.

There is a map on the site of the park Here.

Edit: I just looked at said map. It is #17, right across from the big hill of the log flume.

I know it has been there for at least 20+ years. *** Edited 8/7/2005 6:20:30 AM UTC by TeknoScorpion***

Is it a coincidence that Knoebel's replaced the Cosmotron in the same season that Chance sold the Allan Herschell parts business to the Allan Herschell Company?

(Caterpillar is an Allan Herschell ride, and until a few years ago, parts came from Chance)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I'd say that was a pretty good deduction, Dave. By that time all that was left were the patterns and jigs. Actual parts were for the most part long depleted. If you needed something for one of these rides (Caterpillars, Kiddie rides, G-16's etc) they had to be made on special request, an expensive undertaking.

I wonder if this was also the downfall of the Twister rides - as I know of only one Hershell model in operation and only a 2 or 3 Chance models running.

Ironic you should mention that Jim....after seeing Dawn and Moosh at Keansburg, I was literally afraid to ride their Twister. As luck would have it (I have *really* good luck for the most part when it comes to rides)...I got another shot tyesterday at Williams' Grove. Had to take the op's picture, he was QUITE good at "driving"...my vision blurred twice during the cycle... ;)

Along with Gadv's Parachute Jump, Rye's Old Mill, and Knoebels flyers, I'd say I did excellent getting the good rare flats on this trip. :)

edit: Clint, since I am kinda "banking" on MBP opening next (final?) year, I'll make sure to get there next season....after that, I'm betting MBP will be gone forever after the '06 season... :(

re-edit: Now I see I'll be getting ANOTHER Caterpillar at ValleyFair! See what I mean about being lucky? ;)

P.S. Also, I'll have pics of Canobie's canopies online later...probably tomorrow since I get the good internet connection at work...:)
*** Edited 8/7/2005 4:38:53 PM UTC by rollergator***