Golden Nugget Going To Knoebels

In case you hadn't heard the stronger-than-rumor rumors or chose not to believe anything until official, it has been confirmed that Knoebels purchased the Golden Nugget from Morey's. (Amusement Today)

"Given the amount of speculation occurring online and the number of phone calls we’re receiving asking the question, it’s time to acknowledge that Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysberg, Pa. has purchased the Golden Nugget track and trains from Morey’s," said Joe Muscato of Knoebels. "There are no immediate plans to install the ride at Knoebels. This is, at best, a 2010 project."

"Eminently qualified to restore the ride" really left us with two options - and since Tom Rebbie insists that PTC is working on "nothing but trains"....well, the math wasn't too hard from there. Still, good to see it as official, and looking forward to many happy returns to KG over the next few years... :)

Sounds like they are planning on creating a new experience around it, can't help but think it would go well with the already existing mining museum though.

Well, they have to complete their 2007 ride first. ;)

I'm telling you, just give guests office chairs to ride down the trough! ;)

I hate to say I told ya so...but I told ya so! :)

^^I agree. I joked with a friend of mine at last year's Knoebels saying that Flying Turns will be the first coaster to need trackwork before it even opens! ;)

Golden Nugget.......I remember that one. Not a bad little ride!

^Nnnnnhhhh. Wrong answer, thank you playing.

Maverick was the first coaster to need trackwork before it opened.

Unless you consider that FT was actually begun before Maverick. In which case you're right. :)

eightdotthree said:
Sounds like they are planning on creating a new experience around it, can't help but think it would go well with the already existing mining museum though.

They could theme it to the Centralia mine fire. Not like I don't drive past it every trip to Knoebels anyway.

RatherGoodBear said:
They could theme it to the Centralia mine fire. Not like I don't drive past it every trip to Knoebels anyway.

That's what I was thinking! That would be an awesome theme!

They could call it Fire in the Hole.

I once did some research on the Centralia fire for a writing project. If you ever get the chance to read about it, it's utterly fascinating.

^Except SDC already has a Fire in the Hole.

Duuhhh. How did I forget that?

Mauch Chunk Railway... :)

Scre doing research on Centralia Mike - Do what we did and take time to visit. :-D

It's really an awesome place.

One of these days...

I've been putting together in my head a central PA trip that includes Falling Waters, the Flight 93 Memorial, and Centralia, of course. Anybody know of any good amusement parks out that way? ;)

I remember when Centralia was an actual town. :(

The engineering firm I used to work for was involved in the "preservation" (if you can call it that) of the houses that remain. When the govt came in to buy out the properties, a number of people refused to leave. In a way, you couldn't blame them since they were elderly and lived there most of their lives. Ultimately, they were allowed to stay, but all the other houses would be demolished.

Problem was, a lot of the houses to stay were row homes, with houses on either side to be torn down. Many of them had common attics and basements and would never be able to stand on their own. So we had to design these funky looking brick buttresses to keep the houses from leaning or falling over like a house of cards. As the current owners finally move away or die, the state takes over the property and demolishes the home.

I said it in a previous thread! Knoebels was the logical choice. Whatother amusement park would take on such a project when Morey'sthemselves wouldn't? It's great to see a ride I grew up on being saved.

I was really excited when they talked about restoring it in Wildwood. Ithink it would have been better at the beach, but at Knoebels with acoal mine theme can be just as cool & nostalgic. I am sure they'lltake good care of it.

Who's taking bets? Will it open before the Flying Turns? ;)

^ lol. :) I doubt it. Knoebels will probably make sure that they get Flying Turns up and working the way they want it before they do anything major with Golden Nugget. (and yes I did see the ;) )

RGB, that is truly bizarre. I'm guessing the buttresses were brick so they would be fire-rated?

Actually, Ensign, it was more because brick cost less and was easier to install than concrete or steel. Each one of those things probably cost more than the house was worth. Still, if they had done things right when the fire was first detected, it would have never gone that far.