Knoebels HSTC - gone
What I heard from someone in a position to know is that the maintenance crew was working on it every day and ultimately refused to try to weld it anymore. So I doubt that it's going to show up at another park. (That, and I would imagine that Knoebels would want to put part of a 50-year-old, one-of-a-kind ride in the museum.)
I can't believe you guys are actually arguing the merits of the backseat of a kiddie coaster. Bwahahaha...this is why I love the 'Buzz. :)
Rollergator, I will never make that mistake again. I will ride EVERYTHING. :)
Okay, have a great night everyone!
"Look at us spinning out in the madness of a roller coaster" - Dave Matthews Band
It was confirmed by Coastin' Steve at yesterday's Eastcoaster that the HSTC will be replaced by a Miler coaster this summer. Dick Knoebel declared the standard Miler family coaster model as too tame so the park will receive a modifed version of that ride that will be more intense. The park hadn't planned to remove the HSTC so soon but following the 2008 season it was determined there was no steel left to weld on the old ride so it had to be replaced. Because of that, there is no chance it will wind up elsewhere. Don't forget that thing was close to 60 years old and I doubt it was designed to run nearly as long as it did.
Lost Kause and Bumky aparently never rode this coaster and better yet, Never rode it with a NON CHICKEN OPERATOR. I consider it the worlds first launch coaster. They could operate it from where it would barely go over the first hill and be pretty tame to Throw you over the top and toss the crap out of you the rest of the ride. Kiddy coaster my arse. I've been on Beemers tamer than that thing :) Chuck, not thinkin that areas big enough for a Hi Miler but ya never know. it oculd happen.
This ride was the most viscous of the coasters at Knoebels for an adult. 6'3" and 240 lbs. and I would be flung around like a rag doll. And I'm sure I never had an operator open 'er up like some here have experienced.
But every child we would take to Knoebels always wanted Uncle Keith to get on it with them. Of course, that may have been my wife suggesting to them that I would be happy to ride it with them!
Great little ride, it will be missed.
Getting one of those "legendary" rides on the HSTC definitely required having the right ride op. Get an average one and you were going to be doomed to get an average kiddy coaster.
I've been to PPP when all the tools are lining up and drooling over the thing. I rode in the back seat and it did absolutely nothing for me. Personally, I wouldn't believe the hype. People like it because it was at Knoebels, not because it was anything but a kiddie coaster.
-Nate
My only ride on HSTC was not impressive -- as Rob said, average for a kiddy coaster.
My author website: mgrantroberts.com
Believe what you want to believe, but even before I loved Knoebels I thought HSTC was a great ride and not an average kiddie coaster.
AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf
It wasn't just the ride op, it was the other riders. They weren't going to open it up if there were half a dozen 5-6 year olds on the ride. I don't think anybody's claiming the coaster was another Magnum, but it sure wasn't Woodstock express either. If you didn't prepare yourself for the 2nd dip and the jolt when you re-entered the lift, you were going to be walking like Fred Sanford later.
coasterdude318 said:
People like it because it was at Knoebels, not because it was anything but a kiddie coaster.
No, people liked it because they thought it was a great ride. Too bad you personally didn't get to experience what other people got to experience.
Mamoosh said:
^^Sounds like a case of anticipointment.
I would agree, except that when I rode it I had never heard of its vaunted ride qualities. To me it felt like a jolting, jerking, kiddy coaster.
And I actually like kiddy coasters, when they have an interesting and non-painful ride to deliver. One of my favorites from last summer:
My author website: mgrantroberts.com
Closed topic.
