Little A-Merrick-A seeking enthusiast's help to love Lincoln Comet

This is interesting! I've never been to Little A-Merrick-A, but so far, they only have smaller coasters. It would be neat if they do get the Comet.

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Are there any pictures of the Comet to view?  I would just like to see the shape that it is in.
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Take a Virtual Ride:

http://badnitrus.coasterbuzz.com

Mike "Viper" Semtak

That coaster will never run again in its present condition. They would have to rebuild about 95% of it.

I have heard an absurd RANGE of figures involving the restoration/relocation project...from the $90K "purchase price" up to about $2.5M for the total rebuilding cost.  IMO, you can't put a price on history, and I'm ecstatic to see a coaster saved from the wrecking ball, but the $2.5M figure seems a bit steep to me...

Just imagine what it would cost to build this coaster new from the ground up.I am sure it would cost consideraly more than $2.5 mil and it wouldn't have those NAD trains on it.There was link to the Save the Lincoln Park Comet on the ACE website(www.aceonline.org)that had numerous photos of the Comet.Also on John Hunts'coaster model website(www.rollercoastermodels.com)there is some photos of Johns' superb LP Comet model.When I first learned that the LP Comet was in peril,I e-mailed my home park(Oaks Park,Portland,Oregon)about aquiring this coaster.It was a long shot,but worth a try,nonetheless.

bigkirby - Maybe you know the answer to this.   Did Little A-Merrick-A purchase the trains in a seperate transaction?  I think it's a bit odd that they would already begin restoration work on the trains without finalizing the deal, unless there is a "plan B" that involves using the trains in another project.

I live in Madison, WI...very close to this park. It would be awesome to get the Comet here !!!

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Current favorite coasters:
Wooden: 1) Beast 2) Raven 3) Son of Beast 4) The Boss 5) Timber Wolf
Steel: 1) Raging Bull 2) Millennium Force 3) V2 4) Wild Thing 5) Mr. Freeze

chris. According to the article, Little A-Merrick-A stated that if they didnt aquire the Comet, they would construct a new one with the same layout so I am assuming these trains will be used one way or another.
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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

Chris, Chitown has got it right. They were bought seperately and if the original Comet can't be saved the want to build a replica.

On a side note, Thanks for posting this Jeff!

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
http://www.woodencoaster.com

Here is the address and other info:
Little A-Merrick-A Amusement Park in Marshall, Wisconsin would Like to invite you to be part of our:

"REBUILD THE COMET FUNDRAISER"

Please Help us in our Quest to Realize this Nostalgic and Expensive Project!!

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the Opening Day Ceremonies and 2-Day Festival!!

Festival to be held upon completion of the Comet Rollercoaster!

Your contribution of $1000.00 will entitle you to the following:

A Special Invitation to Opening Day Ceremonies and 2-Day Festival!
Unlimited & Exclusive Riding on the Newly reconstructed Comet Rollercoaster during Festival!
Your name entered into a drawing to ride the First Train on Opening Day!
A Lifetime Pass to "Little A-Merrick-A"& "The Comet Rollercoaster"!
Buffett Lunch provided on both days of Festival!
Your picture taken with an Original Comet Rollercoaster Car!
A Special Comemorative Pin to memorialize this event!
A Special Comemorative Comet T-Shirt!
Your name to be Placed on the "Wall of Fame Plaque" located at the Comet Rollercoaster, Naming those who have made it possible to ressurect this Historic Coaster

To Keep a High Quality Event, Our Registration must be kept to 575 individuals!
So Please register early!

If do to lack of participation this project should be cancelled. All monies will be returned to contributors, with our utmost gratitude.

To Register Please Send A Check or Money Order To:

Little A-Merrick-A/Rebuild the Comet Fundraiser
700 E. Main St
Marshall, WI 53559

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
http://www.woodencoaster.com

Makes sense.   Another question:  If the park can't cough up $90,000 + relocation/rehab expenses for the original, how do they plan on affording the cost of building a replica at current market value? 

Who say's they can't?
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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
http://www.woodencoaster.com

If they have the cash, why are they asking for $1000 donations?   It's not as if Little A-Merrick-A is a non-for-profit organization.   I think it would be cool if the relocation happens, I'm just a little skeptical...

Plan A:  Relocate the Comet

This costs $90,000 + , which requires a fundraiser on the park's behalf to pull off.

Plan B:  Build a replica

I'd imagine that there aren't too many coaster builders out there right now that could do this for less than $90k.   I'd guess that would cost about $4 million to build.   That's a lot more than the relocation costs. 

My question is:  Why does someone whose "plan B" costs millions, need a fundraiser for their "plan A,"  which costs a fraction of that?

Maybe I'm missing something, but this just doesn't add up to me...

*** This post was edited by chris on 2/21/2002. ***

I am just guessing maybe it has to do with getting approved for loans on a new coaster as opposed to relocating a deteriorating one and rehabbing it. Banks might not accept a loan for this type of project thus requiring donations for it.

This is just a guess. Anyone else have another reason?

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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

Does anyone have any links of the Comet, with actual pictures of its current state? I tried the ace site but i couldnt find it....
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Out of the coasters i've ridden here is what I rank them overall:(ive been to canobie lake and SFNE)
1. S:RoS 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Riverside Cyclone 4. Canobie
Corkscrew 5. Thunderbolt 6. Galaxy 7. Mind Eraser 8. Dragon coaster 9. poison ivy's tangl

MikeMir87 try this: http://www.angelfire.com/ri/lincolnpark/now.html

They are such great people. I know Darryl, and visited often during my days of running live steam, similar to theirs. He mentioned to me about getting a wooden coaster. Of course he thought about doing one in-house, but this is even better! I unfortunately cannot help out financially, but I will help advertise the project on my site.
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Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

Thanks arrow guy!!! Nice pictures on that site

i love the one of the guy who climbed the lift hill for that pic!

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Out of the coasters i've ridden here is what I rank them overall:(ive been to canobie lake and SFNE)
1. S:RoS 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Riverside Cyclone 4. Canobie
Corkscrew 5. Thunderbolt 6. Galaxy 7. Mind Eraser 8. Dragon coaster 9. poison ivy's tangl

It kind of has a resemblence to the Astroland Cyclone..Ive seen this coaster in person up close...the first drop is extremely steep.

Actually, is has a VERY close resemblence of the Coney Island Cyclone, as well as a direct connection to it.  It is a Vernon Keenan design, just like the CI Cyclone, and has a very similar layout despite being about 20 feet shorter in height.