Saving Our Woodies - CoasterBuzz

I think it's really sad that so many wooden coasters meet the end of their lives at the business end of a bulldozer. With the demise of some amusement parks around the country, such as Whalom Park and possibly now VisionLand, some classic woodies that have given thousands of people so many great rides are doomed to become a meaningless pile of timber.

Which brings me to saving the woodies that are still operating in parks today. I've heard countless people talk about how horrible the Psyclone is at SFMM and how it should be demolished and a new, state-of-the-art coaster built in its place. Why not just re-furbish and re-track the old monster? Wouldn't that be more cost-effective than the cost of demolishing the old and building a new? And what about this apparent buy-out of Jazzland by SF? Will they tear down the Mega-Zeph in order to put in more rides?

Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling.......but this subject is just a sore spot to me. Everytime they demolish a woodie, it's like a piece of history being destroyed........

While it pains me to hear (cue Den's famous line) "TAER IT DOWN," a price must me paid to make progress. I agree that some of these rides could definately benefit from refurbishment (i.e. Mean Streak being retracked with Intamin's wood track tech.), some just have to be removed. I know they're part of history, but most of these old woodies that are being demolished will fade out of our memories eventually.

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Vote Jose Rijo for President

Lallen said:

And what about this apparent buy-out of Jazzland by SF? Will they tear down the Mega-Zeph in order to put in more rides?

NO - it's the cornerstone of the park....but I've been wrong before...

bill, joining the woodie preservation society of America....

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....teachin' people about towel safety and proper towel usage...it's important!

"Oh, jeez, what's going on? I can't see a thing......"

Oh, yeah, any ride should be attempted at a save, but sometimes, pain is a price that must be paid.
While it sadens me that any ride would go, I know I can't ride them all, if it's one or two to save one or two dozen, the pain fades.

Otherwise, there's potential in anything. It should be a law when that many trees are used, attempts for "correction" & preservation MUST be adheared to. Well, the trees make a good excuse:). Flawed designs should have a time frame for which they must be fixed or there should be severe penalty;).

Look at Valleyfair's High Roller. It has been in operation since 1976. VF's maitnence crew has done an outstanding job on our classic. This year the coaster got new paint & wood plus re tracking and its a lot smoother ride compaired to last year. Valleyfair's classic High Roller has many more years of operation ;).

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Valleyfair Security 2002! 8Years working at Valleyfair :)! SRM Holiday World, Coastermainia CP, Kings Island June 9th, Timbers Fest. May29th-June10th Oh My!Less than 11days to go :)!

Sheik - I'd love to take credit for that hilarious line but it was around long before I joined this board. :)

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

Den said:
Sheik - I'd love to take credit for that hilarious line but it was around long before I joined this board.
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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

Den, but you give it so much personality! :)

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Vote Jose Rijo for President

If you really want to save a woodie from being a pile of firewood, go to my website and click on "Help Little A-Merrick-A move the Lincoln Park Comet". Should be all the info you need :)

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com

Little A-Merrick-A is trying to save the Comet??? That is wonderful news! I remember seeing the Comet as a little girl when my parents took me to Lincoln Park for my 6th birthday. I couldn't ride it back then........I stuck with the Junior Comet. ;) But that is one of the great old woodies of New England and I'm so pleased to hear someone is trying to save it!

I hope they get the $$$ to save it!

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Im the #1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!!These are my top 3 coasters:
1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Cyclone

I hope it's moved, too. It will be WI's first non-CCI woodie.

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The American Eagle Blue is officially better than Viper

Lallen, the whole info page is here.

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com