The Riverview Bobs

Did anyone ever get the chance to ride this coaster and is Raging Wolf Bobs anything like its cousin (the original Bobs)? I have heard that the Bobs was the most extreme roller coaster ever built. *** Edited 5/6/2006 4:04:07 AM UTC by jonrev***

Rode is many times before it closed in 1967.

The only thing RWB has in common with The Bobs is the general footprint. All the elevations were drastically changed. Even with retracking RWB is not a particularly good ride and the G-trains can't hold a candle to the Bobs trains upon which GCI's M-Flyer trains are based.

Mike

*** Edited 5/6/2006 4:52:41 AM UTC by Riverview Mike***

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jonrev said:
I have heard that the Bobs was the most extreme roller coaster ever built.

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I do beleive that honor would go to the Crystal beach Cyclone....

1EJ

Most of my family rode it... hahahaha... but really, in Chicago, if you mention the Bobs to someone that knows OF it, you're likely to get a larger than life response.

I'm sure it was a super ride. It was similar to the Revere Beach Cyclone and a couple other coasters built by Traver. But the Bob's 2nd layer was at an angle, and not 'stacked' (like texas cyclone, etc.) Look up some pictures and you'll understand....

There are a couple great books on the Riverview out there, but you'll have to hunt 'em down. One is by Chuck Wlodarczyk.

I think the Bobs was kinda like the CI Cyclone ... the Beast and a few others. They have HUGE reputations via word of mouth, but maybe nothing like the speed monsters we have now (Legend, etc.) (well, Beast used to, I guess...)

Like the CI Cyclone, the top of the first curve was very slow - there's video and POV footage out there someone as well.

For me, the best coasters are 'still' the Kennywood T-Bolt, CI Cyclone, and a couple others. I still rank Legend #1, but being pinned to your seat the whole time really takes away from it...

It's too bad someone (ptc, etc...) can't come up with a simple and VERY effective lapbar like the ones on the CI Cyclone. They're a little closer in to your chest, and not as easy to 'stand up' as the PTC buzz bars.

It's too bad Riverview was torn down. I think it was something like 6 woodies when they tore it down. I drive past the site all the time. Lane Tech HS is still there, and where Riverview was is a min-mall: Toys r us, Jewel, Walgreens... DeVry institue ... and a cop station (and a court house, which I've had the luxury of visiting a couple times)...

The irony is that behind the mini-mall, they've had pathetic carnivals occasionally... ug :(

Wasnt the Jetstream suppose to be saved by a park in Rockford but the deal fell through?

Im surprised they had to destroy all of the coasters. If they had put Bobs into storage there may have been a chance that Marriott could have used it for Great America. *** Edited 5/6/2006 9:12:49 PM UTC by jonrev***

According to the book "Harry G. Traver Legends of Terror" the Bobs was not nearly as extreme as the legend. In its history there was only one death when a guy stood up to wave to his family and fell to the track below and was struck by another train. For the 1924 season there were 31 minor accident reports (trust the source at your own risk). This was much safer than most of the era and would compete well with today's coasters.

It (Bobs) was 87 feet high and 3,235 feet long. It lasted 2:10. The top speed was under 60 mph. Like anything else...I can imagine that time has indeed inflated the stories...but I never rode it.

...this being said and understood...I can claim form numerous firsthand experiences that the 1979-1980 era Beast indeed flew like a bat out of hell and would easily top most enthusisats list in 2006 if it were the same coaster today. Most of the stories you hear about The Beast's greatness were well earned from back in the day. The pure speed and lateral forces of the original Beast, combined with the terrain and wooded setting made it the ultimate coaster experience before they changed the trains and started the increased braking. We all know the history.

Without the benifit of riding the modern woodies (Raven, Legend, Avalanche,et al) in the same season as The Beast (circa 1979), it is hard to say if The Beast was better. Besides everybody has their personal favorites. However, there is no doubt in my mind that no conversation about wooden coasters would be discussed without at least mentioning The Beast as a "good one."

I've been on most of the woodies in the USA and have loved most of them. I say without hesitation that no other wooden coaster (or steel for that matter) can compare to The Beast of 1979 into the very early 1980's in MY mind! A lot of this MAY be my young age at the time which could lead to memory inflation. However, I pride myself on objectivity and can only tell you what I think. The Beast was that damn good. While Legend, Phoenix, Ghostrider, Raven and Avalance all hold a fond place in my heart, no coaster EVER kicked my arse and knocked the wind out of me the way papa did.

Today's Beast is a shell of its former self and indeed saddens me as I think of what might of been and what could be. Those who rode it then understand. To those who never got a chance...I only appologize.

If you could have ridden the Beast on its first ERT run out at least year's BeastBuzz, I highly doubt comments about it being past its prime would be so forthcoming.

I haven't had a ride that spooked/intimidated/thrilled me that much since my age was in single digits. It literally felt like the train was alive and trying to throw us from the rear seat.

It was that fast, it was that intense, it was that incredible. I'll remember that ride 'til the end of my days.

Later,
EV
*** Edited 5/7/2006 3:03:25 AM UTC by EchoVictor***

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jonrev said:
Wasnt the Jetstream suppose to be saved by a park in Rockford but the deal fell through?

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The trains and hardware from Jetstream did go to Rockford, but were never used. They eventually were sold to Carowinds along with the trains from the Fireball. They ran on Thunder Road for a short time, but Carowinds replaced the unusually heavy trains after it was determined the coaster structure was deteriorating too quickly.

Mike

"I'll remember that ride 'til the end of my days."

I have so many fond memories of rides like this on The Beast. Most were at night. A few involved thunderstorms. And there is one that involved hail. It is written in my will (I wish I were kidding) that my ashes are to be "spread" from the last seat where the train starts the maddening rush to the final helix. I know this is a bit crazy…but The Beast is the reason I love coasters, and especially wood, today! I figure that such a permanent fixture from my childhood memories that has brought such joy and excitement to my present day is more than appropriate for my final resting place.

Every new ride my father, brother, or I get off starts with the conversation about how it compares to The Beast as we remember it. It is the personal gold standard that I measure all other rides to. I’m so glad to hear you’ve had some recent moments of bliss on papa. I too, still enjoy Beast as a great ride…I just do not think it is even 50% of the former glory. I say that in all seriousness. Fortunately for all of us, 50% of papa still delivers quite a punch!

Jeffrey,

I rode her several times back in the '80's as a teenager, and none of those experiences even held a candle to its ferocity that night last year. That was no 50% ride....

Later,
EV

Wow...I could only imagine. The tame beast at night a few years back was a LOT of fun.

But yah, I somehow think some of the old *legends* couldn't hold a candle to some of the wood being thrown up these days. And that's a good thing!