TX Cyclone - Interesting News from IAAPA

There may be hope for this coaster yet.

John Odum, one of the district managers for Six Flags (whose district includes AstroWorld) has been spreading the word at IAAPA that anyone who can disassemble the Cyclone can have it for free.

Keep in mind this is a very dense structure so it will be a lot more difficult to move than any previous relocated coaster, but it is possible.

I do hope someone takes advantage of this.

Also, I guess the deal with Rene Aziz and Viper fell through so Viper is still for sale, as is Greezed Lightnin'.

Thats a very nice offer. It's still gonna take a million just to move it. (Cranes, trucks, manhours)
Chuck, who don't think this offer will be on the table for long

Why don't they just move Cyclone to San Antonio? Is there an issue with that? Even if it stays in storage a couple years and then is rebuilt.

As for Viper, I'd say someone will pick it up, but Greezed Lightnin' could easily go to a smaller SFI park. Too bad Camden isn't buying...

Let us hope that someone will be a taker for Cyclone. I could think of a few parks that could use it.

I would love to have this coaster moved to Fiesta. Someone mentioned there are clearance issues. Cyclone only has 8ft clearances and the requirements now are for 10ft clearances. That may only apply to Texas, which may be why it can't be moved to San Antonio. I'm not sure why SF doesn't want to move it to another park in another state.

Good news indeed. Will be very interesting to see where it ends up.

And why sell GL! I say move GL to SFMW, there's some usuable replacment parts already sitting in the parking lot for when it needs em!

Or just re-assemble GL @ SFMW there and send AW's GL to Camden, which would cause me to visit weekly in the summer. Heck, I'd even consider moving to Chas/Huntington if they put it there!

That's great news. Come on Adventureland. A Tornado and a Cyclone in the same Iowa park would be perfect. :)

Actually, this would be a great move for a park like Adventurland or Silverwood, Wild Adventures and a few others.

Still, you can't force them to take it, Even for free (Which isn't free) But would still be tons cheaper than designing, Buying everything and building from scratch.

Many of the clearance issues may be easily solvable by just redrilling crossover heights but I have the feelign some might require some modifications. Still, It's not clear if the clearance issue is actually a issue anywhere other than Texas.

Chuck

There are innumerable issues involved with moving the TX Cyclone.

As Jeffrey pointed out the structure is quite dense, and in all honesty, much of the wood would have to be replaced.

The blueprints are readily available to anyone who would want them and IMHO I think it would probably cost less to build a new TX Cyclone then it would to move and rebuild it in it's current condition. AND if someone really wanted to move it and/or rebuild it -- I'd much rather see it returned to it's original state then majorly modified coaster that is still standing.

I'd also venture to guess that SF won't through in the rolling stock either (although no great loss being that they are Morgans).

jimvid

I didn't have a single problem with the Morgan trains on the Texas Cyclone. They tracked well and the lapbar was fine. Am I missing something?

-Nate

Where is Magic Springs when we need them? I would actually go to the park (haven't been since before their hibernation period) if they picked up any of these rides from AW, especially Greezy which was closed when I went to AW 2 years ago. :(

Morgan trains suck. I guess that's first. The Morgan trains are going/or have gone to SFMM to be used for parts for Collusuckus (another example of a SF castrated coaster).

The TX Cyclone opened with 4 bench PTCs and then switched to 3 bench PTCS - most of its legendary status and lore are based on those who rode it in its original form before the Morgans were added and then even with the Morgans before major alterations and reprofilings were done to the design.

Jim

Dude, the Texas Cyclone still rocked heavily on my trip in 2002. It's definitely a contender in my top 10 wooden list (that is, if I were to make one). Now about the clearance issue. I've been told not to describe an incident that I thankfully didn't witness, but I saw the after effects of on said person when I came back into the station. Many people know about the incident since it happened to one of our own, so maybe it's cool to talk about it now, but I'd like to err on the side of caution. Let's just say, there's a very big problem with at least one area of the ride and there maybe more.

Hey Knoebels, you listening? ;)

It wouldn't be the first time they moved a coaster from Texas...

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coasterdude318 said:
I didn't have a single problem with the Morgan trains on the Texas Cyclone. They tracked well and the lapbar was fine. Am I missing something?

-Nate

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Your missing the PTC is GOD factor :)

Actually, The only coaster I rode with Morgans was fine, However padding would be a plus but the non seat dividers and no seatbelts and single lapbar more than made up for that.

Chuck, Not ragging on PTC here, just don't believe they are better than many other trains I've ridden in. NAD, GCI, Prior and Church, Morgans, Miller/Baker and Vettel.

The facts, as I see them, is that Tx. Cyclone was maintained SO well (someone PLEASE hire those guys and Hammersley to do wood coaster maintenance, along with whoever was taking care of Starliner at Miracle Strip), that even the Morgan trains weren't a big deal.

"Keep the Morgans, they're worthless"... ;)

Maybe SFNO could use this?? The Tx. law does seem to be more of a "local thing". Perhaps *everything* (including riders) really IS bigger in Texas? I know the BBQ was... :)

Knoebels would be a good fit honestly, in that KG's Twister is by NO means a CI Cy-clone and this is clearly a different wooden coaster from their current line-up....but I think DK is pretty much *set* on his current project... ;)

Considering the offer was made to the public, does this mean that SF has no interest in moving the ride to another one of its parks?

The whole thing just conjures up the image of people putting some old piece of furniture out on the curb with a "free" sign attached.

The TX Cyclone would be a great addition to a handfull of parks in the US. It could possible be a wise infestment for many parks. As stated in previous posts it would be VERY HARD indeed to relocate without dumping a lot of money into it. This is very good news but lets hope that a park or chain steps up to save this great coaster.

I think the clearance issues will be the nail in the coffin (yes, that was a pun intended for those who remember those trains) for this ride. I severely doubt it would pass any modern day pull-through tests. Perhaps parts of the ride can be redesigned, but that costs money and will someone be willing to put in that money? I don't think so. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed as well.

I'd love to see TX cyclone moved (or rebuilt) somewhere. I thought it was a very enjoyable ride, and (if I ever get around to doing Mitch's poll) I think it does fall in my top 10.

Sadly, I was also a "non-witness" to I-fan's aforementioned event and I think there may indeed be some issuses with clearance that would give a potential owner cause for pause. Nothing that *cant* be addressed, but it might not be cost effective.

As for the Morgan trains, I still dont know why people rag on them. I've ridden TC and Seabreeze's Jackrabbit and neither time did I have a single problem with the trains. Maybe this is just another enthusiast position that I just dont get. <shrugs>
lata, jeremy