Whizzer update

Looks like we could be seeing a new thrill ride according to that article. I just hope they don't re-theme Hometown square to a Super Hero theme.

They could change it from Hometown to Metropolis really easy without making a any changes...Remember, Clark Kent was from a small town...

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Goodbye Whizzer, dear friend. You set me rolling many years ago into this fun hobby...

RIP Whizzer: 1976 - 2002

redman822 - but Metropolis was not the small town Clark was from, it was the city he moved to and worked in. It was modeled after NYC.

Can anyone remember the name of the small town where the Kent's lived??

Moosh

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"Outside of a dog, a man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog its too dark to read." - Groucho Marx

Smallville

I'm thinking Smallville but that's probably becuase of the syndicated TV series....

Ooops. Too slow on the reply....

*** This post was edited by IBsteve on 8/6/2002. ***

Now that would be cool, a Smallville themed area. It is a great show.

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Bob Hansen

A proud CoasterBuzz Member

"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"

I am talking bout the Coney Island Cyclone, Every part of that coaster that has or will be in the future is made in a machine shop to the specs of the current ride.

If they can keep a ride that really knowbody knows who built the trains in the first place running and have no spare parts supplier, There is no reason Whizzer. A coaster that kids and adults can ride together must go.

Chuck, who the more he thinks about it, the madder he's getting. Oh well, Prozac time.

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Charles Nungester.
Visit Lesourdsville Lake :) Park phone is (513)539-2193

Chuck - Thanks for the info, I never knew that about Cyclone. Makes sense, though.

Prozac, happy pills...What's going on around here today?

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"Look outside, I know that you'll recognize it's summertime." - The Flaming Lips "It's Summertime (throbbing orange pallbearers)"

which is exactly why I never can understand the "hard to get parts" argument.......aren't there such folks still out there who are called *machinists* (no, masochists are another breed, 'moosh). With the loss of these classic rides, we are losing something more....our connection to the past.....

Give me enough happy pills, and I'll connect you to the past, present and future, gator.

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"Look outside, I know that you'll recognize it's summertime." - The Flaming Lips "It's Summertime (throbbing orange pallbearers)"

Dudes, take the happy pills discussion back to the New Ride Announcement thread where it belongs!

Huh?

Chuck & Rollergator-
It is important to remember that the parts argument really has nothing to do with why Whizzer is going. The coaster is a little tempermental, but this year, for example, the coaster has had down time that was on average with park's Beemer's or Demon, in other words, not a whole lot. According to a Schwarzkopf parts supplier I know the cost for parts has not risen except for inflation and their demand has remained the same relative to the number of Schwarzkopf Jet Stars operating. In other words, the only time demand for parts goes up or down is when a Jet Star opens or closes. If these rides were the maitenence nightmares that some people claim, the parks in South America and Central America that usually but them (which have unfavorable exchange rates) would not be to afford them. Most of these parks have as long (if not longer) operating seasons than parks in the US and big crowds, yet their demand remains in line to thier US and European counterparts. The only reason Whizzer is leaving is because SF corporate said that it was leaving and told SFGAm mgmt that they were getting a replacement ride. Whether that was the right decision or not is another debate.

Adam

Adam, just wondering what's up with Anton's son, who was (I thought) supposed to be taking over the parts distribution for the old Scwarzkopf rides.....much like CCI, I think there's a LOT of knowledge to be gleaned from the generations of involvement in coasters and other rides....

P.S. I always consider it a mistake to lose a coaster, esp. when it's a Schwarzkopf....but I accept the fact that I am biased...;)

He has, but you can also get them from several other companies, too. Since Schwarzkopfs' were considered some of the best investments for parks in the U.S. and showmen in Germany there are a lot of spare parts available. For the most part, Schwarzkopf rides (with the correct preventative maintenance) are a pretty reliable investment as amusement rides go. Wieland's stuff is more common in Germany, but he has done some good stuff here, like the trains on Laser.

Adam

Ok, So happy pills are kicked in.

I wonder if the ride is up for sale and at what cost? Parks like HW, Knoebels, Lesourdsville and others could certainly benifit from a family coaster.

Chuck, who would much rather see the ride moved or sold than to be lost forever.

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Charles Nungester.
Visit Lesourdsville Lake :) Park phone is (513)539-2193

Holiday World.....If you are listening...

This is THE perfect steel coaster for the park! If SFGAm is selling it, id highly consider getting that! C'mon everyone help out here!! Everyone wanted PTCs on Legend and look what happened! :)

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SFGAm Viper

Who thinks Holiday World would be perfect for the Whizzer

Seriously, if Holiday World likes their family image, this ride is for them. Just put the helixes around some natural theming (trees, rocks/water, etc.) and you've got a winner.

A stupid question to TWK [Those Who Know, aka Rideman and others]: IIRC the biggest problem Whizzer has had recently was with the trains, expecially the lift motor. Does anyone think it would be a reasonably financial investment for a park to have new trains designed and/or a new way to get those trains to the top of the lift? Disney's BTMRR uses LIMS to slowly advance trains, could the spiral lift be lined w/ LIMS to do the same, thus eliminating the need for a motor?

Or am I just as stupid as I sound??

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Matthew "mamoosh" Sullivan
[aka DaDoosh, thanks to pikfanatic]

Anyone listening, buy Whizzer..............

I never thought about machinists like that. Damn you Six Flags.

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Tim Schroll
gocubs7@hotmail.com
Willard's Whizzer (1976-2002) Farewell my Friend

Moosh, your crazy as you sound.

Really, there are several ways to get it to the top. I'd personally stand at the top with a come along!

Chuck, sarcasm, Nungester

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Charles Nungester.
Visit Lesourdsville Lake :) Park phone is (513)539-2193