Zippin Pippin headed to North Carolina

Posted | Contributed by coasterqueenTRN

A pair of Nashville collectors who bought the Zippin Pippin at auction in June said Friday that they sold it to the tourism bureau in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Stephen Shutts, president of a traveling collection called the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame & Rock-N-Roll Roadshow, said the North Carolina town wants the coaster for its Carolina Crossroads tourism project. He said the wooden coaster, which was built in 1923, will be part of an amusement area that includes a 1,500-seat music theater in a 1,000-acre park.

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Libertyland

YES!

Like I said before, GREAT news! Now if only we can get them (anyone else) to acquire Screechin' Eagle as well! :)

-Tina

*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 10/30/2006 5:32:05 PM ***

This is wonderful news! I wonder exactly how this will fit into the crossroads project. Will it be like a pay-per-ride attraction, or are they going to build an amuesment park of some sort with it in it? Either way, I am gonna try to make ut to it's opening since it is only an hour and a half away from here!

And you all thought that wood coaster preservation was dead...

^If we could get THIS plus either of those OTHER two Millers running (JR/SE), then I would declare victory for coaster preservation...

Right now, with ZP in the ballpark of "likely relocated", I'm still calling it a *push*...still kinda disappointed about the Canadians denying the CoasterWorks! Thunder Eagle from reconstruction at Mont St. Saveur (sp?), so I'm hesitant to assume anything more than is evidenced by a trainload of screaming passengers. :-/

Wood preservation is dead as far as ACE is concerned. Seems the locals stepped up in this case as well as a few with ties to the area.

Chuck

I was so happy to hear about this. Roanoke Rapids is only 30 minutes away from me. I kept telling everyone that Carolina Crossroads WOULD eventually get a coaster and they thought I was crazy. Ha! I've been looking at sending a resume for an administrative position....this pushes me even more to take the leap.

Here is another article from the local paper.

Charles- please do not make assertions about ACE and preservation when you know nothing about the subject. It just so happens that I talked several times with Mr. Shutts when he was looking to sell the coaster, and currently I am communicating with the new potential owners. I have actually heard that this is not totally a done deal, it still hinges on the Carolina Crossraods folks finding someone to move the coaster at a reasonable price, I am working on helping them do that.

Matt

So you talked to the parties as a representative of ACE and that means the organization is doing something about it?

Jeff, that was Matt Crowther, Yeah, If he helps in comunications with getting the coaster moved it's a help, Still doesn't show where all the money goes thats actually for preservation.

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