San Antonio's Kiddie Park saved! - Amusement Today

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SEE PAGE...22
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www.AmusementToday.com
Vol. 14, Issue 1 APRIL 2010 $5.00
San Antonio’s Kiddie Park saved!
Brain Surge
Pam Sherborne
New Chance Morgan ride
Amusement Today
debuts at Mall of America
There is a little acre in
San Antonio, Texas, that has
Scott Rutherford
caused some big news among inventor Bill Kitchen, fea-
Amusement Today
those in the community and tures eight sweeps radiat-
has spread throughout the ing from a central column.
amusement industry. The first park model At the end of each sweep
That news — the reopen- of Chance Morgan’s new is a two-seat gondola with
ing of San Antonio’s oldest Unicoaster flat ride was over-the-shoulder restraints.
amusement park, Kiddie Park. unveiled March 20, 2010 at Sixteen riders per cycle use a
The significance — it is one of Nickelodeon Universe inside lever between the seat pairs
the oldest kiddie parks in the Minnesota’s sprawling Mall to control the forward/back-
U.S. of America. ward flipping motion of the
It opened in 1925 and This intriguing new inter- individual gondolas as they
many San Antonio natives active attraction, inspired by travel around an undulating
4See MALL, page 3
remember their first visit to a concept from SkyCoaster
AT PHOTOS / GARY SLADE
the small park as children.
Above, Ashley Weaver, owner and GM of Kiddie Park in
But, over the years, as often
San Antonio, proudly shows off the park’s new entrance.
happens, small parks such as
Below, Kid Steam hand cars were added new this season
this one fall into despair. If it
with the reopening of the historic kiddie park.
weren’t for the dream of Rad
and Ashley Weaver, that small
part of the amusement indus-
try might be no more. They
are now the new owners.
“We used to ride by that
park all the time,” said Ashley
Weaver. “My husband remem-
bers going there as a boy. We
used think of all the possibili-
ties there. When it came up for
sale, we decided to buy it.”
The couple took owner-
ship of the facility, only for
children under 12 years of age, PHOTO COURTESY MOA
in August, 2009. They kept the
BrainSurge, the first example of Chance Morgan’s new
facility open during the fall,
Unicoaster flat ride, opened to rave reviews on March
all along doing improvements,
20 at the Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe.
4See KIDDIE, page 3
INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENTP ARKS WATERPARKS BUSINESS MIDWAY/CLASSIFIEDS
SEE PAGES 5-8 SEE PAGES 9-13 SEE PAGES 14-18 SEE PAGES 19-24 SEE PAGES 23-31
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2 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2010
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Gary Slade
Founder and Publisher
[email protected]
Kiddie Park reopens
Located just a few blocks from the site of the former Playland
Amusement Park, north of downtown San Antonio, Kiddie Park
has a long rich history, one that has outlived its neighbor down
the road.
Dating back to 1925, Kiddie Park is Texas’ oldest operating
park, and it is not only a San Antonio favorite, but is a part of the
local culture and area’s history.
Why you ask?
Because generations of San Antonio families have made the
trip to this simple, laid back, one-acre parcel to make their first
ride on a carousel, ferris wheel, or umbrella ride a must do. Go-
ing to Kiddie Park is like watching time stand still. It continues to
operate the old classics and in doing so has the old-time charm to
go with it.
When Kiddie Park closed during the summer season last
year, its future looked bleak. The property was showing its age, Scott Rutherford
its safety record was starting to become a concern among local
Preservation: material or memory?
fandom and it wasn’t a fun and festive place children under 12
years were enjoying.
That’s when Rad and Ashley Weaver stepped in and did Well, the long-awaited spring season actual structure the King enjoyed all
is finally upon us and I guess it’s time for those years ago. While they can spend
what was right for the local community. They saved Kiddie Park
me to dust off my Preservation Soapbox their money on whatever they choose
by acquiring the entire property from its former owner. They
and climb up for a sermon. (the reported price tag was $35,000 for
spent long tireless hours cleaning up the facility. They rebuilt
This time it’s about Bay Beach the rights and a total of nearly $3 million
rides that were in need of maintaince, they painted, they added
Amusement Park in Greenbay, Wisconsin, to complete the project), I find myself
new fencing and landscaping, they added a new office and
and their “purchase and relocation” of wondering if they were aware of other
restroom facility, and they gave the park a San Antonio limestone
rock entrance that would make any person calling Texas home the famous 1915 vintage John Miller- Rutherford candidates that were in much better
designed/Harry Baker-built Zippin shape for relocation?
proud to walk through. Kiddie Park was back and better than
Pippin wooden roller coaster from the Mid- Chief among these are the Miracle Strip
ever.
South Fairgrounds aka Libertyland in Memphis, Starliner (recently rebuilt and in excellent con-
While Ashley serves as the park’s general manger, and is
Tenn. dition at Florida’s recently-closed Cypress
there to oversee the day to day operations, she did the right
While I applaud their efforts to save a classic Gardens); Geauga Lake’s wonderful Big Dipper;
thing by surrounding herself with many qualified people on her
wooden roller coaster from oblivion, my concern or even the Americana Screechin’ Eagle. All
staff. She may not have had any previous park experience, but
over this one is: Just what are they preserving? three are proven rides that deserve to saved.
she did have the one thing that one cannot overlook: she and
It’s a known fact that the late Elvis Presley Dare I say that all three are far more entertaining
her husband cared enough about this park, about the children
was fond of renting out the park and privately coasters than the now-gone Pippin, which has
who visited it, and their local community to borrow the money
riding the Pippin (that’s what the coaster was now been completely demolished.
needed that would ultimately allow it to reopen.
called in the pre-Libertyland days). He reported- Whatever the outcome of this saga, the
At a time when our industry has seen far too many tradition-
ly took a spin with daughter Lisa Marie six days building of the new ride is a plus for all parties.
al parks close for various reasons, this is certainly the feel good
before his death. On the surface, it seems like a Though the lights went out in Memphis for the
story our amusement industry has been long overdue to read
marketable PR coup for Bay Beach to claim that world’s second oldest roller coaster, it’s a safe
about.
Elvis’ beloved coaster will reopen in Wisconsin bet that the Badger State’s Zippin Pippin 2.0
Amusement Today salutes Rad and Ashley Weaver for saving
in 2011. But will it be, really? will most likely be one that Elvis could not have
a San Antonio instution and ensuring that a whole new genera-
According to various reports, Bay Beach resisted.
tion of visitors will have their stories to tell in the future.
—Gary Slade is purchasing the idea of and rights to rebuild Amen.
the Pippin instead of physically relocating the
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April 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3
KIDDIE
Continued from page 1
bringing the existing rides up
to codes and up-to-date. They
disassembled the old coaster,
but kept the remaining origi-
nal rides.
Then, they closed around
the Christmas holidays and
through the month of January.
They made a real push to get
most of the remaining renova-
tions and construction com-
plete.
The grand opening was
held March 8.
“I think the most excit-
ing part of this has been the
great response we have gotten
from everyone,” she said. “It
has been wonderful and very
fun.”
The Weavers have con-
structed a new office and new
restrooms, the latter equipped
with a sink and toilet just kid’s
size. They have revitalized the
concession stand and added a
PHOTOS COURTESY MOA
local favorite Double Dave’s
The first park model of Chance Morgan’s Unicoaster allows
Pizza Works. The stand also
16 riders to use a central lever to electrically control the
serves the regular fare such
as hot dogs, popcorn, cotton forward/backward flipping motion of their gondolas.
candy, small corn dogs, Blue
MALL platform. Minimum passenger
Bell ice cream, sodas, nachos
height is just 48 inches.
and candy inside an old-fash- Continued from page 1
Amusement Today spoke
ioned jar.
with Chance Morgan’s Angus
The have new landscap-
track at 35 mph. Ride time is Jenkins during the ride’s
ing and new fencing. There
120 seconds per cycle. grand opening. “Our newest
used to be two entrances into
The Unicoaster has ride was very well received by
the park and now there is just
been appropriately dubbed the general public who ven-
one. And, that one has been
BrainSurge at MOA, which is tured out to give it a try at
remade with San Antonio line-
based on the Nick television Mall of America,” said Jenkins.
stone columns and iron gates.
network’s game show of the “We had an open dialogue
There are nine rides
same name. The ride sports an and worked very closely with
including a 1918 Herschel
attractive illumination pack- Nickelodeon to transform the
Spellman carousel. There is
age that utilizes power-saving Unicoaster into their vision
a Ferris Wheel. There are the
LED lights. In the center of of the BrainSurge. We are all
1925 rides: a car ride, airplane
machine is a giant model of a very happy with the result.
ride, boat ride, bus ride, horse-
brain that glows and flashes, The custom decorations and
drawn carriage ride, helicopter
sending ‘signals to the riders.’ lighting effects unique to the
and flying saucer ride, and a
When the new ride pre- BrainSurge turned out very
new Jet Steam hand car ride.
miered at MOA’s Nickelodeon well. It’s a true interactive
The Weavers have no for-
Universe, 16 of the nation’s attraction in that riders can
mal experience in the amuse-
smartest kids were the first choose use the control lever
ment park business, but Ashley
AT PHOTOS / GARY SLADE to try it out. The youngsters to make it either gentle or
Weaver said she feels they will
were all members of Mensa, extremely intense.”
be able to give it a good shot. Top to bottom: New signage, and a remolded concession
the organization open to any- When asked about future
Her husband is in charge of stand, are just part of the improvements to San Antonio’s
one who scores in the top two versions of the ride and what
new business development Kiddie Park this year. Originally opened in 1925, the park
percent on an accepted, stan- other options are available,
for McComb Enterprises so he continues to operate such classics as the boats, Herschell dardized intelligence test. Jenkins confirmed there are
used to business management. Spillman Carousel and the helicopters/flying saucers. Co-creator Bill Kitchen presently three or four par-
The Weavers have partnered
said, “We were looking for ties seriously interested in
with Brent Conger, who will so far.” demand, park staff has been
a way to reinvent the roller acquiring their own version
also be the general manager. Birthday parties have busy building and painting
coaster but on a smaller foot- of the Unicoaster. “It’s a ride
Weaver, herself, has visited always been a big part of the more picnic tables, just in time
print. The Unicoaster gives that can be customized to just
many amusement parks over business at Kiddie Park and for spring break
riders all of the thrills of a about whatever the customer
the years and now that she has that is not changing. In fact, The park’s operating hours
looping inverted roller coaster wants,” he added. “We can
a three-year-old, Cecelia, she Weaver said she feels it is a are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every
at a fraction of the space and offer a smaller version with
knows what she would like growth component. day of the week. Admission is
price.” just four sweeps seating eight
for her own child. “We had 30 birthday par- free, with a separate cost for
Requiring approximately riders, or double the existing
“Cecelia has been my main ties last weekend,” she said. each ride. An unlimited ride
the same amount of real estate number of sweeps to sixteen
market research,” Weaver “We had 1,250 people in this pass is offered for $12, except
as a Scrambler or Tilt-a-Whirl, with a capacity of 32 riders.”
said. “She has given me advice park on Saturday. And, that for Bargain Wednesdays when
the new ride stands 18-feet-tall •www.chancemorgan.
about candy and some other has been pretty consistent.” that price drops to $10.
and requires diameter clear- com.
things. She has been right-on To keep up with the
ance of only 56 feet including
4 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2010
Best thing about the industry Three items on my bedside table are …
You can be in a room with Nobel Prize winners, and still Alarm clock, lamp and phone.
everyone wants to talk to the roller coaster guy!
The worst movie I have ever sat through would have to
Favorite amusement ride be …
Compiled by Janice Witherow I honestly do not have a favorite ride, but a man in my I’ve had a few movies disappoint me, but I honestly can’t
position probably shouldn’t name one even if he did. remember the last really bad movie I sat through.
Bob Dean
Leisure Labs LLC If I wasn’t working in the amusement industry, I would Ten years ago, I was …
be … Starting my own business.
Trying to build or turn around some other type of busi-
As President of Leisure Labs LLC,
ness. I can’t stand being around people who …
Sarasota, Florida, Bob Dean is a master
Lack integrity or provide poor service.
specialist in ride representation and
The thing I like most about amusement/water park
consulting for the amusement
season is … I wish I was better at …
industry. After several years in the retail
Visiting parks that are in full swing. I love to watch the Being patient. I have to work at it all the time.
and institutional securities business, Bob
little kids. From the minute they hit the parking lot they
changed his career path entirely and
are completely out of their minds with joy. The longest I have ever gone without sleep is …
joined Omni Films International in 1987,
Dean 48 hours. Additional details are on a strict need-to-know
followed by a stint with Iwerks
My first car was … basis.
Entertainment (which shortly
A Vega. After several months, it became “The Vagrant.”
thereafter purchased Omni Films). Bob then fulfilled a
This was an early lesson in product quality that sticks On my last birthday, I …
lifelong dream in 2000 when he started his own business,
with me to this day. Played it very low-key with my family.
and he hasn’t looked back since. A true professional with
a creative gift, Bob’s pleasant approach makes a lasting
A recent life-changing moment for me was … My most prized possession is …
impression.
Finally living my dream of owning and running a busi- My home.
ness.
Title
Favorite fast food
President, but that doesn’t have much meaning in such a
Favorite midnight snack Quiznos. I’m a regular at my local shop, and I go out of
small organization.
Hershey bar. my way to find them when I’m traveling.
Number of years in the industry
My perfect day is spent … When I say Jay Leno, you say …
23 great years.
Hanging outdoors with my family. Johnny Carson. For me, he will always be synonymous
with The Tonight Show.
Biggest challenge facing our industry
Favorite form of exercise
Debt for sure, but building and holding park attendance
Right now it’s tennis. I picked up golf at 25, Ju Jitsu at 41 To suggest a candidate for the Two-Minute Drill
gains seems to be very challenging and the holy grail of
and tennis at 53. Maybe I’ll try MMA or ballroom danc-
feature, contact columnist Janice Witherow at jwith-
growth.
ing when I’m 60. We’ll see.
[email protected] or [phone].
April 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5
INTERNATIONAL
www.AmusementToday.com
PARKS ATTRACTIONS RESORTS ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIERS
Vekoma Stingray a ‘flying coaster’ sensation
BRIEF
Andrew Mellor
Master French chef
Amusement Today
Paul Bocuse makes
impression at The first Stingray coaster
to be built by Dutch man-
Liseberg Park
ufacturer Vekoma Rides
Manufacturing has enjoyed a
Master French chef Paul successful initial few months
Bocuse recently joined the of operation at the Suzhou
ranks of numerous sports Giant Wheel Park in Suzhou,
stars and music celebrities China.
to become the first chef – Opened in July last year,
and the first person from the Stingray is designed to
France – to take his place offer “the ultimate flying
in Liseberg Park's Walk of coaster experience,” with rid-
Fame. ers enjoying a face-down fly-
Paul Bocuse, who has ing sensation parallel to the
been called the chef of track. The ride utilizes two,
chefs, is a living legend eight-seater trains with pas-
in gastronomic circles. The sengers seated in two rows of Vekoma’s new Stingray
84-year-old celebrity vis- four. The seat designs feature at Suzhou Giant Wheel
ited Liseberg on Feb. 12 a large opening angle between Park, in Suzhou, China, has
to make his handprints at the upper and lower body and proved a popular attrac-
Liseberg’s Walk of Fame. a slightly curved back sup- tion since its July debut.
The chef pressed his hands port, enabling an optimal fly-
PHOTOS COURTESY VEKOMA
firmly into the cement and ing position and a good sight
completed the process by forward, combined with maxi- at 32.4 meters (106 feet) in
signing his autograph. mum safety and comfort for height, the lift height is 31.6
When his signature turned riders. meters (104 feet) and the maxi-
out slightly off-center it Once the ride sequence mum speed reached is 76 kph
became clear that Paul begins, passengers are taken (47 mph). Ride time comes
Bocuse is a perfectionist. from the station up a verti- in at 63 seconds and hourly
Many famous names cal lift, and rather than being capacity is approximately 525
can already be seen at tilted forward while in the sta- riders.
Liseberg’s Walk of Fame, tion, are tilted forwards dur- The Stingray is a second
including those of Michael ing the lift, thus providing a generation Flying Dutchman
Jackson, Tina Turner, Paul spectacular view over the rest and incorporates the original
McCartney and Whitney of the park. In addition to this features and design philoso-
Houston. unique feature, the Stingray phies of the first generation
“It’s a big honour for has other special elements too, ride, but with major improve-
Liseberg and all our res- including an outside loop, a ments to the restraint system,
taurants to welcome double horizontal loop and tilting device and ride control
a legend such as Paul a 180 degree roll, all expe- issues including fault diagnos-
Bocuse. He has made an rienced while riders lie face tics.
enormous contribution to down. “With the Stingray we
the restaurant world and The compact design of the have created a new generation
we are very pleased he ride means it covers a foot- flying coaster that is afford-
has come to visit,” said print of just 37.2 meters by 56.6 able, compact, fast and excit-
Thomas Sjöstrand, CEO of meters (122 feet by 186 feet) ing!” commented Vekoma
Liseberg's Restaurant AB. and has a track length of 362 account manager Charlotte
meters (1,187 feet). Standing van Etten.
6 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2010
Europarks dissolved - IAAPA Europe steps in
Andrew Mellor
safety reporting system and resources at its disposal and
Amusement Today European safety standards to with a dedicated, fully staffed FAST FACTS
subjects such as VAT, leisure office in Brussels will be just
Europarks, the federation park accessibility, fair compe- as effective in representing the IAAPA Europe
of European park associations, tition, human resources and industry’s interests in Europe Andreas Veilstrup
was dissolved in November training. associations, Dawson pointed as Europarks has been.” Andersen,
last year following confirma- The membership of out that there was no longer For IAAPA Europe, Executive Director
tion from IAAPA Europe that Europarks was made up of any reason for Europarks to Executive Director Andreas Square de Meeus 38/40,
all the functions previously industry associations from dif- exist since the development of Veilstrup Andersen said: B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
carried out by Europarks ferent European countries, in IAAPA Europe with an office “After Europarks’ decision Phone: [phone]
would be continued under its addition to individual attrac- based in Brussels. to dissolve the association Fax: [phone]
stewardship. tion venues where a nation- “In the past couple of years in November last year, we Email: [email protected]
Founded in 1981 by the al association did not exist. IAAPA has built up a major have pooled the resources Web: www.iaapa.org/
U.K. association BALPPA and Appropriately, the last per- European presence and has and continued the activities europe
Germany’s VDFU, Europarks son to hold the position of begun campaigning on similar of Europarks in Brussels. And
was established as a lobbying President of the organization issues to those of Europarks,” the overall goal with IAAPA
group to represent the amuse- was a representative of one he said. “The risk of confu- Europe’s presence in Brussels established a Government
ment park industry within the of the founding associations, sion with two organizations is to create one, strong voice Relations committee with rep-
European parliament. During BALPPA Chief Executive Colin representing the interests of for the attractions industry. resentatives from all the major
that time it has been active in Dawson, who played a key role all the attractions in Europe “With the dissolution European associations. This
many different areas relating in bringing about the dissolu- was likely to cause future dif- of Europarks, a new forum committee basically replaces
to wide ranging cross-nation- tion of Europarks. Explaining ficulties in ensuring a clear for the national associations the Europarks council and
al issues, from the devel- the background to the deci- voice was delivering key mes- in Europe was needed and oversees all our government
opment of a European ride sion, voted on by all member sages. IAAPA has excellent from January 1, 2010, we have relations activities in Europe.”
Gardaland targets families and teens
Andrew Mellor
Amusement Today
April 1st will mark the
opening of the 35th season at
Gardaland, in northern Italy,
and this year the park is reach-
ing out in particular to families
and teenagers with two new
attractions and some tempting
ticket options.
New entertainment at the
park includes Inferis: face to
face with fear!, the first “hell
themed horror house” to be Italian park Gardaland
Gröna Lund adding Zamperla presented in Italy. The walk- is targeting families and
through attraction offers up teenagers with its new
childrens coaster in 2010 15 obscure sets featuring live attractions for 2010,
actors ready to send shiv-
including Inferis – a new
ers down the spines of even
This year it is the tots’ turn to get a new attraction at horror house.
the most fearless visitor as
Sweden’s Gröna Lund. Tuff-Tuff Tåget (the Choo-Choo
they walk along a 150 meter
Train) is Gröna Lund’s sixth coaster and will be the first step IMAGES COURTESY GARDALAND
(492 foot) path within a total
in the roller coaster careers of small children. Supplied by
attraction area of 1,000 square Mr. Krabs and Sheldon J. Gardaland and the Sea Life
Zamperla, the 262-foot-long coaster’s eight-car train has no
meters (10,764 square feet). Plankton. Aquarium will be offered,
height requirement, so parents and adults can bring along
Designed strictly for guests The multi-sensory adven- as will “convenient” season
small children for their very first ride.
over 14-years-of-age, Inferis ture incorporates a variety of tickets. Benefits will also be
“Tuff-Tuff Tåget is big news for all small children, and it
promises flames, swamps, special effects, in addition to available to those purchas-
also constitutes an essential part of our work to create attrac-
poisonous fog and numer- the 3D element of the film, ing tickets via the park’s
tions to suit every guest – from the smallest to the bravest,”
ous other special effects – and including wind, odors, light website, to guests staying at
explains Jan Roy, president of Gröna Lund’s Tivoli.
plenty of fun for Gardaland games, water splashes, vibra- the Gardaland Hotel Resort
The coaster is currently under construction, but is right
guests. tions, leg ticklers and seat and to those booking a stay
on track to debut April 24 when Gröna Lund opens its
Another new feature for movements. through the park’s tour opera-
gates for the season. Tuff-Tuff Tåget is being placed next to
2010 will be SpongeBob 4-D As well as the new attrac- tor, Incoming Gardaland.
Cirkuskarusellen (the Old Carousel) just inside the main
in the Time Voyagers the- tions, Gardaland is also hoping EXTRA! EXTRA!
entrance, replacing an old outdoor café.
atre which will provide a 4D to tempt visitors with a range
“Roller coasters have always been firm favourites YOUR DESKTOP EDITION!
film experience courtesy of of flexible new ticket options
with our visitors – they’re a real amusement park classic. FREE
Nickelodeon. Between waves which the park believes will
Naturally, we’re very excited to be able to offer a choice
and bizarre marine creatures, cater to the diverse needs of NEWS
of six here at Gröna Lund now - that’s three more than in
viewers will experience a cap- all types of customers. For
2006,” said Peter Osbeck, Gröna Lund’s rides manager.
tivating tale set in the legend- 2010 discounted tickets will
“Tuff-Tuff Tåget will be the small children’s introduction to
ary Bikini Bottom city, whose be available for families of EVERY DAY
the world of roller coasters, and then they have five more to
citizens also include Patrick three, four and five people, Sign up at
grow into.”
Star, Squidward Tentacles, combined tickets for visits to www.AmusementToday.com
April 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 7
8 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2010
April 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 9
AMUSEMENT PARKS
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FEC’S ATTRACTIONS RESORTS ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIERS
From Rocky Mountain Construction and Ride Centerline
BRIEF
Innovative new track design introduced for Texas Giant
New version of
Gary Slade
Zippin Pippin to An AT exclusive!
Amusement Today
roll again in Wis. Fred Grubb
Make no doubt about it,
the Texas Giant’s $10 million
discusses new
Bay Beach Amusement
makeover is now officially
Park in Green Bay, Wis.
underway at Six Flags Over
Texas Giant
finalized a $35,000 deal on
Texas.
March 18 to purchase the
During a press introduc-
rights and design of the
tion on March 3, the Arlington, Why was Rocky
Zippin Pippin wooden roller
Texas park debuted the new- Mountain Construction
coaster from the Mid-South
est in track design for the tra- selected as the lead sup-
Fairgrounds aka Libertyland
ditional wooden coaster with plier to deliver a new
in Memphis, Tenn.
the unveiling of Iron Horse Texas Giant?
The historic John Miller-
Coaster track [a Six Flags “We were selected for
designed/Harry Baker-built
name/term]. The steel I-Box several reasons. Six Flags
Pippin (Libertyland added
the 'Zippin') originally design, that will now serve Six Flags Over Texas wanted to rehab the ride
opened in 1915 but was as the track for the legendary Park President Steve and create
moved a short distance in coaster, is the result of three Martindale, left, and Rocky something
1923 to the site where it years of engineering by Rocky Mountain Construction new and
operated until Oct. 2005. Mountain Construction and President, Fred Grubb, exciting.
Since the original ride Ride Centerline. point to the new I-Box Our track
has been completely razed, The Chinchillian Red is innova-
track design
Amusement Today asked painted track is not bent or tive, revo-
(shown at right) currently Grubb
Green Bay Director of Parks, rolled, but is cut, then weld- lutionary
being installed on the
Recreation & Forestry ed together in 40 to 53-foot and the
Department Bill Landvatter lengths before being bolted to park’s Texas Giant. The ride Texas Giant will be the
who would be building the the Texas Giant’s wooden sup- will reopen in 2011. first coaster to have our
new ride and just how much port structure. The new track AT PHOTOS / GARY SLADE new track system. Also,
would be salvaged from the design does not use any wood compared with traditional
now-demolished coaster on the track bed, nor does it er will also be faster, reaching a leader in the amusement wood tracks, the mainte-
in Memphis. "I don’t want
use any track bolts. A newly speeds of 65 mph. industry, for installing inno- nance costs of our new steel
to comment on who will
engineered galvanized ledger “This ride is going to take vative products and new track will be significantly
be involved in the design
design that the track bolts to the entire industry by storm,” designs.” said Fred Grubb, less. A smoother and faster
or building of the coaster
acts as the spine/backbone for said Steve Martindale, Six president of Rocky Mountain ride will also be achieved
until we have finalized con-
the steel railed track. Weight Flags Over Texas park presi- Construction. “The selection with this new track.”
tracts," said Landvatter. "We
of the new track is said to be dent. “Six Flags has built a of our steel I-Box coaster track
will be reconstructing the
about the same as the for- reputation for developing on the new Texas Giant is How does the new
ride with all new lumber
mer 9-ply wooden track com- original ride concepts and the just another chapter in their steel tracking system
and expect to use different
plete with steel track and track Texas Giant will be our crow- 50-year history and one we are work, and how is it manu-
trains. We have acquired
bolts. ing jewel.” proud to be a part of.” factured?
the old [PTC] trains, other
The park also announced Construction of the super The ride is also expect- “The I Box track sys-
signage and materials and
that when the new Texas hybrid coaster will be done by ed to use magnetic brak- tem [Iron Horse Coaster
expect to find creative ways
to utilize them." Gaint opens in spring 2011, Rocky Mountain Construction ing and will feature three track] is fabricated by start-
Construction of the new it will stand 153 feet tall, 10 Group of Hayden, Idaho. newly-designed trains from ing with flat steel plates
$3 million coaster is expect- feet taller than it is now, fea- Engineering is by Ride Gerstlauer Amusement Rides cut into specific shapes
ed to begin this summer ture a 79-degree first drop Centerline, based in Hyde GmbH in Muensterhausen, provided by engineer Alan
with a planned opening in and will incorporate numer- Park, Utah. Germany. The trains will fea- Schilke (Ride Centerline)
spring 2011. ous 95-degree banked turns “Six Flags Over Texas has ture urethane wheels. 4See GRUBB, page 10
throughout the ride. The coast- a long rich history, of being
10 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2010
GRUBB and with whom did you work Tell us a brief history International. In 2001, myself
FAST FACTS
with to develop it? about yourself and Rocky and Suanne Dedmon estab-
Continued from page 9
“It’s been in development Mountain Construction. lished RMC and began build-
for the past three years, and Rocky Mountain “Rocky Mountain ing steel and wooden coasters,
and is then welded together
I’ve worked with engineer Construction Group Construction was established water parks and other amuse-
creating 3D shapes. The track
Alan Schilke (RCL) and the Owners: in 2001 by myself and Suanne ment park attractions.
rails are shaped the same as
Six Flags engineering staff.” Fred Grubb and Dedmon. I have been in the “RMC has built and been
the current wood track so that
Suanne Dedmon construction industry for more involved in the rehab and
we can place this track on
Who owns the rights to P.O. Box 2848 than 30 years. I began building construction of several more
existing coasters. The same
the technology? Hayden, Idaho 83835 custom homes and specialty wooden coaster projects and
cars can be used as well.
“Fred Grubb and Alan Office: [phone] zoo exhibits. For the past 15 has now developed a revolu-
[AT has already reported on
Schilke have a patent pending Fax: [phone] years, I have been involved in tionary steel track for wooden
AmusementToday.com that
on the technology.” E-mail: [email protected] the construction of all types of coasters that is currently being
the Texas Giant will receive a
Web Site: www.rocky theme park attractions. installed on the Texas Giant.
new design of coaster trains
Can the Texas Giant’s mtnconstruction.com “I have built many exhib- After rebuilding many wood
from Germany’s Gerstlauer.]
current wooden structure its for various facilities such tracks, we recognized the
“The track is manufactured
support the additions of all as the Woodland Park Zoo in need for a track that required
in RMC’s shops in Hayden,
we see to the coaster’s current
the steel, or will the structure Seattle, The National Zoo and less maintenance. As wood
Idaho using automated weld-
layout and profile?
have to be beefed up? Smithsonian in Washington coasters continue to get larger,
ers to ensure quality control.
“The profile is changed
“Yes, the current structure D.C. After building a white faster and taller, traditional
The track is then painted and
significantly. The drop hill is
can support the new track as it water raft ride for Silverwood wood tracks cannot withstand
trucked to Texas. Other coaster
steeper [79 degrees] and the
weighs close to the same as the Theme Park in North Idaho, the forces exerted upon them.
parts are fabricated in Idaho,
lift hill will be higher by 10
traditional wood track [9-ply, I then turned my focus to the This new steel track technolo-
trucked to Texas for galvaniz-
feet [153 feet]. Banking is 95
plus track steel and track bolt construction and design of gy requires very little mainte-
ing and then delivered to the
degrees.”
combined weight] and actu- theme park attractions. nance and makes wood coast-
job site.”
ally ties the wood structure “After building two wood- ers a cost effective ride that
What will the finished
together.” en coasters for Silverwood will last for many years.”
How long has this tech-
nology been in development product feel like to ride? Theme Park, I then went to —Gary Slade
“Smoother and faster.”
How much change will work for Custom Coasters