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Well, that's not exactly what I said. By "...all these Schwarzkopf loopers..." I meant the bigger ones as mentioned in the initial post. I don't know about that traveling Triple Looper that used to appear at the Florida (Dade County?) fair, but the single and double loopers have just the lap bar.

A friend has just phoned to say the Texas Cyclone was demolished this morning and the rubble is being removed in a convoy of very large dumpster trucks. Large Showcase Theater nextdoor also gone. I'll have to see it to believe it. Noon news is just starting, so if it's indeed true there should be some coverage. if possible I'll post photos later.

These restraints are why I didn't ride Thriller/Texas Tornado more at Astroworld. While the concept sounds functional, these restraints are very similar to the PTC individual ratcheting lap bars in that some of them are great/comfortable, while others are a form of modern-day torture device (didn't the "rack" use some kind of ratchet as well?) pinning the rider tighter and tighter as the ride goes through its course. Most of us are familiar with that feeling of having our thighs (and other bits) crushed on an otherwise good wooden coaster. Now imagine that treatment on your SPINE! And if any ride could dish out the positive g's it was Thriller (Crusher?). The restraints were painful enough that Astroworld ditched this design in favor of another, which I understand didn't work much better. Maybe if the original design had stronger springs/ratchets to hold the restraint up after the operator had locked it in place... Didn't all these Schwarzkopf loopers get these retro-fit restraints after the Edmonton accident? Basically unnecessary, but more of a C.Y.A./insurance issue?

It would be a bit of an understatement to say that the historical landmark that is the Coney Island Cyclone has been an inspiration to coaster designers and park operators around the world. Upon viewing the most recent TPR dvd sets [Coaster Expedition Vols 5 & 6, featuring 4 clones] I was reminded of just how many parks around the world operate a coaster inspired by the 1927 model. Albeit with a variation or two. I am in Houston, home of the first Cyclone clone, which I've been driving past in the last few months. We look at each other, knowing we'll never be together again... the Cyclone looking so lonely, all its friends missing. So I was inspired to ask how many of you have ridden how many of the offspring (eight!) of the original, and your thoughts as a comparison. A similar layout does not make a similar experience. I've ridden all five in the US. Here they are at a glance: Cyclone - 1927 trains - inhouse 4-bench steel-wood hybrid Texas Cyclone - 1976 trains - originally PTC 4-bench, 2nd year(?) PTC 3-bench, later Morgan 2-bench Georgia Cyclone - 1990 trains - PTC 2-bench Psyclone - 1991 trains - B&M 2-bench White Canyon - 1994 trains - Morgan (?) 2-bench Viper - 1995 trains - PTC 3-bench Aska - 1998 trains - PTC 2-bench Bandit (aka Wild Wild West) - 1999 trains - Intamin 3-bench Loup-Garou (aka Werewolf/Weerwolf) - 2001 trains - Vekoma 3-bench

At a rest stop along the Susquehanna River on my way to Knoebel's last summer.

You've taken the park!?! Please put it back where you found it. Or at least let us know where you're keeping it for the 2006 season so we may plan our travel accordingly. Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

AstroWorld had a great commercial that used the "That's Entertainment" song (with new lyrics about the attractions of AstroWorld). I'm not sure of the season, but I'm guessing around the time of Texas Cyclone opening, circa 1976, maybe a year or two earlier. Would love to see it again. Our local TV stations probably have it.

No. But I've been Touched At An Angle... Are you an Idle American?

Roger was a very cooperative photography subject. And a great pet!

Waaaaaaaaaay back in 1996.... when I first got internet access via AOL... I had to think of an email name/address. Many of my initial choices were "taken"... so I just kept re-arranging the letters of COASTER until I got something that wasn't spoken for. Over the years some people have asked if I'm Italian (!).

I visited several of those parks summer of 2004. I've grown fond of Hampton Inns. Very reliable cleanliness/service, but the prices can vary greatly from location to location. Easy to plan ahead using Hampton Inn. Whether you stay there or not, there's a really cool German restaurant next to the Hampton in Jasper, IN. Just north of Holiday World. Jasper seems to be a German settlement of sorts. Lots of German flags on homes and businesses. Or maybe we were there during some kind of festival? (It wasn't October...) Also stayed at a Hampton in Lafayette, IN not far from Indiana Beach, and one in Madison, WI after a day at the Dells. Good luck & have fun!

I've been to at least a dozen Cheesecake Factory locations (including Indianapolis a couple of times). Great pizza & salad lunch special. I've mostly visited for lunch, but arrived in Providence fairly late at night and hit that one right near the capitol. I think most of them are open until 11:00 pm or later.

Brian singing: so let's go see the USA they'll treat you right, unless you're black or gay or Cherokee... ...you've got a lot to see from Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows

Good! Another one saved. (If a cat has nine lives, how many does a coaster have? This'll be the fourth park for this one...) I passed SFAW yesterday. The Cyclone looks so lonely! The only sign of another coaster was some of the Batman supports still standing. All others have been dismantled. If the Astroneedle and Astrowheel were still present it would look like the park did when the Cyclone opened in 1976 (sans Dexter Freebish...). Back to Batman: I wish they'd cough up the $ for new B&M floorless trains for this great layout and give the stand-up torture trains a proper burial. Same sentiment for the SFMM Flashback trains!

Did you guys try the original Carrabba's location when you were in Houston? There are two that are still owned and operated by the family. A bit different than all the others, which are some sort of partnership with the Outback parent company. Different menu items, different bread, etc. I hope you did, because I guess there's little reason for you to return to Houston nowadays...

Thank you for posting the photos! Looking forward to experiencing EE real soon. I've been to AK twice, but for one reason or another, have yet to see the entire park. Now I certainly need to devote an entire (most of?) day to AK.

At least you needn't fear that Knoebel's is going to vanish anytime soon. I'm in TX and have been there three times, so if I'm any example, they have plenty of far flung supporters... But you do need to get there... Lovely drive along the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg.

Diamonds. She'll pretty much have to. [spoof of DeBeers ad]

I stayed at New York, New York in January 1997 just a few weeks after it opened and learned quickly that Manhattan Express was more fun to watch than ride. :? And I had read such good things about Bandit... I wouldn't get on it today. And after watching that clip it should be called Manhattan Ex Press Your Luck! Looks and sounds like the track will rip the wheel assembly right out from under the train! Last time I was there Canyon Blaster was still a good ride. Maybe the fact that it's indoors has helped it age more gracefully than its neighbors.

Good points. I made another visit (4th?) this summer and the excessive crowds and heat mde it very difficult to have a good time. Had the same problem at Holiday World last year. And the claustrophobic queue houses didn't help...

pourquoi? (why fer?)