SeaWhippet

It's official: the Golden Nugget will not re-open in NJ at Morey's Piers. Here's the press release issued today: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * In Memory of the Golden Nugget Public Farewell Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, at Noon Wildwood, NJ, December 10, 2008 – The Morey Organization announced plans today for a public ceremony in memory of the classic boardwalk attraction -- The Golden Nugget – in advance of a phased removal of the ride from Hunt’s Pier. The ceremony is slated for Saturday, January 31, at noon. “This is a sad loss for all those who fondly remember the wonderful Golden Nugget,” noted Dino Fazio, Director of Pier Operations. “It was my first roller coaster ride as a boy, and it’s hard for me to see it go.” Jack Morey, Executive Vice President of The Morey Organization, said, “We continually wrestle with that tension between nostalgia and innovation. We gave serious thought to how we might restore the Golden Nugget to its former glory, in the context of our long range plans. Our concepts ranged from a complete restoration in its current location to relocating it to another more thriving amusement pier to creating a museum. In the end, the old ride was just not viable given New Jersey State regulations and Industry safety standards. While we are grieved to see it go, we know that the removal of this classic coaster will make way for something greater, worthy of the Golden Nugget’s memory. We invite all those who hold fond memories of the Golden Nugget to join us for a ceremony in memory of this classic amusement ride.” Will Morey, President and CEO of The Morey Organization, noted, “The Golden Nugget represents the first golden age of the boardwalk, an age pioneered by greats with such family names as Hunt, Barnes, Coombs, Way, and Ramagosa. As the second generation of the Morey Family, my brother and I recognize our responsibility as trustees of this unique culture, and we do not take this decision lightly.” The Golden Nugget Mine Ride originally opened in July of 1960 on the newly constructed ocean side section of Hunt’s Pier. The Golden Nugget was built three stories high with the top floor giving riders a mine car ride through the “desert.” The classic coaster ride was specially constructed for Hunt’s Pier by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and was engineered by John Allen. Bill Tracy designed the ride’s theme through Amusement Displays.

Himalaya Bahn (now called Alpina Bahn) is an EXCELLENT ride. In fact, I'd rather ride it than Olympia when they play the same fairs. FYI, Himalaya was slated to join its twisted cousin, Wiener Looping, at Florida's Circus World when WL made its first trip across the Atlantic. Sadly, the deal fell through and only WL showed up.

Loved the Kennywood pics, Shane, especially that sweet Jack Rabbit shot. And in the Bonus Material #1 -- at 3:21 -- there's a quick glimpse of the Thunderbolt's now-removed speed bump on the inner leg of the newer section. Today, this area is relatively flat like the outer leg. Though I didn't ride TBolt until 1980, I've heard from those that experienced it in the first season (1968) that this hill was quite turbulent and pushed the lateral Gs to the edge of what the rolling stock and riders could endure. Does anyone know if the current mid-course trim brake (that occurs just before the third drop into the ravine) was the same length as it is today, or did the removal of this speed bump allow the entrance to the brake to be extended? Here's a pic of the hill that was removed not long after the TBolt opened. The alteration was mentioned in one of the KDKA segments. -S

Thanks for that vid, Shane. The Flyer's train seemed incredibly long for such a small ride. I'm told by friends who rode it that, because of this extended train, there were some interesting push-pull effects. Sorry I missed his one and Le Cyclone at Parc Belmont.

Great shots, restoca. I would love to have seen the Orbit (and that train with coaster hills) in operation. Surely, some home movie exists out there somewhere ... Screechin' Eagle is one I DID get to ride on several occasions. It had a very "loose" feel and some of those airtime pops (esp. the steel hill off the turnaround) were intense. I spoke with a well known coaster designer who was at Americana last year and he said the Eagle is in VERY good structural condition. Apparently, they put a LOT of work into it not long before the park closed. Now Americana is owned by that kooky RV/camper salesman. What a waste. That's as bad as Idora being owned by the brainless pentecostal church of the holy coaster haters. And we see the crime against history those hateful freaks committed ... RIP Wildcat & Jack Rabbit.

Yeah, that Zipper-like thing looks insane. I would love to see some video! Oh, and I'm shocked the Mexico City Racer was running one train! That's nuts! The bloody thing can handle SIX 4-car trains. I wish I could've joined you on that trip. Dreier Looping, Laser Loop AND that NAD woodie ... Mmmmmmm.

I was looking around The Closet this evening and found more photos and material relating to several other lost wooden coasters that I thought I would share. The featured rides include the CNE Flyer, Americana/LeSourdsville Screechin' Eagle, Fairyland Wildcat and Myrtle Beach boneyard shots. There's a little bonus at the bottom of this post. I'm curious if anyone can shed light on those images. -Scott This pic was in the same book. Has anyone ever seen this ride? It was called the Orbit and appears to be a Zipper/Loop-O-Plane hybrid! This pic came from a recent book -- "Springlake Amusement Park." Check out the coaster hills in the background. HOW did this little train make it over these humps?! Note the Off Shore Drilling Company in the background. Anyone remember that place? I "think" these trains came from GASM at SFOG. I just happened to see them rotting away in a field next to Family kingdom. I'm guessing they were cannibalized for the Swamp Fox. This sign described the ride but misspells the name of NAD's president and founder -- Aurel Vaszin. The Wildcat, as it operates today, is NOT the same ride that thrilled riders at Fairyland. NAD coasters were all about designing with circles and straight lines. This often translated into major airtime! I shot these pics just before the Wildcat was dismantled and rebuilt at Frontier City. A nice big drop into the brakes. I hope someone saves this ride. Those NAD trains are all about 'rider freedom.' Those girls in the last seat are airborn! First drop. In its later years, Screechin' Eagle was a little gem that got overshadowed by the coasters at nearby Kings Island. Good night, moon ... um, Flyer. If you look closely, you can see one of the Flyer's BIG four-car/four-bench trains. So odd for ride of this size to use such formidable rolling stock. This strange ride featured some sweet fan turns. First drop. The Flyer is another woodie I photographed but never got to ride. Postcard of the CNE when it was wonderful. Look at all those classic rides!

This is one of the greatest PBS docs ever. In a perfect world, every town would a have a place like Kennywood.

I need to check out that Shelly Winters flick. Her performance in the Poseidon Adventure is seared into my psyche ... forever. Did you she ride the Katapult? THAT would be something to see ...

The only other ones I've seen belonged to PTC and were printed in the Schmeck book that ACE produced. This pic was published in Charlie Jacques' reprint of an old PTC catalog. It shows the Wildcat as the ride originally opened in 1927. Those speed bumps must have been crazy! The ride was reworked and tamed somewhat (by Schmeck) in 1941 and reopened as the Comet (yet I've heard that many people still called it Wildcat). The photo I posted first was shot in 1974 after the ride had been closed for a year. It was destroyed in 1976.

Dave & Den, glad you and others are into the history aspect of The Closet. Den, yeah, that Coney shot is sweet. And as I said in my caption, it makes me a bit sad as well. There's something about that afternoon light and the lack of crowds that evokes a melancholy atmosphere. I soooooo wish the photographer had turned the camera into the station of the Bobsled ... He did, however, shoot the Tornado's platform. There's a pic of that in one of my books. I'll try to find it.

Sure, it's a credit! And it DOES coast. The friction drive doesn't extend around the entire track. It wasn't, in my opinion, a great ride, but it was quite entertaining to watch.

No, I didn't work in Wildwood, though I went there a lot with friends who lived nearby. Those pics were shot in the winter when the piers were closed. I agree that the old Wildwood had a lot more character. I never rode the Screem Machine as my first visit to the shore was the year AFTER it was torn down.

Here's a video of one operating at Mirabilandia fairly recently. I seem to recall the Wildwood units going backwards through the loop at least twice. I suppose there were various programs. Unless these two went somewhere else while they were here, I don't think any Katapults operated in the States.

Yes, thrillerman1, the Schmeck book is a treasure if you're into the history of wooden coasters, especially those designed by PTC's greatest visionary. I actually worked a bit on this book and feel it shows (at least in a visual sense) just how much Herb Schmeck contributed. Though I feel Fred Church was the true, premier artist of that era, Schmeck pushed the envelope with several of his Wildcats and created quite a few inspired thrillers.

I remember wondering why those Katapults, which were rare rides even back then, would be located so close together. Though I LOVE Anton's coasters, this ride was never very Katapult-y. It certainly didn't have the OMG! factor of the spectacular Weiner Looping - in its original incarnation. The Jumbo Jet was a pretty big deal back then. I thought it was so cool that there was also a Jetstar there as well. I miss the old Wildwood ... ...and hanging out on the Katapult before it was removed. Me sitting on the Jumbo Jet as it was being dismantled.

That SFOG thing is actually the top half of a discount ticket. Yeah, that is an awful design. And why'd they flip the pic? If they'd left it alone, at least they would have had the ride in the proper direction for its Georgia placement. I LOVE that big train!

I was looking through the Closet today and happened up a lot of little oddball items that didn't really fit a particular 'theme' and/or I didn't have much on each ride. So, I thought I'd group them all together for a little look back at some of the wonderful roller coasters that have been lost to history. If only I had a time machine --- or some way to slingshot around the sun and go back ... Enjoy! – Scott Coney Island Bowery. This pic was shot by Mike Boodley's dad in 1974. Bathed in creamy, late afternoon light, this image always makes me a little sad. I can't help but focus on someone's grandma there, walking with her head down past both the Tornado and Bobsled, oblivious to the potential fun just waiting. Or maybe she can't look up because she remembers being a young girl in the '40s, riding those classics with her long lost love. "I'll never let go, Jack, I'll never let go ..." Coney Island Jumbo Jet. I included this old worn Polaroid because it was sent to me when I was a little boy by the secretary of Steeplechase Park. Note the Steeplechase name on the ticket booth. Rockaways' Playland Coaster. This Vernon Keenan ride used little two-seat NAD trains and had several crazy toss-you-out drops (especially the second one). I miss this little park and this very llooooong ride. Redondo Beach Giant Dipper. This classic Fred Church seaside twister shared more than a few elements with the San Diego Dipper. This is another design I wish GCII would replicate ... Salisbury Beach Wildcat. Though I never got a chance to experience this Herb Schmeck beauty, I've daydreamed about its action-packed layout for years. Schmeck is one of the most clever and underrated coaster designers ever. Idora Jack Rabbit. This sweet little ride was just plain fun. Though the bigger and meaner Wildcat was more popular, it was such a joy to slide around on this clunky retro classic from the early 1900s. I sincerely hope that whoever is really responsible for allowing this beautiful park and these brilliant coasters to be destroyed is slowly roasting on a sharp spit in Hell. I'm just sayin' ... Buckroe Beach Dips. Yet another in a long line of coasters-seen-but-not-ridden. Because of an evil twist of fate, I got to walk around and shoot both this ride (which had no up-stops!) and the nearby Ocean View Rocket on the same day but was denied a chance to ride them. Grrrr. Texas Cyclone. That's right, it's not the Georgia version, but a reversed image of the Lone Star original ... complete with those big 4-bench PTCs! Palisades Cyclone. I remember seeing this in an old 8th grade biology text book and just had to "add" it to my collection. At the time, I had no idea which Cyclone it was. Who knew back then that this train would find its way to Williams Grove ... Kennywood Racer. Though the Racer is still rolling along, these huge (original) 4-bench trains are long gone. Like the Jack Rabbit, they only used fixed lap bar and a thin leather strap as restraints. I didn't realize what 'rider freedom' meant back then ... Morey's Pier. Glory Days! In this 1987 shot, you can clearly see both a Schwarzkopf Jumbo Jet and Katapult (one of two that were in Wildwood at the same time). Heaven. Also, on the right is (I think) the kooky and short-lived Canyon Trip. Rattler. When it first opened in 1992, the Fiesta Texas Rattler had one of the most terrifying first drops of any coaster operating anywhere. From the back seat, this twisted 166-foot plunge was truly an awe-inspiring experience. Despite, those tin-cans-on-wheels ... I mean, original Morgan trains and sinfully boring helix, the Rattler was a unique one-of-a-kind ride. Today, there's a nice flat wooden trestle where that wonderfully drop once thrilled brave riders.

Excellent post and pics! I envy you Brits for your proximity to the German fairs. They truly are amazing. I've been fortunate to visit both Oktoberfest in Munich and the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart and can attest to their unequaled intensity. I keep hoping to see Wiener Looping (now that Wieland S. has restored it) back on the fair circuit ... Cheers! -S

Here's the #: ISBN-13: 978-3933257390 And an Amazon link with an absurd inflated price of US$1960.00. http://www.amazon.com/Roller-Coaster-Designer-Werner-Stengel/dp/3933257395/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top It's a great book with an amazing amount of info. I've heard the reason for the delay in both reprinting and the English version is a dispute between the author and publisher.[/tprtv]

OMG! WTF is that thing? It looks like something that crawled/fluttered out of Blazing Fury at Dollywood ...

Now THAT's the Thriller I remember. Thanks for the butchering, Six Flags! Somewhere I have an original Himalaya Bahn card that came out with this one. I'll have to dig it out of The Closet. Love this thread, BTW!

Thanks, Dennis. Still waiting for you to pester your family for all those old West View photos ...

Yes, I did the FD story.

I have the Stengel book. It really is a treasure trove of info. You are right about the sketches showing a ride that looked a lot like the Arrow version that except for the "snow" theme and the bob skids on the vehicles. From what I can gather from interviews with both Stengel and Ron Toomer, the "original" BBW design did indeed call for the single-pipe track and the big 14-seat cars, but for whatever reason the second version Stengel did used the same setup used on the Bat vehicles/track. Stengel also made it very clear that Schwarzkopf had every intention of banking his track on the BBW, unlike what transpired on the Bat and Alpen-Flug. Furthermore, I asked Stengel if he thought a true suspended coaster could be built today and he was very enthusiastic about it. He even said his company had developed additional calculations to make it possible and that he would be quite excited to work on a modern version of the suspended coaster. Now wouldn't THAT be something to see ...