JT325

It's trains are nearly 40 years old and built by a manufacturer that went out of business decades ago. If its running one train you can almost guarantee that if you look inside the storage shed the other train will be in some stage of disassembly. Maybe the next project will be to finally get new trains for it like SFMM did for Revolution in 2016. Mind Bender has had new parts made for it's trains several times in the past 40 years. As have Shockwave at SFOG, Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's, etc. etc. None of whats on those trains is from 1978. The new trains on sooperdooperLooper at Hersheypark are not exact clones, but they are their 3rd set of trains. Exact parts can be made long after a manufacture has closed up shop. One train running on Mind Bender is poor operations and your $70 season pass going to work. If season passes were appropriately priced, Six Flags would have better operations. You get what you pay for. It's give and take with Six Flags. Good on some points, bad on others. We can't get everything all the time when they let us in the park for next to nothing. The new trains on Revolution at SFMM: the chassis and lap bars are exact duplicates of the original (just like Mind Bender) but the seating, headrests and shells (which are all one piece) are total dollar store specials. It would be very sad to see such cheap things running on Mind Bender. One thing that makes Schwarzkopf loopers so special is the simple seating they came with. Nice smooth and nearly completely flat seats you can slide around in. Simple padded sides, and a fiberglass frame which is properly mounted to the chassis - resulting in little to no vibration. Six Flags has faithfully reproduced these parts over the years for Mind Bender and Shockwave. As an avid Schwarzkopf fan, I can also confirm Whizzer (although different seating) has had it's train parts replaced very faithfully over the years. These parks treasure their classic Anton rides, and rightfully so. There were only a handful made. With Revolution, they did a great job on the chassis and lap bars, but the seating is buckety and molded along the sides. It feels more like an RMC than a Schwarzkopf. The shell and headrest vibrate because it's all one piece and just feels cheap. That type of seating is ok on an RMC ride, but not on a ride that is known for it's comfort and simpleness. **************************************** And a little more input. Whizzer has 5 trains. 2 or 3 trains are on the track and transfer, while the other 2 or 3 are in the shop. They are continually on a long-term rehab rotation. Everything is taken apart; parts are swapped out for refurbishment or complete replacement with newly produced reproduction parts. This can be expensive and takes time. Every year, they have 2 complete trains ready for operation. A third train is usually out on track or transfer by late spring. Similar situation with Mind Bender and Shock Wave. Both of those coasters did run 3 trains at one time; I have not seen more than 2 on location for either in a very long time. They both have 3 complete trains, albeit in parts. If you ask another Schwarzkopf fan, they might suggest there are even more trains on each. However, running 2 complete and good-looking trains comes down to budget (parts, etc.) and operational issues. **************************************** Friendly suggestion: stop buy Guest Relations and politely let them how you would like to see them improve operations. If you want to tell them (or write a letter) stating how much you like a certain ride (like MB, for example) you can tell them that too. Every little bit counts. Just do it with class and kindness, please.

^I haven't been there David, no :/ Perhaps I was almost going with some friends a couple times, but never made it. Yes, we definitely have the same taste in parks and some ... coasters! Like Mind Bender. So nice to have friends all over the country, it would be nicer to be able to see them more! So what is this new ride? A MACK from the looks of it. I hope hope hope it's a nice looooooong ride. The only minor squabble I've heard bout the coasters at SDC is that they are all on the short side.

Did anyone else get an email from the park hinting at their new attraction? I still haven't been to SDC, but I apparently signed up with their mailing list a while back. Looking forward to SDC! I've heard nothing but great reviews.

^I heard Paramount wanted it to be more "family friendly." Heck, my family LOVED our Demon's drop when I first rode back in 1982. I was terrified by and loved that drop as a kid. And as a big kid! You are going to have to come to Illinois to ride it! That and the Eagle are still the best/most unique drops in the park. Plus... our Demon has fire down the side of the black train once again. The original logos are back on all 3 trains (not in 3D though, unfortunately); our disco tunnel is as good as ever, and they play the Demon "theme" after a long absence. I never thought I would love an Arrow looper so much, after staying away from it for years. When Shockwave opened in 1988, riding Demon was like "what's the point." I'm not a teenager anymore and Demon has once again been possessed!

Was a cause of the derailment ever determined?

^I could understand that. Here at SF Great America, I sure hope Demon never gets them. It would ruin the air time on one of the last remaining *snapping* drops we have. Oh, that drop is so awesome.

^Oh wait... those little Pinfari looper though - those are HIDEOUS. They would probably be awesome with a lap bar. Shoulder bars ruin so much :/

I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. ^Yes, Galaxi is gone from the (now very run-down) Indiana Beach. The air time on that 2nd drop was scary! A nice big single lap bar, high above you... that's the way to do it! Adventureland in Iowa had one of the larger, 2 or 3 car models a long time ago. I think it was called Super Screamer. The one at Wonderland in Amarillo, TX was fantastic when I was there.

^Just a question for those wanting those newer "vest" restraints that have popped up on a few coasters - have you guys ridden them? Carolina Cobra at Carowinds got them a few years ago, and now the Vekoma in Georgia has them. I find them to be MORE uncomfortable than the standard head-banging old hard shoulder bars. The vests HOLD you DOWN and BACK in your seat, get tighter and lock tighter during the ride... this makes you feel that vibration even more. The head-banging is gone, but other unpleasantness is there to greet you. And remember, those vest trains are going to age too, so you have to factor that in. Just my own opinion. I prefer a little headbanging than not being able to move my torso and being shaken like that.

^Such a shame. This park, and many SF parks, have SO much potential. When I was there this time, I imagined what it would be like if Cedar Fair owned it. I mean, it's a standard fallback ideal for many in our hobby, but CF really keeps a park running well.

^Well... they did finally remove the shoulder bars from Revolution, which is a dream to me. But that operation and those stupid head sets. I was just there, rode about 15-20 times over 2 days... no headset, thank you. And thank you hot weather for shutting down that stupid headset operation. But those train shells and seats are awful. Lap bar and chassis are great though! I want to see Six Flags do something with class. I'd be happy to pay Cedar Fair prices. Ok, I'm done

Uhhh... fix what they have? Work on operations? Clean the garbage of the hill going up Samurai Summit/Ninja? Fix Sky Tower? Those would get my vote. And a couple classic and fun flat rides, of course.

A friend and I are planning a day at Adventureland on Monday 8/14. I've only been once... in 1990! It will be nice to see how things have changed. I'm especially looking forward to Tornado, which I rode in 1990 of course. It's one of the last Bill Cobb coasters still running with good (buzz bar!) PTC trains. I like varied pacing more now that I did back then... so I'm sure I'll love it. Anywhere special we should eat in the park? Short waits for pop and food I hope!? We're planning on spending the whole day. We're also bopping in the Iowa State Fair Sunday night for a bit, to mostly hang and eat some high-fat food. I messaged the Fair on facebook; they sent me a link with the rides this year and there is not much. But I LOVE sky rides and old mills are fun, too.

Giant Dipper had pride flags when I was there a couple weeks ago. And darn, that ride was better than I remember! Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, Mission Beach/San Diego.

Thanks for the report and pictures! I sure do remember Arrows running with shoulder bars up. On one particular occasion, I remember Demon at (SF) Great America running with shoulder bars up in the entire front car; they were airing out a recently cleaned protein spill. Around 1987/1988 was when I personally remember parks just starting to check restraints. It was rare before that. So was waiting behind the line until the train stopped; air gates were only on shuttle loops. 87/88 would be around the time of the (SF) Great ADVENTURE Lightnin' Loops incident. Most rides you were fine with the lap bar up, but not a shuttle coaster that launches into a steep drop. Geez... dispatches were so fast before that. My first time at Geauga Lake was 1988, during the ACE Coaster Con. Great to see these old pictures, thank you! I need to dig mine out.

Same here. It was gone long before I was born. But at least it's still at the Great America in Illinois. Heck yeah! And the park takes exceptional care of it, thankfully. They now realize what a treasure and rarity they have. It's a luxury for me as I'm 45 minutes from the park. There were originally 5 trains in operation on Whizzer (there were no seatbelts or airgates until around the time Shockwave was built). They run between 2 and 3 now. The trains are rotated through a rehab schedule and almost always look like brand new... but the BMW headlights and taillights are long gone. Maintenance clearly takes pride in their Whizzer work! I really need to get a better picture of this. You guys in Santa Clara get a mention!

Has there been any conclusion on how the Tsunami derail happened? It would seem impossible that every left-side wheel bogie would shear off at the same moment. I thought perhaps welds failed between the left running rail and the track ties, enabling the rail to dip, and then train to derail (with the shearing of a wheel bogie happening at the same time). Just wondering about this ride after the accident in Ohio. For such a horrendous "roller coaster derailment," news seemed to dry-up very quickly after this happened. EDIT - Yes, I was aware Tsunami was gone before I posted this. I'm still curious as to the cause.

Great reports and pictures! Sooooo happy you did have a good time at Mt. Olympus. I think it really helped that you went in with a good attitude. And thank you for reminding me how important that can be... it helped me a great deal at my 2 days at SFMM last week. Bummed you didn't get to ride Little Dipper. Next time you are in these parts, perhaps one of us locals can show you around... and make sure you get to some hidden gems if you have time. Little Amerricka, Santa's Village...

Woohoo! CP foum page #4000!!! Speaking of 4000, I think Gemini used to do over 4000 an hour back in the day. That wouldn't be necessary today, but it was quite cool to experience that. Even on a busy Saturday when the queue was full, you never stopped walking. It was the ultimate people eater. Three trains on each side, no seatbelts and no queue gates.

^You're probably right. It's just my experience(s) over the past few years. Ok, couple decades. It's better to go in with a good attitude, as I did at SFMM last week. In all fairness, I haven't been to SFGAdventure in a decade. I need to get back. I've heard it's better. It may be a trend in the hobby to knock Six Flags, but it's just my experience that they operate at a much lower level than the other thrill park operator - Cedar Fair. Of course, it's a about 1/3rd the price for a Season Pass. I also worked for both companies years ago; even in the 90s it was night and day. Not much was expected of me at Six Flags, but I had to really be on my mark at Cedar Point. Different business models. Since I said some non-complimentary things about Six Flags, I should say some good things as well: 1 - SF is usually good (even encouraging) re-rides when a seat (or queue stall) is empty (CF makes you walk around, most of the time) 2 - The majority of employees at SFMM during my visits last week had smiles 3 - SF has most of their classic log flumes and Schwarzkopf rides. And at least one ride with Buzz Bars (GASM at SFOG)

If you can avoid eating - or drinking anything - at the park, it might be a better day. Unless you are a local who knows all the in and outs, trying to get half-way decent service at a SF park is near impossible. I was at SF Magic Mountain for 2 days last week, and aside from buying 2 cokes (out of desperation; at the back of the park at the end of the day) I did not eat while inside the park. I mean.. it's not even a matter of the price (which is always obnoxious), it's a matter of trying to get served in less than 30 minutes. "We are understaffed, sorry." "We're out of Coke, sorry." "We're out of ice, sorry. It's cuz it's so hot out today." Year after year after year. I just do my best to avoid it.

I couldn't agree with you more, on both points. Scream was a one-and-done for me last week. I loved Viper in the 90s and I still love it. Compared to the 4 other Arrow mega-loopers I have ridden (Vortex, Shockwave, GASM and Steel Phantom) Viper was rather 'easy' to ride. I still try to like Vortex every couple years; I always walk away from it considering it a good try on my part. Different strokes for different folks -> a good thing!

^Nope, we never had one at Great America. But we did have lots of other cool stuff (now defunct) including an Intamin "triple wheel" and 2 skyrides (that crossed over each other and a ton of rides).

^Well... you know how I feel about Mind Bender. It's still my #3 overall, wood or steel! Whizzer is still in my top 10... and Revolution is back in my top 10 (even though the seats and insides of those cars are a hot mess, just grateful to be riding with lap bars!)

When was the last time you were at Great Adventure? You should probably go back. Last time was 2006. Sure, I'd like to go back eventually. But no rush, there is nothing there I'm particularly interested in. Except the sky rides