KCForce

Thanks for the well wishes. Yep, I'm up at 2:26 a.m. local time doing last minute stuff. Who knew curating an exhibit would mean sleepless nights. I'll share a few pictures of the exhibit from Saturday night after I stopped for the night. Now I'm not doing everything, yet I am, but I had help which I'm grateful for, but I had creative control over the exhibit once we decided on a layout. We were not able to install the plexiglass barriers due to the plex order not being complete yet - in all fairness, they didn't get the order til this past Tuesday. So I made the call to open on Sunday with just stanchions. I'll have folks all along the front to keep the models and artifacts safe. So this week the gate will be down Tue - Sat until we get the remaining pieces of plex. The Graphic Artist and lighting guys did their thing Friday evening. What do you think of Pete? (as in Pete's Dragon, I decided he needed a name and that's what stuck in my mind) I have a few small items to go in and finish in a few hours. I think Union Station has a very unique exhibit, what do you think? It turned out beyond my wildest dreams and it's great to see it all finally come together. Red Ribbon Grand Opening in t-minus 9 hours and 15 minutes! I'll post some video later tonight if I have any strength left So a few of the surprises are now revealed. Along with the working models are actual artifacts from their respective coasters. Pete the gobo Dragon. Model grass on the models instead of just paint. There are still a few more which I will share in an update later on. The surprise that Robb and TPR contributed to, unfortunately is slightly delayed by an estimated two weeks. But it's cool. I'll share as soon as it's installed! And thanks in advance Robb. Thanks to all the TPR's who contributed by helping name the exhibit and contributing pictures and other goodies for the exhibit. I appreciate it, I really, really do. And I have to give a shout out to Jeff and Jennifer at worldsoffundotorg for the long term loan to Union Station of their extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia! Screams of the Past: The First Five Roller Coasters at Worlds of Fun is open during Science City operational hours. Closed on Mondays. Best part? It's free! There will be a donation box if you want to make a donation. The funds raised will be used for the upkeep of the models and exhibit. Come check out Union Stations newest permanent exhibit soon and say hi to Pete. Okay, I'm going to sleep for enh, lets see, oh, yeah 4 hours. Enjoy the preview! Every good exhibit needs a title. SoCalCoasters came up with the "Screams of the Past" part and even got a lousy t-shirt for his efforts! This is Pete the Dragon. Better known as the Orient Express Dragon. He's projected onto the wall through this nifty thing called a gobo. This was my idea and Amanda, John and Nic made it happen! Oh and Jeff too. Sadly (well Elissa probably does not agree with me - see the coaster in the raw video of this coaster to see why) this is pretty much all that is left of the Great Big Red Roller Coaster that used to be at WOF. There are a few parts that some other folks have, but they wouldn't share : ). You want some historic post cards? Check. How about some historic memorabilia? Check. Me feeling old, big check! Working model of the worlds 2nd stand up roller coaster, the EXT. Note the pictures and graphics over it - thanks to Amanda, the talented Union Station Graphic Artist, she rocks! Yes, I see you Pete. Kind of hard to see is a foot pedal from the Screamroller, the predecessor of the Screamroller. Schussboomer model, original wheel and graphics. There's the Screamroller Pedal if you look carefully! Before Wacky Worm was a much more wilder Silly Serpent. Zambezi Zinger. I have to add the load and unloading docs in a few hours. An original EXT fiberglass car shell. Another cool artifact in the exhibit. The other parts are in storage. I'm hoping to get it completely restored to it's original complete condition in the near future. View as you approach the exhibit from the East. The red ribbon is in place, just waiting to be cut later today by my Mother! Do you spot the Zambezi Zinger track support stanchion? There it is! Looking down the exhibit from the exit door area. And finally looking from the entrance area towards the exit door.

The link for the video isn't working, says unavailable or that I might not have permission to access it on FB..it'd be great to check this out...thanks!

Well, here's my latest endeavor. It's the EXT from Worlds of Fun. Technically this is the third version I've built of it. I built the 1976 version first, then the 1980/Project 31 version. As you may know, the Screamroller was converted to stand-up trains in 1983 for that season and the first part of the 1984 season, when it was converted back to sit down trains. This model reuses the Lift, train (with new bodies) and aluminum support wire from the 1980/Project 31 version. Everything else is brand new - track, the base, etc. This is my first stand up model and my first model to successfully use magnetic brakes to slow the train in the transfer track before it enters the station. If there were not brakes, as the model continuously runs for it's display, it would be very hard on the chain lift if it hit it going at full speed. Here's the link to the video: Enjoy. This will be going in the Screams of the Past display at Union Station, opening a week (!) from Sunday....all I have to do is finish installing the working lift for the Zinger, which is in progress right now. Peace! Side View of the EXT model. A semi end view of the layout. Looping the second corkscrew. Close up of the train. Hooray for printable stickers as the logo for the EXT was on the front of each car in the train!

Very very nice. Nice shaping and I love the tube supports. I'll be following this for sure. Best of luck with it!

Thanks. And you won't find the exhibit in Kansas. It's in Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri. It's confusing, and a very common mistake. There is a Kansas City, Kansas AND a Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, KS is the 3rd largest city in the state of Kansas and it sits on the Kansas/Missouri border. Facing it is Kansas City, Missouri the largest city in Missouri (yep, we're bigger than old St. Louis!). So make sure you go to Union Station, Kansas City, Missouri!

In remembrance of Ron Toomer: *edited link locaton, video re-uploaded

I am so saddened to hear about Ron Toomer. Okay all you youngin's listen up. Tubular steel track? You owe it to Ron Toomer. You like to loop? You owe it to Ron Toomer. With his passing, all of the great designers of my childhood (and Shane's) are now gone. John Allen, Anton Schwarzkopf and now Ron Toomer. Ya know, he never rode any of his creations...wonder if Allen and Schwarzkopf built him a coaster to ride finally when he joined them today? In fond memory of your achievements, Rest Peacefully.

It depends on the size. A 6 car train is about 50 dollars to make. The Screamroller was about 50.00 for the structure/lift components. Once you build a train, you can reuse it on other coasters. So you're looking at about 100.00 for your first coaster (plus the price of a glue gun, etc.)

The exhibit will open to the public on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Union Station Kansas City at Noon. I have edited this post, as the grand opening celebration event I had posted here has had to be cancelled due to various circumstances beyond my control. But the exhibit will still open to the public on the day it was scheduled to and will be a top notch exhibit about the history of the original roller coasters at Worlds of Fun. Hope you'll be able to come and check it out. It will still be a free exhibit.

Ahem, might I direct you to this link to show you what Shane is up to these days. Thought not a place exactly like the FEC, I think this is just as cool, and perhaps a bit cooler. What Shane does these days Obviously you're not that big of a fan, lol. Peace - KC

My gut feeling is that there is a slim chance the park will be saved, but I'm not going to count on it at this point. Though the website for the new company doesn't seem (I didn't look beyond the homepage) to be touting it's latest purchase. But who knows, I've been wrong before. And I'd LIKE to be wrong this time. I just can't shake that uneasy feeling.

Looking for former WOF Ambassadors! So as you may be aware, Project 31 is going to open at Union Station on October 15th as a permanent exhibit, "Screams of the Past". We are going to have a Gala Grand Opening event to raise money for a well known Children's Charity: Give Kids the World. The event will be "Little Coasters for Kids" on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 6 - 10 p.m. and 100 percent of the funds from admission tickets, raffle tickets and auction items (including my latest model, Blue Blaze) will be donated to Give Kids the World. We have a surprise that we are going to try and pull off at the opening. Are you a former park ambassador? Want to be in on the surprise? (it's pretty cool, actually). Any ambassadors will do, but I'd really like to include ride operations ambassadors who worked on any of the Project 31 coasters: Schussboomer, Zambezi Zinger, Funicular/Silly Serpent, Screamroller/EXT and the Orient Express. If you participate in the surprise, you'll be able to attend the event for free. There will be snacky type food from Pierpont's Union Station, soda and a CASH bar (note you'll be buying your own alcohol!). Lot's of other cool stuff that night too, which I'll announce hopefully in the next few weeks. We will need to meet Friday October 14th at from 7 - 8 p.m. at Union Station to go over the surprise. If you'd like to participate, and are available on those dates and times, please PM me with your name, the season(s) your worked at the park, position (department and location) and email information. Also if you have smaller children (say 5 to 10 ish, no one under 5, please) they can participate as well. I'll let you in on what it is when you contact me. Look forward to hearing from you! Peace. KCForce

Well, after all that Project 31 stuff, I give you my latest custom designed model - the Blue Blaze. But, alas, this model does have something to do with Project 31. I put it on temporary display at Union Station while the windows are blacked out. I've taken it home now as we're getting ready this week to do some major move in of items for the exhibit. Oh, and here's the YouTube clip of it in action: On to the pictures: An end view of the Blue Blaze The finale, an over banked turn into the brake run. Inversion number 1 Top view of the track showing most of the layout. This track includes a high speed S-turn station fly by into a tunnel that comes out from under the station foundation.

We WILL get a Windseeker at Worlds of Fun. Or else WOF does need a good flat, it's been a while since we've gotten an all out thrill and or family type ride that wasn't a coaster. If it's anything like the Star Flyer at SFSL, it'll be a great addition to the skyline of the park. Don't get me wrong, I love Prowler and coasters, but it's time for a windseeker (and a screamin' swing to boot, please!). Where would I put it? Thunderhawk has been down all season, I say rip it out and plop the Windseeker in near there, if it'll fit. That area of the Americana section of the park is the deadest. The second deadest area (IMO) is Europa. The last new ride added there was Le Carousel in 1979! I'd say after 32 years, it's due for something new. Space would be an issue, though I think. I love the person who said they'll 'call it' "Carowindseeker". I hereby propose we call it that from here on out. All in favor... Peace!

Well, it better be a record breaker, lol. Leviathan also means roughly from memory"the largest of it's kind or exceptionally large" or something along those lines....as well as having water/sea monster connotations.

1. Disneyland 2. Six Flags Over Texas 3. Holiday World 4. Worlds of Fun 5. Canobie Lake (you really need to go there if you've never been!) 6. Six Flags St. Louis 7. Six Flags Great America 8. Busch Gardens Virginia/Europe/what ever they're calling it these days 9. Kings Island 10. Busch Gardens Africa

Well, I think I have something fairly special. This is the 2009 in park Haunt Map for Worlds of Fun. It is 31 X 21 inches. I won it by raising the most money in 2010 for Coasting for Kids. I'm willing to eat the cost of shipping it too. It is on fairly thick styrene plastic and is in good condition. It has 4 small holes from where it was attached to the in park map case. It is in very good condition. This is a one of kind, rare item. There may be others out there, but there are probably less than 20, by my best guesstimate. It's not like there are 30 display cases at the park. Some employees may have them, but other than that, I honestly don't think there are that many. It also features the Prowler logo in full color with "new for 2009" on it. I want to trade it for a 1980 Worlds of Fun park map, which is my first preference. 2nd preference would be any Worlds of Fun park map from 1981- 1984. I'm not interested in any other years. The map will be used in my upcoming display at Union Station, Kansas City. I would request that you send me a pic of the WOF map you have, and some normal wear and tear is fine, folds are a given, but I don't want a tattered ratty map that is taped or otherwise not in good condition. Please PM me if you have what I need, thanks so much and peace! KC Overview of the map, with a yardstick for reference. You can see it's printed on thick styrene plastic.

Um, hey SoCalCoasters, you may want to check your email, or watch this video : Name the Worlds of Fun Coaster Exhibit Contest Winner and Exhibit Name Yes, folks we have a TPR winner, congratulations to SoCalCoasters and Jon H, (not a TPR person to my knowledge, but we like him anyway) whose entries tied in the voting, so we combined them to come up with a great Exhibit name! I guarantee if you're a coaster or WOF enthusiast, you'll love this exhibit. That's all I'll say at this point. Another is that TPR and Robb have made a contribution to the Exhibit as well. What is it? Speculate! The Grand Opening for the general public will be Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 11:45 a.m. at Union Station, Kansas City. Peace!

What?! You're not going to do Silver Dollar City in Missouri? Powder Keg is awesome! Wild Fire is very good too. And Thunderation. And there's a whore credit too. This is one of the best theme parks in the U.S. They have other great rides too. You won't be able to ride Hell Cat just once. There has never been a line anytime I have gone. It's a very underrated coaster. Oh, and if you wanted too, you could come to Union Station Kansas City in the morning before you go to Worlds of Fun and check out the historic working model coaster exhibit of WOF's first 5 roller coasters that are now gone, it's free and pretty cool! (I'm sending you a pm about that.) Peace, KC

Thanks! Now I'm in the loop. No need to feel stupid, Bizzaro Hawg! (again though I have no clue why you'd feel such...) Peace, KC

Thanks so much freeallXL. Now what the hell is a NAOAM? Is it a German thing? (really I have no clue!)

And here I thought you had a good excuse like you lived in California or New York. You have no excuse. : ) KC

Thanks! And hey now that it will be a permanent exhibit, you have lots of time to get to KC and see them! Looking forward to your entries! Peace, KCForce

August 11, 2011. The exhibit (and Union Station) are closed on Mondays.

Well folks, the exhibit is now at Union Station Kansas City. Since opening on June 1st, there have been an estimated 5,000 (!!!!) people who have seen my exhibit. It doesn't hurt that it's in a high traffic destination. Today alone there were over 1,000 people by the exhibit. It's such a cool thing to have something you are passionate about be a hit. Some of the management and staff has told me how popular and well received the exhibit is. Today I just sat for a while and watched and listened to people...."Oh wow, they work", "These are the coasters I went on as a child", "Zambezi Zinger was Grandma's favorite roller coaster in the 70's when your mom was your age." "I totally forgot about the Screamroller!" People stop dead in their tracks and smile. Senior citizens and the little kids get excited, it's like it's some kind of hypnotic spell comes over them. I'm amazed at how connected folks are to these coasters and how excited people are. Several people have thanked me for the trip down memory lane. I admit, I'm still a bit in shock over folk's reactions and emotions all over model roller coasters and the artifacts in the exhibit. As weird or mushy as it will sound, I think it's touched people by stirring up happy memories for them through the models and this exhibit. And the most unusual thing? A guy asked me today if I was KC Force and when I said yes, he asked if he could have his picture taken with me. I of course said yes, though I was taken aback a bit. You'd of thought he was meeting Robb or Elissa! I was very touched. (I'm NOT comparing myself to either of them, we all know I pale in comparison, but it's nice to have "fans" of your work.) Okay now the good stuff: I have some exciting news! Project 31 will have a new permanent home after it is on display at Worlds of Fun in August!! All the WOF details soon, I promise! There is a contest to announce related to the exhibits new home (And before you go tattle on me, for advertising, I cleared it with Robb first before I posted this video...) It's not quite as good as a TPR Bag O' Crap, well maybe it is, I don't know, I've never won one before , but I'm giving away a limited edition, one of a kind "Project 31 t-shirt" if you win the contest. It's pictured in the video. Okay, so here's the exciting news, and the contest via video: Project 31 Big Announcement and Contest Video! Anyone, anywhere can enter. I'll send the shirt anywhere in the world! I know that you all are a creative bunch of folks, wait, now I'm slightly scared now that I've said that. So I hope you'll enter and good luck! Peace, KC