coasterdude5 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Zippin Pippin to roll east Coaster will be moved to N.C. amusement park By Michael Lollar Contact October 28, 2006 Dolly Parton expressed an interest, but Elvis Presley's favorite amusement park ride, the Zippin Pippin, is headed for North Carolina. Nashville partners in the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame bought the roller coaster at auction in June and said Friday they sold it to the tourism bureau in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Stephen Shutts, president of the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame, said the North Carolina town is developing a project, called Carolina Crossroads, similar to Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with music and high-end shopping themes. "They were most intrigued with the Elvis Presley connection and have plans for a quick dismantling and relocation of this wonderful piece of American history," Shutts said, adding it could begin in early winter. He said the wooden coaster, installed in 1923, will be dismantled and reassembled in its new location near the North Carolina-Virginia border. It will be part of an amusement area including a 1,500-seat music theater in a 1,000-acre park. Shutts declined to say how much Roanoke Rapids paid for the coaster. He and his partner paid $2,500 for the Zippin Pippin in June, and he said flying in prospective buyers to survey the ride soon "turned it into a $25,000 roller coaster." While he said he did not lose money, he would not be specific. Shutts said country music superstar Parton, who operates Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, was interested in the Pippin because of its connection to Elvis. But he said Dollywood would have had to rearrange its layout to accommodate the 3,000-foot Pippin and soon realized it would "cost millions." Denise Parkinson, founder of a Save Libertyland coalition, said Friday that Memphis should "make a counter-offer" in hopes of saving the Pippin. "Memphis is losing an opportunity to create our own vintage rock and roll park." Meanwhile, she said vandals are cutting fences to gain entry to Libertyland, stealing copper wiring from the remains of the park. It closed in 2005 after several seasons of falling attendance and financial losses. Taken June 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 I'm all for it, bring the Zippin Pippin to NC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ccron10 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Saved from the wrecking ball!!! $25,000 isn't too bad for a coaster like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Nagel Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Let just hope this doesn't turn into another lost hope like Thunder Eagle or even at this point the way it is going, Starliner. I really do question how much of the structure will be reuseable. Many people don't realized that when a wooden coaster is moved (particularly older ones) very little wood is reused but all the machinary as the lift hill stuff, the brakes, and of course the train(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Even better since it's closer to me! I've always wanted to ride Zippin Pippin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 This is awesome news, mainly due to the fact that this is not too far up the road from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havenli Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Ahhh. I move to North Carolina, and good things happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Fan Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Yay for a great coaster being saved. I was almost shocked at how good ZP was when I rode it last year... Lots-O-airtime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shavethewhales Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 ah finally, something got saved this year. At least this treasure will live on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarmor Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Wait...they brought it for 2,500.00! Why didn't I know about the sale!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan King Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Wait...they brought it for 2,500.00! Why didn't I know about the sale!! Thats EXACTLY What i thought! Damn! I wouldve built that shiz in Fresno! I mean COME ON! Too bad I missed out on THAT auction... -Ryan Im going to my crying chair now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verticalzero Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Great to hear some "Elivs" history gets saved. How far ( in miles) does the coaster have to be moved..? $25,000 is a bargin for a woodie, I would of bidded for it if I lived near-by. Put some "NAD" trains with full working headlights on it Let's hope the "vandals" do not decide to light a "fire" under the woodie, get it moved as soon as possible. A link to it's new home: http://www.carolinacrossroads.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 I can't wait till it opens! I can finally sit at home, and think to myself "I need a coaster ride!" and actually get in my car, go ride ZP and be home within a few hours! This is great for the region, especially since the carolinas just lost two parks (Pavilion and Grand Prix). Who wants to join me for the opening of this one!? Verticalzero - According to Mapquest it is about 812 miles, which makes sence since it has to go from western TN to Eastern NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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