Angry_Gumball Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 CGA posted a new photo of the Carousel with its fresh paint to their Facebook. It's looking nice and opening day seems to be just around the corner. They've also began cycling some of the rides, as we saw FD flying through the course. And unfortunately, on a video they captured of Drop Tower cycling, Cabin 1 is still down...so we kind of know what to expect with that ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Liking the new color scheme at the top and the subtle color changes they made. Nice to finally see it fully painted, including the whole roof and the top spire. Can't believe March is almost here already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I'm glad they are finally cleaning up the park. Most of the rides need a new paint job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Ready for some retro sadness? A fan on my CGA Insider FB page (to coincide with my blog) posted an interesting find. Who on earth would have ever figured out where the old trolleys went. It's a bit sad as they're just sitting in a random train yard possibly just rotting away. If anyone wonders, it is just a little bit past the Niles district in Fremont, just past the Alameda Creek (along the train tracks). Yup, I remember these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swornenemy Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Though I never road on the trolleys it gave the park atmosphere. I forgot when they took those out, was it in the early paramount days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Though I never road on the trolleys it gave the park atmosphere. I forgot when they took those out, was it in the early paramount days? Was around 2000, after Stealth was put in and the train was removed. When DCA announced their street cars I was thinking how it would be nice if they brought back the trolleys, definitely added charm. Backstage you can still see remnants of the track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisibleinthedark Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 If I remember correctly, the Railway and the Trolley were removed due to the construction of Hypersonic XLC where Goldstriker now stands and where Whizzer used to stand. Removed in late 1999/early 2000. Â I'm going to side track a bit. Sadly, that is how most railroad equipment are stored. It's not that Niles Canyon Railway/Pacific Locomotive Association is just wanting it to rot away or anything, but there is a few things that have to come into consideration: 1. It would require 36" Narrow gauge track to operated. The only Narrow Gauge operation we have in the Bay Area is SPCRR @ Ardernwood Farm, coincidently they were the ones to hold on too the maintenance plymoth engine after the railway closed at CGA, and even then that sat exposed to the weather before getting sold off to Hawaii. 2. Museum priorities. Frankly, a former ride holds very little historical value compared to say, 50-100 year old steam locomotives. 3. Storage and space. If you have visited Niles Canyon Railway, the Brightside railyard has very little space, crammed with many locomotives and rail equipment, so has been moved to the California State Rail Museum. The yard that is placed in is an overflow yard, once also housing a very rare steam locomotive. Â I did go an visit the site. The green trolley seems well covered and under its tarp. It may be in a lot better condition than we know. As far as the red trolley, it's in a poor condition, as seen by the photos. (Be wary it is next to private lots) Â For those who are local and want to see it restored. A few letters to NCRY and SPCRR and I'm sure the trolleys at a more fitting home at SPCRR, but I do understand they currently have a lot on their plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayTheGForceBeWithYou Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 (edited) ^Hypersonic never opened at Great America... Â Oh well, just a nitpick. Nice info you've got there BTW... Â EDIT: Derp moment. I need to stop posting at night... Edited February 28, 2013 by MayTheGForceBeWithYou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 ^But it was supposed to before going to Kings Dominion instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 ^Hypersonic never opened at Great America... Â IT DIDN'T!? Â Though I never road on the trolleys it gave the park atmosphere. I forgot when they took those out, was it in the early paramount days? Was around 2000, after Stealth was put in and the train was removed. When DCA announced their street cars I was thinking how it would be nice if they brought back the trolleys, definitely added charm. Backstage you can still see remnants of the track... Â It was that recent? I literally have zero memory of the trolleys ever operating and I went to the park at least once a year leading up to 2000. I guess I was just not very attentive. It's too bad they aren't still around, they add great atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 It was that recent? I literally have zero memory of the trolleys ever operating and I went to the park at least once a year leading up to 2000. I guess I was just not very attentive. It's too bad they aren't still around, they add great atmosphere.The trolley and track were still physically there until 2001, when they did the major redo of the area where they leveled the old train station and removed and paved over the trolley tracks, though they stopped operating it I believe around the 98-99 season. I remember having passdowns with the crew on the trolley my first year working there back stage in 2000 where the trolleys sat before they moved them permanently, I definitely miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacoaster09 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 New pictures from Great Coasters facebook page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fire Guy Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 *drools* Â I love me some final brake run-ey transfer bent-ey goodness. Makes me think about if it'll actually be a "brakeless" coaster like shown in the animation, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 It looks AMAZING! Looks like it is almost done...the brake-less coaster would be kinda cool. Can't wait for testing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Awesome as always I now just can't wait to see this wooden beauty in person again, next month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyRush Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Looks better and better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Awesome as always I now just can't wait to see this wooden beauty in person again, next month  I see what you did there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjw Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I'm hoping with Gold Striker opening that we'll get some of the theming back in the park. It would be a perfect time to reopen the Snowshoe Saloon, only move it to be closer to GS. One of my fondest memories at CGA was being there once when it started pouring down rain, and I went in the Snowshoe Saloon, ordered some hot chocolate and a pretzel with mustard, got warmed up, went outside in my raincoat and took a few rides on Logger's Run, then went back in the saloon for more drinks and pretzels. They even had shows on the stage in there that added to the theming of the saloon. (Today the saloon is boarded up next to the restaurant in Kidzville across from Logger's Run). Â The theming of the Maggie Brown's restaurant close by still had the old-time theme, as well as the buildings in Hometown Square. I too miss the Trolleys and the train, just another example of how Paramount ruined the park. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Gold Striker will bring back some of the theming with it, since even the logo has good theming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Awesome! Just one more bent to go, I too can't wait till next month to see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Opening just can't come soon enough for me...hopefully my friends will be brave enough to ride the coasters with me now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 1. It would require 36" Narrow gauge track to operated. The only Narrow Gauge operation we have in the Bay Area is SPCRR @ Ardernwood Farm, coincidently they were the ones to hold on too the maintenance plymoth engine after the railway closed at CGA, and even then that sat exposed to the weather before getting sold off to Hawaii. Â By any chance, did it go to the Dole Plantation? Â As for Gold Striker, it's really looking like a fun ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisibleinthedark Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Gold Striker is looking amazing. Â By any chance, did it go to the Dole Plantation? Â http://www.pbase.com/spcrr/image/93343616 The former Whitcomb is the blue one sitting (Mistakenly called Plymouth in the previous post, due to the fact Plymouth's are common similar engines) Actually it went to the Kauai Plantation Railway, they had a whole big project of restoring 2 steam locomotives (which now sit at the same locomotive shop as the Former CGA Green Locomotive) but the project never completed and they sold off the whitcomb around 2008-2010. After that sale thought it's location has been a bit of a mystery. Â *EDIT* After some searching, found out it ended up back here in California, semi-local at Roaring Camp Railroad, Santa Cruz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) I just came back from an amazing 'sneak peek' tour of CGA today, which included a comprehensive presentation/Q&A of the park, a tour of park happenings, and most importantly, a hardhat construction tour of Gold Striker. The icing on the cake was being able to ride Xtreme Skyflyer, free.  Some important notes from the video: (Video now live!) • 3 NEW Haunt mazes, one will exist in a new structure, the other 2 in existing structures. My guess is that 2 will be swapped out. • Confirmed, AFX is getting a NEW show. It is not white water rafting, we can only continue to guess what will go in. • Confirmed: River Adventure (Kid's inflatable boat mini river) is leaving but can see something new in the future • Subway is coming • New locker system using an all digital POS system (Point of Sell) and digital entry as opposed to the existing keyed entry • Parking lot revamped • Food venders including carts accepting debit cards • 3 NEW shows: Pop Fusion, On Broadway, and Team Charlie Brown. Happiness is Snoopy will return this year • Show schedules will no longer be those cheap-looking xerox copies but actual nice, printed material much like how the park maps are • Lots of buildings being repainted • Lot of dormant buildings are being revitalized, including where Subway will be located • Different areas will now have their own background music based on theme...Action Zone will feature electronica/high energy-like music, 50's music by Firefall, etc... • Last but not least, they are really focused on theming of Gold Striker. We will not be riders, but prospectors The park feels that Gold Striker will provide a very unique coaster experience with the elements it features along with the added tunnel (which was not required of them to put on, was an after thought. • Gold Striker's opening date has not been said yet   Without further ado, here's the photos from the amazing tour! And I would like to thank CGA and the team for arranging such event for the coaster enthusiast community! Hats off to CGA! So before the park opened, we headed into the Prudential/office parking lot And then took a trip to the new parking lot across the street to see the CGA skyline Gold Striker construction can't happen without a little stadium construction It's still GWW at CGA? From outside the park, workers inside the tunnel The Carousel received new paint during the off season, it looks beautiful! Part of the TPR group, thanks to CoasterPalooza for taking the photo! Jeff and Snoopy...Snoopy made his rounds! Wide shot from inside the park. This looks absolutely amazing/sexy/whatever you want to call it! I'm juiced! Tour coming soon...until then, presentation! (See notes in report above) They showed us a mockup of GS's signage (pop quiz: where is this coaster in the photo located?) And the trio (Ryan, Roger, Tyler) move the presentation along Presentation ended with a little info about Coasting for Kids. I am going to sign up for it. CGA really wants to improve the event this year And the park tour begins! This is where Subway will live. A little hard to tell but the lower turnaround was done this season, and they reprofiled the track coming into it as it was a sharp jolt. Maybe they'll shave off some seconds in runtime Gone is the confetti pattern that's lived there 15 years (That Coca Cola had designed) and in with the fresh new paint! Drop Tower with the dormant Cabin 1. No worries, they are looking at getting this back up and running...CGA read our discussion about this Psycho Mouse is getting some new composite roofing material up, and the giant mouse head...where'd it go? It's getting touched up as CGA's Clayton tells us Haunt Hearse go kart? I'll race that! Centrifuge got new paint and new coating on turntable platform. Should be less slippery now! River Adventure...GONE! Spongebob...GONE! This will be the last time you'll see this sign. Outback Shack is no longer bubblegum pink! Another building getting some work done...was a game, now it's a character meet and greet location 27 more days...and we'll be flying again! Upon completion of the loop, it's time for our group to take the hardhat tour! First we venture back behind Xtreme Skyflyer skycoaster Blue Fire Guy savors the moment of being under our favorite water ride at CGA. Now for some gold...Backside of the so-called "Prudential Turn" Looking back to where the track heads to the midway turn...this hill after crossing under the first turnaround should provide some nice floater air! Heading back toward Carousel, where we suit up for the hardhat portion Dude...how on earth am I supposed to put this thing on?? Hmm...maybe like...this? Ah, screw it...yolo! I'll wear it twisted Aright, here we go! We'll take a pretend queuing stroll as this is where the line will begin. Back here will be a set of switch backs where you can get some nice views and photo ops of Gold Striker. OMG...this is going to be amazing! Ryan tries to brace the structure from falling over And we got some up close and personal action! Sexy laminates This is where the train will come screaming out of the 174' descent tunnel. This is the bottom of the first drop, leading to the speed hump/flyby Probably my favorite shot of Gold Striker's drop! 1 last look in this area before we exit the switchback area The line will come back out and go through the backside of the former Carousel Souvenirs shop. This path will be themed. ... Next up was taking a look at the station platform. They should have the roof trusses up now as they had them assembled, just need to get them in place. Looking back at the lift. The chain return trough has been installed Looking at the midway curve...85 degrees! And a final look back out at Gold Striker before we go for our flight! Rolercstrluver and RawkinCoaster38 take their flight View of Gold Striker from Sky Flyer area And then there was a raffle...what's that on the lower corner? Now, now...who would have done that? And this was the prize being given away. I'll have to get one of these to add to my wardrobe A final view of Gold Striker before we leave And a final look at Carousel Columbia...still looks pretty! Can't wait to ride GC Triker! Thank you California's Great America for putting on an event! It was thoroughly enjoyed, glad to see my local park reaching out to the coaster enthusiast community! Thank's for reading Edited March 4, 2013 by Angry_Gumball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1rollercoasterfan Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 ^So you mean Rip Roaring Rapids is leaving-is this it's last year? I am not complaining about that-as long as they put in another nice decent coaster! & When is the new movie coming-this year or next year?(I hope it's the Temple coming back!) & Did they announce an opening date for Gold Striker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fire Guy Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!! THIS TRIP REPORT CONTAINS SOME GRAPHIC INSTANCES OF GCI COASTER PORN. IF YOU IN ANY WAY FIND THIS KIND OF STUFF OFFENSIVE, PLEASE TURN BACK NOW!!! NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE YOUNGER SET, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! Â All right! It's time for my Photo TR of today's Gold Striker Hard Hat + Park tour! Today was just absolutely amazing. It had everything from seeing all the love the park is getting for the 2013 season, to being more up close and intimate with Gold Striker than ever before. There were numerous ACErs present for the day along with TPR making for quite a sizable congregation of coaster enthusiasts! Our group today consisted of me, Angry_Gumball, JeffyJosephNorCal, rolercstrluvr, RAWKIN_coaster38, robman, Double0Kevin, and a couple of TPR/ACE double members. Â After the PowerPoint presentation showing GS and all the park's improvements and new hotness for 2013, we split into groups, one taking the hard had tour, one taking the usual loop around the park for a viewing of all the new paint, Grizzly's retracking, and more! We saved the GoldPorn session for the second half of the visit...and it really was the filthiest, dirtiest GoldPorn shoot we have ever done. Â At the end of the visit, the park opened up Xtreme Skyflyer for an ERT session (w/ no upcharge! Infinitely many kudos to CGA for letting us on for free). Poor robman lost his skycoaster virginity here, and it was quite a memorable experience! Couldn't help but shout "YOLO!" at the top of my lungs during the initial drop. Still an OMFG moment, nothing can quite prepare me for that drop (or the infamous "plop" during the loading sequence). Â Overall, a FANTASTIC day, and a BIG thank you to CGA for providing us enthusiasts with an experience like this one! Now then, time for the second wave of photos in this HUGE update! We arrived pretty early, so early that they hadn't taken down the orange posts blocking the entrance to the parking area! So we went to the new "CITY OF SAPTA CAARAR KING" garage to park and get a nice view of the park up top. Jeff is here, right turn only! The new, gold-painted roof of Columbia. And good ol' Flight Deck. The reason we came (and much more!). This is the part where the long train becomes fully engulfed in Goldy's tight, lovely tunnel... OMG! It's Prowler! It has come to bless Gold Striker and make it one of the holiest coasters to have ever existed! Workers on the drop, making sure Goldy is built to please. Star Tower penetrates Goldy's first turnaround. Rawkin and Roler join the gang! Sexy looking bracket... Here's one from the park tour, and something about grizzly's final turnaround looks strange... ...strange in a very good way! I'm really glad they retracked that last turnaround, as it gave me quite the chiropractic treatment last season. Work being done on Drop Tower. Here's hoping Cabin #1 will be running this season! PsychoCheese's "mouse" part is down, so now it's just "Cheese: The Ride". It'll be back up soon though! Getting some good love like many other things in the park are for 2013. PsychoCheese, now with severed mouse head! R.D. and Anton are very happy right now. Centrifuge has been fully repainted, no more rusty turntable! Praise be to Anton, amen. Peanuts Pirates taking a rest. It did test while we were there though. "DO A BARREL ROLL!" (press Z or R twice) The fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo room got repainted as well! Funnel Cakes building also got repainted. Repainting everywhere! Another view of Columbia's newly painted roof. Looks very nice! Ohhhh yes yes yes. Soon, I'll be up close and intimate with you, Goldy... Here's one from when we were taken back to the Prudential Turn, presenting an excellent WWF underside photo op. Zooming in on the track from across Xtreme Skyflyer. I spy some airtime! Oh yeah... Such smooth, rounded, appealing curves you have Goldy... NERD SHOT! (Skyflyer cable drum) What's Jeff doing in a hard hat and safety vest? And furthermore, what is he doing acting all intimate with a woodie? That can only mean one thing, oh yesss... HARD HAT TOUR TIME! Ryan Davies gives us an explanation of how the queue will progress towards the station. All the layers of wood laminate, piled on top of each other perfectly and meticulously. Sexy bracket... That opening under the structure is where the path to the Pictorium/Club Blood/possible new Haunt maze will be. I spy quite a few skulls back there! It is always Haunt time at CGA, regardless of the time one visits. "I'm sooooooooooooo wet right now!" One of Goldy's countless sexy GCI curves... And yes...I TOUCHED Gold Striker! Goldy and I share the most intimate of moments together...that is, until she makes me scream out her name in pure bliss when I finally get to ride her... Porn, porn, porn. TAKE THE TUNNEL!!! Random wood. It smells goooooood... "OH NOEZ!1! DEM GUIDE WHEELZ IZ GONNA HIT DEM BOLTZ!!1!" Oh Goldy, I want to ride you so bad... Ryan points towards... ...the station! I can picture how it'll look when complete. Construction workers in their natural habitat. The odor of Southern Yellow Pine grows even stronger, strong enough to induce woodie-arousal. Looks absolutely amazing no matter what angle you take a photo from. And finally, the big surprise of the day. ERT on Xtreme Skyflyer! Rawkin-Roler, 3, 2, 1, fly! Ohhhh you look GOOD Goldy. A BIG THANK YOU to CGA for making this amazing event and wonderful day possible! It only makes me even more excited to ride Goldy and enjoy what looks to be an amazing season for the park. Goodbye for now CGA, will be back in a month for some 2013 season action! 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