SeaWhippet Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Last week, Brian and I flew to St. Louis to cover SFSL's new Evel Knievel woodie (it'll be AT's cover story for AUG) ... then rented a convertible and drove to The Dells ... and finished up with an entire day at SFGam. It was his first visit to all three parks, and I hadn't checked out this trio in many years. A stop by Chicago's Navy Pier on the way to O'Hare completed the trip. We had a great time despite excessive heat/humidity and couple of cantankerous woodies that did their best to send us to the nearest ER. I'm just sayin' ... Briefly: Six Flags St. Louis EK: What a sweet machine! With just a month of regular operation under its belt, the ride seems to be breaking in as expected. Though built on flat terrain and topping out at only 82 feet, we found it almost as aggressive and entertaining as Thunderhead ... even more so in certain sections. The M-Flyers (with a smart red/white/blue paint scheme) maintain their speed well, and the various airtime pops were most surprising. Jeff Pike has said this ride was originally designed for an Atlantic coast park, and that it was inspired by both CA Giant Dippers as well as the Cyclone Racer and Savin Rock Thunderbolt. I can see that influence in some of the lower swoop turns. I'd like to return at the end of the season to see how much faster the second half of the ride becomes, especially that series of rapid speed bumps just before the last turn. We really liked this ride! The Boss: Though the layout is inventive and unique, especially that first drop/double-dip opener, the Boss could use some serious TLC. As it currently runs, riders take quite a beating. I was one of the few fortunate to experience the Boss when it ran the Eagle's PTC trains on media day back in 2000 (the G-trains were not … ready). I feel the PTCs handled the course with much less discomfort, but that was when the structure was all shiny and new ... Speaking of the Eagle ... WOW! It was flying on Sunday night. We got several rides without leaving the train and I'd forgotten how wonderful this John Allen beauty could be. Sustained float-time, strong laterals on the turns and just plain fun. With no tracers or any illumination other than the glow from the park, we had a blast aboard the Eagle as it dove into those cool, dark wooded ravines. I wish we had more re-rideable coasters like this one. River King Mine Ride: This remains one of my fav old-style Arrow mine trains. I would really like to have ridden it when both sides were operating. I find the remaining side to be much better than the ride they sent to Dollywood … The Dells Thanks to traffic/construction, the corn field-heavy drive from St. Louis to Wisconsin took a bit longer than expected. We arrived at the Dells at sunset … just in time for the resort’s neon-splashed tackiness to burst forth in all its glory. Timber Falls Avalanche: we were the only passengers on-board for our first-ever ride on this quirky S&S creation. Despite the $5.99 ticket price and the constant left turns, we LOVED this ride! That little three-car PTC train performed admirably well. The sustained momentum and absurd transitions made us laugh throughout the experience. Good stuff. Pegasus: Although a junior coaster, this ride has a satisfyingly long layout. It was great to see little kids riding alone and loving it. Cyclops: That last drop is STILL a show-stopper, and an excellent finale. Zeus: Holy s***, Apollo … what in Hades happened here? I rode Z. during its inaugural season and found it a great out & back ride, but now … not so much. Potholes, unexpected slams and bruising jolts are not fun. Ouch x 7. One circuit was plenty. Hades: This was our first encounter with the coaster from the underworld, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Though we’d seen all the photos, videos and read everything about the infamous tunneled sections, nothing aside from an actual ride could prepare us for what happens under that expansive asphalt car park. Those light-speed transitions in blacker-than-deep-space darkness were disorienting and exquisite. Kudos to TGG for creating such a mind-blowing experience. Six Flags Great America Batman: When did this one turn yellow and lose its wheel covers? Still as powerful as it was in its first year. Batman Dark Knight: Mouse-in-box with decent theming. I expect the park’s drama sect is not happy about one of their theaters being used for BDK’s queue/pre-show. Loved the subway-themed coaches. Raging Bull: I was sooooo looking forward to this one. Though still an impressive operation, that one overly-tight trim on the upside of the third drop totally robbed the rest of the course of its intended speed. Boo. American Eagle: Haven’t ridden this bird in more than a decade, but found it more impressive than I remember. B. liked it as well. Even though the mid-course trims were in use and the giant descending helix was a rattling, shuffling blur (more speed might eliminate this, but probably not …), the Eagle still delivered a decent ride with a couple of enjoyable pops. The trims before the final helix on both sides made for a rather anti-climatic ending, but the ride still remains quite a bit of fun. Viper: Who knew a Cyclone clone could be this good? Maybe it has something to do with the extra weight of the 5-car/3-bench PTC trains. Whatever the case, we could’ve ridden this one all night long. And to think, Viper was an in-house job … Whizzer: Easily our favorite SFGAm coaster. I find it hard to understand why CGA got rid of theirs. With three four-car trains expertly dispatched for our entire visit, this Schwarzkopf/Stengel beauty had a long queue ALL DAY LONG. Guests, especially families and couples, adore it. Even with the redundant and unnecessary seatbelts, Whizzer is pure steel coaster joy. I sincerely hope SF does whatever it takes to keep this classic ride running for many years to come. OK, now on to the visual portion of our presentation … For all the transit geeks - Train to O'Hare. Pier Swingin' Navy Pier's iconic McFerris Wheel. There was talk of bringing Olympia Looping to the Pier. Though unlikely, it would look great on the water. Wave Winger and V2's vertical hold brake Batman vs. the purple Polyp (or whatever they call this one ...) Whizzer - out of the station and onto the lift Whizzer - park's best ride! Long may it whizz! Raging Bull - nice opening, but that bloody third-hill brake ruins the pacing. Sad. One of the smoothest non-GCII woodies out there. I wish more rides used these big three-bench PTCs. Viper's first drop. Stacking Eagles: A common occurrence thanks to unnecessary seat belts. DKC coaches on the outdoor transfer Dark Knight entrance. This is the exterior themeing. Hades ... night flying II (that girl's hair could indicate airtime!) Hades ... night flying I MO's crowning glory - Hades at dusk. Coasters, coasters everywhere ... Zeus -- Decent layout but needs some love to smooth it out ... Zeus -- revenge of an angry god. OUCH! Great ride in an empty park Avalanche POV.MOV Timber Falls Avalanche POV. This was our first time on this ride and we were quite surprised how good it is. Intense and turbulent but relatively smooth considering what that little train is doing! Loved it! Eagle at sunset Eagle was screaming that night! Excellent rides! Freezing Not the Boss of me! Let's go again! On the brake run Final turn/drop prior to the brakes Love the Flyers' paint job High station turn Nice rabbit hop First drop EK's first drop taken from the park's railroad tracks before the train started up for the day. (Thanks, SFSL, for the backstage access!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceace12 Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Was EK squealing for you? When I was there, it was squealing bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted July 19, 2008 Author Share Posted July 19, 2008 Was EK squealing for you? When I was there, it was squealing bad. Yes, we were there SAT night and SUN morning and there was a bit of squealing going on. It had rained just before we arrived; perhaps the track oil had washed off. Does anyone who goes there often recall it squealing all the time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woah_killa Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 ^I went a couple of days ago and it was AWESOME! But yes, it was squealing like crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP_RULES Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Was EK squealing for you? When I was there, it was squealing bad. Yes, we were there SAT night and SUN morning and there was a bit of squealing going on. It had rained just before we arrived; perhaps the track oil had washed off. Does anyone who goes there often recall it squealing all the time? It wasn't squealing on opening day. I'm going on Monday so I'll let you know if it has gotten better. Nice TR by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badgmc Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 I was at SFStL on July 11. Got to the park around 3pm and EK was my first ride, but I don't really recall the squealing then. Got in another ride a couple hours later. There was a rain shower a couple hours before closing. I went back for a final ride on EK before leaving for the night and had to wait for them to re-open the ride because some dillweed decided to jump the fence for a hat. Someone didn't hear about the SFOG incident the week before I guess. Anyhow, on my final ride, it was squealing pretty badly. A little rough on the ears, but it was worth it for one more ride on EK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 For all the transit geeks - Train to O'Hare. Woo-hoo! One of the oldest cars on the modern CTA system, made by Budd and going in service around 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 For all the transit geeks - Train to O'Hare. Woo-hoo! One of the oldest cars on the modern CTA system, made by Budd and going in service around 1969. I soooo wanted to climb aboard for a trip around the Loop but time was not kind. Maybe next time. Go CTA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olsor Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Great TR, Scott! I love the picture of the stacked American Eagle trains with the setting sun reflecting off the sides. You made a simple brake run look artistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Great TR, Scott! I love the picture of the stacked American Eagle trains with the setting sun reflecting off the sides. You made a simple brake run look artistic. Thanks, O! That Golden Moment ... at sunset & just before dusk ... is my fav time for park photog. It seems I happened to catch all three parks on this trip at that magical time of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffon Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Thanks for the informative trip report and great pictures... Looks like those parks would make a nice few days of coaster riding. I've run out of new parks to visit in the east, so might try to venture out that way sometime. Again, nice composition on with the pictures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoisonedPirate Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Great TR and your photos are awesome! The one of the Eagles stacking is amazing!! Super awesome photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Great TR and your photos are awesome! The one of the Eagles stacking is amazing!! Thanks! Despite the circumstances, it really DID make for a good shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocknGuitar Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 cool report, thanks! I think I was at SFStL the day before you were there because it rained as we left. There was no squealing on EK. I also think I as at SFGAm at around the same time. I agree with you on the trim brakes on RB. Brutal. Dark Knight was ok. I'd rather see the movie. Much cooler. I went to navy pier, too. Were they filming a news story on the dark knight while you were there? We got to see the batpod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP_RULES Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I was there on Monday and EK wasn't really squeaking. There were a few small squeaks here and there, especially on the station turn around, but it wasn't bat at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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