montezooma Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I took some time off from scanning old memorabilia this fall to visit the Pyuallup fair, and I am sure glad I did. This has got to be one of the greatest fairs in our GREAT country. Every gadget you don't need is on display, every calorie you don't need is available for your watering mouth and one of the greatest coaster secrets is open for riding during this month long celebration. I went our on a Tuesday night to see what the fair had to offer. When I went up to the ticket booth I saw the biggest upset since the delayed opening of Maverick. "Closed for routine maintenance" was the sign I saw. How could a coaster that only operates a couple weeks out of the year be closed for maintenance. You would think that they would take care of all the repairs in the off season. Well I was pleasantly surprised once I walked over to the coaster to see that it was operating, even if only one train. This coaster is like stepping into a time machine and riding the great coasters of yesteryear! Here is some photos of one of the greatest wooden coaster rides I have had in a long time. It was nostalgic, yet smooth and nothing beats the smell of grease on an old wood coaster. If you are an avid wood coaster enthusiast this a coaster not to be missed, and the fair kicks a$$ too. this ride is worth re-rides!!!! the station... time to ride again the ride.... the lift... step back in time. and finally the ride! The ongoing repairs.... The unecessasary load gates... another nerd shot..but oh so sweet! The nostalgia...skid brakes! The ultimate wooden coaster experience...for a fair! the surprise!!!! The disapointment... The price?!?!?! It is just a drop ride, why the rediculous price? The Drop! The Midway! The atmosphere...The Food! One of the BEST fairs I have ever been to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Now that's my kind of fair (minus the drop tower price). I've always wanted to visit Pew-Al-Up ever since I learned of its existence, and these pics certainly don't disappoint. It totally looks like my kind of fun. Thanks for sharing these with us Shane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Man do I miss the Puyallup! Every time we went was a blast! The only bummer is that I have only ridden the Coaster once, and that was when I was about 9 or 10. But man, Shane has it right! The food there is always great. I remember when you could get the giant cookie they called "cow chips" and you would get the sticker proclaiming that you ate a cow chip. I have always praised the Puyallup Fair, for they always have good shows, great food, and some fun rides! Anyone who happens to be in Western Washington when the Puyallup is going on should make a day of it. -Gary T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I made the trip there in early September on a Sunday. I had a great time also (like I do whenever I go there!). I totally agree with you on Coaster Thrill Ride; It's so enjoyable and there is some extreme moments of airtime (especially when your lap bar is half-a-foot off your waste ). Even though it was 10 bucks, i still hit up the Extreme Scream. In my opinion, it was totally worth it but I've only been on 5 drop rides in my lifetime so you would probably have a different opinion about it. Anyways, glad you had a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Here is some photos of one of the greatest wooden coaster rides I have had in a long time. It was nostalgic, yet smooth and nothing beats the smell of grease on an old wood coaster. If you are an avid wood coaster enthusiast this a coaster not to be missed, and the fair kicks a$$ too. I agree Coaster is an amazing ride. And those three glorious trains are the ONLY remaining Fred Church-designed rolling stock still operating anywhere on the planet. They came from the Happyland Giant Dipper, which used to sit across the way from the current Coaster at Playland in Vancouver. LOVE this ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcenter Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I grew up in Tacoma, just up the road from Puyallup and so a trip to the fair was a yearly experience for me. That coaster was my very first woodie and I have been in love with it for many years. I now live out on the east coast, but long for the days when I could go to that fair. Thanks for the pictures and post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corkscrew Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Here is some photos of one of the greatest wooden coaster rides I have had in a long time. It was nostalgic, yet smooth and nothing beats the smell of grease on an old wood coaster. If you are an avid wood coaster enthusiast this a coaster not to be missed, and the fair kicks a$$ too. I agree Coaster is an amazing ride. And those three glorious trains are the ONLY remaining Fred Church-designed rolling stock still operating anywhere on the planet. They came from the Happyland Giant Dipper, which used to sit across the way from the current Coaster at Playland in Vancouver. LOVE this ride! Oh, they came from the Giant Dipper? I never knew that, very interesting. Anyways, great TR. I've been wanting to go there for a while now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montezooma Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 I forgot to mention the fair had another coaster. I did not ride it but it looks like the same ride I rode over in Japan. the wild mouse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montezooma Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 And here are more shots of those GREAT trains. I should mention they have three trains, but they were only running one train the night I was there. The wait was about 30 minutes and even with one train and seperate load/unload stations they were whipping those trains out faster than some three train operations. thanks for riding! the orange train a close up shot of the gas tank...just kidding, this is for greasing the track such a simple restraint system and so much room and freedom really adds to the ride! these trains run on unleaded not diesel... flange wheels make for a very smooth ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Great stuff! Every year we keep saying how much we need to get back to Puyallup and it keeps getting pushed off until the next year. Thanks for all the fantastic shots of those trains! I love it! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mozart67 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 ouch. The drop tower price is a little brisk. The coaster looks great though. When was it built? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 From what I remember, it was originally built in the 30's as a side friction coaster. Not too long after that, it suffered a great deal of damage from a fire. I want to say that it was in the 40's or 50's that they converted it to a traditional roller coaster (with the upstop fins on the bottom). In regards to the coaster collect at the Puyallup Fair, they also have a Wildcat (same model as the one at Cedar Point I believe), a few kiddie coasters and Kersplash, a portable Miler water coaster which is actually listed on the ITAL website. The link is listed below: Kersplash listing on the ITAL site -Gary T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Wild One when it was Giant Coaster which was built as a side friction but converted later on. As far as I know Coaster Thrill Ride has always been a traditional wheel system (with VERY cool trains). Awesome TR, I've always liked the look of the coaster. Glad to hear the ride delivers as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Shane - thanks for this PTR, it's been added to the Park Index Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Wild One when it was Giant Coaster which was built as a side friction but converted later on. As far as I know Coaster Thrill Ride has always been a traditional wheel system (with VERY cool trains). No, the previous poster is correct. The Puyallup Coaster opened as a side friction ride around 1935 and was later converted (with an altered profile) after a fire in the late 40s. The original trains were lost in fire and it was discovered by Walker LeRoy (who built the Vancouver Playland Coaster) that the Happyland Giant Dipper trains (all three!) were available after that ride was dismantled for a new race track 1947. They were brought south to Washington and Coaster's track was built specifically by LeRoy to accommodate the flanged wheels. They are the only Fred Church trains in operation. -S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montezooma Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 They are the only Fred Church trains in operation???? I did not know that. They are by far the best and most comfortable trains I have been in. What about the ones on the Vancouver Playland Coaster? What type of trains used to run on Thunder Road at Carowinds? Were those Fred Church? I loved those with the cop car and the moonshine car fronts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 They are the only Fred Church trains in operation???? I did not know that. They are by far the best and most comfortable trains I have been in. What about the ones on the Vancouver Playland Coaster? What type of trains used to run on Thunder Road at Carowinds? Were those Fred Church? I loved those with the cop car and the moonshine car fronts. Yep, the only ones. The stock on the Vancouver ride was built by Carl Phare, who -- quote obviously -- borrowed HEAVILY from the Fred Church School of Coaster Design. Thunder Road's original trains were built by Riverview personnel specifically for that's park's final coaster, Jetstream. I loved those as well but they were WAY too heavy and tore the hell out of the track. I was told by an old park maint. guy that those beauties are buried under the Hurler. I say ... burn down that piece of junk and dig up those trains! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Ah, thanks for the info, I didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I also thought that the Coaster at Playland had the same trains as the Puyallup Coaster. I didn't realize there were as many connections between the two rides as there are, but it makes sence as there are some simmilarities between the appearance of the two. -Gary T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastinmiller Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Great stuuf Shane, I'll have to plna a trip out that way next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogogroovay Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Wow!!! The "Mad Mouse" Coaster that is pictured is the (or the same as) the old Mighty Mouse Coaster that used to be at Rye Playland in Rye, NY. I used to ride this when I was a kid!!!! If it still is as it was, there was a chain after the 2nd drop that used to beat the hell outta you!!! Are there more pictures, I used to LOVE this ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingOfNynex2003 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 if you want to feel nostalgic when on a coaster you should try The Coaster at PNE in Vancouver BC now that's really nostalgic it just celebrated its 50th birthday this year and it is still running amazingly if you don't remember what it looks like here's a photo of it from coasterglobe http://www.coasterglobe.com/coasters/photos/playland/coaster003.jpg it isn't as old as Roller Coaster from the Puyallup but man is that thing fast. Here's a video of I took a couple of years ago in the back seat of it. hope you like the photo and video of this amazing coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWhippet Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Yep, Playland's Coaster is a sweet I machine. I just finished a big 50th anniversary piece for Amusement Today's IAAPA issue. You're quite lucky to have two of the rarest and most entertaining woodies on the planet so close together up there! Below are two shots used in the story. Love that ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corkscrew Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Coaster is pretty awesome, it's great to have it at my home park. Now if only Playland would add a new coaster... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingOfNynex2003 Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Coaster is pretty awesome, it's great to have it at my home park. Now if only Playland would add a new coaster... Yeah and get rid of that Vekoma Death Machine after that coaster was in FD3 most people have been avoiding that ride like the plague I've been talking with the people in charge of getting the rides and she's told me that if they do get rid of it they'll probably bring in an Inverted Boomerang like Deja Vu in its place and anything would be better than the Corkscrew right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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