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KCForce's working model roller coasters


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^ Very tasteful tribute/exhibit! Also awesome model... if I ever find myself in Kansas I will make sure to check these out in person!

 

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!

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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!

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Side View of the EXT model.

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A semi end view of the layout.

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Looping the second corkscrew.

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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!

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Best of luck to you with the exhibit! Your models are phenomenal! I only wish I could be there.

 

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!

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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!

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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.

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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 : ).

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You want some historic post cards? Check.

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How about some historic memorabilia? Check. Me feeling old, big check!

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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.

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Schussboomer model, original wheel and graphics. There's the Screamroller Pedal if you look carefully!

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Before Wacky Worm was a much more wilder Silly Serpent.

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Zambezi Zinger. I have to add the load and unloading docs in a few hours.

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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.

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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!

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Do you spot the Zambezi Zinger track support stanchion?

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There it is!

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Looking down the exhibit from the exit door area.

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And finally looking from the entrance area towards the exit door.

Edited by KCForce
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Outstanding job, Randal- totally over the top, and beyond what I've ever seen in a coaster exibit before. Good luck today- and I hope you get lots of pictures.

 

(Hoping to head out there in December as part of a Kansas/Oklahoma trip... but still looking at travel dates!)

 

R.D.

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Well, the exhibit is officially open. I came home and slept 10 hours last night, I was wiped out. There was nice turnout for the dedication and ribbon cutting. I'd estimate there were about a total of 500 folks through out the day that saw the new exhibit. I didn't get a ton of pictures, as I was busy, but here are some of the opening day.

 

Thanks to all my friends, family and visitors who came out to see the new exhibit. Enjoy!

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View of the crowd just after the ribbon cutting.

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More folks visiting the exhibit.

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Inside the exhibit.

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Coaster Post Cards.

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The always popular Orient Express model.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hmmmn. I thought I had posted a youtube video link about my upcoming projects, but I don't see it. How's the saying go, of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most? LOL. It happens when you reach my age! Okay. Well, here is a teaser for you. First up is a picture of a train I built using Coaster Dynamix Statix for the car bodies. It's for "Project Kansas" coming in December. It will feature this train and a fellow TPR forum members No Limit track design. Find out who and which coaster in just over a month or so. Here's a link to a teaser video about my upcoming projects, now that Project 31 is (mostly) out of the way and at it's permanent home. KCForce's Upcoming Model Project Teasers. Enjoy. Peace.

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This is what you get when you combine Coaster Dynamix Intamin Statix with my style of wheel system.

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  • 3 months later...

Here's my first creation using the Coaster Dynamix custom train I built. Note, this is not the original Project Kansas, but another model called "Mustang". I built this one to be featured in my forthcoming "Build A Model Coaster" series on YouTube. Which, I have set a firm deadline of March 15th to finish all 9 videos. So for now, here are some shots of my "simple" tutorial roller coaster. I swear it really did start out small and simple, and if you look, in reality it is.

 

Here's a link to the video:

 

Peace and enjoy! KC

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My sexy custom modified Coaster Dynamix Intamin train. And the box it comes in says it can't be modified to work on a model. Pshaw.

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Overall view of the model.

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I'm "famous" for always creating a unique station for each of my models so far. It's actually one of the bigger challenges for me to come up with something new each time.

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It has one of those "what do you call it" s-shaped zig zag hills that is slightly modified. I like how the dual tunnel/rock and landscaping turned out.

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Randal:

 

As usual, your rides are splendid examples of what can be done with creativity, originality and just plain ingenious design. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the videos when they're up...

 

(BTW: I found the tape of Coaster Con 1992... and of your demo of how you built your models then... be afraid, be very afraid.)

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All right, that's it. I can't take the urge anymore. I'm going into Newton right now and re-creating this design. This is fantastic, and I want to see how it rides in real-time.

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All right, that's it. I can't take the urge anymore. I'm going into Newton right now and re-creating this design. This is fantastic, and I want to see how it rides in real-time.

 

Cool. Will you send me a link? Or better yet, just post it here! I don't know how well it will ride, so it'll be interesting to see.

 

Peace, KC

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Very cool! I've always loved your coaster models, and this one is no exception! Great work as always and continue pumping out these amazing models!

 

Speaking of models, what do you do with the completed ones? I know you have several of the big ones from WOF at the exhibit, but what do you do with the smaller models like this one?

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Speaking of models, what do you do with the completed ones? I know you have several of the big ones from WOF at the exhibit, but what do you do with the smaller models like this one?

 

There's only so much room in the Coaster Cave in the basement. It's about 430 square feet. So after about 6 months or so, I take them apart and reuse the cars by putting new bodies on them, the chain, sprockets and other things like the chain lift guides and reuse them in new models. In short, I recycle them. The Worlds of Fun models are on permanent display at Union Station in Kansas City.

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