GrapesLie Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 So yesterday while driving on HWY 70 back from St. Louis I thought I saw something peaking through the trees. I could have sworn I saw track! So I pulled off the next exit to investigate! After a little searching through a few back gravel roads I came across this! The following pictures are a testament to the life altering events that took place that day! Do my eyes deceive me?! No they do not! It is a small roller coaster in the middle of nowhere! Oooo Look at those rusty curves! Those rusty lines! Those beautiful rusty bumps! She/He is one sexy beast! Her/his gender is up to it. What a lift hill! It reaches to the sky giving us a chance to touch the face of God! I think I shall name him/her Majesty! Damn girl/guy look at those Joints! I see you flashing your bolts! *blushes* If I climb through the whole circuit can I count it as a credit? I leave you now sweet Majesty! Stay forever . . . Majestic? Okay all joking aside while this is just a small portable ride I thought it was a fun and unexpected find. At least for me! I live in Missouri for god's sake. I have to get my entertainment from somewhere! It really was in the middle of nowhere! Nothing around but fields and I'm sure cows somewhere. Either way thanks for reading!
Airtime&Gravity Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Cool find I wonder what the backstory to the coaster is though. It would make sense for it to be set up if it was at say a local private picnic park or was being restored, but its just in a random field. It almost looks like someone just wanted to say they had their own roller coaster, but then again, why would they set it up away in some field? Given that the grass in the immediate area is mowed, either the ride just arrived, or maybe the owner does plan a restoration.
DanM64 Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Awesome!! It looks pretty similar to the now defunct High Speed Thrill Coaster at Knoebels. Definitely not the same layout, but not really too far off, either.
GrapesLie Posted June 24, 2013 Author Posted June 24, 2013 Cool find I wonder what the backstory to the coaster is though. It would make sense for it to be set up if it was at say a local private picnic park or was being restored, but its just in a random field. It almost looks like someone just wanted to say they had their own roller coaster, but then again, why would they set it up away in some field? Given that the grass in the immediate area is mowed, either the ride just arrived, or maybe the owner does plan a restoration. That is what I was thinking. It can't of been there long with the mowed field. I assume they plan to restore it however that would be a lot of work. Who knows. I wish I knew the owner cause I would love to get in on a restoration project!
VegasCoasterGirl Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 I wonder trains would've sat on that? My guess would be a caterpillar or something cute.
Ultimate Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 I suspect someone simply didn't want it so they dumped it there That would explain why the train isn't present (sold for parts) or other mechanical parts. I attempted to find one like it on RCDB but I can't. It's a larger ride than most of these oval kiddie coasters. This is a cool document, however it doesn't help much here. http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/v/a/vac3/kiddie.html
leeojUK Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 For all the abandoned couches or caravans in the countryside, why can't there be more interesting things like this. Not that I want people to dump old rides in fields, but at least it's a bit more compelling as to what it's back-story is
larrygator Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 So you're saying you just walked on to someone's property without permission to take pictures? That is called trespassing.
gisco Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 That coaster is not abandoned. The grass has been cut away and the bolts are new but missing the nuts. Probably going to be some type of carnival there very soon and the installation isn't finished yet. Did you have to climb a fence to get these pictures or was it in an open field?
GrapesLie Posted June 24, 2013 Author Posted June 24, 2013 No the ride was in an open field so I could walk right up to it. Still seems a odd location in the middle of nowhere. I'll keep an eye on it to see if anything happens.
gisco Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 I was just wondering if you go by there often. That track was recently assembled. Maybe you will see the train show up or find someone around you can ask what's going on. One thought is maybe it is being set-up to be refurbished? It looks like it could use some TLC?
Shavethewhales Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 It definitely looks like some random person bought it and is setting it up for refurbishment as a hobby project. The track is in rough shape, but with some new paint and bolts it could run again well enough for backyard-playing purposes. Shouldn't be too hard to rig up a motor and chain for it - but finding a train could be expensive if it didn't come with one. It will be interesting to see if this gets fixed up within the next couple of years. Maybe they'll buy some more rides to fix up
GrapesLie Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 Next time I'm out that way I plan to ask around and find out whats up. If it is someone restoring it I plan to ask if they mind that I document it. It could be a fun series which might also end in a credit for me!
ECZenith Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Judging by the shape of the track it could be a Miler,Schiff, or Molina kiddie coaster, the layout looks familiar. I would say this is an older Miler kiddie coaster (modern Milers have a flat type track. If this is someone's backyard project, that is pretty cool. Interesting post/topic.
GrapesLie Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 Did a little digging and this may be why it was there! http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com/brnews/newsarticle.asp?ID=359 It is the same area exactly! I hope this comes to be! I'm going to see if I can contact the guy and see whats going on and honestly if he wants some help!
DougMJr Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Good find. I probably would have just taken a picture from the road though as it is private property. As long as you didn't hop fences or pass any posted signs it isn't too bad. I highly doubt that somebody didn't want it and just left it there. Why would you assemble it if you were just gonna dump it? Hopefully this little guy gets restored and a nice new home.
Jew Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 ^^I was actually going to guess that it was in storage for a showmen to restore (that lot is probably the area he stores his rides in the off season), so that seems likely.
BDFS Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 It's not near the Ferris Wheel off 70 by chance? Two weeks later... I'll take this as a "no."
GrapesLie Posted July 11, 2013 Author Posted July 11, 2013 Oh sorry yeah about a mile from that actually.
downunder Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 Nice find, I bet all credit whores are salivating. Looks like High Speed Thrill Ride's semi retarded cousin: Low Speed Death Ride.
jedimaster1227 Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 I actually thought this might have been a rebuilt High Speed Thrill Coaster considering the color and condition, but if I remember the "deconstruction" photos from that ride, it wasn't really disassembled, more broken apart. Regardless of where its origin is, this is a really neat find!
Vonni Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Its actually not recently assembled. I've seen it off of 70 in the exact same spot for about 15 years now.
DoinItForTheFame Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Maybe there is a random farmer some where who knows about a local carnival that comes to town each year, and his coaster is the life of the party!!! (Cool find, and I will not B!tch about you possibly, but most likely not "trespassing." Thanks for the photos!!!)
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