Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

The Model Cyclone Racer


Recommended Posts

This model is looking absolutely beautiful.

 

A part of me really wants to take a ping pong ball and just let go from the top of the lift and see how far it goes (once it's complete), though it would probably just catch on the support underneath the rails and fall of quickly

 

Can't wait to see this thing completed!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 171
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

When I stole my copy of The Great American Amusement Parks from local library in 1977, little did I know 42 years later I would become good friends with the author Gary Kyriazi! He spent a whole weekend at my small cramped apartment among my model Airplane and Cyclone Racer roller coaster parts and we all got through unscathed. He's a really cool guy. I've only three months to finish this thing, before the upcoming ACE convention.

 

That is hilarious* as I stole MY copy of The Great American Amusement Parks around 1987 from the Oak Forest Public Library. A few years ago I spoke to Gary across facebook (and told him how I got the book!), and thanked him for such a great book. He also shared some great Colossus 1978 stories with me.

 

Last year, I did a true "amends" and returned the book to the library's current manager and made a financial donation/financial amends as well. Yes, about 30 years later...

 

I worshiped that book for a couple decades.

 

*Not saying that stealing anything from anywhere is cool...

 

Wow that's great you did that...return the book that is. Did they frown upon you or just take it in stride? I wondered about doing the same thing. But considering it really pushed me over the top in my love for roller coasters, enough love to spend 10 years actually SAVING one from being torn town, I figure its the least I can get in back return. LOL.

 

Well... they were very nice about it. It was a "recovery step" if you will, part of a life improvement program. Tricky stuff as it might seem odd to some, but it went very smoothly and felt great being able to give back (plus a donation).

 

I do miss the book though!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It’s getting to be that time now where I’m starting to fix the frayed ends of where the middle and two end sections of the model come together. The model will come apart in three sections, and I’m making the ends flush so they’ll match up end to end as seamless as I possibly can.

IMG_20190321_210441238.thumb.jpg.af50d2bd879d1b87936381a74dfa1bd7.jpg

More patchwork between two sections, where the trains exit the crisscross and the happy hump.

IMG_20190316_142233770.thumb.jpg.c0a81ee5adfea3b6aa95f51585cfdfeb.jpg

Patching an area with pre track where the model will have to come apart for moving

IMG_20190316_142927509_HDR.thumb.jpg.13d386fd2d552987c86f87356a8882f8.jpg

IMG_20190317_135948141_HDR.thumb.jpg.bcaaddc6a32eac951166495f384edc9d.jpg

IMG_20190317_143103930.thumb.jpg.98c13cc26a5364b79b121abe81b835be.jpg

Note the layers of track

IMG_20190317_140755451_HDR.thumb.jpg.fb9913494dca7ef812db363dc8c7b3e7.jpg

IMG_20190317_212001868_HDR.thumb.jpg.67b7d04772139bd4fa08d360b37a63d3.jpg

A clean, flush end. There are 25 patch jobs like this to do. But I did these three in under 4 hours so that's encouraging.

IMG_20190322_134532.thumb.jpg.8378f5d667470ddbcd32d00dcea9be09.jpg

I love my job, especially when famous people call!

CRtmgap.jpg.d199189e6a69ce095d79a516d0833bce.jpg

The gaps to be filled in are glaring...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

It would have been easier to make the lift hills' pole positions look original,which is just a duplicate of the others. But I went with the 1950s-60s updated one instead. Also made a temporary sign to 1) test the font size for a future real sign and 2) keep people who see me working on this from saying, "Oh, Belmont Park", or, " Colossus". Had kidney stone blasting surgery yesterday, that's my 86 year old Dad. Taking an extra sick day tomorrow and work on that sign.

IMG_20190401_214102833.thumb.jpg.f388348df305696101f5b53a2b37d9bc.jpg

IMG_20190402_084606582.thumb.jpg.f5d280799ce34e161ffb85acd542790a.jpg

The large sign was added along with Jack Ray designed pole position.

IMG_20190401_213011438_HDR.thumb.jpg.e6390dc1875690712e69c60920c23b0c.jpg

IMG_20190401_213039601_HDR.thumb.jpg.bf9860694c507c0d01d8a5209a3a4bb9.jpg

IMG_20190401_213137865_HDR.thumb.jpg.72521b7ef7c581e0447955fa8eec5ce1.jpg

IMG_20190402_155550057.thumb.jpg.5c94f857991507e5bd092d32e799793e.jpg

Minutes away from having kidney stones blasted. That's 86 year old Dad, father of the model maker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Been a modeling fool this week, in spite of the uncomfortable stent hanging out of my body from my surgery. Trying not to get into panic mode as the ACE convention gets closer.

IMG_20190402_193715544_HDR.thumb.jpg.fa3b5a5aac7f716b973b867c60b4e056.jpg

Found a font close enough to use. I put the sign on a light box to trace the letters...

IMG_20190402_203343093.thumb.jpg.3c4e4fc0e4106938a6b1216055e9653a.jpg

...onto a sheet of polystyrene plastic. modifying just slightly to make it more true to the original.

IMG_20190402_212831256_HDR.thumb.jpg.91533e4e097a1a67aa2a3c5fa48e6e23.jpg

Cut them out.

IMG_20190403_100338377.thumb.jpg.b24a2cd3adc09a6f6d273bb7434a4669.jpg

Adding a micro strip of plastic around the edge of each letter lends realistic depth. Trivia about the artist: That little scar on my hand I got in May 1981 from falling with a coffee cup in my hand. Late that night after getting home from the ER I saw a documentary on Fleetwood Mac and fell in love with Stevie Nicks. That's also the time I was working on my first rendition of a section of the Belmont Coaster model.

IMG_20190411_164659210.thumb.jpg.dbc72e7c944571024f058deff9791454.jpg

Used a fine tubing (neon) to run inside the letters, blue on top, orange on the bottom.

IMG_20190406_203029545_HDR.thumb.jpg.37d6860ae91808dbd925f572d6232292.jpg

Also added the neon on the pole position. Not really neon, just a painted polystyrene rod. I wish I knew about wiring, I'd make this really light up.

IMG_20190407_203626015.thumb.jpg.dd3e35218a4605a50167d4e9cbd38055.jpg

The last photo of this section exposed by itself before I layer over hill number 3.

IMG_20190411_201945455_HDR.thumb.jpg.ba949e8942c9d664b799724841295888.jpg

More bents for one of three more short runs.

IMG_20190414_214131995.thumb.jpg.47fbfe627ec6884fa779874926b656d5.jpg

Bents above completed, erected, strung together and placed. Only two more short runs left to build!

IMG_20190414_165918530_HDR.thumb.jpg.d2303519a964ff4d82e457f40610d4e7.jpg

Mounting the middle section on its permanent base. At the last minute decided to paint the inside blue because originally the coaster did stand out over the water, plus a darker contrast is better with the white.

IMG_20190414_212215098.thumb.jpg.866420c6bf68f5a79d71abdaf526e606.jpg

Starting the base for under the first turn. The ocean end of the pier was actually about 5 feet higher than the land end, so the white edges resemble that elevation change.

IMG_20190414_212648.thumb.jpg.1449931f9859eb379fa746e5e4aea30c.jpg

So far...what I always called the Texaco star...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I'm finally seeing the end of the tunnel. I knew that when I was finally building what I call the spiderweb, where it looks like some of the structure fell on itself. More handrails and a few repairs and adjustments...

59426389_10218857739580666_8876096048045490176_n.jpg.9fd628be959d6af9116908054f3556ee.jpg

Movie clip of first drop that was helpful in my recreation below.

IMG_20190506_215823.thumb.jpg.a1954686f2ce9563fb8d16b4f6709a6c.jpg

IMG_20190504_214840687.thumb.jpg.2b20fb1a156e2cdb55ee36fc1294e9fd.jpg

The spiderweb, an afterthought added only a few years into the ride's operation.

IMG_20190504_214919460.thumb.jpg.46b1bceeb5e465a47d01615b29e11991.jpg

IMG_20190427_165327638.thumb.jpg.307e633f309e3673823044af987f069f.jpg

The last piece of structure added and tracked.

IMG_20190427_205017575_HDR.thumb.jpg.0a552badfc3f6fc5be1afcea64408f13.jpg

IMG_20190430_075032722.thumb.jpg.2428cda28825a87c50ce0efab7d50c71.jpg

A centerpiece for your next party?

IMG_20190429_203317171_HDR.thumb.jpg.b0e2538244267c20be5878543200df08.jpg

Raising the outer rim one layer is foam as the pier's elevation raises up about 5 feet.

IMG_20190423_212238557.thumb.jpg.91945191f41a3fa7db3100c584d9cf5e.jpg

Getting all the headers in the right place was as fun as a jigsaw puzzle. Ha.

IMG_20190420_124101886.thumb.jpg.411909fa27c282b5f05974f58b1f9dee.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

The last major part constructed: The sign.

 

Next up: Placing images of my supporters into the trains, to be on placed on the model for display for time and memorial! Are you a supporter?

 

I anticipate the model being finished on Memorial Day weekend! It will be on display at Coaster Con 42 banquet.

CRlo1.jpg.84f8f0dc8d7e0f45bffaad2a879e8558.jpg

The Cyclone Racer sign, photo taken after the last day of operation.

332072162_CRsign.thumb.jpg.de8a8e6dcca3a7d2cb990add79e6fa06.jpg

Photo copy of original sign up against my recreation....close enough.

633138504_CRsigncu.thumb.jpg.40d884d5aa8991a1ea7c517276f02f2a.jpg

I wish I had to the time and the motivation to light this up. People seem to be more impressed with it when I tell them I spit this out of a 3D printer, which I really didn't it's all hand made. I don't get it.

CTtmcartim.thumb.jpg.9a99c57ecaf88db384fe26dc30ac6686.jpg

Replacing the little white paper people with images of my supporters. (I just put myself in the front as an example.) Are YOU a supporter?

CReastNICE.thumb.jpg.5f3be0fcb0ac027e75e3a51f77e9a297.jpg

The most intriguing racing roller coaster every built. Hill for hill, you can almost trace the path of the Coney Cyclone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

As far as I'm concerned, I'm pretty much finished with this model. Three and a half years of working a few hours every day and or night to tackle what I knew would be another long drawn out project. Last Saturday a friend of mine and I took it out for a photo shoot alongside the water's edge. Those are all on the next page. Here is a close up of one of the trains posed coming down hill #4. Notice the paper cut outs. I soon will have a Go Fund Me where you can buy a spot on the train. First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat. Last Saturday was the last opportunity to do the photo shoot before I drive this thing up to a Buena Park storage facility to store until the Banquet at ACE con 42.

CRtm1099c.thumb.jpg.f21c8cd81728f70f90dc4a90221d95ab.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Happy Birthday Cyclone Racer, you would have been 89 today. As far as I'm concerned, I'm pretty much finished with this model. All I need to finish is one more train and some other little loose details to be straightened out. Three and a half years of working a few hours every day and or night to tackle what I knew would be another long drawn out project. Last Saturday a friend of mine and I took it out for a photo shoot alongside the water's edge. Last Saturday was the last opportunity to do the photo shoot before I drive this thing up to a Buena Park storage facility to store until the Banquet at ACE con 42. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

1735326436_CRtm101-Copy-Copy-Copy.thumb.jpg.5d82c0b694f75dc0fc48853448254bd8.jpg

1071949191_CRtm102-Copy.thumb.jpg.78d539a296520e322082ab0442dbf8da.jpg

450025001_CRtm103-Copy.jpg.8cf4d9eb78c014e2ec84afba7e414e6b.jpg

441429681_CRtm105-Copy.thumb.jpg.c57652af93b1603fda5b952d2eb59e27.jpg

1969082929_CRtm107-Copy.thumb.jpg.c4bcb61b1e024f337777e7986276e471.jpg

1977900174_CRtm108-Copy-Copy-Copy.thumb.jpg.04290280b8906f9095d8c93a1e8c289b.jpg

1437014706_CRtm109-Copy.thumb.jpg.5e8ab510b0d03758e33e3c90797fb48d.jpg

Edited by hillflyer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I'm concerned, I'm pretty much finished with this model. Three and a half years of working a few hours every day and or night to tackle what I knew would be another long drawn out project. Last Saturday a friend of mine and I took it out for a photo shoot alongside the water's edge. Those are all on the next page. Here is a close up of one of the trains posed coming down hill #4. Notice the paper cut outs. I soon will have a Go Fund Me where you can buy a spot on the train. First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat. Last Saturday was the last opportunity to do the photo shoot before I drive this thing up to a Buena Park storage facility to store until the Banquet at ACE con 42.

 

First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat.

 

Like this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat.

 

First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat.

 

Like this?

 

Yup! Like that! Just send me an image similar to this one, arms down at side or straight up in the air, (higher than this)

 

tcolemodels@gmail.com

CRruss.jpg.f40d910b55cac8b5807bdb6b95eaa504.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Absolutely beautiful, it's been great seeing this project develop. The model looks incredible, you can really see the hard work and passion that went into it. I wish I could see it in person, but alas, I live on the other side of the country.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Absolutely beautiful, it's been great seeing this project develop. The model looks incredible, you can really see the hard work and passion that went into it. I wish I could see it in person, but alas, I live on the other side of the country.

Thanks I appreciate that you never know it may end up at a rollercoaster museum near you one day

IMG_20190602_082355472.thumb.jpg.4913cf52e29d3a2d4626844e3d9445ab.jpg

IMG_20190602_081721934.thumb.jpg.eaa8fa1bbbac6c95aa4abc9beaa4e4d4.jpg

IMG_20190601_153257.thumb.jpg.dce65dcedf5c3466fdb6216db56ca907.jpg

IMG_20190602_080339495_HDR.thumb.jpg.607b5b95ca1a28d36f06a8c4d2631139.jpg

IMG_20190601_153702.thumb.jpg.714dca528a89aea46dd52a57db61f141.jpg

IMG_20190601_135741308.thumb.jpg.daf3e8c76fb53bc47bc6a584554b1203.jpg

IMG_20190601_153759.thumb.jpg.b916c2a0c1d17c788476a4619eeb988a.jpg

IMG_20190601_153623.thumb.jpg.3c5f3e69f67dc11251efae0589b382ae.jpg

IMG_20190602_122947380.thumb.jpg.d614ef1d25d67cfadca7df986d55fabf.jpg

Last weekend I drove two-thirds of the model up to Buena Park where it sits in storage until the convention

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat.

 

First person to copy and paste this sentence in a postreply gets a free seat.

 

Like this?

 

Yup! Like that! Just send me an image similar to this one, arms down at side or straight up in the air, (higher than this)

 

tcolemodels@gmail.com

You (should) have (got) email!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

It was awesome seeing this ride in person! But to be honest, it was even more awesome to see some of those pics on the water where I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't a picture of the real thing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Brand new video from Cyclone Racer enthusiast Larry Osterhoudt.

 

The question isn't whether or not you THINK this is possible, the question is: Do you WANT to one day see a rebuild of the Greatest Ride in the World? I don't see why any wood coaster enthusiast would say no. Take it from someone who knows first hand that sometimes the most impossible dreams can come true. I know I'll be at that meeting.

 

CRtm1092.thumb.jpg.1cb3e45620ee4a07412d5d8cff7808f1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/