ParkTrips Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Two AstroWorld steel coasters to stay in Texas (MAR 9; 5:20 PM) Two steel roller coasters have been saved from certain doom, thanks to two family-owned Texas amusement parks stepping to the plate and securing them for future generations to enjoy. In need of a mid-size family coaster, Wonderland Amusement Park in Amarillo, Texas purchased AstroWorld’s Mayan Mindbender, a compact Mark 700 system from Vekoma, and the Gunslinger, a Chance Yo-Yo. Chance Morgan Inc. has already performed a cylinder inspection on the Yo-Yo for the park. The 1988-built Vekoma coaster stands 27 feet tall, has 1,250 feet of track and features one train of 12, two-seat cars. Both rides are expected to make their debut in the 2007 season, but could open sooner. New for this season, Wonderland Park purchased a 15-meter Moser Spring Ride from Len Soled’s Rides-4-U during the recently held Gibtown show. Wonderland Park’s President Paul Borchardt told Amusement Today, “We just wanted to maintain some of the family elements people were accustomed to having in Houston, and these two rides allow us to do that. The Yo-Yo is new for our market, we felt like the Mindbender would be the perfect family coaster to compliment our other three coasters. Both rides are a perfect fit for our park and it lets us keep a little of AstroWorld alive and well in the Lone Star State!” A few days after Wonderland purchased their AstroWorld rides, David Dean, co-owner of Joyland Park in Lubbock, Texas secured one of the two most loved coasters at AstroWorld, the Greezed Lightnin’. Opened in 1978, the Schwarzkopf-built shuttle loop coaster is considered by many experts to be the best of all the Schwarzkopf shuttle loops ever built. The coaster is expected to make a spring 2007 debut. When it does, not only will the coaster’s two reverse points be the tallest points in the park (148 feet), the ride will also be the fastest, launching riders 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. “We are all excited about what this size of ride can do for us,” Dean told AT. “It will take our attendance and tourism presence to a whole new level. The best part was AstroWorld operated the ride with a 42-inch height requirement. That makes this coaster a family thrill ride.” The Lundy Group and Sid Truitt both assisted with the removal and shipping of the rides to West Texas. Larson International in Plainview, Texas will also be assisting Joyland in getting the coaster ready, with rebuilding of some mechanical parts as well as the coaster train. —Gary Slade Source: Amusement Today YAY!!!! A Swarzkopf was saved! I heard there was some good news coming out but I didn't expect it to be THAT good
XII Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Cool! Thats one shuttle loop saved from rusting in a Parking Lot!
coastered Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Cool! Thats one shuttle loop saved from rusting in a Parking Lot! I know that. PGA's shuttle loop was @ sfmw parking lot for a long time. But it's vertical loop was used at another shuttle loop.
yesac519 Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Hey. Don't Repost. This topic should be locked. If you wanted to know that you could of read this thread... http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23205 Ight...
verticalzero Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 I'm so glad this shuttle loop has been saved, it is one of the best coasters at Astroland. I have never been to the park There are so few of these types left working in the world..
DerekRx Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Thats great news! I'm glad to see they've been saved, though its WAY out there in the other part of Texas. Better than the scrap heap though!
Carnage Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 That's great news, even though I'll probably enver ride either of them. There's too many roller coasters rotting in fields through out the US. Don't need to add to the pile.
robbalvey Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Hey. Don't Repost. This topic should be locked. If you wanted to know that you could of read this thread... http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23205 Ight... I'll leave this thread open. While technically it was posted in another thread, that thread was mostly about Cyclone's demolition. This is noteworthy news that I feel could benefit by a separate thread. --Robb "Please let us make the decision on what threads should or shouldn't be locked." Alvey
nissanskyline1235 Posted March 10, 2006 Posted March 10, 2006 Yay, I'm glad the swarzkopf isn't facing the same fate as Texas Cyclone. Now bring it out Arizona's way, then I'll be overjoyed!
ParkTrips Posted March 10, 2006 Author Posted March 10, 2006 Not to mention my thread cambe BEFORE the posts in the Cyclone thread Booyah!
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