Defunct Coasters: Thunder Express

 Defunct Coasters: Thunder Express at Dollywood

By Ashley N. Schaffer

May 24, 2021

Credit: Michael S. Horwood

    Thunder Express at Dollywood is widely regarded as the very beginning of the Dollywood we know and love today. Before Wild Eagle and Lightning Rod came Thunder Express, the first outdoor coaster at Dollywood. To go with the theme of the surrounding area in the park, Thunder Express was, of course, mine themed. Situated in the back (where Tennessee Tornado is today), Thunder Express brought many riders joy throughout the years, and who could ever forget their ride on such a monumental coaster? 

Before Dollywood

    Unlike many of the coasters I have covered and will be covering in the future, Thunder Express did not have a life at just one park. Before coming to Dollywood, Thunder Express had a very lengthy stay at Six Flags St. Louis as River King Mine Train. Thunder Express had a very confusing history at the start. When it opened at Six Flags St. Louis, it actually had opened as two different mine train coasters side by side. By today’s standards, Thunder Express was not anything to write home about, but when it had originally opened in 1971 at Six Flags St. Louis, it was exciting enough to warrant two different tracks. In 1988, the second track was sold to Dollywood. Before that had happened, however, there had been a devastating accident on the ride while it was at Six Flags St. Louis, so no real changes have ever been made to the very simple ride model (as it is believed that shifting the ride to a standup car style instead had caused the fatal accident). The second track was not removed because of this fatal accident, but because Six Flags St. Louis had gotten another coaster to take its place. Rumors still circle around that they chose which track to remove because of the fatal accident, seeing as though the second track that was sold to Dollywood shortly after was the one that had been involved. 

Dollywood Era

Credit: Michael S. Harwood

    Unfortunately, even though Thunder Express was Dollywood’s first outdoor coaster, there is a serious lack of information about its time at the park. We know general specs about the ride, like its manufacturer and when it opened and closed, but documentation on the history at Dollywood is nowhere near as extensive as it was at Six Flags St. Louis. This is because it had less of a controversial history at Dollywood. We do know a few things about this coaster, however. One thing we do know is Dolly Parton’s reaction to the coaster being “My brothers and sisters and me came up with some pretty odd contraptions when we were little, but our imaginations had never conjured something up quite like this.” Dolly Parton’s reaction was pretty common for the coaster at the time of its’ opening. By today’s standards, the ride is extremely underwhelming, even compared to what is apart of Dollywood’s lineup today. It only reached about 32 feet in height, had a drop of 41 feet, and reached speeds of 37 mph. The only thing that people consider special about this ride is its feature of 3 different chain lift hills. That is often not enough for people to write home about it, especially considering the general consensus is that Thunder Express had more lift hills than actual ride time. It might be because of all of these reasons why documentation of its time at Dollywood is weak and the eventual removal of the ride for something “bigger and better”. 

Where is it now?

Source: Martin Valt

    At the end of the 1998 season, Dollywood announced that Thunder Express would be closing. Thunder Express would be closing because a new coaster by the same manufacturer would be taking its place, Tennessee Tornado by Arrow Dynamics. Thunder Express would now be moving to a small amusement park in Arkansas, Magic Springs. It arrived and became operational at Magic Springs in 2002, and got a new name, Big Bad John. This would be the first name change in over 20 years. Big Bad John still operates at Magic Springs today! 

Sources: 

https://dollyparton.com/family_destinations/dollywood/thunder-express-first-roller-coaster/4557

https://coasterbuzz.com/RollerCoasters/thunder-express

https://www.sixflags.com/stlouis/attractions/river-king-mine-train

https://rcdb.com/587.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJPvoMgexAo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_King_Mine_Train

   

   

“Braking” it Down! (Part 1)

 Preface: The brake run is one of the most important components of a roller coaster. In the modern amusement setting, brake runs are crucial to the successful operation of high-capacity roller coasters. This installment of Coaster Chat will serve to explain what brake runs are, the different types of brake runs, and how each of them works to keep the roller coasters up and running.

Coaster Chat 2: “Braking” it Down! (Part 1)

Introduction

What is a brake run? A brake run is a fundamental element of roller coasters. It is what allows the coaster train to be stopped before the station. They also prevent trains from crashing into each other midway through the ride. Brake runs have changed in design as technology and coasters have changed. Originally, on wooden coasters, brake sections were operated manually. This is still found on a handful of classic roller coasters, such as Sea Dragon at Columbus Zoo or Leap The Dips at Lakemont Park (the world’s oldest operating roller coaster). In the modern era, brakes are operated automatically, using sensors to monitor the speed and position of a train, slowing or stopping it accordingly. There are three primary types of brake runs worth discussing: trim brakes, mid-course brake runs, and final brake runs. The latter two are types of “block brakes,” A concept we will also discuss.

Trimming and Blocking

To understand brakes as a whole, it is important to understand what trimming is. On a roller coaster, the act of “trimming” a train means slowing it down to a desired speed. Trim brakes, specifically, are brakes that serve only this purpose. In practical use, trim brakes work by using two sensors in succession to calculate the speed of a train. The brake follows these sensors and applies enough pressure to bring the train to an appropriate speed. Although some people don’t like the loss of speed, trim brakes are an important tool to help roller coasters undergo less wear-and-tear, as well as providing a more comfortable and less intense ride. That being said, rides like Intimidator at Carowinds (Charlotte, NC) have so many trim brakes that some coaster enthusiasts have nicknamed it “In-trim-idator,” a rather fitting jab at the design.

Trim brake on Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL) (VF15, themeparkreview.com)

Before we cover mid-course and final brake runs, we will briefly talk about block zones, or “blocks.” When a roller coaster runs more than one train, it is important to divide the track into blocks. A block is an individual area of track that can only be occupied by one train at a time. Each block is separated by a block device. Block brakes include mid-course and final brake runs, but lift hills also have the capability of preventing a train from progressing. Blocks allow more than one train to travel along the track by providing a method to stop each train at the end of any given block zone. If for any reason, a train enters a block brake and the following section of the track is not clear, the block brake will stop the train until the train ahead has finished clearing the section. This occurrence is known as a “cascade.” In most cases, cascades are uncommon, as the Standard Operating Procedures used by operators take into account how early a train can be dispatched to prevent them from happening. Some other common reasons that block brakes might stop a train include “valleying” (when a train fails to maintain the required speed to clear the layout and gets stuck), “ghost trains” (when the ride’s computer detects the presence of a train that is not actually there, leading to a fault*), and power outages. Block brakes play a crucial role when it comes to safe roller coaster operations.

A “block map” of a sample roller coaster, in which each color represents a different block zone (John German)

Mid Course and Final Brake Runs

Now that you have learned about trimming and blocking, we can combine these two concepts to talk about mid-course brake runs (MCBRs) and final brake runs. As the name implies, MCBRs are found in the middle of a roller coaster’s layout and final brake runs, at the finale.

Roller coasters can feature any number of MCBRs, but the most common ratio is one MCBR for three trains operating (this leaves a final brake run and station as the other two block brakes for the other two trains). MCBRs serve as block brakes, but may also serve as trim brakes. To an untrained rider, MCBRs are the most noticeable form of trim brake, as roller coasters often undergo a large deceleration when traveling across them. The speed they bring you to varies, but it is typically easy to tell if you are being slowed down on one. Rides like Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA) slow riders to a near-stop on their MCBRs, whereas rides like Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) often have minimal to no trimming at all. It should be noted that although MCBRs can be used as trim brakes, they are not the same as stand-alone trim brakes. However, using MCBRs as trim brakes may eliminate the need for trim brakes later in the layout.

Gatekeeper at Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) corkscrewing over its MCBR (Incrediblecoasters.com)

Final brake runs may also serve to trim a train, however, the purpose of trimming on a final brake run more or less brings a train to a reasonable speed for the holding/station brakes to stop it. On most coasters, the final brake run, any holding brakes, and station are integrated onto one straight section of the track. In general, the final brake run is generalized as this straight section (minus the station) but may include enough block zones to hold the remaining trains that are not in the station. This is also a type of cascade but is referred to as “stacking” in this scenario. Stacking generally occurs when operators are not dispatching trains quickly enough, and lowers hourly capacity if left unresolved. Solutions for stacking include increasing the speed of operations (through practice) or putting one or more trains into storage.

A train enters Scorpion’s final brake run at Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL)

Fail-Safe Brakes

If you ever worry about the power going out on a coaster and the trim/block brakes not working, this is the purpose of fail-safe brakes. All brakes that are operated electronically will automatically close in their unpowered position. This will ensure that the train comes to a stop and doesn’t crash. From there, riders can be evacuated from the ride. In some cases, trim brakes may be used (sometimes exclusively) to slow down a train during a power outage. In this case, they can force the train to valley without rocking back and forth for too long, allowing for the evacuation process to begin sooner. 

Conclusion

Next time you are at an amusement park, watch the roller coasters carefully. With a little practice, you can easily identify the different brakes on a roller coaster, point out block zones, and maybe even see how trimming is being utilized. Now that you know the functions of brakes, lookout for a future post when we discuss how brakes have evolved mechanically, and the different types of brake devices.

Ride-On,

John

*Broadly, a fault is any occurrence in which a ride’s computer malfunctions, leading to the ride being stopped automatically as a safety precaution.

Fun Mountain - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

 Fun Mountain - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

By Kayla Miller

May 1, 2021

Photo Credit: Kayla Miller 

Hiding in plain sight, in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, lies the fading remains of Fun Mountain, a family amusement park. Before this land housed the remnants of Fun Mountain, there was an admired hotel called Mountain View Hotel. How do you find this location? What’s there now? Why did this location falter? Stay tuned, I will be answering all of these questions! 

Mountain View Hotel

Photo Credit: Digital Commonwealth 

Once upon a time, a man named Mr. Andy Huff owned multiple sawmills in the area. He had so much love and compassion for his employees that he often opened up his own home to them. Over time, the demand for housing became too much for him and he felt it rude to charge his guests for staying in his home. In order to accommodate them, he opened up a small hotel under his home. Once the demand outgrew this location, he opened up the Mountain View Hotel in 1926. At its largest, the hotel was 3 stories and had 100 rooms. 

Photo Credit: Public Domain

The Mountain View Hotel quickly became very popular. In its day it even housed some celebrities. It was the place to work for young people, and most people in town had at least one memory to share of the location. After the hotel was passed down a couple of generations, one of the owners used the popularity of the location to start up some new hotels and resorts in the area. It is unclear exactly why the Mountain View Hotel went out of business. However, my hypothesis is that the hotel lost the favor of the owner. This might have led to him neglecting to update and refurbish the establishment. If this were the case, it would also cause the business to suffer as people started seeking out better accommodations. 

Photo of one of the rooms in the Mountain View Hotel, 1951

Photo Credit: Tim Wynn 

Ultimately the hotel closed in the 1980s. Due to the nostalgia and history wrapped up in the building, the community tried to save the building by repurposing it as the town’s Chamber of Commerce building. Unfortunately, this never happened and the building was demolished in 1993. 

Fun Mountain

Photo Credit: Brandy Amos 

Fun Mountain was opened in 1993 with the intention of being a family-oriented amusement park. Some of the attractions located here included: bumper cars, bumper boats, an antique carousel, go-karts, minigolf, scrambler ride, a swing ride, tilt-a-whirl, electric train ride, ferris wheel, a large arcade, and the famous chair lift. According to an old ad, the chair lift was the longest in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, taking guests up the side of the mountain to enjoy the beautiful view of the town below. 

Photo Credit: Jordan Liles 

Unfortunately, the family amusement park had financial struggles since the moment it opened. By the year 2000, only 7 short years after it opened, Fun Mountain closed for good. The rides and attractions sat there halted in time for another 8 years until the rides were either sold or demolished. Now, all that’s left is the lonely chair lift. The chairs hang overhead as if waiting for their next guests to hop on in. 

Photo Credit: Allie McAdow

My family, best friend (Allie McAdow), and I visited the Gatlinburg area for a vacation in April. While looking for places to go explore, I stumbled across stories of the abandoned chair lift. I was instantly obsessed with learning everything I could learn, and how to find it. Little did I know that it was only 5 minutes from where we were staying. Allie and I quickly headed to the location and were surprised to learn that the area had been turned into a public parking lot. Although the other attractions are long gone, the chair still sits there, overgrown and waiting. 

Sources

https://www.facebook.com/AbandonedThemeParks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=311826678973114 

https://gatlinburginn.com/fun-mountain-gatlinburg/ 

https://www.jackhuffs.com/about-us/history/#:~:text=The%20hotel%20soon%20grew%20to,born%20into%20this%20Gatlinburg%20family.&text=It%20changed%20from%20a%20sleepy,sophisticated%20gateway%20to%20the%20Smokies. 

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/fun-mountain-tn/ 

http://web.archive.org/web/20040216195350/http://www.reaganresorts.com/funmnt.htm 

https://williambritten.com/wordpress/gatlinburg/history-of-the-smokies-mountain-view-hotel/ 

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/compass/all-that-s-left-of-this-tennessee-theme-park-is-an-abandoned-chairlift-235331402.html 

Defunct Coasters: Big Dipper at Geauga Lake

 Defunct Coasters: Big Dipper at Geauga Lake

By Ashley N. Schaffer

May 3, 2021

Credit: Braun Art Publishing

The story of amusement parks, in a large part, is also the story of Ohio. For most of Ohio’s history as a state, there has been some form of amusement park. In fact, Ohio has had over 60 amusement parks open at one time, and the state is still viewed as the ‘Roller Coaster Capital of the World’ even today. In the early 1900s, two amusement parks stood out as the premium choice in Ohio: Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. Both were relatively large parks for the times, yet both kept the same family feel. While Cedar Point opened their first batch of roller coasters before Geauga Lake added their first coaster, they were all short lived. Geauga Lake’s first coaster, however, ended up taking the place as the oldest roller coaster in Ohio starting in 1940 and ending when the park closed in 2007. 

The Opening Days

Credit: Herman Photo

The Big Dipper was the largest investment that the park had made at the time. Even though Geauga Lake had officially opened as an amusement park in 1887, it wasn’t until 1925 when they added their first coaster, and boy was it a record breaker! The park had recently been bought by a new company, the creatively named ‘Geauga Lake Amusement Company (GLAC)’ whose main focus was to breathe new passion into the park. While minimal efforts to make Geauga Lake into an amusement park were made before, the main focus was recreational camping. William Kuhlman and GLAC ended up spending $50,000 on the new John Miller designed coaster from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. When it opened it had the original name of “Sky Rocket”, which was a common name for coasters of the time. The height of the coaster was 65 feet, and the total length of track was 2,680 feet. It was John Miller’s signature out-and-back layout, and also featured a double-down dip, another one of his signature elements. It went 32 mph at its top speeds. Of course, when Sky Rocket opened, it was the largest wooden rollercoaster in the world, and many came from all over just to ride it! Unfortunately, there is not much known about this coasters first years of operation, and the years between 1925 and the late 1940s are considered to be lost to time. It should be noted that the 1940s also weren’t well documented, and the first case of real documentation for Big Dipper and Geauga Lake as a whole wasn’t until the 1960s, with another large blind spot in the 1970s, and then picked up again in the 1980s. 

Shifting Companies

Credits: CoasterDad

The 1940s didn’t treat the growing park well. In 1941, a severe storm ended up damaging part of Sky Rocket. This wasn’t the worst of the damages the park saw during this time, but the storm was the only one who impacted Sky Rocket directly. After the death of William Kuhlman, the next owners of Geauga Lake were the Schreyer Family. They changed the name of Sky Rocket to Clipper in 1947, and they bought two new trains from the National Amusement Device company. This would really be the biggest upgrade until the 1960s. In the 1960s, however, four different former Cedar Point executives ended up gaining interest in the park. Not only did those four executives revitalize Cedar Point, they were the ones who brought the park back from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1950s. When they bought Geauga Lake, they planned to do the same thing to the long neglected park. They came up with a 10-year, multi-million dollar plan which helped fix parts of the Clipper coaster, and then changed the name to the one we know and love today, Big Dipper. This change came in 1969, 10 years after they bought the park. Also in 1969, Funtime Inc. (a longtime owner of the park, and who many consider to be the best owners of the park due to their extensive interest in making the park and town around it a global name), bought the park. The Big Dipper remained a staple attraction, even through the shift from free entry to pay-per-ride. It also underwent major renovations in the 1980s, and also was retracked by Martin and Vleminckx. 

Fate of the Big Dipper

Credits: Chagrin Valley Times

The Big Dipper continued to stay popular even after Premier Parks (Six Flags) acquisition of Funtime Inc. and Cedar Fairs’ purchase of the park in the early 2000s. It began to gain traction as the oldest roller coaster in Ohio and 7th oldest roller coaster in the United States, and was even awarded two different designations from ACE, the ACE Coaster Classic and the ACE Coaster Landmark awards. This made it all the more surprising when Cedar Fair made the sudden decision to close the park on September 21st, 2007, announcing that the only part of the park that would remain open would be the adjacent waterpark. Many people were obviously concerned about what would happen to the Big Dipper, especially since it held such a special title in Ohio history, and even amusement park history as a whole. Many efforts to sell the coaster or preserve it were unsuccessful, and the auction company as well as Cedar Fair wasn’t truthful as to who had bought the coaster. Minor repairs were made in 2008, and two coaster enthusiasts approached Cedar Fair with interest to buy and preserve Big Dipper, but the plans fell through once Cedar Fair learned they were planning to store the coaster near the abandoned amusement park. The coaster eventually fell into disrepair, and many locals expressed that it was hurtful that something they took so much pride in was now an eyesore and a danger to the local community, especially with urban exploration becoming more popular within the area. The decision to demolish the Big Dipper was made exactly 9 years after the initial closing of the park on September 21, 2016. The coaster was later demolished on October 17, 2016. Jess Jennings, an avid fan of the ride said “I like how when you’re on an old ride like that, how you can feel every shift of the car on the ride. It still had the single position lap bars which made the nostalgia factor that much better… I’m always sad when a good coaster closes. They all have that familiar smell of grease and the shifting of the ride cars that tell you that they have age on them. Nothing really compares to the Big Dipper. The rides (Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake and wooden coasters at Kennywood, just to name a few) may feel similar, but without the landscape, it’s not the same.” Do you have any memories of riding this historic and industry changing coaster? Let Hidden Amusements know in the comments, and have a chance to be featured in a future blogpost! 

Works Cited:

https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Big_Dipper_(Geauga_Lake)

https://www.aceonline.org/page/GLDipper

https://aurorahistorical.org/archives/geauga-lake-sea-world-history/

https://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/geauga-lake-big-dipper

https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20170914/NEWS/309149687